Replacing The Nintendo DS Lite Shell - A Quick Overview - How To Fix 

This simple overview was enough to fix my son's DS Lite with a broken hinge. The flat ribbon wire is the hardest part of the whole operation. Thanks.

you dont show how to do the ribbon.......... the hardest part...........

Just also wanted to give major props for giving me an idea of trying this little project out which I finally managed to do a few weeks back as I wanted to get my girlfriend a DS Lite for Xmas and found this much cheaper and rewarding. Took me about 3 evenings to do only because I took my time but really pleased with the results. I'm now also incredibly addicted to the Deal Extreme website for random bits & pieces lol :)

If I had a dollar for every time you said "wee" in this video...

Great Video . Thanks for taking your time out to help ppl like me (:

Do you know if Japanese DS lite consoles are internally the same as UK or US ones? Can they reliably be used as a source for donor parts?

RetroGameTech: I know this is an older video but I've been working on restoring my DS Lites lately and used this video as a guide. One thing I was wondering about: for the cases where you *do* need to do replacements on the bottom screen or the digitizer, do you have any tips for how to make sure the screens are aligned? I can take them apart and reassemble them no problem, but getting the screens to line up and then also be aligned when you put the shell on has been absolute murder!

If you do not plan on replacing the bottom screen I suggest a couple pieces of temporary tape to hold the bottom screen in place to prevent damage to the touchscreen ribbon cable. Also the top screen ribbon cable can be tricky to get connected just right. I suggest holding the battery in place to make sure everything works before reassembly. If a screen flashes the other screen is either not connected properly or you have damaged the ribbon cable.

amazing bro just amazing

Just a quick question. What do you use to clean the screens and make them look less grubby (especially the dirt in corners)

Around an hour if everything goes well. Maybe longer if you have problems routing the ribbon cable or mounting the screens.

I wish you would've made a tutorial (or another video for this same tutorial, like extras or something) where you show the whole process of you fiddling with the thing. I'm not facing this yet myself but I feel it would help to see you actually do it.

@GazuliGod these ones I got from DX and they are really good quality. I'd go as far to say you wouldn't know any different unless someone told you it was an aftermarket shell. So yeah, very nice quality, they don't feel cheap.

@retrogametech Long story, hope you are able to help me! I was trying to take apart my ds because i would buy a housing once i took it apart. ( broken hinge and some upper parts of the screen) so i started taking it apart. I got to the first screw and it was stripped. I am not the first owner of this ds lite. So i came to the conclusion that i would just use it for gba games, and i did not want to do any modding since i could not get the screw out. so i just cut the black and white wire and the ribbon cable to connect to the upper screen and speakers. Now when i try to turn on my ds, it just flashed and turns back off. Any suggestions?? Anything would help!

On the touchscreen do you just remove the plastic coloured border or the the transparent plastic sheet that comes with it because i took off both

Can you do one on a dsi or gameboy advance? I want to customise mine!

if im just replacing it for me than getting a different color shell isn't a big deal is it?

A little off subject here, but your videos kinda inspired me to fix my grinding 360 disc drive, i was given 2 broken Xboxes from friends for spare parts, all i needed to do was replace the roof of the drive which housed the clamp, so i was a little pissed to find that when i opened them up, all 3 drives were different models, and the roofs wouldnt fit, on the plus side, my GF has now said i can have my Xmas present early, a PS3.

Well done lad! It took me a couple of hours but I'm glad I watched your video else I would have truly fecked it. Thanks Jimmy!

@RetroGameTech were did you get the screw drivers

How exactly do you change the outline around the bottom screen? I need to replace mine due to an cracked hinge and as it's blue/black and looking for a different color, yeah need to see that done.

Does the replacement housing include those four rubber cover pads for the top screen screws?

Im just gonna leave the border on there might look cool.thanks for the vid.:)

Yo retro I have a problem I did this, well I replaced my shell and it looks good the only problem is that it doesn't close fully, its not bad to the point its noticeable but it bothers me I would like it to fully snap closed and the screen flashes all white when you move it to much I am hopeing it's just the ribbon cable for the screen is loose. Can you give me a tip, and yeah mixing up shell colors is fun I have red on black mario shell.

does it still work after you removed the clear plastic?

The amount of times he says “wee” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@oooELEKTRIKSTORMooo Lol, glad to hear someone is getting something out of my vids. And yeah, why do the easy fixes never go as smooth as they're supposed to??, haha. Nice score on the early PS3 btw!

did you sell it and make the profit?

The whole point of watching this is to see how you got it apart...

hey how you fish out the black wifi atenna wire out ? it's runs under the games housing

How do I fix the two shoulder buttons? I already tried blowing on it but that didn't work.

Actually broken. I lost the the piece that held the axle but i still have the axle itself, but I found out where i can reorder and replace the parts, thanks for replying though :D

did the shell come with a stylus mate?

"i'll replace my ds lite shell with a replacement kit that I bought from dealextreme and my screwdrivers that i bought from dealextreme..." thats exactly what im going to do, so i think this video will be helpful :D

Does this work if the hinge is broken?

I like how you say it isn't the easiest thing. It was a nightmare! Cost me 5 hours of my life and a mini nervous breakdown! LOL.

I love the video but could you add a more in depth one of taking out all the little parts & wires of the ds lite step by step, I like the video but need a just a little more help.. The one for GBA Sp was awsome my new sp shell went on like a dream because of your how to video.. Thank you

I have a question! I am in the process of replacing my DS lite case. i hooked the battery up to check my progress and the console only stays on for a second and then turns off. any advice about what could be causing it?

wy buy the same color shell? mix and matching is fun

That looks like my ds :D :'D

I have to take apart my ds lite because the hinges are messed up and i also have to get a replacement shell for my gba sp so 2 things that i am probably going to screw up

the top you can pry off with your fingers

im thinkin that i shudda watched the whole thing b4 startin, fort it wud b as simple as unscrewing the shell off and screwing the nu 1 back on, im stuck on the ribbon cable, i dont know how 2 take it out without breaking anything.

You forgot to say that you can change the rim of the to screen too

shrek showed me to fix a ds

@RetroGameTech thanks for the vid about the shells but im not repairing it myself ill fuck it up im taking it to my local games store

@ArcadeMameMachine thanks! And yeah, these are fiddly little bast@rds to say the least, lol. They have the potential to drive you a bit crazy if things don't go as planned.

Where can u get shells for a ds like imean custom shells

Um is there any way you can watch videos on it🤔

i like how you talk :P

@RetroGameTech because i had troble hearing you

cam you fix my ds lite too

why dose my power not turn on?

thx Harry potter yuh help me

you should show us the entire thing

I just sent my nintendo ds to get repaired and they sent me a new one to replace it for $85. You get a brand new system and it is guaranteed for one year.

japanese version of EBA!!!!!

Dude....why r stealing little girls ds'

This was pointless