DS Touch Screen

[Flack]

So my kid brought me his DS tonight and said the touch screen wasn't working right. He's right -- there are several dead areas. He won't admit to dropping it but ... he's six.

Is there any fixing this? I went through the calibration thing and it worked okay.

[megasdkirby]

Replace the screen with a compatible one. This is what I do when customers/friends bring me theirs.

It's real cheap, which is a plus. :)

[jb143]

You can probally get them cheaper elsewhere but while looking for information on microcontrollersprogramming I happened on this site selling DS touchscreens for $9.95

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8977

[darkslime]

Try dealextreme.com

Touch screens are like $3 there with free shipping.

[megasdkirby]

Try dealextreme.com

Touch screens are like $3 there with free shipping.

That's the site I was trying to remember!!!

Get the best quality one.

[jcalder8]

Depending on where the dead areas are I've heard that if something gets caught under the sides of the screen it can affect how the touch screen works.

[Flack]

I found the same thing jcalder8 so I decided to try and fix it myself. Instead of using a toothbrush as recommended I used a can of compressed air and, using my thumb to apply pressure to the touch screen, I worked my way around, shooting air all the way around the screen. I shot some in the cartridge slot just for good measure. I tried out the screen and, to me, it appeared like it was working okay. The boy gave it two thumbs up, but about 10 minutes later he said it wasn't working again and I confirmed that.

If you were to divide the touch screen into a 4x4 grid and start numbering in the top left hand corner (ie: 1|2|3|4 across the top row and |13|14|15|16 across the bottom, I would say squares 6|7|8 are the ones having touch problems. It works okay still with a lot of games but he noticed the problem on the new SpongeBob game where you have to draw a lot of things and when doing that I noticed a big dead area. In PictoChat the entire keyboard works okay but you can tell in the drawing area that there is a non-responsive area.

I had no idea touch screens were so cheap -- I would have guessed $40-$50! I'm going to try the toothbrush approach tonight and if that doesn't work, sounds like a new screen is in order. Thanks for the info, guys!

[Pantechnicon]

I second Deal Extreme for a replacement touch screen source. I have bought replacement touch screens from them for both the original DS and the Lite. Both work great and Deal Extreme's pricing is ridiculously cheap.

[c0ldb33r]

I had no idea touch screens were so cheap -- I would have guessed $40-$50! I'm going to try the toothbrush approach tonight and if that doesn't work, sounds like a new screen is in order. Thanks for the info, guys!
Just make sure when you crack the DS open that you're working in a dust-free zone. There's nothing worse than a job well done and then noticing a little white speck staring up at you.

Good luck!

[Bratwurst]

Just make sure when you crack the DS open that you're working in a dust-free zone. There's nothing worse than a job well done and then noticing a little white speck staring up at you.

May sound funny at first but the bathroom is the best place for this- wait outside with a hot shower going for five to ten minutes. Go in, shut it off and get to work. The moisture brings the air particles down.

[Cornelius]

I've got a question for those of you with more experience (or any, since I have none). I just got a DS Lite with a broken bottom screen. As in, the bottom TFT LCD is cracked. Will I need both a new TFT and a new touch screen? I guess since the touch screen is so cheap at this DX place that I'd be kinda dumb not to get one while I'm at it, but should I automatically replace both, or just the TFT and then test it out?

Thanks in advance!

[dsullo]

I am going to call Joe's Store today to see if they do this repair work. Both my Kids DS touch screen are not working right and the calibration does not help either.

[Cornelius]

I did end up doing this repair and it was really not hard at all. In my case it was just the actual LCD screen that was replaced, but it would only be a small switch to replace only the touch screen (which lays on top of the LCD) or to do both at once. I got the triwing bit, LCD, and a touchscreen (just in case) all for dirt cheap from dealextreme.com.

I used a step by step guide I found (but can't seem to locate now) online. I'm sure one of the youtube vids would be good as well.

[Starwander]

Their prices are amazing, thank you!



Try dealextreme.com

Touch screens are like $3 there with free shipping.

[mnbren05]

Hm I noticed this when my DS gets cold. If I leave it in my car and retrieve it on my lunch break in the winter the corners of the TS will not respond letting it warm up helps. Also my little brother dropped his and also had a problem with the TS. He also would not admit he had dropped it until he did it again a few weeks later and actually broke off the shoulder button/some of the plastic shell.