Opening up a GBA SP

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deactivated-57ad0e5285d73

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#1 deactivated-57ad0e5285d73
Member since 2009 • 21398 Posts

Hello all

I have 3 GBA SPs. Two are 001s, and the other a 101. The hinges are broken on the 101--I bought it cheap cheap just for the screen. Going to swap the backlit with one of the 001s. Am I going to run into any questions? That brightness button? It's on/off on the 001 and there's a few brightness levels on the 101......

My question is perhaps more about tri-wing screwdrivers and any experience you all might have with them(brand/etc).

I'm going to do a quick run to a hardware store or two and if that doesn't pan out I will order from amazon. I've used poorly made tools before so I'm trying to dodge doing so again.

***Really debating ridding the need for a headphone dongle as well.

...........................I'd much rather make my own case but I don't have the tools necessary.

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DaVillain

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#2 DaVillain  Moderator
Member since 2014 • 58637 Posts

@Heirren: From what I can tell, it's just best to buy another Gameboy Advance SP like on Ebay and I wouldn't bother trying to fix it is my best suggestion. My old SP still works and it's sitting inside my closet.

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Ant_17

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#3 Ant_17
Member since 2005 • 13634 Posts

I use my DS so i wouldn't know , friend.

Why not get that?

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deactivated-57ad0e5285d73

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#4  Edited By deactivated-57ad0e5285d73
Member since 2009 • 21398 Posts

@davillain- said:

@Heirren: From what I can tell, it's just best to buy another Gameboy Advance SP like on Ebay and I wouldn't bother trying to fix it is my best suggestion. My old SP still works and it's sitting inside my closet.

I went down to Microcenter and they didn't sell the single bit. They had a whole kit for $30 that covers most consoles. I ended up buying it.

I have three gba sp systems. I just want to swap the 101 into a shell that isn't broken. Let me tell you, this console is maybe the most difficult thing I've ever had to open. The tri-wing screws are a total pain. I'm sure it depends on how the system was kept, etc, but I ended up just breaking the case open. Now I'm worried that I'll crack the nice ones I've got. If the screws don't give easily then I'll resort to making my own case out of wood.

***I think it is the bits that aren't exact, even though the set was specifically labelled for each given console.

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achilles614

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#5  Edited By achilles614
Member since 2005 • 5310 Posts

I would just swap a good case onto your 101 and not mess with swapping the screens. I'm guessing the brightness button goes to a display driver...so the 100 button would only let you send off and on, for the 101 screen you'd be lucky if you got just on/off I wouldn't expect to have multiple brightness levels available if you just swap the screens.

I've opened SPs and never had trouble with them...look up a tutorial on how to rip the frontlight out of a 100 and put it into a GBC, it should give some guidance on how to properly take apart the system (even the bitchy little ribbon cable).

I ended up stripping some screws when putting one of my 100's back together, sucks but shit happens. If I find a place to buy replacement screws I'll let you know.

Was there not a way to just take the hinge mechanism out of the 100 and put it into the 101 case?

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deactivated-57ad0e5285d73

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#6 deactivated-57ad0e5285d73
Member since 2009 • 21398 Posts

@achilles614:

It was those dang try-wing screws. The four corners are not AS bad, but there's a couple that feel as if they're made of tin foil.

I still haven't touched the two backlit ones I've got. I'd rather not mess Em up. Wonder why it was so difficult.

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emgesp

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#7 emgesp
Member since 2004 • 7849 Posts

You can't just swap the screen. You need to use the AG-101 motherboard and speaker as well.

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#8 deactivated-57ad0e5285d73
Member since 2009 • 21398 Posts

@emgesp said:

You can't just swap the screen. You need to use the AG-101 motherboard and speaker as well.

Yeah I noticed error in what I had said after I posted. I took the guts out and am now leaning towards making a body for it out of re used smartphone glass and wood.