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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Motherboard Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	45 minutes - 1 hour
Steps	17

This guide is by Spencer Day on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

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

Removing the board will give you access to modify it with kits that add RGB LEDs (https://handheldlegend.com/products/retroglow-for-game-boy-advance-sp-rgb-led-flex-board), convert your front buttons to tactile ones (https://handheldlegend.com/products/replacement-tactile-switches-for-game-boy-advance-sp), etc.

Note that most motherboard mods require soldering. If you're new to soldering, check out our guide on soldering and desoldering connections (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+To+Solder+and+Desolder+Connections/750).

The Game Boy Advance SP 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.

Tools: iFixit Precision Bit Driver; JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit; Tweezers; Spudger

Step 1 :: Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

• Slide the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
• If you have a game cartridge in, remove it.

Step 2 :: Remove the battery cover

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the captive screw securing the battery cover.
• NOTE: You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Step 3

• Lift the edge of the cover near the screw and remove the cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, hook the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their slots and lay the cover into place.

Step 4 :: Remove the battery

• Use your finger to lift the battery by the tab on its left edge, then remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • CAUTION: Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery--it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
    • NOTE: Your replacement battery may come with a plastic enclosure (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/AjbNiXYo4IjHmjmi.full) that slides over the battery.
    • Insert the edge of the battery with contacts (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/cJ4ZcVQRCO6Kk1Jg.full) at a slight downward angle--aligning the contacts with their prongs (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/N2qYpL2LmeRFSh1F.full) in the recess--and press the battery into place.

Step 5 :: Remove the bottom shell

• Use a tri?point Y0 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the bottom shell:
• Four 6.3 mm?long recessed screws
• Two 4.6 mm?long screws

Step 6

• Lift the bottom shell straight up and remove it.

Step 7 :: Remove the power switch cover

• Use your fingers to lift and remove the power switch cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • Use your fingers to put the power switch cover (notched side up) into place so the cutout goes around the actual switch (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/K5mXTLbSGyAbw3j4.full).
    • Gently slide the cover back and forth to make sure it's positioned properly and moving the switch.
        • NOTE: If the switch isn't properly in its cutout, you won't be able to power on your Game Boy.

Step 8 :: Remove the motherboard screws

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm?long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 9 :: Prop up the motherboard

• Place a sturdy object such as a stack of books or tool case along the edge of your Game Boy with the hinges.
• Use your fingers to gently flip the motherboard over the hinges and prop it up.

Step 10 :: Remove the silicone pads

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the four silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• NOTE: If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.

Step 11 :: Remove the buttons

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• REMINDER: When re?inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

Step 12 :: Remove the speaker

• Use the point of a spudger or a clean fingernail to lift the speaker until you can grip it with your fingers.
• Remove the speaker.

Step 13 :: Prop up the main body

• Remove the circular mesh from the speaker recess and set it aside--the piece can easily fall out and get lost when working.

Step 14 :: Prop up the main body

• CAUTION: Be careful not to strain the screen cable during the next few steps--it has very little slack.
• NOTE: You need to prop up the main body of your Game Boy in order to disconnect the screen cable without straining it. Here are two ways to do so:
• Option 1: Open the main body of your Game Boy to a 90?degree angle and gently lay the motherboard down. Make sure the main body is resting on top of the motherboard to give the cable slack.
• Option 2: Keep the main body closed and prop it up on the edge of the logic board, using a sturdy object to hold it up.

Step 15 :: Disconnect the screen cable

• Use the point of a spudger to push the two tabs on either side of the screen cable connector into the unlocked position.
• NOTE: Only push the tabs until they stop. If you push them too far, you may slide the locking tab off the connector.

Step 16

• Use a pair of tweezers to gently slide the screen cable out of its socket.

Step 17 :: Remove the main body

• Remove the main body from the motherboard.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, prop up the main body for enough slack reconnect the screen cable.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/E-Waste).

Repair didn't go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Troubleshooting_Problems_After_a_Repair), or ask our Answers Community (https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Game_Boy_Advance_SP) for troubleshooting help.

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