I have noticed a trend with Game Gears: They are all broken in one way or another. Whenever someone sells me a game gear, one of the following is wrong with it:
Dark screen
No sound
smudgy screen
poor colour
You have to sit at an angle to see it
I'm sure theres plenty of other problems too.
...But these are all fixable. It's becoming "common knowledge" that Sega used poor quality capacitors in these handhelds. So the fix is 'easy' - you just need to replace these capacitors.
I have written a ten page guide with full clear photo illustrations, all you need to know to be able to fix your game gear. All of the capacitors are labeled to simplify the process.
All the capacitors except for one are "sub miniature" type, meaning they are very small, this really helps out in the limited space you have inside the game gear!
What you get in this pack:
- ALL the capacitor types that will allow you to fix the main board (this will address screen problems as above)
- The 'Sound Fix' capacitor (this will address the sound problems as above)
- Ten page guide to help you through the process
All of the parts in the pack are replacements for the originals with exact same capacitance values. They may vary in size and voltage rating (size is a very near match now, see note above), and are not surface mount like the originals (easier to fit that way) but they will fit into the game gear when fitted as per the instructions.
The fix should take about 20-30 minutes for a person experienced with a soldering iron, and an hour or two for someone who is less experienced. The fix is relatively easy as the components you are replacing are not that small.
If you are inexperienced with a soldering iron I would suggest you do not try this fix, but find someone who is.
Tools required are: Needle nose pliers, wire cutters (snips), soldering iron (fine tip), solder, cross head screwdriver and an optional but helpful Gamebit tool to remove the screw under the cartridge slot.
Support/Follow up:
- I am always happy to help and answer questions, but I am fairly busy so I can't necessarily hand-hold. If you know 75% of what you're doing, I will gladly fill the remaining 25%!
- If you break a couple of the components I will send new single items free of charge (one free batch only ie only one envelope, subject to stock, though stock generally not a problem)
DISCLAIMERS:
Some sensible disclaimers and safety considerations, if you plan to fix, then read and digest:
-> The guide provided is just that, a guide to how *I* fixed *my* Game Gear. I make no guarantees of functionality or safety, it is up to you to ensure that your device does not pose a safety risk, the easiest way to do this is not to leave it unattended with a source of power, certainly not until you are happy that it functions as intended.
-> The information within the guide relating to capacitor values and tolerances is freely available on the internet, I have merely collated and documented this in a user friendly form with step by step guides.
-> The components provided are compatible with those removed, having similar electrical characteristics, and are most probably better quality and more durable than the originals. However, they are not exact part replacements nor are they endorsed by Sega. Most of those components are long discontinued.
->As with all fixes that involve replacement of components, there are risks involved, depending on your ability and the amount of care and attention you take, and I neither accept liability nor am I liable for any damage to your console as a result of attempted fix, nor any damage to yourself or your property, nor anybody else's property, as a result of attempting the fix.
-> In other words, be sensible about it, make sure you know what you're doing, and dont leave it plugged in, or turned on while you go out shopping until you're double happy you havent messed it up!
And finally - HAPPY GAMING!
Any questions, please ask!
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