GBA crashes on start-up

[samsonlonghair]

I promised my sister that I would somehow fix her broken Game Boy Advance (model no. AGB-001). I'm having a hard time diagnosing the problem. I hope someone on this forum can help me. I'll describe how the GBA crashes.

I put new double As in. I flip the power switch. A red power light briefly comes on. I can see the word "Nintendo" at the bottom of the screen. The first two notes play, but the GBA crashes before it can finish booting. The words "Game Boy" don't even have a chance to appear. I flip the switch back off. A green power light briefly comes on.

I started by checking all the obvious stuff. My batteries are charged. The power switch seems sturdy. I tried a different cartridge, but got the same results. The battery terminals are not corroded. There's no obvious damage to the Game Boy aside from a few scratches. I'm assuming it's a power failure seconds after start-up. Do you think it could be a processor failure? I'm stumped.

[Hobie-wan]

I dunno if it will play the fanfare and sit with the logo on the screen if you turn it on without a cart like a GBA SP will, but give that a try. If you get the full logo and fanfare (or even if you don't I suppose), maybe there's some crud in the cart connector? If you've got a smal paintbrush or a can of air, maybe give it a few quick shots.

Beyond that it will probably require opening it up to check it out. Not that I'm an expert, but if you were in Houston I'd take a look for you, but I doubt you are.

[hiphophead34]

Try a different battery pack.

[samsonlonghair]

I dunno if it will play the fanfare and sit with the logo on the screen if you turn it on without a cart like a GBA SP will, but give that a try...if you were in Houston I'd take a look for you, but I doubt you are.

Without a cart I flip the power switch on. Nothing comes on screen. No music notes play. The power light is steady red.
I've tried air duster, and I've tried different AAs. No luck.
I'm only twelve hundred miles away from you. I guess that's a little too far to travel.

[Hobie-wan]

I'm only twelve hundred miles away from you. I guess that's a little too far to travel.

Bah! 16-17 hour drive if you plan for overnight when traffic isn't bad, only stop for gas, to pee 2 or 3 times, and eat while driving. (speaking from experience)

Sounds like it probably needs to be cracked open to look. Since that likely isn't an option with out it costing more than its worth, see if Gamestop or Craigslist can produce a cheap replacement unless someone else has another suggestion.

*edit
Pookie has a $10 GBA in a sale thread
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... &sk=t&sd=a

[samsonlonghair]

My sister has a sentimental attachment to this particular game boy. I'm thinking of buying another GBA, taking the shell off of it, and putting my sister's shell on the new one. She shouldn't know the difference. I'll have to order a tri-wing screwdriver too. Is the power LED attached to the case?

[Hobie-wan]

Never been in a GBA myself, only an SP. When looking for a tri-wing, make sure to check with cell phone stuff, as opposed to just in gaming places.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

The GBA's battery is just dead and worn out, a replacement battery should fix it.