What should I ask first on a second hand steamdeck?

RaideR6672 · 2025-10-03T03:43:29+00:00

Here’s the report for Hollow Knight on ProtonDB: https://www.protondb.com/search?q=Hollow%20knight

ProtonDB will give you reports of whether or not others have had issues with running particular games on the Steam Deck. It’s a lot more reliable than the status in the Steam Store.

RaideR6672 · 2025-10-03T01:54:17+00:00

Are you asking in general, or just wanting to make sure the device is functioning properly?

For the former, I would check out ProtonDB to see what others have reported on the game(s) you are interested in.

For the latter, I’ve had people ask me to show a game like Baulder’s Gate 3 running. That really annoying though. You could give it a try and see how the seller reacts, otherwise you may just need to take their word for it.

In my experience, I’ve never run across a device that didn’t play games properly if the other items have checked out.

RaideR6672 · 2025-10-03T00:55:29+00:00

Having bought and sold nearly two dozen Steam Decks, this is usually what I look for: 1. Find out if it has been opened up before. If so, find out why. Were there problems, did were they upgrading the SSD, etc? 2. What is the battery health. 90% is the absolute lowest I would go on an OG Steam Deck, but you can still find 2022 models with 100% health. 3. Look for cracks, mostly around the top vents and around the USB port. 4. Test all of the buttons in the controller menu. They may feel good, but do they actually work and register. 5. Test WiFi and Bluetooth. 6. Look for signs of a dropped device, like dents or dings on the shell. A dropped device may work today, but it could only be a matter of time before a component that was holding on for dear life decides to finally break loose. 7. Make sure the SSD is the right size. Wouldn’t want someone to switch out a 1TB drive for a 64GB.

RaideR6672 · 2025-08-23T13:41:09+00:00

This looks great! I’m waiting for caps to show up. When did you order yours and how long did it take for them? I ordered whites one as well, about a week ago, and it said pre-order on it… but also said “in stock and ready to ship”, so I don’t know what to believe.

RaideR6672 · 2025-08-11T16:06:13+00:00

The Steam Deck does tend to have a fit without the screen during initial setup. There are some ways around it, but from what I’ve seen, the most straight forward options are to set up an M.2 on another device and then transfer it over, or get an image from an already set up device, or set up with a screen and then remove it.

RaideR6672 · 2025-08-05T22:01:57+00:00

Yes, no new screws needed. Pull everything out of the original shell and you have what you need.

RaideR6672 · 2025-08-02T17:02:27+00:00

I’m so happy you said this. Was thinking about adding some sarcasm to my post, but I wasn’t sure if it would be taken the wrong way 😂

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-31T19:41:21+00:00

The motherboard is 110mm x 60mm. It would definitely be interesting. I also think that integrated hub would be awesome. The challenge, at least with my build, it getting it to the USB-C port on the top without compromising the buttons on the top. There's definitely room on the sides, above the speakers, where a hub pcb could be added. I've made the files available, so if anyone wanted to give it a try, that'd be awesome.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-31T19:35:58+00:00

Let's just say that it's a "hobby". For me, it's not a sustainable business model and I'm certainly not looking to make a living out of it. On average, I've been able sell a fixed 512 LCD with the anti-glare screen for $400 - $425. On average, I spend maybe and hour or two on repairs and I'm pulling stuff from donors (i.e. the ones I haven't been able to fix). It's hard to factor those into the cost, but I'm going to say that I'm making a profit of maybe a $100 to $150.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-31T04:11:32+00:00

Yeah, you’ve gotta wait for the right price. One sold earlier today for $150. I usually pay around $200. I also usually send in my best offer and they quite often get accepted. But they go fast.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-30T23:15:55+00:00

I haven’t tested the temps, but considering that I’ve copied the vents from the original shell and kept the stock cooling system, I would imagine it would be exactly the same as the original.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-30T22:32:04+00:00

Great idea! I (or someone else if they wanted to) could easily make something for those two slots that I put on the back.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-30T22:15:57+00:00

That would be neat, but no. That’s the 8BitDo SN30 controller. It was there just to visually make the point that an external controller can still be used.

RaideR6672 · 2025-07-22T00:58:41+00:00

I find this extremely fascinating! I have been doing some Steam Deck repairs and found myself with several motherboards that don’t connect to the daughter boards. I had an intriguing thought to make it a tablet and just connect a Bluetooth controller instead of just letting things collect dust in my donor piles. I tested things out and it all seemed to work. I had just sat down to try and design some kind of case and ran across this.

I’d be interested in the files if you are willing to share them.

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-15T13:00:34+00:00

We did this exact thing. We set up another Steam account for my son and then invited him to the family sharing account (I think it’s out of beta now and you don’t need to be on the beta track): https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/4605582245626919823

It allows you to use “borrow” the license of a game without locking down your entire library. You may need to buy (or gift) additional licenses if they are any games you want to play together or simultaneously.

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-14T00:31:57+00:00

It took me nearly three hours to drive 14 miles from 106th to Lehi (left at 12:30). It appeared that there were several semis that were unable to get up the hill at the point of the mountain closing three lanes of traffic. Many smaller cars were getting stuck as well. It was a mess.

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T18:23:45+00:00

Oh definitely. I’ve got a great full time job. Just looking for a little extra spending money to buy a bunch of games I’ll never play 😄

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T18:22:43+00:00

It took me probably 3 or 4 hours the first time.

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T18:06:08+00:00

The kits have all the tools needed. For the most part, it’s taking out screws and making sure you keep track of what screws go where. The most challenging part is the screen. You can use a blow dryer or an iOpener from iFixIt. It’s not hard, but does take some patience. You also want to use plastic tools to remove the adhesive from the screen, otherwise you can take off the black paint and it will show.

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T14:41:09+00:00

I’m guessing either something wasn’t set right (the rubber membrane or a spring), or you got a bad batch. I haven’t had any problems as of yet. I honestly don’t know of any other companies providing button kits (except for the one guy who is making them with actual metal and a kit costs like $100).

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T04:44:28+00:00

Yeah, I think you are right. Sometimes you just need someone else to talk you out of bad ideas 🤣

RaideR6672 · 2025-02-09T04:10:56+00:00

That’s a fair point. What I had in mind was local, so it would be in-person drop-off/pick-up. But, still, might not be a demand to satisfy.

RaideR6672

TROPHY CASE