Ok so I have already written Nintendo about this but I was wondering if anyone here could help me before I call them. I got a Nintendo DS original from my cousin who got it from a friend. He was told that it was broken, that it wouldn't power on so my cousin gave it to me thinking I could fix it. Well the battery was dead and so I bought a new battery and charger for it. Now though when you turn it on it wants you to set up your profile so I do that and when I reset it, it asks for it again and again....and again. Nintendo simply said to call them but I don't know what they can do for me. They can fix one for 75 but if it's a problem they can't fix (it's old so it's not under warranty) what would be my other options? I have no information about the system at all like what happened to it before or anything like that. Does anyone know about this problem? How maybe I could fix it, if it can be fixed or it it's worth it to just let Nintendo deal with it. Thanks in advance everyone.
I'll let Kittymat confirm, but it sound like a bad logic board to me. If it is, no you probably can't fix it faster, better, or cheaper than Nintendo can.
Sorry to hear about that. But firstly I recommend you that check if your battery good or bad. The console can not be turned on if the battery have problem. Secondly, Check if you insert your game cart.(or flashcard if you use it). Same problem will happen if you can not manage it. If you still can not fix it, just go to the game shop which offer game console repairment. Hope your DSL relive.
I have only had one of these (its a faulty logic board) However if you boot the DS with a flash cart in, this usually overrides the issue. It will never save your name, or keep time etc but it will still play games without having to keep putting in the info. If its an original DS buy a broken one from eBay (snapped hinge but working) and swap over the logic board, this should be a lot cheaper than 75!
Thanks for all the replies guys it all helps quite a bit. I'm new to the DS so I wasn't sure what to do. So if I boot it up with a flash card it should work? I only have one game for it and that's the one I got with it. Or I can switch out logic boards myself? Where could I find instructions on doing that?
switching out logic boards is not too hard - just read some internet guides first. Break a cable clip and the board is pretty much finished. I know that the R4 & M3 were fine running on the DS with no time save, but R4 is a bit of a nightmare so avoid any card with R4 in the title unless you are 100% sure of what you will be getting.
Ok thanks. I guess it all comes down to which one I have money for first now. I shop at deals extreme online for most of my game stuff and their prices for the M3s aren't bad. Can you point me to any guides that you know of for the logic board replacement? I've tried google and all I've gotten is computer logic boards and PSP logic boards.
I tried my sisters boyfriends flash card from his DS and it did nothing. It turned on but then it just was a white screen. He said the internal battery? might be out also? Does anyone have any experience on trading with EBgames? I know they trade old/broken consoles but do you know if they would charge me anything or if I'd just get a refurbished one? Thanks again for all your help
With the original DS (Phat) you will find the cheapest option will be to but a broken unit (hinge snapped) off eBay and replace the board in your own. In the UK you can buy one for £25, you can then sell the broken one back on eBay to get some cash back.
I've been looking for a broken DS on ebay but I can't seem to find one, just the lite versions and I'm pretty sure I can't swap out one of those boards. I'll keep looking and see what I can find on Craigslist too.
I just checked. What are you searching on? As of 2140 PST on 25-Jan-2009 there are at least 15 active auctions for broken DS Phat, with 4 ending in the next 24 hours.
