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Topic: 3DS Repair Question (Screen Scratch) - Shworange, You Out There?

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EJtheK

Hey gang,

I am new here, but I found the site by a Google search on a problem I am having. Great site here!

The top screen of my 3DS is scratched by the bottom screen (I see that I am not alone in this). I just talked to Nintendo and they said they'll repair it under warranty. Great news. I see that Shworange (here on the forums) did this.

I know they will transfer data if they need to, but I'm concerned about my Street Pass data. I am not just concerned about my Find Mii progress and my puzzle pieces (although these are important to me since I have completed everything), but I am concerned about my plaza population. I have Street Passed with A LOT of people from a lot of locations. I got a ton at PAX East, and many more elsewhere. My question is: will I still have all these people in my plaza after repair even if they have to transfer my data to a new 3DS? Shworange, can you address this? Anyone else?

Thanks!

EJtheK

EJtheK

Birdman

@EJtheK - I sent my 3DS in last year under the exact same conditions you have told us. Provided they don't screw up the repair process, they shouldn't have to replace your 3DS with a new one, and all of your data from before the repair should be intact. They also tell you in the instructions they'll send you about sending it in that you should remove your SD Card before sending it in, so it should be fine provided they transfer the system data from the ruined 3DS to the new one.

Exactly.
My Birdloggery

3DS Friend Code: 2105-8643-6062

SyFyTy

Many people are experiencing the screen scratch because they carry the unit in thier ssssspocket or other location where tight com pression of the lid to the base is frequent. the little rubber feet on the side of the upper screen are designed to keep the upper and lower screen apart enough to prevent this However, when carried in tight locations, it compresses the rubber feet and keeps them from doing thier job. Carry it instead in a place where it is not compressed together and you won't have to worry about data transfers, sending it in and so forth. However, like most people, they hate getting advice when they know the cause was thier fault. These same people carrying it in thier pockets are having probelms with the shoulder buttons and thumb stick wearing out early . All caussed by carring in the pocket. The only reason N is fixing it now, (they will eventually stop this practice I will almost guarantee that) is that it IS desigend for portability and it is presumed that carying it in the pocket is the maionn method of doing this. The 3ds is NOT the first of the DS model to have this problem, it's just more frequent as the top surface of the lower screen is far more prominent ridging.

'Be Good or Be Gone!'

EJtheK

Thanks for the helpful feedback, everyone!

Birdman wrote:

@EJtheK - I sent my 3DS in last year under the exact same conditions you have told us. Provided they don't screw up the repair process, they shouldn't have to replace your 3DS with a new one, and all of your data from before the repair should be intact. They also tell you in the instructions they'll send you about sending it in that you should remove your SD Card before sending it in, so it should be fine provided they transfer the system data from the ruined 3DS to the new one.

Birdman, thanks for this post. It's nice to hear from someone who had the same problem. So, did you have the same serial number and everything when you got the 3DS back?


SyFyTy, thanks for the response. I think carrying this in my pocket definitely added to this. That being said, I actually keep it in a case. I like carrying it around because of Street Passing. I have had a lot of Street Passes as a result of this new habit of mine (hence, why I care about this data). From now on, I will change my habits (after adding new rubber feet bumpers as well). However, this is a shame since the intention of Street Passing was to have your 3DS with you everywhere you go. Thanks for the response!


FYI, I sent an e-mail to Nintendo asking about this. When I get a response, I'll post it.

Best to all,
EJtheK

EJtheK

Birdman

@EJtheK -
1. Yep, same serial number, games, save data, etc. returned with me when I received my 3DS back.
2. While e-mailing them is nice, you really should call them. In a 10-15 minute phone call with Nintendo's Customer Support, all of your questions about sending your 3DS will be answered, plus they'll send you (via email) the shipping label to one of their facilities, so you can send your 3DS in when you're ready to, and you'll only have to pay for any shipping materials you'll use to send your 3DS to them (about $10 iirc). Also, their email response time is really slow, so if you're using that to communicate with them it could take awhile for you to have all of your problems fully addressed.

Exactly.
My Birdloggery

3DS Friend Code: 2105-8643-6062

TheDreamingHawk

Calling helps. But a screen scratch won't be a big deal if you get a leather safety case and screen protectors. When I bought both I never had an issue again.

...Except when I broke the circle pad a few months ago.

A Supporter of Reggie Fils-Aime and Respectful opinions
Pokemon black 2 FC: 1808 0259 1596

3DS Friend Code: 4725-7951-6337 | Nintendo Network ID: TheDreaminHawk

EJtheK

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the feedback.


@Birdman
Thanks for the response. I did go ahead and call them. I have the shipping label, instructions, etc. Out of curiosity, do you remember where they had you send yours? Mine is going to United Radio in East Syracuse, NY (does that sound familiar to you)?

They said they cannot guarantee that my Mii Plaza data will survive. I wish they would guarantee this because it looks like the data survives a full system transfer (which I would hope is worst case). Calling definitely helped though! They said they'd put a note to call me if the data is at risk.


