Gameboy, Gameboy Pocket problems

[Zapf]

I bought a few gameboys that I wanted to refurb and possibly mod with the prosound mod and possibly nonfinites backlight, but I've encountered some problems with 2 of the first batch of gameboys I've found and would hope someone would have some insight on the matter.

I have a grey original gameboy which the seller claimed worked fine before it was shipped - when it arrived here, it appeared to had switched itself on in transit and drained the batteries he/she included in the process. I grabbed a new set of batteries and plugged tetris in - the power light turns on, but no video or sound. Fiddling with the volume/contrast knobs did nothing.

My second problem is with an extreme green gameboy pocket (wasn't planning on prosounding this, just the backlight). It powers on / works great with an ac adapter, but not with batteries.

I can take pictures of whatever you need later today.

[gtmtnbiker]

My second problem is with an extreme green gameboy pocket (wasn't planning on prosounding this, just the backlight). It powers on / works great with an ac adapter, but not with batteries.

Is there any corrosion on the battery contacts? Perhaps you could scuff the contacts to make sure they're making a good connection. If you're able to open it up, you could check with a voltmeter to verify that there's voltage at the output leads.

[toredauei]

Yea definately check the contacts on the pocket for corrosion, also make sure that the AAA batteries you were using are all fresh. If neither of those solutions works try switching the individual batteries' positions within the gameboy. For example, The battery that you have sitting in the far left change to the far right and vise versa.

As for the DMG: Ive never personally come across one that didnt output sound or video so without pictures I wont be much help. Does the headphone jack still output?

[Zapf]

I'm gonna be taking these apart today and will have the opportunity to clean up the contacts, is there a recommended solution for removing corrosion / rust (the screws are a little grimy on this gbp as well). I've heard a combo of nail polish edit: remover / water works well, and I have clr somewhere in the house.

[Hobie-wan]

I'm gonna be taking these apart today and will have the opportunity to clean up the contacts, is there a recommended solution for removing corrosion / rust (the screws are a little grimy on this gbp as well). I've heard a combo of nail polish / water works well, and I have clr somewhere in the house.

Uh, nail polish? No, that's going to coat it and its waterproof once dried. Maybe you're confusing it with nail polish remover (acetone). Just use some rubbing alcohol dampened q-tips. You might also use a little sandpaper or emery board to scuff up the contacts first if they've gotten particularly nasty.

[Zapf]

err, nail polish remover - it was mentioned in this guide so i wanted to make sure http://www.gameboyretro.co.uk/?page=tut ... 2=cleangb4

[Zapf]

As for the DMG: Ive never personally come across one that didnt output sound or video so without pictures I wont be much help. Does the headphone jack still output?

just tested the headphone jack - it works, just no speaker or screen. gonna start disassembling and taking a gander now

[Zapf]

Any recommendation for the ribbon cable connecting the 2 pcbs inside the gameboy? i feel it may have gotten loose somehow and im trying to push it in (after removing it completely) but i feel like im going to just end up squishing it against the plastic instead of actually inserting it.

edit: reseated it, still not getting any video or speaker sound. I'll get the rest out of the case and take some pics when i find the camera

[Niode]

Have you got a multimeter? If so then I'd suggest you use it on the cable. Make sure it's actually seated properly. If the cable is passing current then you can rule that out, if it is, then the either the connector for the screen is broken or the screen itself is broken.

[Zapf]

ok, i hooked up another front side pcb to the problem gameboys backside pcb (frontside has the lcd, speaker), and it showed video/played sound fine, so it seems that the problem lies in the frontside pcb.

goddamnit where is my camera

i do have a multimeter, ill hook up the original front pcb and do current testing