Nintendo DS plays GBA, but not DS carts.

[Pantechnicon]

I've got an opportunity to pick up a cheap DS because it apparently only recognizes GBA carts and not DS ones. I'd like to restore the DS side to functionality, but only if this be done easily/cheaply. Has anybody run into this before? Thanks.

[Imstarryeyed]

Almost everytime I see a DS unit that does not work with the DS cards, it is because the contacts are very dirty. The contacts can be very hard to clean unless you open the unit up, which I recommend to do, to get a real good cleaning. When you open the unit you can also inspect to see if any of the pins are bent or broken in the DS.

You will need the Nintendo Tri-wing screwdriver to open the unit since Nintendo uses those special screws.

I hope you can get your DS unit working!