Poll of the Day > Who has actually opened a game console, and why?

(+) Yeah! (+)

See topic.

August 24, 2018's poll was "Have you ever voided a warranty and opened up one of your game consoles?"

I can actually say yes and no.

I once did repair work to a Gamecube, earlier this year - I bought the Gamecube about when the system debuted - the actual warranty was probably null and void due to having expired.
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https://imgur.com/gallery/sneoW
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I opened one of my 360's. It had a non-ROD error that had to do with the DVD drive.

This might actually be the first time I've seen a post on this board related to the actual poll of the day.

I got really good at opening up my PS2 back when it was the current console, but had already been out for a few years. It began having trouble reading some discs but cleaning the laser every once in a while fixed the issue.
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A NES to replace the cartridge port. Although it was my dad that did most of that because I was like 10. That's the only one I can think of.

What console haven't I opened is the better question. Off the top of my head, I never inspected my GBA, which I don't have anymore anyway.
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I have opened a PS2 and PS3 before to replace the Memory Card and Controller port and the disc drive respectively. They were both way after the warranty expired, though.

Never while the system was under warranty, but I've replaced the edge connector in many a Nintendo Entertainment System, as well as snipping the leg of the NES10 chip and adding the resistor to enable expansion audio through flash carts. Refurbished a Game Boy by replacing its speaker, reattached the ribbon cable, and added a line-out jack at the appropriate point in the audio amplifier chain. Replaced the DVD and HDD in an original Xbox, and I need to replace its clock capacitor before I use it again. Case swapped a GBA, repaired the keyboard on a C64... A bunch of stuff.
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Trigger_Walnut posted...

What console haven't I opened is the better question.

This. I've done NES, SNES, Wii, Genesis, Dreamcast, PS1, PS2, 360, GBA, DS, DSi, 3DS, New 3DS, and Vita.
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i opened up my broken ps3 and performed a re-flow once, ok?

it worked great... for two months. then i went and purchased a new ps3, ok?
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i've never voided a warranty, but i have opened game consoles
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I have opened many as when they shit the bed I try to fix them. This has worked at times.
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60 Hz mod on a PAL Snes back in the days.
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I had to change out the Blu Ray drive on my 60gb PS3 since it stopped reading discs and I didn't want to buy a new one and a PS2.
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Back in high school, I once opened up my PS2 in order to remove something that would better allow it to read the SwapMagic disc.

I did it so that I could play the two Kingdom Hearts Final Mixes, as well as Final Fantasy X International. I could also rip my BIOS for various reasons, if I wished to.
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My PS1 is a Frankenstein's monster full of spare parts.

Original Xbox clock capacitor.
https://imgoat.com/uploads/ab3238922b/13599.jpg
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EclairReturns posted...

Back in high school, I once opened up my PS2 in order to remove something that would better allow it to read the SwapMagic disc.

I did it so that I could play the two Kingdom Hearts Final Mixes, as well as Final Fantasy X International. I could also rip my BIOS for various reasons, if I wished to.

Fuck that brings back memories. I changed the lid of my PS2 slim with a "swap magic" enabled one so it could read the discs for the same reason as you more or less. I mean I imported KH 2. I also used it to play the USA version of Manhunt 2 uncut. That game was banned for a while over here so.
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SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

Original Xbox clock capacitor.
https://imgoat.com/uploads/ab3238922b/13599.jpg

The the entire thing jut vaporize or something?

I don't know what to answer for the poll (though I usually don't vote anyway, even if I have an answer) since I've done at least three of the four Yes answers. Maybe four if you count "cleaning" as repair.

I've modded an NES, attempted (unsuccessfully) to mod a GBA, and opened others just to clean them or see how they worked/decide if I want to attempt a mod.

Questionmarktarius posted...

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

Original Xbox clock capacitor.
https://imgoat.com/uploads/ab3238922b/13599.jpg

The the entire thing jut vaporize or something?

No, the capacitor has a tendency to leak and corrode the main board. Requiring that it be removed and cleaned.
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I just wanted to see what the inside of the og Xbox looked like so I took one apart
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Pretty much all of them so that I can clean them and do some maintenance on them. The older ones more often so I can fix/mod/whatever since they are so cheap and I am only out a few bucks if I screw up.
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I partly took apart a PSP to clean something, I think? The analog wasn't working well or something iirc.

Xanthus179 posted...

This might actually be the first time I've seen a post on this board related to the actual poll of the day.

It's been rarer since Actual Poll of the Day started, but it still happens occasionally even after this board was hi-jacked.
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I've opened a few gamecubes to calibrate the optical laser lens

Zeus posted...

I partly took apart a PSP to clean something, I think? The analog wasn't working well or something iirc.

When the analog starts drifting, any fix is going to be temporary, and increasingly so.

Had to open up my PS4 to replace the part that the Bluetooth controllers communicate with. I'd so much as put my arm between the PS4 and controller, it would stop working lol. No problems at all since I replaced it.
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I fall under ever yes answer. only main stream system i have taken apart is the xbox one (atari 2600 to 2018) I like to experiment on things.
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Xbox 360. Cuz who didn't getta RROD.
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FrndNhbrHdCEman posted...

Xbox 360. Cuz who didn't getta RROD.

Mine just chronically overheated. Two arcs on the circle instead of three.

