Let's Refurb! - Fixing SomeThingElseYT's Nintendo DSI!

Adam messaged me on Twitter to tell me that he had seen my videos and liked my channel. He was looking to make a video on his beloved Nintendo DSI, however it was slightly faulty. We talked about the idea of me talking him through the repair over Skype, but settled for posting the item to me, then posting it back. This meant I could do a video on the repair! I hope you enjoy!
Check out my hats! - theretrofuture.merchforall.com/
Adam's Channel - / trolldawgz
Check out links below:
Things I Use:
- Screwdriver Set: ebay.to/2QCjLNO
- Soldering Iron: ebay.to/2xiSKqv
- Tool Box: ebay.to/2OuGPwm
- Camera: ebay.to/2NMPhtL
- Cutting Mat: ebay.to/2NNxEtH
- GB Boy Colour: ebay.to/2xfFPWu
- Retro Console I Like: ebay.to/2NPAHSj
Support me: / theretrofuture
Social Media:
- Facebook Page: bit.ly/2zOi869
- Instagram: bit.ly/2ydhxik
- Twitter: bit.ly/2iJ6YMS
Music:
- Intro: ollyrybarczu...
- Outro: bit.ly/2MFiGkZ
Disclaimer:
The links above are affiliated where possible. This will give me a very small amount of commission if you buy anything through the links.
Please note links above are affiliated where possible to support the channel. Thank you for your understanding.

[@multistuff9831]

How to save money on refurbing: *Be this guy's friend*

[@lindabaccarro615]

Y u p

[@Loganx19_Productions]

@@mileenaliciouss i subscribed

[@INFPQ]

I Wish...

[@JovanLemon]

@@Loganx19_Productions you absolute idiot... 1: nobody cares 2: he wants you to subscribe

[@thekillersandvich1150]

@@JovanLemon dude theres no need to be a dick

[@KshotTV]

That's so cool! Man I forgot how much I used to love my DSi

[@TheRealShalex]

Hi Adams brother

[@MarioGarcia-qm7fd]

I subscribed to your Chanel

[@cliptrashbin2389]

Same mine just stop working

[@portapottygasstationemmett7484]

SAME

[@explodingrubiescollectorof7888]

KshotTV I transferred my dsi pictures and all my stuff to my 3ds using the 3ds transfer tool found in the shop.

[@flibblesan]

DSi looks easier to work on than the DS lite!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Its about the same to be honest!

[@JohnGotts]

Definitely not. The flex cables are very fiddly.

[@SummonerArthur]

@@JohnGotts I agree

[@nitrax8629]

@@TheRetroFuture It's actually worse if you need to do anything with the upper screen - 2 ribbons instead of one curled through that hinge makes it more likely to tear one or both!

[@IrisXen]

Keep in mind the DS lite has the GBA game reader.

[@Lemmy4K]

When my L and R keys didn't work, I just put my mouth on them and blew really hard.

[@germancubesolveryolo4524]

Me, too

[@jajajappie3425]

Me too and it actually works

[@Connie_TinuityError]

It makes me wonder why neither SomeThingElseYT nor The Retro Future had even tried that in the first place. It makes me think that this video was completely unnecessary.

[@PokGOT4N]

@@Connie_TinuityError Because it's a temporary fix to this problem (it's gonna stop working for sure at a moment) and it's dangerous for the console because you're spitting water indirectly on the inside

[@darstrockjm5690]

yeah, I did that ... and I screwed up the console

[@niksi8355]

This vid combines animation and retro gaming name a better duo

[@lewseall]

Niksi8 mario & luigi

[@xamfoam1438]

Shadow Cuber25 Peach and Daisy

[@big_egg953]

Fortnite and not being relevant anymore

[@mutationkorno2400]

Niksi8 Ridley and Issabelle

[@deiuyb7338]

Fortnite and thanos

[@westsenkovec]

You're mistaken. This is the black version, called KSi.

[@Insullar]

Wow that's racist.

