Game Gear LCD problem, also how do you open a GG cart?

[izarate]

I got a GG at a flea market but there is something wrong with the LCD:

With no game:


With game (Wonderboy):




I'm using an oficial MK2103 AC adapter. The GG seems to run the game fine, the sound is good and the "graphics" on the LCD move an change colors. The horizontal lines on the LCD change places each time I turn the GG on, so it doesn't seem to be stuck pixels or anything.

Could this be fixed with new capacitors? As far as I know, replacing the capacitors just fix sound and fading LCDs, isn't it?




By the way, how do you open a Game Gear cartridge? I removed the screw on the back but I can't take it apart.
EDIT: I managed to open it. Damned tabs!!!

Well, cleaning the cart didn't do anything.

[izarate]

I tested the LCD solder spots at the PCB with a multimeter and they are fine.



Moving to testing the LCD ribbon cable (I think I'm going to pull out my hair with this).

[JimmyDean]

Maybe you could try recapping the video section of the board. I know, its a total pain in the ass, but most of the time it works.

[izarate]

I read about the cap replacement but the symptoms don't seem to match the problem I'm having.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/evilt.../ggrepair.html

The symptoms of faulty capacitors include:

LCD Screen only looks good when viewed at an unnatural angle (anything other than 90 degrees).
Bright parts of the picture create 'ghost lines' in the dark parts.
Screen looks washed out, dim, and lacking in contrast.
Turns itself off (in extreme cases).
Problems are alleviated when unit has warmed up a bit.

Anyway, I'll try that after testing the ribbon cable.

[jb143]

It may be a longshot but did you try cleaning the contacts, try multiple games, etc? Best to start with the easy stuff before moving on to the more difficult. Otherwise it almost seems like there's an issure with the horizontal spacing. It could be a bad cap. I know I've seen a schematic before but I can't seem to dig one up at the moment.

[izarate]

I don't have more games but I did clean the game cart and the console contacts. Nothing changed.

I'll test the ribbon cable and then I'll replace the caps.

[mngb123]

I had one with similar symptoms i.e. missing bands. Changed the caps but it didn't work.
Still... no harm trying. Its just tedious. 8)

[izarate]

I had one with similar symptoms i.e. missing bands. Changed the caps but it didn't work.
Still... no harm trying. Its just tedious. 8)

I don't think it's the same. As you can see in my pictures, the missing bands change places, they aren't constant. Anyway the most troublesome issue is that no discernible graphics are shown, just vertical color bars. They move and change color as the game runs.





Yesterday I left the unit running for almost an hour but nothing happened. Seems like a warm up doesn't help.

[izarate]

I'm unhappy to report that the ribbon cable is fine and that replacing the caps didn't do anything. I suppose some chip on the PCB is damaged...the LCD module doesn't seem to have any kind of electronics, it's just the ribbon cable and the difuser...grrrr....

I hope to find a working GG with a busted screen. If worst comes to worst I could consolise this unit.

[ApolloBoy]

If worst comes to worst I could consolise this unit.

I'd say give it a shot. Having a consolized GG sounds pretty cool and at least you'd be able to salvage it that way.

[mngb123]

yup. do a tutorial on the process while you're at it. 8)

[BetaWolf47]

Uhh, quick question... are you certain it's not the game? The system only seems to have two borked lines without the game in it. You probably already checked this, but you didn't make any mention of it.

And yes, those tabs are annoying. Just broke one of them on my copy of Triple Trouble.

[izarate]

I don't have any other GG games. Still that's a posibility too, I'll give it a shot.