Broken Modded 3DS
Before I start this post, gonna get some things out of the way:
I have a working 3DS , so I’m not out a device. The 3DS this post concerns is another system I own. I say this because most posters here are in rush to either sell or replace, which is not my immediate intention.
I am not selling the 3DS in question, atleast right now and I would not advertise in this subreddit.
I am also not doing a giveaway or for parts…ing(?) the 3DS with this post.
Now onto the post itself. I am writing this for advice.
A few years ago I modded a 3DS for my sister. It’s the beautiful galaxy 3DS model (My personal favorite model in the 3DS family next to my own Pokemon Sun/Moon 3DS). I showed her how to properly use it, how to backup her saves, etc. I told her that if she ever needed to update it and what not (she knew how to add themes and game backups, and update from Universal Updater, but anything else no.),to call me first so I could ensure she would not mess it up, she’s really not good with tech. I’m the tech daughter, she ended up being the artist one.
Well, a year later she called me and said something was wrong with it, that it just would not boot. Or if it did, it would shut itself down minutes into a game.
She mailed it to me, I tried to research the issue. Ended up discussing the issue with someone in the 3DS homebrew circle and we both came to the conclusion that the motherboard somehow got fried.
I’m not saying she did anything, in fact I doubt it. But 1% of me thinks she may have? Who knows. I looked into trying to learn how to fix it, but could tell the needed repair would be risky, a bit expensive, and take a bit of time freetime that back then I just did not have. I let her know the bad news and while she was upset, she moved on.
I kept the 3DS in question because it’s a beautiful model, and 3DS systems in today’s day and age aren’t easy to acquire without paying a pretty penny. It’s a glorified brick. To this day, it still takes a charge, and will boot if you hold select but shut down minutes later.
Now that the story’s out of the way, I was doing some closet cleanup the other day and found it in the box I’ve kept it in with some other tech projects. I’m wondering if there’s really any reason for me to keep holding onto this, if there’s really any point to attempting such a repair, or maybe to see if there’s anyone reputable in the community I could pay to fix it. Or, if I should just toss it.
As I said before, I’m in no rush to do anything with it. I don’t even have the money to buy a replacement motherboard at the moment. But at the same time, I look at it and sigh. I’ve kept it for 2 moves, and I even have her 3DS backups still on my computer in case it ever did get fixed and we would need them.
In the event that it is still worth holding onto, I would also like to inquire about safety measures. I realize- it still has a possibly 8+ year old battery in it, and if it’s just gonna chill in my storage, I don’t want anything bad to happen.
If you took the time to read this, Thank you for your time, I didn’t intend for this to be super long. There is just some sentimentality with this particular system as well, since me and my sister…. Aren’t close anymore. I appreciate any insight you have.