[@missrinnabun]

@@Insullar r/wooooosh

[@greenpixel_]

@@missrinnabun He probably got the joke, but still, it's racist...

[@westsenkovec]

He's the one who haves a black profile picture. That's double racist!

[@goncalorocha5500]

calm down guys, most of ksi's comedy revolves around him being black anyway

[@ferroth]

now fix theodd1sout's game boy lmao

[@yobelkcip]

I'd love to see that video.

[@brandongomezvie-domde1a103]

I wonder I jadenanimation has a broken game console or something

[@youtubekeepsmesane446]

Jaiden animations has a game boy.

[@gerardalvarado4432]

What Gameboy?

[@reigen4030]

Fix Dan howells he threw in a lake.

[@dank-adam]

Okay guys were the originals so we should get ready for when somethingelseyt uploads a vid on this

[@itnotwillne4768]

Squibbles we are here

[@abdur4754]

@@MapleTree0 you are so clapped

[@FlowerCatta]

Big Dan and Dank Adam how bout no

[@snesdude7]

The L and R buttons not working is probably a common issue on these. I remember having to send my DSi to Nintendo's service center twice!

[@gustavo_colombini]

I used to play my DSi all the time, it made tons of great memories for me. I wish it wasn’t stolen...

[@coreywt1821]

Gustavo Colombini lol

[@samuelmiller5457]

SL1CE hahahaha crime is sooo funny right

[@RoseTheRoyal]

Was it stolen by a Karen because “her precious angel needs it” ?

[@notthegoatseguy]

I just love the DSi beep at the beginning. I only really use my DSi for my alarm (of all my DS/3DS, it is the only one where the hinges are perfect and don't make that loud clicking noise, perfect if I need to sleep in and turn off the alarm). But the beeping intro is something I miss about it that didn't make it over to the 3DS.

[@pixelprime5908]

Top 10 anime cross overs

[@justadudeee]

Jaden Bissell it’s NO NO NO NO NO

[@pixelprime5908]

@@justadudeee YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

[@technosaber9281]

uh ?

[@Ieu6054]

Top 10 over used jokes.

[@Zero-rm7fp]

@@Ieu6054 this is also overused

[@sloshi_mori]

Man, i wish this dude could fix my broken 3ds xl :( it has memories on it but the top screen is black 24/7 because of a broken hinge

[@jacobruddle6847]

Its the same with mine. The only way you can fix it is that you buy a NEW 3DS xl and transfer the top part onto the old one (thats broken). So you might as well buy a new 3DS XL if you can find a way to get all your data onto your SD Card. Hope it works! :3

[@sloshi_mori]

@@jacobruddle6847 Thanks, i got a new nintendo 2ds xl before this comment was posted, but idk if i can buy a whole new 3ds xl. Ill try though

[@VenitYT]

Dude i know how to fix it if you know how to join two broken wires together then just super glue the hinge

[@candytendo6488]

Same but i have a 3ds and the right speaker doesn't work

[@TorutheRedFox]

@@VenitYT it's not just a broken wire it's a whole ribbon cable, but they're not hard to replace

[@hoomanadaw365]

7:25 i think ive heard those drums before

[@johnnotyt635]

me too

[@johnnotyt635]

do you know what song it is from?

[@hoomanadaw365]

@@johnnotyt635 its the pornhub intro theme

[@ibtyx1]

R u serious?

[@ibtyx1]

I can’t tell

[@necroticdemonart]

I had an dsi when I was younger and this is so fascinating to me. Younger me wanted to de construct an DSi

[@yobelkcip]

Makes me feel like disassembling my own DSi XL, which the left shoulder button and volume switch don't work.

[@s_mehmi28]

try blowing in the shoulder button it works for me

[@yobelkcip]

I just did it but it didn't work.

[@yobelkcip]

2 years later I found out, I forgot to plug the left shoulder ribbon back in.

