Введение

Follow this guide to remove or replace the motherboard (aka main board or logic board) in your Nintendo Game Boy Advance.

Removing the board will give you access to modify it with kits that add RGB LEDs, convert your front buttons to tactile ones, etc.

Note that most motherboard mods require soldering. If you're new to soldering, check out our guide on soldering and desoldering connections.

The Game Boy Advance uses JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in JIS screws, you'll risk stripping them. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be compatible with JIS screws.

Выберете то, что вам нужно

Шаг 1 Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: шаг 1, изображение 1 из 2

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: шаг 1, изображение 2 из 2

Before working on your Game Boy, turn the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
If you have a game cartridge installed, remove it.
Since your Game Boy will be laying screen‑side down for most of your repair, consider placing it on a clean cloth for protection.

Редактировать

Шаг 2 Remove the battery cover

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the battery cover: шаг 2, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the battery cover: шаг 2, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the battery cover: шаг 2, изображение 3 из 3

Release the battery cover tab with your finger and swing the cover away from your Game Boy to remove it.
During reassembly, insert the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their cutouts and press the cover into place.

Редактировать

Шаг 3 Remove the batteries

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: шаг 3, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: шаг 3, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: шаг 3, изображение 3 из 3

Remove the two AA batteries.
If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide to clean them.
When installing batteries, use the diagram in the battery well to properly orient them.

Редактировать

Шаг 4 Remove the back shell screws

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the back shell screws: шаг 4, изображение 1 из 2

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the back shell screws: шаг 4, изображение 2 из 2

Remove the seven screws securing the back shell:
Six 9.4 mm‑long tri‑point Y0 screws
One 8.5 mm‑long JIS 1 screw
You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping screws. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Редактировать

Шаг 5 Remove the back shell

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the back shell: шаг 5, изображение 1 из 2

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the back shell: шаг 5, изображение 2 из 2

Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
During reassembly, squeeze the shell firmly around the edges and ensure the shoulder buttons and bumpers are properly seated with no large gaps. Gently test the buttons to make sure everything feels correct.

Редактировать

Шаг 6 Remove the shoulder buttons

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the shoulder buttons: шаг 6, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the shoulder buttons: шаг 6, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the shoulder buttons: шаг 6, изображение 3 из 3

Lift the shoulder buttons (aka L and R buttons) straight up to remove them.
During reassembly:
Since your Game Boy is laying upside down, the L button will go on your right‑hand side, and the R button will go on your left‑hand side.
Slide the buttons into place, making sure the peg on the button goes into its circular cutout and the button itself is over the actual button mechanism.
The shoulder buttons will sit on the inside edge of the side bumpers.
Gently test the buttons to make sure they feel correct. If they don't, reposition them and make sure the metal arms aren't stuck in a weird position under the board.

Редактировать

Шаг 7 Remove the side bumpers

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the side bumpers: шаг 7, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the side bumpers: шаг 7, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the side bumpers: шаг 7, изображение 3 из 3

Remove the side bumpers.

Редактировать

Шаг 8 Remove the power switch cover

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the power switch cover: шаг 8, изображение 1 из 2

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the power switch cover: шаг 8, изображение 2 из 2

Remove the power switch cover.
During reassembly, make sure the switch cover is properly slotted around the arm on the switch mechanism.

Редактировать

Шаг 9 Disconnect the screen cable

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the screen cable: шаг 9, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the screen cable: шаг 9, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the screen cable: шаг 9, изображение 3 из 3

Use the point of a spudger to fully push up both locking tabs on either side of the screen cable connector.
You should feel the tab click into its unlocked position. Don't push too far, or the tab may slide completely out of the connector.

Редактировать

Шаг 10

Use tweezers to slide the cable straight out of its socket.
The cable should come out with little to no force. If you feel resistance, the tab may not be fully unlocked.

Редактировать

Шаг 11 Remove the motherboard screws

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the motherboard screws: шаг 11, изображение 1 из 2

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the motherboard screws: шаг 11, изображение 2 из 2

Use a JIS 1 screwdriver to remove the three 7 mm‑long screws securing the motherboard.

Редактировать

Шаг 12 Remove the motherboard

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the motherboard: шаг 12, изображение 1 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the motherboard: шаг 12, изображение 2 из 3

Game Boy Advance Motherboard Replacement, Remove the motherboard: шаг 12, изображение 3 из 3

Use your fingers to grip the cartridge reader and lift the motherboard straight up to remove it.
During reassembly, make sure the speaker gets correctly slotted into its circular cutout (including a small tab on the bottom) when lowering the motherboard into place.