Introduction to
finding the GAMEBOY Console
Over the years I have happened across multiple old gaming consoles. These units, in their day were the renaissance of video games. As time goes by, these units are long forgotten, sometimes stored away, and worse- many of them are broken.
Over the years I have happened across multiple old gaming consoles. These units, in their day were the renaissance of video games. As time goes by, these units are long forgotten, sometimes stored away, and worse- many of them are broken.
Goal of the Project
My goal with this project is to get one Gameboy working. Fortunately, I have two handhelds to combine into one. One does not work, and the other works, but has no sound.
Investigation into the Status of Unit 1
Upon inspection of Unit 1, it seems that some foul liquid spilled into the case and onto the circuit board. As an engineer, I have a strong feeling that the unit is toast. HOWEVER, I will do my best to get it working again. Unit 1’s battery contacts are also highly corroded, suggesting this unit was sitting in some kind of liquid for some time. It is nothing short of abuse of the system.
Investigation into the Status of Unit 2
Unit 2, which I picked up many years ago at a garage sale works. The speaker is blown though. The system also needs a battery cover. The lens for the screen is also missing. Unit 2 has the highest chance of becoming a working Gameboy again. While Unit 1 is put together with Phillips head screwdrivers, Unit 2, to my dismay, is assembled with tri-wing screws. I do not have that type of tool in the shop, and it will cost me less than $3 USD to order it and send it here. Oh the wonders of today’s internet. Back then, ordering offline was more difficult (in the mid 90’s and early 2000’s) and was an expensive affair.
What the Internet Has to Say About Gameboy Repairs
I have looked up information online regarding Game Boy repairs. Sadly, there isn’t much information to go on. Parts for this system are difficult to come by; and they are NOT third party produced. If you want to repair your Game Boy, you will have to harvest original parts from systems that may still be working.
Steps to Restore Unit 2:
My goal with this project is to get one Gameboy working. Fortunately, I have two handhelds to combine into one. One does not work, and the other works, but has no sound.
Investigation into the Status of Unit 1
Upon inspection of Unit 1, it seems that some foul liquid spilled into the case and onto the circuit board. As an engineer, I have a strong feeling that the unit is toast. HOWEVER, I will do my best to get it working again. Unit 1’s battery contacts are also highly corroded, suggesting this unit was sitting in some kind of liquid for some time. It is nothing short of abuse of the system.
Investigation into the Status of Unit 2
Unit 2, which I picked up many years ago at a garage sale works. The speaker is blown though. The system also needs a battery cover. The lens for the screen is also missing. Unit 2 has the highest chance of becoming a working Gameboy again. While Unit 1 is put together with Phillips head screwdrivers, Unit 2, to my dismay, is assembled with tri-wing screws. I do not have that type of tool in the shop, and it will cost me less than $3 USD to order it and send it here. Oh the wonders of today’s internet. Back then, ordering offline was more difficult (in the mid 90’s and early 2000’s) and was an expensive affair.
What the Internet Has to Say About Gameboy Repairs
I have looked up information online regarding Game Boy repairs. Sadly, there isn’t much information to go on. Parts for this system are difficult to come by; and they are NOT third party produced. If you want to repair your Game Boy, you will have to harvest original parts from systems that may still be working.
Steps to Restore Unit 2:
I want to outline what we need to do in order to get one
gameboy running again:
1) disassemble the tri-winged unit with the proper tool.
2) remove the boards from the casing.
3) de-solder the speaker from the unit
4) solder in a new speaker into the unit
5) clean the contacts, board, and case of any residue, dead skin, dirt, debris, etc
Acquiring a mini-speaker
This is the only suggestion the internet has to offer regarding the fix: the problem of acquiring the speaker is up to you. One suggestion is a 8ohm mini-speaker rated at 8 Ohms and 0.5 Watts. I have some digital electronics and electronics experience, but not much. I can only hope that the replacement will fit into the case and work. The only information I have regarding the speaker in Unit 1 is this: 2P22A 8ohm. I was not able to measure the diameter of the speaker, but it did contain a baffle. I need a tri-wing bit screwdriver in order to open unit 02. Trying the unit 1 speaker first is optimal because it is an original part. I have concerns and doubts regarding the integrity and condition of the speaker, but we need to rewire it in order to find out if it is defective.
1) disassemble the tri-winged unit with the proper tool.
2) remove the boards from the casing.
3) de-solder the speaker from the unit
4) solder in a new speaker into the unit
5) clean the contacts, board, and case of any residue, dead skin, dirt, debris, etc
Acquiring a mini-speaker
This is the only suggestion the internet has to offer regarding the fix: the problem of acquiring the speaker is up to you. One suggestion is a 8ohm mini-speaker rated at 8 Ohms and 0.5 Watts. I have some digital electronics and electronics experience, but not much. I can only hope that the replacement will fit into the case and work. The only information I have regarding the speaker in Unit 1 is this: 2P22A 8ohm. I was not able to measure the diameter of the speaker, but it did contain a baffle. I need a tri-wing bit screwdriver in order to open unit 02. Trying the unit 1 speaker first is optimal because it is an original part. I have concerns and doubts regarding the integrity and condition of the speaker, but we need to rewire it in order to find out if it is defective.
________________________
to be continued
________________________
8/16/2012
Writeup by Rob of RobsGamingNetwork and Plamotaku!
©All rights reserved. You may reprint this writeup if credit [and a link] is given to me.
to be continued
________________________
8/16/2012
Writeup by Rob of RobsGamingNetwork and Plamotaku!
©All rights reserved. You may reprint this writeup if credit [and a link] is given to me.
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