[@wolfagalaxy1428]

Oh wow, this brings back so many old memories. I used to, and still have my Nintendo DSI, it was meant to be my mother's but I kinda "stole" it since she didn't use it at all. It sadly stopped working years ago- Even the "Health and Safety" screen at the start is the same as my Nintendo's.

[@nitrax8629]

When replacing the L/R ribbon cable, chances are you need to adjust the screen bias for both displays, as they are on this cable. A flickering display is a good indicator this needs adjustment (this is visible in this video). This should be done with the system on and battery door removed for access. Be gentle, as the adjustment pots are easy to break.

[@egdirkcol]

@Retro Gamer Try watching it in higher quality. Maybe the fps is low.

[@FMJ1400]

@@egdirkcol nah the screen isn't flickering just the lighting

[@jadenuo4434]

who asked u furry

[@prod.eenigma]

@@jadenuo4434 ok this person shared information and you judge them by there pfp. Man that's not cool, what a duche.

[@jadenuo4434]

yoyoboi.connor 1 douche*

[@nsr4000]

1:41 When he turned it on I could just here the music(I’m watching this without volume) and when it opened to the main menu I can just here the music lol

[@charpanda64]

its amazing to see the inner workings of a dsi

[@radicallymaxton]

Oh thank God you cleaned the inside. I couldn't focus, it was so dirty. Lmao

[@MikkyMilkshake]

So what was up with the L and R buttons, were the contacts corroded on the board or something?

[@bassnbluegill1406]

The Nintendo Dsi is notorious for broken shoulder buttons. I still have mine (it barely functions) and the shoulder buttons were the first thing to break.

[@greenstorm5568]

Yeah i rewatched this to fix my right back button, and while breaking it apart and putting it back together worked out and i didn't damage it, the right button still doesnt work, so ill have to replace it maybe one day with another sd card component 😔

[@LiakkDoesStuff]

Greenstorm I guess I should use my 3ds more now that I know I have a “special” dsi

[@sachatrin2981]

@Greenstorm late to the party but you can actually disassemble the switch and scrape of the corrosion that's preventing contact thus blocking the button from working

[@Build2Inspire]

0:17 :ok hand symbol:

[@nathan4114]

A for effort

[@Mini5hrek]

*Woah nice video!* Was sent here by Adam and I love your channel already!

[@gerg905]

Haha, this was definitely fun! I love SomeThingElseYT. I find it kinda funny though cause when I needed to replace my buttons and (on the 3DS) the Circle Pad, I just kinda opened it up and jumped straight into the deep end to repair it instead of sending it all the way across the Atlantic. XDXDXD

[@laurencarlson4541]

Glad to see Adam's DS all better! I watched one of your earlier vids on the Phat, and one had a broken hinge like my old'n I was wondering if there's anything to really fix it? It still has the little black bit. I'm a little nervous playing it until I can fix it, so anything helpful is very appreciated.

[@kallanmulford3493]

"Let's take a nice selfie for Adam, for when he get's this back..." *Takes Picture. Fades In* Me: AHAGHAAGAGAH

[@IAmKokiri]

That is dedication,I’m glad you actually fixed it This means nothing by you can say that I subbed

[@downnnnnn]

This was in my recommended, I’m not from Adam xD Great vid!

[@rorymacmaster4678]

agree

[@banditdraws4757]

I never had too much electronics but I'm really happy for Adam/somethingelseyt ;3

[@meetingpepole8127]

I had a Nintendo DSI but my aunt ripped the screen off it and threw it at the wall...i miss him.... his name was Steve

[@marcopasta6274]

Rip

[@rimjobsteve8332]

@@marcopasta6274 F

[@mrsg1137]

I swear, I watch another video and you always pop up! When I heard your channel name in SomeThingElse's vid, I choked on my lemsip lol

[@lou6946]

I was expecting SomethingelsesYT would comment here

[@chaysewilson7601]

Music at 5:08?

