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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Trackpads Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	10 - 15 minutes
Steps	13

This guide is by DJ Pantone 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 >>

For clarification, the trackpads and the directional pad are not the same. This guide is for replacing the rubber pads below the buttons, not the buttons themselves.

Tools: Phillips #00 Screwdriver; iFixit Opening Tool; Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver

Parts: Game Boy Advance SP Track Pads

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 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 8 :: 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 9 :: 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 10 :: 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 11

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

Step 12 :: 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.

Step 13

• Using your fingers, gently lift and remove the trackpads covering the following:
    • 'A' and 'B' buttons
    • Directional Control Button Pad
    • 'Start' and 'Select' buttons

Conclusion

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

Credit