Noob seeks DSi hack, help!

Trying to get homebrew running on your PSP? Want to add a screen light to your Game Boy? Trying to figure out how to work your GP2X? By popular demand, discuss it in here! (This forum is for pre-built handhelds, NOT custom made portables!)

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RyoHUmar
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:03 pm

Noob seeks DSi hack, help!

Post by RyoHUmar »

Hey all, I'm looking to do a mostly cosmetic hack to my DSi. I know that this seems unlikely at best, but I'm willing to drop however much money it takes to get this thing made, After I get all the details worked out I'll be looking to get the case custom machined somewhere.

Anywho, here's the image, the idea is to make it match my MacBook Pro.


Image

So, I have a few questions for those of you that might know this kind of thing:

1. Were I to add apple-like "windows" on the case to allow light to escape, would it actually appear that way? I'm not sure where the backlight is situated on the DSi. I haven't been able to find a top assembly teardown online.

2. Is it possible to upgrade the flash memory in the DSi, has anyone tried this?

Anyway, any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated, I'm SO looking forward to trying this!
themadhacker
Senior Member
Posts: 2670
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:53 pm
Location: ohio

Post by themadhacker »

Huh. I didn't even know the thing was out yet.
rest in peace, Ronnie James Dio! \m/
RyoHUmar
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:03 pm

Post by RyoHUmar »

themadhacker wrote:Huh. I didn't even know the thing was out yet.
Yep. Came out on 11/1 in Japan, got an import :D
jleemero
Posts: 804
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:12 pm
Location: Yay Desert.

Re: Noob seeks DSi hack, help!

Post by jleemero »

RyoHUmar wrote: 1. Were I to add apple-like "windows" on the case to allow light to escape, would it actually appear that way? I'm not sure where the backlight is situated on the DSi. I haven't been able to find a top assembly teardown online.
Nope, not really.
But it wouldn't be too terribly hard to add a couple of little white LEDs in there.
RyoHUmar wrote: 2. Is it possible to upgrade the flash memory in the DSi, has anyone tried this?
No. Just no, and no. No.
BoomBox-Creations
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:37 pm

Post by BoomBox-Creations »

I like the case, i might think of making my own like that...

And no, i dont think anyone has tried to increase the flash memory yet... but it is a good idea...
palmertech
Senior Member
Posts: 3225
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:40 am
Location: California, land of the homeless and hippies

Post by palmertech »

BoomBox-Creations wrote:I like the case, i might think of making my own like that...

And no, i dont think anyone has tried to increase the flash memory yet... but it is a good idea...
Here are my thoughts...
Use capitalization, it makes people respect your intelligence.:lol:
Increasing the flash memory is a terrible idea. The DSi checks for seeks speed and corrupt areas on the flash every time you boot up, so that it can block off bad sectors. Any extra memory would instantly fail that check. Furthermore, the DSi firmware would NOT recognize the extra memory.

@Themadhacker: Unfortunately, that case is impossible, the DS has squared edges for a reason. Unless you make it the size of a DS phat, corners like that are impossible, and I think that working metal that well is beyond the capacity of anyone on this forum.

As far as the backlight goes, it would be pretty easy. You would have to completely take apart the DS Lite LCD, and all its assorted layers, then cut out a square in the mylar refelctive film, and the metal casing of the screen. This would allow light to shine through, but depending on how effecient the diffusion layer is, you may end up with a slightly dimmer display.

Also, that thing has no place for a camera. :lol: Not to mention a power switch, headphone jack, etc.

You say that you can drop as much dough as needed, but in reality, the dough you would need is at least in the $1000-2000 range. :lol:
Image

Excellent
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