Game Boy Pocket not working...

[rbudrick]

I got a black one for $2 at the local flea market. He told me flat out he wasn't sure if it worked because the batteries were dead and he didn't have any AAA batteries to test it...I didn't care since it was $2. Well, one of the battery springs was really compressed, so I tugged on that a bit to make it springy again...that didn't do the trick, as it still doesn't work

The light doesn't even come on. However, I did notice the batteries getting pretty darn hot when I had the back cover off. Is this normal, or do you think it is related to my problem? Can someone check thir GameBoy Pocket for me to see if their batteries get hot almost instantly (within a couple seconds)?

Thanks so much!

-Rob

[rbudrick]

Bumpage.

Lol, I know someone owns a GB Pocket here. Puurrty please?

-Rob

[bargora]

If your batteries get really hot in only a few seconds, then there's probably a short circuit somewhere. Meaning that the current is flowing more or less directly from the negative pole to the positive pole (or vice versa if you like) without going through the proper circuitry to power up your GBP.

Do the batteries get hot even if you don't turn the power switch on, or do they only get hot when you have the power switch turned on?

[rbudrick]

Only when the switch is on. But I was really wondering if someone could turn on their GB Pocket and take the cover off the back to see if theirs does the same.

-Rob

[bargora]

Sorry, I don't have a Game Boy Pocket or I'd test it for you. But I can tell you right now that during normal operation batteries don't "get hot almost instantly (within a couple seconds)". The fact that it only happens when you flip the power switch on suggests to me that you have a short circuit somewhere on the circuit board or power switch (as opposed to in the battery holder). Where it could be I sure don't know.

Do you feel like taking your GBP apart?

For comparison, try taking a piece of wire and connecting it between the positive and negative terminals of a (small, like AA or AAA) battery and see how fast it heats up. Don't do that with a car battery.

[§ Gideon §]

I think we could use a Tech/Restoration Awareness week, to get people to visit this forum more. There's probably a handful of people actually playing a Game Boy pocket right now... but they won't see this topic. :/

[dbiersdorf]

Only when the switch is on. But I was really wondering if someone could turn on their GB Pocket and take the cover off the back to see if theirs does the same.

-Rob

Nope they stay cool for me, something is surely wrong with the Game Boy Pocket if that's happening.

[rbudrick]

Thanks, Everyone!

And yes, I think more people would see this forum if they moved it up rather than keep it at the very bottom...

I'd love to see more activity in this forum.

-Rob