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[Altor]

My touch screen has got an entire line of bad pixels across it.  They light up just fine, but when the screen is dark, they're a bunch of random colors.  I called Nintendo about it and they say it's a symptom of physical damage!  I'm a little bummed, since I treat it very well...

Anyway, they want to charge me $70 (after whining, they reduced it to $40) for a repair, but I've seen replacement touchscreens online for less than that.  Specifically, this one here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3175

They say they test all the screens... which is probably a gross exaggeration... but even so, does anyone have experience replacing their screens?  Is it a worthwhile effort?  What are my odds of getting another screwed up screen?

Thanks!

edit: forgot to mention, I realized just before I called Nintendo that I think I'm at just about the limit of my warranty.  I don't remember when exactly I got my system back the most recent time, but I think it was almost certainly before I got my job... and that was like 10 months ago...  so I can't wait around forever to decide whether to try to replace it or to just send it for repair.

Maybe I could make up some story about there just being a bunch of dead pixels... it's not like I'd be being dishonest, I truly do treat this thing like it's made of gold... there's no way this was caused by physical harm.

If replacing the screen is a possibility, are there any other distributors I might try?  I like dealextreme and all... but I'd rather get *valuable* stuff from a more reputable dealer.

[Devil_Spawn]

replacing the screen with a touch screen is easy, however if you buy a ascreen without a touch screen you run a high risk of getting dust in between the touch screen and the actual screen.

i found it extremely easy to replace, and i think there is a tutorial on how to take apart you ds on this forum

i saved loads of money replacing mine and a few friends screens. its easy!

[dai_uk]

I saw those replacement screens and almost went looking for a broken DSLite on Ebay!

[Altor]

So where did you buy your replacement screens, Devilspawn?

Something just occurred to me, the Nintendo rep said that the "line of dead pixels" problem is a result of physical damage, and that it was damage to "the drivers" specifically...  These "drivers", I wonder if they are even ON the screen?  What if it's an actual hardware issue?  Has anyone else had a line of bad pixels?

[dai_uk]

A nintendo rep once told a friend his nes had

Escaped it's programming due to misuse

to get out of warranty repair.

the actual problem was a bent pin on the cartridge slot  - fixed with a cocktail stick!

[kkan]

So where did you buy your replacement screens, Devilspawn?

Something just occurred to me, the Nintendo rep said that the "line of dead pixels" problem is a result of physical damage, and that it was damage to "the drivers" specifically...  These "drivers", I wonder if they are even ON the screen?  What if it's an actual hardware issue?  Has anyone else had a line of bad pixels?

they will give you any old bullcrap excuse to get around a free exchange .. be insistant and firm that you havent done anything to physically damage it only played a few games on it and that you dont even take it out the house! .... (important do not mention flash cards at any point during the conversation lol )

Is it under warrenty !?

(if you have had it about 10 or 11 months) then your in luck

then you are well within your rights to demand/get a replacement as thats YOUR LEGAL RIGHT!

If its not under warrenty then still try pushing the issue of SALE OF GOODS ACT 

and to quote a section i've quoted elsewhere here prolly a couple of times now regarding the SALE OF GOODS ACT 1979

Sale of Goods Act Quick Facts

Subject: Sale of Goods Act, Faulty Goods.

Relevant or Related Legislation:  Sale of Goods Act 1979. Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994. The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002.

Key Facts:

• Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale).


•  Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.

•  Aspects of quality include fitness for purpose, freedom from minor defects, appearance and finish, durability and safety.

•  It is the seller, not the manufacturer, who is responsible if goods do not conform to contract.

• If goods do not conform to contract at the time of sale, purchasers can request their money back "within a reasonable time". (This is not defined and will depend on circumstances)

• For up to six years after purchase (five years from discovery in Scotland) purchasers can demand damages (which a court would equate to the cost of a repair or replacement).

• A purchaser who is a consumer, i.e. is not buying in the course of a business, can alternatively request a repair or replacement.

• If repair and replacement are not possible or too costly, then the consumer can seek a partial refund, if they have had some benefit from the good, or a full refund if the fault/s have meant they have enjoyed no benefit

• In general, the onus is on all purchasers to prove the goods did not conform to contract (e.g. was inherently faulty) and should have reasonably lasted until this point in time (i.e. perishable goods do not last for six years).

• If a consumer chooses to request a repair or replacement, then for the first six months after purchase it will be for the retailer to prove the goods did conform to contract (e.g. were not inherently faulty)

• After six months and until the end of the six years, it is for the consumer to prove the lack of conformity.

contact them again and ask for a replacement and quote you know your rights under the sale of goods act and tell them you have already consulted legal advice on this matter and you know that your fully entitled to get a replacement UNDER WARRENTY 

its OBVIOUSLY not conforming to CONTRACT or quality of fit for purpose as its not free from minor defects


Just Be polite be firm and dont get angry with them if they mention drivers again get them to explain it to you (play dumb that you dont have a clue what they are talking about) they more often will not be able to explain it in a none technical way due to them reading stuff off a checklist remember they are phone operators not engineers

If they still refuse ask to speak to their line manager or manager or someone higher up then the phone operator to deal with your problem for you

fingers crossed they will exchange it 

[Devil_Spawn]

i got mine offa ebay, its far far easier than it looks

HOWEVER do not buy one yet, it sounds to me like the connector is damaged, pop it open and reinsert the ribbon cables

[Altor]

It's been perfectly fine for the last 10 or so months... tbh I don't think I really have a leg to stand on legally.  I can't prove it wasn't due to misuse.  Does that sales act even apply in Canada?

[tennisgy]

i got mine offa ebay, its far far easier than it looks

HOWEVER do not buy one yet, it sounds to me like the connector is damaged, pop it open and reinsert the ribbon cables

yeh, I remember when replacing the shell the screen doing some wierd stuff and that was teh problem.