yo i had the EXACT same problem.
however you are in luck. if you have a VALID RECIEPt ,which is 1 year still valid.. should be fine.
first call nintendo up. tel htem your situation n ask if you need to send it down or what. also ask if you can send a photocopy of your reicpt.. incase it gets lost in the mail.
shouldnt take too long. mine took about 2 weeks.. FREE OF CHARGE for mine. should be same as yours.
however i got mine back wiht fuzzy screen. had ot send it back ot fix it up again. now its all working and fine.
hope it helps.
etwee