[@amychi_]

One year later.. I'm watching this once again

[@g.d.1280]

I was playing the Anniversary Legend of Zelda Four swords on my 3DS when my Left and Right buttons stopped working unless you spammed it really hard (which you needed to switch inbetween Links and you needed that for some of the bosses) so I never got past the final boss because I didn’t have enough time to switch inbetween Links

[@DouglasWalrath]

softmodding it can let u backup the internal memory to a file, and it's very easy to softmod, and it provides bricking protection since from then onward it will use the SD card as a virtual NAND

[@kyledownes7525]

A simple Google search will tell me how to do this, I assume?

[@rollinwithmahomies2149]

Who remembers grape surgery? This channel reminds me of that.

[@kimberleehernandez7251]

I've never seen it

[@DreamDaddie]

That's awesome you did this for a friend. If I paid for shipping and a new shell for it would be able to swap the housing on my Zelda 3ds xl on KZbin?

[@toters2724]

I still have my DSi XL from 2015 along with my Switch from 2018.

[@gibraltar4841]

Anyone else watch SomeThingElseYT?

[@nova6706]

Yeah. Me

[@skixian]

Me ma dude

[@drerryy]

Yep.

[@richardc647]

Who is else?

[@MaJeeDooo0010]

👍🏻

[@SoftEndy]

How come neither of those DSi have the matte finish? Was it just scratched away over time?

[@TheRetroFuture]

Exactly right yeah.

[@luckinber]

Man I love that you have the Xiaomi screwdriver set, I have it and it's so damn good

[@soldier4191]

I have a old Samsung Galaxy tab 2 but it doesn't really work anymore do you know a way I can get it fixed

[@imprettybad3603]

Who remembers mario 64 DS.

[@robotgalaxy4168]

Anyone & everyone who knows anything about the DS

[@yeetmastervr]

Played it when I was 4 years old

[@yeetmastervr]

#dogAteIt

[@LegoCat88]

It is my second favourite game of all time

[@bloosnoc]

i lost my copy of the game

[@Cool_Beansiest]

Hey TheRetroFuture, I was thinking.. My bros and I had some movile Nintendo systems that may need a bit of attention. I was hoping you could fix them the best you can. I can give you more info if you are willing to help. It would mean a lot to me if you can fix mine at least.

[@___d311]

I saw a comment similar to this below, they said dm his Twitter, so hey, give it a shot if you haven’t trashed or fixed them in the year it’s been

[@Davedarko]

Hi! I have a DSi here that won't charge. I checked the connector, fuses and the EMI filter - all good. Does anyone here have the schematics for it flying around? I need to find out what components are responsible for charging. I have another option for a replacement circuit with micro USB, but maybe I'm lucky, so I post here. Thank you for sharing your repairs @The Retro Future! You've introduced me to some interesting technics around handhelds!

[@TheRetroFuture]

No problem dude! Hope you fix the ds!

[@SigmaProps]

Only thing more therapeutic than watching someone repair an old console is doing it yourself. Honestly fixing consoles, even just like doing a Joycon shell swap, is relaxing as hell for me

[@ScreechingBagel]

people did surgery on a grape, *but he did surgery on a dsi*

[@Oshawatt]

Infinity War:we’re the most ambitious crossover Jontron and Phil Swift:*clears throat* Me, an intellectual:

[@pearl2937]

This brought back my old pokemon black days

[@teriyakifrito9959]

Well i came here because adam hehe, and i have never seen something of technology been repair, and i ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT 😍 it was super interesting, i will pass all night long watching your videos man!!!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Awesome! Thanks so much!!

[@geraldmaier6669]

What an absolute madlad

[@sharkbearagator_9805]

Hope the DSi recovers from surgery, and I guess Adam too but mostly the dsi

[@Strashky]

I had the same problem with my DSi, however I fixed mine by cleaning the buttons shoulder plates with a toothbrush and dripping some contact spray into the button by simply pressing the nob down with something, pooring some contact spray on top of the nob it and letting it work its way into the little box. Idk if it sounds logical I just messed around with it because I really wanted it to work again and now a couple months later it still works perfectly fine.

