Disassembling Nintendo DS Lite Bottom Case

Place your device upside down and locate the battery compartment.

Find the Phillips head screw securing the battery cover in the bottom right hand corner of the device.

Slowly remove the battery cover with the iFixit opening tool.

Use the iFixit opening tool to carefully pry the battery out of the case.

After the old battery is removed replace it with a new battery facing the same direction as when the cover was opened.

Remove the following seven screws that secure the lower case to the DS Lite:

Three silver tri-wing screws (5mm long)

One black tri-wing screw (4mm)

Two gold Phillips screws (4mm)

One silver Phillips screw (3mm)

Do not remove the silver PH screw (3mm) in the battery compartment yet. It holds the main PCB in place.

On the front edge of the Nintendo DS between the headphone jack plug and volume controls remove the plastic insert (or cartridge) from the lower slot (Slot 2).

Flip the unit over so that it is facing right-side up.

Use a spudger to pry open the gap between the bottom case and the front panel. Work all the way around the case until the panel is free.

Avoid touching the L and R shoulder buttons, because they easily detach and are difficult to reassemble. Keep the bottom case flat against your workbench to help hold the shoulder buttons in place.

Carefully separate the two pieces by hand.

The two shoulder buttons are made up of three pieces -- the plastic button, a pin, and a spring. If they accidentally pop out while you are working, study the picture and make sure you put the spring in the correct position.