shameless brag...(but I'm so excited!)

[larig]

Our wii was giving us problems reading discs, and just a week after finding this walking disc that I loved and made me want to walk when it was crummy outside. When I called Nintendo to ask them about servicing it they quoted me $95.

I decided to try to fix it. I didn't see the point in spending $95 when a new one is not much more than that. So, I ordered a new laser, cracked open the wii, then the drive, took old laser out, put new laser in, DH soldered for me (I haven't, done it yet, and it was a delicate operation--to remove an anti-static solder on a ribbon), reassembled the wii, plugged it in and now it's working. DH is using it to do wii fit as I type!! (he told me he was impressed!)

Take that Nintendo, I don't need you! I bought a $3 Y-head screwdriver (we already had tiny screwdrivers from me fixing my last macbook), a $12 laser, and saved $80!!! :jammin: I feel like superwoman.

[Uno-Mom]

You ARE superwoman. :jammin:

[plusbellelavie]

Awesome Job! BRAVO!!:bighand:

[bubbaray]

Yeah you!

[hillview]

WOAH. Very impressive!

[crl]

You totally are superwoman!:cheerleader1:

Catherine

[JoyNChrist]

That's amazing! I would never have the guts to attempt that. Way to go!

[Puddy73]

Wow, you rock!!! Our stupid wii is only a year old and we are having the same problem. I'm too chicken to actually crack it open. I secretly want it to die so that we can replace it with an Xbox Kinect at Christmas.

[AngelaS]

Good for you! Ours is giving us the same error from time to time so it's nice to know it's something we can fix.

[mommylamb]

I am SERIOUSLY impressed!!!

[MontrealMum]

Yay for you :cheerleader1:

[arivecchi]

Totally impressive! :applause:

[jgenie]

Wow - impressive!!!

[StantonHyde]

I am BEYOND impressed. I can change batteries and that's about it!

[liz]

Wow, nice work ! I am in awe.

[Pennylane]

Amazing! I just got my WII back from Nintendo for the second time. Both times it was $80. Good for you!

Ann

[zoestargrove]

I bow down to your awesomeness! WAY TO ROCK IT!

[elephantmeg]

dang! wtg!

[kijip]

You are superwoman! :cheerleader1: I bet you could make a nice side income fixing people's Wii machines. I know where I am going if mine breaks. :p

[EllasMum]

Great job! Isn't it an amazing feeling?! :boogie::applause:

[larig]

Wow, I went for a walk and had dinner, came back, and you all were celebrating with me! How fun. You guys are the best!

It was pretty clear from what I read online that give the error I was getting, and the behavior it exhibited (namely disc read errors) meant I needed a replacement lens.I always look for videos or tutorials for things like this, and have been lucky to find them all over the place. I watched these videos first, and decided it was something I could handle.

Now for a pep talk...
Seriously, those of you who have this problem, if you can take out screws, have sort of tiny hands, a soldering iron (DH had this), and the knowledge that if you don't fix it you'll not sweat the $15-$19 in tools/parts it cost you to fix it.

Disassembled using this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhEgNpjYKoo&feature=related

I followed this video to replace the laser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVa7tnKS16Y&feature=related

[ETA: put back together with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0QkScApQDw&feature=related]

ordered this.
http://www.amazon.com/Brand-New-Laser-Lens-Replacement-Part/dp/B001VBCRTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307241055&sr=8-1

and these (well, I only ordered the tri-wing, because I had a little phillips from other taking-things-apart projects).
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Screwdriver-Lite-Wiimote-etc/dp/B001AHAW0K/ref=pd_sim_vg_6

Anyway, thanks for celebrating my achievement with me. It's really empowering to resurrect something that was destined to be tossed.

I would totally fix a BBBers wii!

[amatahrain]

I'm curious.. what is the walking disc called? I'm in the market for something to listen to while I walk.

And congrats on fixing your wii :)

[larig]

it's called walk it out. Read the reviews on amazon. It is well-loved. I can easily walk 2.5 miles with the game, and really not even realizing I'd done that much. It's fairly intense cardio wise, as you're walking to the beat of the songs to earn credits to open up paths in your virtual world. I'm a person who needs help with motivation and those little gimmicks really help.

http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Out-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B002CZ7P04

It looks like they're marketing it to teens/preteens, but it's got a big fan base of people who are using it to lose weight. You can use the balance board, nun chucks, or a dance pad.

[amatahrain]

Seems cool and has good reviews on amazon. I thought it was a cd you were referring to but this is really cool. Ordering now... can't wait!!

[larig]

Seems cool and has good reviews on amazon. I thought it was a cd you were referring to but this is really cool. Ordering now... can't wait!!

price is right too! It seems like it takes forever to get the game set up to play, but I really have enjoyed it.

[fumofu]

You go, you! Anything that involves the soldering gun done at home is super impressive.