metzger130 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I am aquiring a sega game gear for free that powers on, but has just a white screen. I have read that this is probably a capacitor problem, but is thre something else that could be wrong with it? secondly, assuming I can get it to work, what are some of the best games for the system? i want to get a few so I can play the system til I can get an everdrive for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardK Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Possibly capacitors, kits are available and relatively cheap. Double check with a good cleaning of the contacts though. I had one I was trying to power up with a Sonic 2 cartridge, and after a really good contact cleaning on the system and the cartridge, I managed to get visual on the screen to come back. I liked the Sonic Drift games pretty well, Road Rash was a must have as far as I'm concerned(i'm biased though, I love most of the Road Rash games). Also it's got Streets of Rage, Ninja Gaiden, Shinobi, a decent Paperboy and the other good news is the game gear is region free, so you can play any country's carts. Also, if you get one of the Master System adapters, it opens up the library a bit further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 The Sonic games are some of the better made titles on the system, particularly the first two or three. Revenge of Drancon (aka Wonder Boy), Columns, Predator 2, and the Mortal Kombat games were some of my most played games when I was younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Probably caps. Even the majesco units are nearly two decades old now. But do a good cleaning anyways. You might get lucky. Second on the sonic titles. I also love populous though I don't know if there is a gg specific version. I play it through the gt adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 +1 recap. All Game Gear will need one for sure, the stock caps are shit and leaks easily. Same with Turbo Express (and GT) plus black Duo and Turbo Duo. Most other consoles don't appear to suffer from chronic leaking caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 I am a little confused on the capacitors needed. how many caps should be in the package? I'm looking on ebay and they have a couple different amounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpugmire Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Depends on the model you have. There's a guide section at console5.com It'll tell you everything you need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpugmire Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Also, if you're not sure how to do it, there are a few people here that are willing to do it for you, myself included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BawesomeBurf Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Was never a fan of the Sonic titles on the Game Gear. They're way too zoomed in for my tastes. If you can find them for a reasonable price, the GG Aleste games are definitely worth picking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 If you don't like the gg sonics get the master system ones and an adapter(or a master system) there exactly the same but Tv resolution so not zoomed in looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lendorien Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Recapping a Game Gear is not hard for a novice overall, but the sound board is a real pain if you're new to soldering. Mainly because it's layout provides some pretty tight spaces to work in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 have soldered before, but do you need a real fine tip? we have a solder gun, not sure if that will work. do have an iron.. somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Fine tip no fine tips suck even for extremely small parts Solder gun no that's a bit on the other extreme I'd rather do it for you for cost of parts and postage rather than you risk goofing it up of you are not experienced with circuit boards... I hate to see a good system get messed up with the best intentions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 I have recaped 2 game gears. Its not as hard as you may think and actually probably a good beginners project. I will say I believe every game gear should be recaped even if it works it will need it soon. I have not seen one with a cap issue that displays a white screen. All of the ones I have seen have been dim or black with no audio. It could still likely be a cap issue, and the caps should still be your starting point. For the caps I actually got a big grab bag of caps from American science and surplus for just a few bucks. Just make sure the uf number is the same as the one your replacing and that the voltage rating is the same or higher, and replace them all. If you dont have a grab bag then just get a kit. Watch for decimal points 22 uf is not the same as 2.2. I've made that error, you wont destroy it but it wont work and you will have to redo it. Desoldering is the hardest part. It's not recommended but on the first one I did I just used pliers to snap off the old caps. It worked fine for me but is risky. You could lift the pads ad traces and then you got a problem. So try to hold onto the cap with some needle nose pliers and heat the sides till it lifts off. Also watch polarity. Both that I did had polarity clearly marked on the board so it was easy. Hopefully all boards are marked this way. And finaly be aware of space and orientation. The new caps will be bigger and will have to be strategically placed so you can reassemble the unit especially on the sound board that thing is pretty small. Those are all my big tips. It may