@TheDreamingHawk
Thanks for your response. I had screen protectors on my old DS. In fact, I put screen protectors on all my electronics. I don't like the way this looks, and, so, this time around I decided I'd just fully enjoy the screens as they are and trusted that the screens are more durable these days. I took the wrong risk! I didn't know the bottom screen would scratch the top. After repair, I'll be changing my habits! Thanks!

EJtheK

Birdman

@EJtheK - Well, that facility is new to my knowledge. I live in a suburb of Chiacgo, and I had to send mine to a facility in (I think this is the name of the town, or something very similar to it) Chatsworth, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. I also know one user a few months ago mentioned he had to send his a one somewhere in Georgia (though he also said he lived in Arizona - still can't understand Nintendo's logic on that one). Well, hope your repair goes smoothly and takes less than two weeks (which is how long mine took).

Exactly.
My Birdloggery

3DS Friend Code: 2105-8643-6062

Shworange

Sorry I'm late.

Yes, everything transferred. All streetpass data included. Even game play time data was transferred. Its a bit painful to wait for the full two weeks to get it back, but as soon as i got it back i put an upper screen protector on it as well as a thin cloth between the top and bottom when closed. It clones everything. The only weird hiccup I experienced was that I couldn't get any new streetpasses for exactly one week. The lady said that that sometimes occurs because of some odd internal clock irregularity. It started working again 7 days after I powered it up.
It really is disheartening that this is such a common problem. It vexes me that you all went through this as well. I hope it turns out ok. Keep us posted.

Edited on by Shworange

3DS friend code: 3780-9246-6946
NNID: yossarian22

Nintendo Network ID: yossarian22

EJtheK

Hey everyone. Thanks for the great responses and for the help! I sent my 3DS away today, and I'll post when I have a conclusion!

@Birdman - Thanks for responding about your repair facility!

@Shworange - Thanks for posting! I really appreciate your reassuring news, and I'm glad it all worked out for you! It really is a bummer that this has been such a common problem, and it's not something I have experienced with Nintendo before. Typically, their designs are excellent and not subject to these kinds of problems. Perhaps I am lucky, but every Nintendo system I have (including my original NES bought in the 80s) still works flawlessly and has very few (if any) problems. Having a system scratch itself from Day One is atypical. Anyway, thanks for your response! Hopefully my data all transfers as well! I'll let you know.

Best to all,
EJtheK

EJtheK

EJtheK

For everyone's benefit (again thanks for the help!), I got my 3DS back and here is a conclusion (maybe?)...

I got my 3DS back. The repair facility I sent it to did a fine job getting rid of the line scratch problem. The top screen cover has been replaced and is scratch free. Also, they did preserve my data! However, there's a catch: new problems have now been added.

Problem 1) Scratches on touch screen. There are now more scratches on the touch screen than when I sent the 3DS in. One in particular is rather large and visible during play when the room is well lit (sunlight, etc.). Bummer. I had been careful of my touch screen.

Problem 2) Wobbly hinge. I've heard of people having this problem. I was lucky enough to not have the issue ... until now, that is. My hinge now wobbles.

Problem 3) Chip in plastic. This is very minor, but the top screen has a chip in it (not in viewing area, thankfully).

I called NOA about this. They were very nice about it and checked the repair notes. They said it was the same 3DS, but had the top screen cover replaced. I could believe this (even with the chip ... this could have been damaged when removing the original screen cover). Also the one and only scratch I had on my touch screen may still be there (hard to sort it out now that there are so many scratches). However, the serial number label on the back is all marked up as though it has been removed (despite having the same S/N).

Anyway, I'm glad the lines on the top screen are gone (mine had gotten really bad). I'm thankful that my data has been preserved. However, I am a little bummed about the other problems.

NOA offered to repair it again. This time they said they'd do it at their headquarters in Washington (as opposed to the third party I had sent mine to). I'm conflicted about proceeding with the repair. I'm so glad my data has been saved and my 3D screen is nice now; but I am bummed about the other problems. I don't want to risk my data again, and I don't want to be ungrateful to Nintendo for resolving this.

Anyway, thanks for the help. I will be considering how to proceed, but I thought my tale could benefit people in the future struggling with the same dilemma I had.

Thanks!

EJtheK

EJtheK

FIN!

I have a conclusion, and will provide it for the benefit of any others going through anything like this...

My 3DS has returned from Nintendo HQ. Here's what they did this time:

  • They replaced the touch screen (brand new screen) to fix the scratches added from repair at the East Syracuse, NY repair center.
  • They replaced the top screen cover again (perhaps it got damaged again during this repair).
  • They replaced part of the housing to fix screen wobble.

The result:

I have a little screen wobble. It's nowhere near as bad as after I got it back from the first repair, but it isn't as perfect as it once was (I suppose I was just lucky before).

Both screens are completely scratch free.

The bumpers on the top screen have been raised by 0.2mm (perhaps enough to prevent future scratching).

Best of all: my data is ALL 100% INTACT! The unit remained the same, so no data was lost.

Best of luck to any others out there who deal with this.

TLDR: 3DS is in good shape after repair at Nintendo HQ. I'd advise anyone getting repairs done to request they be done at HQ. I did not have a good experience with the licensed repair center in NY. Also, Nintendo Customer Service is absolutely incredible!

Thanks to all who commented!

  • EJtheK -

EJtheK

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