Game Gear expertise needed

[Snatch1414]

I bought a Game Gear sight unseen and it doesn't work. I don't think cleaning will affect the problem, as the power light comes on for a split second and that's it. Sometimes a few lines of pixels will appear but that's it. No indication the game is being read either at that point. Can anything be done here? I've got it plugged in to the adapter so it's not a question of batteries.

[Hobie-wan]

Likely burst caps, which can be replaced.

[Jagosaurus]

Yup, capacitors. Have any soldering experience?

[Snatch1414]

Yes not a ton but I could definitely do basic soldering and desoldering. Quite frankly I'd rather just hope I find another Game Gear for $5 at a flea market but in the mean time might as well mess around with this one. Where can you get the capacitors?

[Hobie-wan]

Yes not a ton but I could definitely do basic soldering and desoldering. Quite frankly I'd rather just hope I find another Game Gear for $5 at a flea market but in the mean time might as well mess around with this one. Where can you get the capacitors?

You've got at least a 95% chance that any other Game Gear will have problem capacitors too. It might not just turn itself back off, but it's very likely that the screen or sound will have issues at least. Parts can be picked up from Digikey or Mouser. Here's one of several videos on the subject.

[Snatch1414]

Thanks very much

[nightrnr]

Good luck Snatch.

Fixing Game Gears is totally worthwhile IMHO. It's also totally doable if you are brave enough to pick up the soldering iron.

I usually just get caps from ebay.

Here's a link to what caps you'll need, depending on your model (that's what got me started):

http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ ... epair.html

[Snatch1414]

Good luck Snatch.

Fixing Game Gears is totally worthwhile IMHO. It's also totally doable if you are brave enough to pick up the soldering iron.

I usually just get caps from ebay.

Here's a link to what caps you'll need, depending on your model (that's what got me started):

http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ ... epair.html

Thanks. I found this but it looks different than what you're talking about
http://console5.com/store/kits/game-con ... odels.html

[mas]

Got another game gear from ebay. Sound is ok and screen is ok but I'm almost positive that the contrast was better than the one I got.

[Onyxthecat]

Cap replacements are pretty easy and can be done for $11 and a soldering iron.