DS Lite Hinge Problem Adressed

Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 11:37PM by QJ Staff Listed in: Nintendo DS Tags: defects, GameCube, troubleshooting, UK
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HingeNintendo has addressed the problem people are having with their DS Lite's hinge. It seems to be breaking at a certain point for many people and people are worried. Nintendo says they aren't really aware of the problem, but that if anybody has an issue that was due to a manufacturing error, they should contact them immediately.

The company's customer service is excellent so it shouldn't be much of a problem. I've had to get my GameCube fixed twice because of disc read errors and they were easy to deal with on both occasions.

Here's an excerpt of Nintendo's press release regarding this "hinge problem":

"We are not aware of any problems with the hinge of the DS Lite, however if someone experiences a problem with their DS Lite they should contact their local customer services department. The DS Lite carries a one year warranty for manufacturing defects, if the fault is covered under the warranty it will be repaired free of charge if not then customer services will provide a cost for repairing the product.

For warranty repair information, all technical enquires including servicing products, guarantee information, troubleshooting, part orders and release dates in the UK, please contact our Customer Service department (Monday - Friday 8:30am-7pm)."

Via Go Nintendo

 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by / - 2006-07-18 19:18
» .

i had this exact same problem!!! i had my lite for 2 weeks, then the hinge cracked. My DS is in repair for 3 weeks now! and their website said 3-7 days. Dont know whats taking so long. Its in repair for longer than i had the system. Geez.

by Emil - 2006-07-18 19:19
» .

I have my DS since the european launch and never had a problem. That of course doesn't mean that there is no problem - but Nintendo's products are very durable and I would be surprised if this indeed is a manufacturing or even design error. Luckily it is always very easy to replace a Nintendo product.

by Mr. Common Sense - 2006-07-19 00:43
» The old DS hinge wan't much better

I got my DS right after launch and the hinge never broke but was always loose. I sold it and bought a lite and haven't had a problem yet but at least it doesn't wobble around. I don't know if they break because of rough treatment or shoddy manufacturing but it may have to do with being made in China (like everything else.)

by Plazmo - 2006-07-19 03:58
» Hinge cracks..

I noticed mine was cracked the first day I got it and there is no way in the world it could have been from mishandling. I take care of my mobile stuff REALLY good. That's why all my phones, mp3 players and handhelds look like they did when I got them.



I don't think I'll send it in for repairs though... only if the cracks grow bigger. I can just do a quick paint job and cover up the cracks easily.

by . - 2006-07-19 04:02
» .

Hey again, im the first poster. Anyway, to tell you number 4, it will grow bigger. And for some reason, the hinge always cracks up on that spot (look at picture above) mine cracked on that spot as well. Wierd huh?

by fatfree - 2006-07-19 04:46
» DS Lite Cracked Hinge webpage

http://dslcracked.awardspace.com/

by Poster #1 - 2006-07-19 07:37
» .

lol, thanks number 6. There must be someting wrong with the left side. All the photos show the left side being cracked.



Anyway, i just called nintendo. And the reason being why they are taking so long is because there is no return address on my DS. Lol, i got it resolved and they will send me a new unit and should receive it by tommorow. And it only took 1 phone call. But i had to wait 2 weeks cause i didnt know, lol.

by R Kelly - 2006-07-20 03:14
» WHAT!!!

This issue needs to be addressed..when i was playing mario64 i was using my wiiner for a stylus and when a little golden fluid came out at the end of a level it shorted out the ds which electrocuted my precious little R Kelly and then for some reason the ds closed down on me like a clam shell...it was very hard to explain it to my doctor and he kept laughing at me eventhough everyone else uses their penis as a stylus too....

by Aka - 2006-07-20 13:21
» Does this change anything?

So Nintendo has restated their return policy, but does this actually mean they admit this is a problem now? Didn't they tell Joystiq or another big gadget site that it wasn't their problem because it was "obviously dropped" even when it wasn't?

by . - 2006-07-20 20:08
» .

Nintendo WONT repair your DS lites hinge. Cause they will send me a new unit =)

by bob - 2006-07-21 05:11
» ?

This is NOT only a "cosmetic" problem. The hinges are what holds the whole thing together! If one small crack is made, IT WILL eventually grow bigger and soon or later, the whole system (the 2 screens) will just fall apart.

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