Hello, and welcome to TakeItApart.net’s first video article. Today we will disassemble an Nintendo Gamecube. It is important to note that a few precautions must be mentioned. Be sure to keep a game disc in the machine during the disassembly process. This reduces the chance of damaging your lens on the disc drive. The first step as usual is removing the screws that hold the device case together. The first four screws are located on the bottom of the device and require a standard 5/32nd Screwdriver to remove. You may need to shake it a little to remove those last screws. The next step is removing the top of the device shell, it can simply be lifted off in a vertical motion. Next, release the front panel by unsnapping it and tilting it forward. In order to do this, you must first remove any memory cards or plugs that are in place. Be careful not to damage the cables that are connecting the panels from the rest of the device. The ribbon will be disconnected from the main PCB later at the disassembly. The back panel can be removed in a similar fashion. Next, remove the screws connecting the plastic front panel to the PCB behind it. Next, remove two screw near the rear of the device that hold the cooling fan in place. Now remove the fan assembly and the power cable connecting to it. After that remove the screws that secure the memory card grounding brackets. Next, remove the various screws currently visible. After those screws are removed, the drive assembly can be easily lifted off. Be sure to notice the five screws in the bottom of the drive assembly that must be removed to access the lens component. Once all the screws are removed, you can go ahead and remove the metal plate. The brown ribbon cable can be removed by loosening the black friction locks securing it. Slide the black part of the connector outward. If one side is done, the riveting can be removed by pulling in the same direction. The white ribbon, requires a bit more force and a bit of jiggling to remove. Now, the blue wire connected to the sensors can be removed by pulling. Be very careful not to damage the lever sensors. Doing so could render the game cube not operational. Now, four screws are attached to the drive assembly PCB can be removed. Be careful to keep the washers with the screws. The PCB lifts off easily but it is attached to the drive assembly with a soldered wire. If you are not inclined to solder be careful not to tear the wire. The upper metal plate of the drive assembly can be removed after the PCB is lifted off. It is secure to the drive assembly with four plastic clips. Remember it is plastic so don’t get too rough with it. The plastic drive assembly case can be disassembled by releasing the three clips around the perimeter. To remove the controller port PCB, lift through out of its spot on the main PCB. Now, the main PCB can be released by removing the six screws located on the heat sink. It lifts off the device base with steady moderate force. The lower metal plate under the main PCB can be released by removing four screws. It easily lifts off. Minor metal pieces are accessible and can be removed from the plastic base. The final PCB can be taken out by removing he four screws securing it. Once the screws are removed, the PCB and metal bracket can be lifted out.
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