Nintendo Handheld Touchscreens

[Retro Deckades]

Hey everyone. Just wondering if anyone has ever replaced a touch screen on any of their Nintendo handhelds? I have an old DS that could really use a new one, and I recently discovered that my 3DS XL has some deeper scratches in it. I see that there are plenty of cheap options for replacement parts on ebay, but I'm wary/hesitant as I'm not sure of the quality of these parts. Anyone have any wisdom to impart?

[palmer6strings]

I've worked on them before, but never had to buy a new screen.

Wiggy should have an answer for you.

[Retro Deckades]

Hopefully he will!

I imagine it's just the top of the screen (the digitizer) that needs replacing.

[irvgotti452]

Touch screen is easy to do bro. Usually when you buy screens they come with some cheap screwdrivers that get the job done. Watch a youtube vid to get a little confidence and pull the trigger. The top screens will be tricky since you have to basically pull the whole thing apart. But bottom screens+digitizers are a sinch.

[Lashek]

In the original "Phat" DS, you could change the top screen without even opening the bottom portion. It takes about 10 minutes to replace it, and is only two ribbon cables that connect to a board right next to the screen.

a youtube video can explain it better, but I had to do the same thing last week for a relative. Very very easy to do, and you can get a top screen for the old phat DS' for about $10 on deal extreme.


Just remember, this is only for the original DS, not the lite:

http://dx.com/p/tft-lcd-replacement-module-for-nds-upper-screen-3189

[wiggy]

^^^ but it sounds like he only needs to replace the digitizer, which is on the bottom screen.

Touch screen is easy to do bro. Usually when you buy screens they come with some cheap screwdrivers that get the job done. Watch a youtube vid to get a little confidence and pull the trigger. The top screens will be tricky since you have to basically pull the whole thing apart. But bottom screens+digitizers are a sinch.

Yup, all of this. Pretty easy job, just take your time as it's pretty easy to snap a ribbon cable if you're not careful.

[Retro Deckades]

No one has encountered cheap digitizers? Are they all relatively resilient? I don't want to get one off eBay that scratches far easier than the originals.

[palmer6strings]

Well I guess a last resort is you could call Nintendo and see if they could send you the part you need.

[irvgotti452]

Buy the cheapest one you can find they are basically made in the same place.

[Lashek]

Looks like you can get a digitizer for the phat here if needed:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Replacement-Screen-Digitizer-Original-Nintendo/dp/B007FRSSS2

Couldn't find it on the US Amazon.

Here is one for the lite:
http://dx.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-touch-screen-digitizer-for-nds-lite-21907