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Game Boy Advance Logic Board Replacement

Device	Game Boy Advance
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	15 - 20 minutes
Steps	13

This guide is by Jay Aricheta 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 >>

Use this guide to replace the logic board.

Tools: Phillips #1 Screwdriver; Spudger; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver

Step 1 :: Remove the battery cover

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

Step 2 :: Remove the batteries

• Remove the two AA batteries.
• NOTE: If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Clean+Corroded+Battery+Terminals/164164) to clean them.
• REMINDER: When installing batteries, use the diagram (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/CuXVhApCfFZ6DpLL.full) in the battery well to properly orient them.

Step 3 :: Remove the back shell screws

• 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
        • NOTE: 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.

Step 4 :: Remove the back shell

• Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
• REMINDER: 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.

Step 5 :: Remove Triggers

• Remove left and right triggers by lifting and pulling them away from the system.
• Do the same for side panels
• NOTE: For finicky or jammed triggers only! Adjust and correct triggers and reassemble. Most jammed triggers are caused by buttons misplaced or jammed in its enclosure.

Step 6 :: Remove the On/Off Switch

• Remove the gray On/Off Switch by pulling up and away from the unit. Replace with another switch if necessary.

Step 7

• Remove the three screws on the circuit board with a Phillips #1 screw driver.

Step 8

• Pull circuit board away from the front panel by pulling up at the bottom of the circuit board, keeping the top ribbon still connected.
• CAUTION: Handle with care! The ribbon connecting the circuit board to the LCD screen can easily be damaged and will require replacement if broken.

Step 9 :: Remove the motherboard screws

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

Step 10 :: Reposition the motherboard

• CAUTION: Be careful not to strain the screen cable that connects the motherboard.
• Carefully flip the motherboard over the top edge of your Game Boy and rest it on your work surface.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, make sure the speaker gets correctly slotted into its circular cutout (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/x1QDoetSDKmN5B52.full) (including a small tab on the bottom (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/6Qd4mIWOsVSFVWRY.full)) when lowering the motherboard into place.

Step 11 :: Remove the silicone pads

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the three silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, the D?pad, and Start/Select ).
• NOTE: If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pWD445ULSBEWbpGt.full) on the motherboard.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, use your fingers to press each pad into place, using the alignment pegs (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/3wsf4ciwEXtJPgCB.full) to properly orient them.

Step 12 :: Remove the action buttons and D?pad

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B as well as the D?pad).
• NOTE: The Start/Select buttons are part of the silicone pad--there are no other buttons to remove.
• REMINDER: When re?inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

Step 13

• Using the tweezers (https://www.ifixit.com/en-ca/products/tweezers), gently pull the ribbon from the logic board.

Conclusion

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

Credit