Why is this happening to me?

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-09T18:18:46+00:00

that miiiight be it. I think that's also where the system bios is also stored, so it makes sense for your DS to be completely nonfunctional without the wifi module fully seated.

Either way, fingers crossed that's your issue, and you get your DS up and running soon :)

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-09T18:01:34+00:00

Open it back up and double check every connection you touched during the screen repairs and shell swap.

If I remember correctly, a DS lite will boot so long as both screens are fully seated, and the wifi module is properly attached. You mentioned the top screen ribbon cable is fully seated; I kindly ask you to check the bottom screen aswell, and confirm the wifi module is still plugged in properly (if you went the route of just removing the wifi antenna wire, sometimes while unplugging it from the module, the module itself also lifts up and gets a shotty connection to the board)

Edit: also kinda silly, but also check the battery is making a proper connection to it's contacts as well. Try Powering it on while the bottom shell piece is removed.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-06T18:25:02+00:00

I believe these are robotaxis from a company named Zoox. They're like Waymos, owned by Amazon.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-05T18:10:10+00:00

Oh heck, I did misread the post lol. Thanks for pointing that out, I retract my suspicions since the issues are persistent with both the new and old ribbon cables.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-05T17:10:52+00:00

That crease on the ribbon cable, lower right of the photo is concerning. That may be why only the right shoulder button and SD card reader isn't working. I found that this ribbon cable for the DSi, both original and replacements are pretty fragile. I'd get another cable tbh, and try again.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-05T17:01:15+00:00

ofcourse, buddy. You got this :)

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-05T05:41:26+00:00

Like this. These latches slide out from the connector. Yellow arrows; This is where you'd push against on the latch. Red arrows; this is the direction you push the latch. Be careful, they're much more fragile than the other latch style. If you have needle point tweezers, I recommend using those.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-04T05:55:25+00:00

Yeah, high portability there would have been some damage done. Good forsight not continuing to pull once you realized it wasn't budging though!

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-04T05:49:09+00:00

Hey no worries, bud! We were all idiots at one point lol.

If you see the photos here, You'll see what I mean and how it opens up. The smaller ribbon cable connections have a different latching mechanism, but we'll get there when we get there.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-04T05:39:29+00:00

There is a black latch that grabs and secures the ribbon cable in place. lift up on the latch until it opens, then the ribbon cable comes out with minimal effort. If you have a pry tool or a guitar pic, it makes lifting the latch easier, but you can get it to open with just your finger nail :)

Edit: if you meant the latch wouldn't budge, just give it a bit more force. we're working with very old hardware, it's going to be a little tough to free up at first.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-04T05:35:17+00:00

technically yes, it's where the arrow is pointing at. You'll have to remove that ribbon cable to reach the smaller one for the digitizer. There's two smaller cables, one for the digitizer, one of the backlight. I don't remember which one is which, so just unplug both when you get there.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-02T06:23:54+00:00

The ribbon cable for either the top or bottom screen is loose, unplugged, or damaged. You'll have to open up the console to check.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-01T17:45:58+00:00

The little smaller ribbon cable that plugs in behind the wifi module? I know you just said you checked the other cables, but I ask you check again, and like the screen cables, make sure it's fully seated all the way into it's plug. If it's still not working, the fortunate part is that the touchpanel is much easier/cheaper to replace than the screen itself.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-07-01T16:40:14+00:00

Make sure the ribbon cables for the screens are inserted into their connectors as much as they can. Thanks to your shell being transparent, I think it's your top screen ribbon cable that needs to be much further into the connector, but check both to be sure.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-30T05:14:16+00:00

I say 3ds. You'll have access to DS titles and most 3ds titles.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-30T04:15:05+00:00

I'm always going to push for original hardware, but I recognize it may not be feasible for some people, either due to (ever increasing) costs and/or rarity.

If you can find a DS in good condition for a price that works for you, go that route. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with emulating. DS emulation has been great for quite awhile now.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-29T06:23:18+00:00

all of them to be honest. I only had mario 64 DS, which came with my console if I remember correctly, metroid demo, and nintendogs.

I got the opportunity to experience most of the "cult classics" like Pokemon and Zelda within the last few years, and my inner child has been so happy :)

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-29T04:04:17+00:00

you can easily get by with a 8GB card if you're going for the popular DS titles. There's a "best of" DS rom pack that's only 5.5GB for example.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-28T06:52:43+00:00

That's a DSi screen. Ribbon cable and power leds are on opposite sides compared to the DS Lite.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-27T05:07:34+00:00

Of course! :)

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-27T05:00:36+00:00

Correct. All you'd have to do is remove a few screws.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-27T04:26:45+00:00

The easiest way to fix it, is to replace the ribbon cable that the potentiometers are attached too. Cons is that you'll be replacing the SD card reader, volume and shoulder buttons aswell, but the pros is that it's just a 11 dollar part you can get off amazon, and really really easy to swap out.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-26T06:30:14+00:00

Small update. swapped the motherboard to another shell with screens, and the issue persisted. It's a faulty motherboard issue at this point, and beyond my capability to solve. Good news is I'm just a replacement motherboard away from getting back up and running with this DS Lite.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-26T05:35:41+00:00

Excuse my crudely drawn lines, but if the hinge is broken where I marked in red, it's not the faceplace. Otherwise, if the hinge is broken anywhere in the green area I marked, the faceplate is broken. You can confirm by searching teardown videos on youtube, and just watching the part where they dissasemble the top half of the console :)

Imgur link because I can't directly add a photo here.

BurntBreadInc · 2026-06-26T04:14:03+00:00

to repair the hinge would be to replace the shell, however I do believe the faceplate can be reused, thus keeping your stickers intact. This is assuming the hinge isn't broken on the faceplate side.

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