[@jerkyflimnuts]

Fixing it seemed easier than I thought, I thought it would be a long process xd

[@cliptrashbin2389]

If only I knew this guy years ago i have a DS Lite and DSi both broke on me

[@dan_trademark]

The retro future SomethingElseYT:Hey can you fix this The Retro Future:Oka... SomethingElseYT:Okay here ya go BYEEEEEE

[@darthvaderfan6641]

WHAT A GUY WHO IS COOL BECAUSE HE FIXES THOSE STUFF! *I wish I was your friend..*

[@MinerGameroneinonly]

Same, cause I have an old pink 3DS. (I have 2 3DS, the red one is still working. But the pink one is missing it’s right joint. Cause it worn out on the right) I’ll post the image of my broken 3DS on Twitter or Instagram.

[@Hayastantzi92]

my DSi is still in Perfect Condition to this day

[@fhdjdjdndbdhdh577]

Same with my GBA sp but sadly it has wery muliple sctratches

[@Mandarinmellon]

I have a question I’m hoping you can help me with. My brother got barbecue sauce in my new 3Ds XL in 2 of the letter buttons specially and I’m having a hard time clicking them. Can you give me some advice or make a video on how to clean it out?

[@TheRetroFuture]

You would need to take it apart to clean it! I have done a 3ds XL refurb before, not a new 3ds yet. Maybe soon!

[@Mandarinmellon]

The Retro Future thank you so much

[@nullnull5976]

lollypopcandy Just clean it?

[@Mandarinmellon]

give me subscribers plz thanks I wanted to know it there was a way to clean it without taking it apart, cause I don’t just my self to not break it

[@okokrara]

@@Mandarinmellon maybe try to get some sauce out with some thin if you are careful enough sharper than usual toothpicks pick at the place the sauce is visible try not to scratch it though

[@jerseygrl9189]

Man, I have to send you my broken Wii U pad!

[@nick-kj6vg]

What's the problem with it?

[@samuelmiller5457]

nick it’s broken

[@homelesstogreatness6626]

Mine already had yellowish screen corners and yellowed shell. Though it still works and I clean the shell and the motherboard from time to time. I guess it's just the fate of older white plastic shells with fire retardants that aren't painted-on like the 2DS/3DS models(except OLD 3DS XL). I still have my screen protector from like the first month since I got my DSi. It's even a screen protector for a different device that I just cut out the same size as DSi screens and for some reason, the first thing that broke was the charger. I love the DSi. It's UI is so beautiful and clean. I am planning to shell swap mine with a purple shell when the the upper LCD gets white or blackening corners so I can do it all once, the re-shelling and LCD upper LCD replacement because tearing down a DSi looks difficult as hell. Lmao. I did practice tearing it down with a broken DSi but it's still so difficult.

[@qui8495]

I've been after a dsi my whole life... I only got one yesterday and I can't wait to reshell it and customise it

[@LucasBNagy]

I wish you could do the same to mine..

[@michaelmccarthy5166]

I found a thing Imma probably watch from now on. Thanks

[@hknikhillikith123]

Just love your videos mate. I have an issue with my dsi as well . Both screens start flickering after like 5 minutes of gaming. Do you have any solution ? Please let me know. Love from India.

[@loreleiloriestone9179]

My game boy advance snapped in half at the hinges, is it salvageable? I’m pretty sure it isn’t, but I’ve been hanging on to it just in case.

[@Dragon123Sam]

That 60fps

[@TheRetroFuture]

Silkyyy

[@jacobruddle6847]

@@TheRetroFuture lol. I love your stuff, keep up the great work!

[@mariam-ox4mj]

It's fixed, wihooo

[@autumnthemasterofjokes2148]

Is it the same process for a 3ds, because mine had the same issue or is there a different video on that?

[@peachjackson3856]

Amazing stuff man, thank you!

