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Nintendo GameCube Clock Battery Replacement

Device	Nintendo GameCube
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	15 - 30 minutes
Steps	4

This guide is by Fixer of Stuff 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 >>

If your Nintendo GameCube's clock, as well as system settings, reset each time you power the console off and on, the clock battery likely needs to be replaced. The battery itself is located on the controller port PCB and is soldered to the board. The repair is relatively simple, but does require soldering/desoldering to remove the old battery and install the new one. (Note: All images are screenshots of stock photos, as I am unable to take any photos with the device I'm using, and I have no practical way to transfer images to it. Feel free to replace them if you have better ones. In fact, please do if you can!) UPDATE: I can now transfer images to this device, so I'll put in better ones as soon as I can. If anyone wants to update the images, you're still free to do so, though!

Tools: Soldering Iron; iFixit Desoldering Wick; Gamebit 4.5mm; Phillips #1 Screwdriver; Tweezers

Parts: Tabbed CR2032 Button Battery

Step 1 :: Disassembly

• Remove the four 4.5mm gamebit screws securing the top case to the bottom of the console. The screws are located on each corner of the bottom of the console. This should allow the top case to lift away. Note that before removing the top case, you should first turn the console upright to avoid damage to sensitive components (i.e., the laser lens).
• NOTE: During reassembly, take care not to break the cover sensor switch. To avoid this, you can reattach the top case with the disc cover open.

Step 2 :: Remove the controller port PCB

• Release two plastic clips securing the gray port cover to the rest of the console. The cover and the controller port PCB should then come out together.
• NOTE: The tabs will likely be brittle from age. Use caution to avoid breaking them.

Step 3 :: Remove the PCB

• Remove the two Phillips screws securing the PCB to the gray port cover. Then remove the ribbon wire connecting the PCB to the motherboard. The battery should now be accessible.
• NOTE: When reinserting the ribbon wire, you may find it easier to use tweezers. If you do so, use caution and be careful not to damage the ribbon wire.
• CAUTION: Be careful when removing the ribbon wire as it could potentially break easily due to age. Likewise, exercise caution when reinserting it. Don't force it further than it will go. If it won't go any further, it will probably function normally. Forcing it in further only risks damage.

Step 4 :: Replace the battery

• Desolder the old battery using either a desoldering braid or a desoldering pump. You can also heat one joint at a time while pushing on the tab of the battery with pliers, tweezers, or something similar, but be careful. Solder in the new battery, taking care to match the terminals correctly.
• CAUTION: Most, if not all, GameCubes were made before RoHS, meaning that all solder found in them is more than likely lead-based. Avoid breathing the fumes if at all possible.
• CAUTION: When soldering/desoldering, be careful not to touch any hot part of the soldering iron to the plastic case. It will melt even if you only touch it with the metal part of the iron closest to the handle.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order (Just don't remove the battery again!).

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