sound tough buts its not so bad. My first one really helped build my confidence for these types projects. If the price is right I say get it. I can help if you got any questions or even want some pictures. As for games... I really only play Off Road. I got a ton of games I don't spend a ton of time with them. This is a scenario for me where I enjoy fixing the system more then using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted September 6, 2016 Author Share Posted September 6, 2016 (edited) So, I got the game gear today. I put my 32x, yellow tip, power cord into it and I could not see the picture, I then tilted it to where the top was pointing almost to the floor and i could see the picture and play the game. Sound seems to work. I'm guessing this is a capacitor issue. I am trying to open it to look into it and got the screws out but now have that security screw thing to get out so I can take a quick look inside and see if it's something we can do or better off sending to someone to recap it. I know you can buy a gamebit (sp?) to open easily but I don't want to buy it to do it once. Other ways to open it? I brought it upstairs to look at it a little closer and when I turned it back on it kept repeating "sega" with the logo on it and would start and disappear and then reappear and say sega again. Not sure if this could be dirt, or the cap thing too. Edited September 6, 2016 by metzger130 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dashopepper Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 1. Buy the two sizes of gamebits, if you're into gaming you'll need them for everything. 2. If you have to look at your Gamegear from an extreme angel it needs caps. 3. Gamgears are cheep with lots of caps so it makes lots of good soldering practice. You don't need the best gear. It was one of my first time soldering projects and it's not extremely hard and I got a lot of confidence from it. 4. The picture will still pretty much suck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) Agree with above but I have removed the security screw with a pair of (old) wire cutters to grip the indents And there's the bic pen trick, remove the cap off the non writing end of a bic pen, warm it up so the plastic is good n soft and jam it on the screw you wish to remove Being a game gear and seeing a screen at extreme angle its 99% caps ... you just need to know which version you have to order the right kit and the easiest way to tell is looking at the motherboard Edited September 7, 2016 by Osgeld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Definitely the caps. This is the exact scenario I have seen on both of mine. Replace those guys and you will be good to go. Like I said you will learn alot from the project. The screen will never be great because it never realy was. If you feel confident when your done its not a whole lot harder or expensive to swap in a more modern screen or even vga out. There are lots of plans on the web for this. Sky's the limit with the game gear you can learn tons. If you screw it up it's sad but not a serious loss. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted September 8, 2016 Author Share Posted September 8, 2016 Just ordered the game bits from amazon, will be here by next wednesday. Other than looking at motherboard is there a way to know which cap kit I need? Game Gear Model number 2110, does that mean anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.golden.ax Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 replace all caps but do two 1uf 50v first then test bet it works get cosole5 kit all you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 +1 console5.com you will need to open to find out which version of Game Gear as there's 3 major versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 radio shack by us is going out of business, not due to no business, due to rent being raised to high and they are having a nice sale. They have a dual temperature soldering station, 20 and 40w I believe. would this be good to get to solder the parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 radio shack by us is going out of business, not due to no business, due to rent being raised to high and they are having a nice sale. They have a dual temperature soldering station, 20 and 40w I believe. would this be good to get to solder the parts? It's probably fine. If it's a good price after the sale (compare it to what you can get online), go for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icemanxp300 Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I need to do this. I was digging and found 2 gamegears and I know they need fixing. I remember back 5+ years ago when I got the one it had sound issues and the other had a very dull screen plus I have 2 more boxed ones I should fix. I'm thinking buying bulk would be a better way for me to go. Before I drop $30 on 4 kits and that's if shipping is free. I would imagine I could bulk buy caps for this and have stock on hand for future ones. Anyone have a cap list? I'll do some searching myself but if anyone already has a list of the caps needed nm found it https://www.nintendorepairhut.com/images/Sega_GameGear_Capacitor_Replacement_Kit.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzger130 Posted September 26, 2016 Author Share Posted September 26, 2016 Got the caps and looking at the board, specifically the 50v ones. they are really close together and close to one that the console 5 graphic says don't touch. Tips on how to not mess it up? replace all caps but do two 1uf 50v first then test bet it works get cosole5 kit all you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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