GBA Battery Door/Screen Repair Help?

[ThoughtBomb]

I've got a black Gameboy Advance that's got a broken battery door, plus the screen's pretty messed up. Any help as to where I can get these items replaced/repaired without impacting my wallet too much?

[omega_squid]

ebay seller calistoo sells GB replacement screens/battery door packs, check there first, I see them all the time when I am prowling for deals! :D

[jb143]

The local game store here has replacement screen covers for $5
I'm not sure about battery covers but unfortunatly for the GBA, broken ones are just something you have to live with. If you get a new one be carefull with it.

[ThoughtBomb]

Thanks mengs!

[vintagegamecrazy]

Is it an original or a SP? If it's an original I have a replacement battery door you could buy.

[ThoughtBomb]

It's an original black GBA...

[Niku-Sama]

what is screwed up about the screen?
is it the display it self of the plastic over the screen?

you can get new parts for it from nintendo, didne see a black battery door though. http://store.nintendo.com/

i woulda got a direct link but it was HUGE

[ThoughtBomb]

It's really just got some scuffing, but I was looking to refurbish it somehow. I knew I'd have issues finding the battery door because of the fact that it was a limited edition black GBA. I'll check the link out.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

If you're going to replace the plastic screen cover, and you get a replacement (which I believe are still available and not very expensive) be VERY careful how you pry off the old one - the plastic lip around the screen cover is VERY malleable and if you use a small flat screwdriver or the like you can take a huge, ugly chunk right out of it. (I ruined an old GBA's front plastic like that when installing a "Halo light" once.)

I'd recommend using something large, flat and thin to slide in and under and that you won't have to do too much of a "crowbar/lever" type action between the old screen cover and the plastic lip.

[jb143]

I just used a dull pocket knife on mine and it came off no problem.

The funny thing about the whole experience was that the person at the store tried giving me the screen cover to a gameboy SP. I kept saying that I didn't think it was right and they kept saying that they were 100% sure it was. They even put it on top of a GBA and said "See, it's the same size as the screen." I eventually asked to see them all and bought the right one. I wished that I had brought my GBA with me so I could change it right there in front of their eyes.

[staxx]

I got a GBA from the Flea Market once and had to replace the screen and the battery cover. Best place is none other than the Nintendo Store:

http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&langId=-1&currency=USD&ignoreCrumbs=N&crumb1=%253CA%2BHREF%253D%2522javascript%253APassO n%2528%2527C%2527%252C%2B%2527CategoryDisplay%2527 %252C%2527359%2527%252C%2B%2527N%2527%2529%253B%25 22%253EGame%2BBoy%253C%252FA%253E&crumb1Ignore=&crumb2=%253CA%2BHREF%253D%2522javascript%253APassO n%2528%2527X%2527%252C%2B%2527ChooseView%2527%252C %2527%2527%252C%2B%2527%2527%2529%253B%2522%253EGa me%2BBoy%2BAdvance%253C%252FA%253E&crumb2Ignore=&crumb3=&crumb3Ignore=&translateFrom=%C8%C9%C7&translateTo=EEC&usrSearchText=&searchText=&selSrchType=&page=&view=&productId=&categoryId=18487&lastAction=CategoryDisplay&orderTotal=null&tranId=0&jktranid=&rpComment=&dropOff=

They give you this sticky handle thing that is supper sticky (i.e. once you stick it on the screen, it won't come off) to remove the screen. Therefore no damage to the GBA housing plastic. Plus both items are relatively cheap.

[jb143]

Another thing to keep in mind is to try to keep dust off the actual screen. And trying to blow it off is usually a bad idea since it'll probally get little spit balls on the screen(lesson learned the hard way). What does work though is to use the slightly sticky part of a post-it note. Just lightly touch it to the dust spec and it'll come right off.

Of course it might not be too noticable if just left alone. This is all from installing afterburner lights where any little spec of dust really shows up when the light hits it.

[ThoughtBomb]

That's another question I had. I was interested in installing a backlight to the system. I know they exist cuz I've seen them, but is there a definitive one that's easy to install & not too costly? BTW I think I'm just going to go with buying a screen replacement kit from Nintendo.

[staxx]

FYI There is no backlit screen for the GBA, only front lit (i.e. the light source is infront of the screen). There is an afterburner kit which is fairly easy to install, though you need to cut the GBA shell. There is also the Halo Light which is like a screen replacement that has a light already built in:
http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21400.htm

Anyhow if you want to go the Halo light route, I have a spare one if you are interested in.

[jb143]

You might check out this thread discussing this topic.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109093&referrerid=21224

There's some websites on it that should have what your looking for. I never got around to checking them out though. Your proablly not going to be able install a backlight but instead a "frontlight". It won't be nearly as bright as a backlight and the colors might be a little washed out but it's certainly a whole lot better than nothing. Also the LED's used don't take too much away from the battery life.


There is an afterburner kit which is fairly easy to install, though you need to cut the GBA shell.
I only remember cutting away at some of the internal plastic to make a little room but didn't affect it cosmetically.

[ThoughtBomb]

Hmm...I will check these out, thanks again.

[dinkybond]

Hello Staxx,

Thanks for the link to the Nintendo website. I have been checking everywhere and everyone except for Nintedo was basically charging an arm and a leg for a small stupid battery cover for the GBA. I got from that Nintedo Website for $3.22 tax and shipping included. Great deal...

Dinks