Just got a Game Gear

[commanderkaiser]

I'm not really sure if this belongs here or All about the games but I just got one and you guessed it, it's broke.

The sound only plays through the headphones and pretty rubbishy too so I know the capacitors will have to be replaced, and also the screen doesn't work, it's just black and if you hold it at an angle you can sort of make out something although you can't really see anything.

I've noticed repair services on ebay is that the best way to go? Or do the repairs myself? Does anyone have any links to any place to get all the components I'll need to fix all the problems?

[Antiriad2097]

This might be stating the obvious, but have you adjusted the contrast on the screen? There's a dial that could be turned right down giving you you're blank display.

[commanderkaiser]

This might be stating the obvious, but have you adjusted the contrast on the screen? There's a dial that could be turned right down giving you you're blank display.

Facepalm, Indeed that was the problem although it's better viewed at an angle so there is still an issue there. I didn't even see the dial

The sound will still need to repaired though

[r0jaws]

Repairing Game Gears you say? I created a thread HERE on Amibay that has nice big pictures and capacitor listings and everything.

[commanderkaiser]

Thanks for that, it should come in very useful.

At least now I know the screen is working Any decent places to get the capacitors like any reputable places for kits or what have you?

[resident paul]

You can the capacitors from maplins & I recall from a couple years back they didn't cost much more than 50p each.
You might need a tool for the security screw at the back though?

[commanderkaiser]

So would I just need to pop in with a list or would something like this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/120-piece-radia ... pack-44037

Be suitable? I might be getting my hands on another which is broken so it might be better to get a number of capacitors in just in case.

[commanderkaiser]

Bah I've come across another problem, I can't seem to get the thing open.

I think the screws are stripped, anyone got any easy ways to remove them. Haven't been able to get a single one out

[Liamh1982]

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Stripped-Screw
http://forums.techguy.org/random-discussion/106249-how-remove-stripped-screw.html

Although if you still can't get it open and feel like it's beyond your capability to fix it yourself, get in touch with GearForGames - he did a bang-up job on mine!

[commanderkaiser]

I'm considering paying him, I saw his advert on ebay so I might just do that.

I've got all the screws bar the security one (I should be able to borrow the tool tomorrow) and this one screw that looks like someone put melted plastic into the hole. It means i can't get that one out and I'm stumped on how to do it, I may have to drill down and see if it will budge.

[Antiriad2097]

this one screw that looks like someone put melted plastic into the hole.

That could be someone doing the DIY screwdriver trick (commonly used for security screws before the bits became readily available). Melt the tip of an empty biro barrel until it goes all soft, then jam it onto the screw head and hold it there until it hardens again. Usually it melts into a snug lump around the screw that's sufficiently solid to unscrew it with.

[commanderkaiser]

this one screw that looks like someone put melted plastic into the hole.

That could be someone doing the DIY screwdriver trick (commonly used for security screws before the bits became readily available). Melt the tip of an empty biro barrel until it goes all soft, then jam it onto the screw head and hold it there until it hardens again. Usually it melts into a snug lump around the screw that's sufficiently solid to unscrew it with.

Yeah I believe that's what's happened although it isn't the security screw that's all jammed in it's just a regular screw holding the case together. The problem is the plastic of whatever was put in has melted over the screw and I can't get it out, I've attempted trying to get it out using the pen trick but no dice.

I'm just going to have that guy do, it's a bit of a hassle now, it seemed easy to begin with but I don't really have the tools or the patience to try and get this screw out and then desolder the old capacitors and put in new ones. The next Game Gear I get which might actually be pretty soon I'll do it myself but this one I'll get someone to do it. If it wasn't for the screw I would do it myself but I've contacted the guy and he says that it won't be any problem so that's alright.

[resident paul]

Could you pick out the plastic on the screw with a small sewing needle?

[commanderkaiser]

Unfortunately not I tried picking away but it didn't seem to help, I tried the pen hoping it might pick up some of the plastic but it didn't so it's well and truly stuck. The only thing I could think of doing was drilling down into the screw but I'd need a very small bit which I don't really have access to and I'm not really willing to keep buying tools for one off things

The guy has said it will be fine to fix it so I might as well go ahead with that. I'm looking at another Game Gear at the moment and if I can get that cheap enough I'll try and repair that one myself. I'm looking forward to a message in a few days time saying he couldn't get the screw off either