...and then the optical drive on the replacement quit working.

Questionmarktarius posted...

FrndNhbrHdCEman posted...

Xbox 360. Cuz who didn't getta RROD.

Mine just chronically overheated. Two arcs on the circle instead of three.

...and then the optical drive on the replacement quit working.

Talk bout unlucky.
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Questionmarktarius posted...

Zeus posted...

I partly took apart a PSP to clean something, I think? The analog wasn't working well or something iirc.

When the analog starts drifting, any fix is going to be temporary, and increasingly so.

New joystick and conductive rubber contact strip is the cure.

Yep, repairs on PSPs, DSs, 3DSs, GBAs (GBOs and Vita 1000s are seemingly indestructible).

Mods on Atari 400, ST, Sega Saturn, Genesis, C64, etc.
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Where's the "No, because opening a console doesn't legally void the warranty and companies have to honor the agreement unless improper modifications occurred" option, that's what I want to know
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Took apart my PS4 twice.
The first time... I think it was still under warranty, but almost ending. I just needed to clean out the dust because of the moving. I made sure all the parts were put back nicely.

The second time... well... the place where I live at is pretty dusty, so again to clean out the fan. It was heating up a lot and made pained groans.
Only this time, I forgot to label each of the screws I took out like I had done last time... and I got scared when the fan or the power wires came loose. I thought I broke em. Lel, I ended up YouTubing a how-to video to actually put it back together.... -_-' ehehehe. There's still a damn screw loose.

It was funny how all the screws had difficulty turning the second time round.. even though I used the same old tools.
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kdb__1981 posted...

I fall under ever yes answer. only main stream system i have taken apart is the xbox one (atari 2600 to 2018) I like to experiment on things.

Ha!! Damn them Atari's man! I wish I never threw it away. pfft!
I do remember those cheap joysticks would so often die. Had fun just tearin them apart. ;D
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Fall_Of_Rome posted...

Where's the "No, because opening a console doesn't legally void the warranty and companies have to honor the agreement unless improper modifications occurred" option, that's what I want to know

It does void the warranty on some, they'll put a sticker or something over one of the screws so they can tell if you took it apart

Usually I'll open them for cleaning or repair, sometimes for modding.

PS3 trying to fix it myself. ended up being a dumbass

Not a console but I tried fixing my laptop tablet. Ended up looking like a huge dumbass and broke it further

I sort've opened my ps4 to fix the power button so I can get into safe mode so I can change the storage
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I've never voided a warranty, but have done repairs/battery replacements on several systems. I currently have a 360 that needs something fixed as it won't read discs without rapping the top of the console and an NES that needs the front loader repaired as it won't hold the cart properly to play without holding it in place. I have yet to open either as I'm not playing them at the moment but both are well out of warranty. Since I have a backlog of 1200+ games over 15 systems I probably won't for a while yet lol.

Although if anyone can give me a link to how to open an X-Box 360 Red RE5 special edition I'd be eternally grateful. I've looked but found nothing helpful.
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i had 2 non functional playstations, one had a broken disc reader, the other had a blown cap on the board

they were different models so the disc reader did not fit the good board so they got frankensteined out over a table, but it worked.
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I've opened up dozens and dozens of consoles to clean and repair.

I used to buy junky old consoles and laptops sold "as is" in thrift stores or whatever and fix them up and resell them.
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ToastyPOP posted...

I've opened up dozens and dozens of consoles to clean and repair.

I used to buy junky old consoles and laptops sold "as is" in thrift stores or whatever and fix them up and resell them.

Let me know if you come across a Neo Geo.

Chewster posted...

It does void the warranty on some, they'll put a sticker or something over one of the screws so they can tell if you took it apart

Naw, those stickers are just there to scare people and are actually illegal.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage

So no, you can't lose the warranty by removing or damaging a sticker.

Ravlin posted...

Chewster posted...

It does void the warranty on some, they'll put a sticker or something over one of the screws so they can tell if you took it apart

Naw, those stickers are just there to scare people and are actually illegal.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage

So no, you can't lose the warranty by removing or damaging a sticker.

That article says nothing about the warranty stickers being illegal. It just states that the wording is a violation and specifically referring to stuff about parts needing to be provided by specific companies or authorized repair companies. They do still have the right to refuse work, though, if the consumer or another person broke the seal and it wasn't properly replaced. Also, if faulty parts or incompatible parts are used to attempt repairs, they have no obligation to try to fix the unit since the consumer would most of the time like their same unit back rather than a complete replacement, which would also have a negative impact on the manufacturer with having to replace every unit that has problems because someone else, who obviously didn't do the repairs right, messed it up..

me

ps3. twice

it ate Catherine. I got it out safely.

2nd time it ate my Oasis concert DVD and I had to get it out. I ripped the ribbon in doing so and my first PS3 now RIP v.v
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juicebox4 posted...

me

ps3. twice

it ate Catherine. I got it out safely.

2nd time it ate my Oasis concert DVD and I had to get it out. I ripped the ribbon in doing so and my first PS3 now RIP v.v

Nice.
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Hmm... Last console I opened was a cousin's PS4 to switch a HDD for a SSD.

Other than that, a few XBOX 360s, My old Playstation and my PSP for general cleaning/maintenance.
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Repairs on several systems I own
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