[@koseidenai]

Hey retro future is there anyway I can send you my dsi cause I really want to play it again I'll pay and stuff

[@zekmaster644]

You should probably message him on his Twitter

[@benyazzie7856]

6:35 is me when I look into my mirror

[@joonatanlass]

It's cool that Adam reached out to you

[@melanieh.3091]

I wish I could get mine fixed (it’s a 3Ds btw). I have the exact same problem with the left and right triggers not working. They sometimes work if you press REALLY hard. And even then it sometimes doesn’t work.

[@jacobcorporon9682]

someone stole me and my brothers ds when i was little but my dad bought me and my brother both a 3ds

[@makeandeatgummyleeches5975]

Jacob Corporon and you are telling us this why?

[@Underpantswher]

@Indecisive N.E.E.T who is Lmfao?

[@runnybathroom]

I’ve won ... with no cost

[@jacobhill2608]

@@Underpantswher it means Laughing My Ass Off

[@Underpantswher]

@@jacobhill2608 L M A O? Lmao, his sister!

[@croix9468]

Could you fix my Nintendo Switch? He has this problem of not existing so I would appreciate it if you fixed this problem

[@nitnurray]

I had the same problem but I just blew under the triggers really hard and it fixed

[@ashokemmanuel4182]

I got the dsi on my fifth birthday it was awesome I got blue and my cousin got red and we played a lot of Pokémon until its final moments I loved it and still remember it

[@daniellelyons8581]

There was an attempt to blur the face 😂

[@gorjvn]

9:16 ooh i see a game on the right, i think retro played something on else's nintendo ;3

[@user-wi9se5ll3j]

Do you have any advice on fixing this one problem with my dsi? Every time I plug it in to a charger it's charging light is on for a second than goes of. Also when I try to turn on. I tried getting a new battery but still doesn't work. Just flashes a white light and turns off. So do you have any tips?

[@councilestategamer134]

I liked the video for the fact Elliot makes great content and I'll know it's going to be great video xD

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah thanks!

[@blakeullrich633]

Him: just fixed a dsi

[@lj-ov1jn]

I have the exact same issue with my dsi shoulder button the right side doesn't work anymore 😢

[@DJ4461]

I thought that the l and r buttons breaking was normal, because of how my new dsi came like that back in 2012.

[@SnowyGirlRoblox]

Wow,your really good at this,keep up the amazing work Now I may be able to repair my own Nintendo DS

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks! Im sure you can!

[@rilyhyer6597]

Hey man I have a new Nintendo 3ds and after an incident involving a screwdriver hitting the screen and making it black a little bit it started to get worse. So I was wondering if there was anything that you could do like help me fix it or any other tips or tricks

[@Cyntaria]

Do you have a volume button fix? Mine have died (vol down stuck 95% of the time) and even disassembling it I couldn't find any issues D:

[@AnimatianOfficialIsStinky]

That was so sweet of you to do that

[@maureenomahony2250]

I never knew Nintendo prints their name in the green bit of the DSI... Edit: It's at 3:55 in the Code-like green.

[@defianttomcat4696]

I miss mine when I got it in 2014😔 memories, but I still have the SD card!

[@davidemilianomartinezcasti7104]

Hello, sorry if i asked in the wrong stie, but i would like some recomendations. I´m also trying to fix an nintendo dsi, but the recharge battery light blinks when pluging it. As of now, i got it open (hopefully with no damage) and can´t find anything wrong.

[@cokemillion]

I know this videos a year old but, I have a broken R button. Do you think I could just replace the button on the ribbon cable vs. Swapping the whole thing.

[@albingrahn5576]

The black front with the white back actually looks pretty sick

[@epichasascythe4371]

I HAVE THE SAME EXACT DESIGN my buttons broke like that too, I wonder if its just that model.

[@JacksterDraws]

I accidently broke my brothers 2ds XL screen can you give me some tips on where to get it fixed

[@clarktalbot5447]

My 3DS XL has a separated top and bottom and the ribbon cable is whack. Anyone have any tips for someone trying to fix something like that?