Introduction
Replacing the motherboard should be a last resort and shouldn't be taken lightly. There are many delicate ribbon cables so be careful and go slow.
Tools
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Pull the top corner tabs of the front face plate outward and towards you.
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Pull the faceplate up and out of the slots at the bottom of the device.
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Set aside the back faceplate.
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Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch at the top of the battery.
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Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool.
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Pull the SD card reader from the edge with two holes gently to free the tab at the top of the SD card reader.
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Reorient the device so that the power jack faces you.
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Lift the SD card reader gently.
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Use a plastic opening tool to pry the SD card ribbon cable off the socket on the motherboard.
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Lift the SD card reader out off of the lower casing.
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Reorient the device so that the game slot now faces you.
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Remove the two rubber bumpers along the top of the device using tweezers.
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Unscrew the seven 6mm Phillips #00 screws along the top and bottom of the 3DS.
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Lift the top edge of the lower case slightly off on the 3DS.
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Pry the ribbon cable socket under the right trigger using a plastic opening tool.
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Pry the ribbon cable socket under the infrared receiver cover using a plastic opening tool.
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Open the device slowly from its top edge. Be careful not to tug the ribbon cable connected near the bottom edge of the device.
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Pry the last ribbon cable attached to the lower case using a plastic opening tool.
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Locate the joystick assembly near the top right corner of the motherboard.
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Remove the two 8mm Phillips #00 screws from the back of the joystick.
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Use the flat end of the spudger to pry off the joystick pad from its plastic housing.
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Lift the joystick pad and place it on its back. This will reveal the ribbon cable connected to the joystick pad.
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Use the flat end of the spudger to pry up the retaining flap for the ribbon cable.
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Lift the joystick out of the device.
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Remove the power cable, indicated by the black and red wires, by gently pulling it up and out of the connector.
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Gently pull the ribbon cables out of the 4 ZIF connectors.
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Pull up gently on the blue wifi antenna.
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Pry the retaining tab on the connector behind the infrared receiver and gently pull the ribbon cable from the connector with tweezers.
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Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the left side of the motherboard.
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Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the top of the motherboard behind the infrared receiver.
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Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the top of the motherboard just above the joysitck housing.
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Remove the three, 3mm Phillips #00 screws that secure the motherboard to the device housing.
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Lift the motherboard genlty by the headphone jack.
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Remove the two ribbons on the back of the device by lifting the retaining tabs on the ZIF connectors.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.