Hardware Weird N3DS issue c-stick malfunction!

Benja81

GBATemp Sporaddict
OP
Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
987
Trophies
1
Age
42
XP
2,096
Country
United States
I am having the dumbest issue with my N3DSXL Majora's mask edition, and c-stick drift. At first I thought it was a gyro malfunction, because it would only occur while holding the 3DS at certain angles. For examplei if I'm lying down is when I first noticed it. I discovered last night that something is actually botched possibly internally between the lid hatch and the c-stick. If I am playing a game that uses the c-stick for looking around, I found that as I am closing the lid, it literally pushes the c-stick down as though I am looking down, my game shifts down at the same speed I am closing the lid. And at certain angles, it seems that the weight of the lid alone, without closing it, pushing down on the console makes it think I am pushing the c-stick down as well :(

I know this is a very odd issue but I have confirmed thats whats happening for sure, its not a sync issue with the c-stick or anything like I thought at first. Maybe someone with extensive internal knowledge of the N3ds hardware can imagine how this would be possible or know of a fix :(
 

Benja81

GBATemp Sporaddict
OP
Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
987
Trophies
1
Age
42
XP
2,096
Country
United States
Since its suck a weird issue, here is a video of what I mean, clear as day when I lower the lid it drifts downward from the c-stick, wth?!!

 

Benja81

GBATemp Sporaddict
OP
Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
987
Trophies
1
Age
42
XP
2,096
Country
United States
You could send it to Nintendo for repairs unless you have CFW, otherwise I don't know how to fix it sorry.
Thanks for looking at the thread. So I've narrowed it down to homebrew games, I fired up Majora's Mask which uses the c stick for looking, and it doesn't happen! :)

Edit: It happens with Majora's Mask and Moon Chronicals also, just didn't notice it at first, its much less pronounced and only at the slightest angle on those games, but is happening. I might not have noticed it at all if I didn't know about it. Maybe cstick is too sensitive on the homebrew games?

 
Last edited by Benja81,
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Messages
7,292
Trophies
2
XP
5,947
Country
United States
Use the 3DSident-GUI app. Press (START) and (SELECT) at the same time to pull up the button tester.

You can track the drift by gauging the read out, C Stick: ####, ####

The c-stick might be contaminated with dirt or grim that is sticking or nudging the pressure ever so slightly away from neutral.

You can try ripping off that crappy stock nub, removing the battery (for electric safety), cleaning the c-stick peg area with a soft bristle toothbrush dipped in 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and blow drying on low heat + slow fan speed with a hair dryer with sweeping motions. Be careful not to burn or melt the plastic sheet covering the lower screen digitizer.

Upgrade the c-stick with either the PSP-1000 cap or Lenovo Super Low Profile TrackPoint nub.

There's a possibility the strain gages within the c-stick have been permanently deformed or damaged from excessive directional presses due to poor grip from the terrible stock nub.
You would be required to fix this by replacing the c-stick part.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Benja81

Benja81

GBATemp Sporaddict
OP
Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
987
Trophies
1
Age
42
XP
2,096
Country
United States
Use the 3DSident-GUI app. Press (START) and (SELECT) at the same time to pull up the button tester.

You can track the drift by gauging the read out, C Stick: ####, ####

The c-stick might be contaminated with dirt or grim that is sticking or nudging the pressure ever so slightly away from neutral.

You can try ripping off that crappy stock nub, removing the battery (for electric safety), cleaning the c-stick peg area with a soft bristle toothbrush dipped in 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and blow drying on low heat + slow fan speed with a hair dryer with sweeping motions. Be careful not to burn or melt the plastic sheet covering the lower screen digitizer.

Upgrade the c-stick with either the PSP-1000 cap or Lenovo Super Low Profile TrackPoint nub.

There's a possibility the strain gages within the c-stick have been permanently deformed or damaged from excessive directional presses due to poor grip from the terrible stock nub.
You would be required to fix this by replacing the c-stick part.
Thanks! I always thought about doing this, maybe now is the time then.

EDIT: If anyone has this problem SPECIFICALLY WITH HOMEBREW GAMES the c-stick for looking up and down on games like eduke3d, ctrquake, ctrhexen ii, turns out the issue is just that the sensitivity was set way too high. Turn down sensitivity in settings and the issue stopped happening :)
 
Last edited by Benja81,

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    and i know what you may be thinking, "why become an adult at 21? doesn't that mean that banging an 18 year old would be illegal?"
    first of all, being in a relationship with someone who's 18 is technically ok, as long as it started when they were 18, but the age gap is still weird depending on how old you are. besides, the age of consent differs between different states
    +1
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    also my reasoning for adult age being 21 is because the reason that's the drinking (and now smoking) age is because it "gives them more time to think rationally and not drive drunk"
    so you should have that extra time to mature and think rationally before going to serve in the military or vote
    +1
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    tl;dr the "adult" age and the legal drinking age (and voting age) here in the US should be the same
    +4
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    It's all good no one pays attention to the law anyway lol
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    What about making kids wait till 18 or 21 to drive? And yea is messed up, you can join army and die for your country at age 18, but you can't drink alcohol or smoke a cig til 21, is ridiculous
    +3
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    If someone is in the military they should be allowed to smoke and drink at 18.... Would help drive recruitment lol
    +3
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    We all know they do and will anyways. I think laws prevented them only pushes them to illegally do it. Even tho if was legal, most prob wouldn't even bother. Not a big deal or risque if its legal, no fun.
    +2
  • ZeroT21 @ ZeroT21:
    That's why some kids don't mind having a rap sheet or two just so they never get drafted
    +2
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    also, i think the voting age should match the adult and drinking ages too, because by the logic of giving them time to mature and think rationally so they don't drive drunk, then they should also have that time to mature and think rationally so they can think for themselves
    +2
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    fucking hell i'm becoming a mini leo with the way i yap aren't i?
    +1
  • impeeza @ impeeza:
    I was unable to create the VM for the debloat windows, but found the video where I learned it:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZm6mY3I7J4
    +2
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    No you def no leo, and I like your insight. You are a smart Baked cookie.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Chicken drumsticks and sweet potato for dinner tonight turned out good
    +1
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    "i promise not to get all political and/or philosophical"
    3 drinks later:
    "so yeah think for yourself and i think the government sucks"
    +1
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Is @BigOnYa drunk again
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    no, i was poking fun at myself
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    Again? I have a IV feeding me so I never come down.
    +2
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    because self deprecating humor is important, as long as it doesn't turn into self hate. because you can't really make fun of anyone if you can't even make fun of yourself
    +2
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    Booze enemas are real lol
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    that explains a lot
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    @BigOnYa, invented the first ever pill that gets you instantly hammered, now filling the streets of Miami
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    That was what called a qaaulude, instant drunk, luckily they not around anymore.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Tylenol midday
    K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2: Tylenol midday