GBA SP Not loading games
Guy that runs the local retro shop gave me a 101 model for free. Probably because I was interested in it, it was sitting in the back and I've spent enough there to put his first born through college.
Anyway, I can barely get it to run anything. Most of the time it'll get to the Game Boy screen and stick, just give me a blank white screen. I haven't tested every game I own, but out of what I've tried I've only been able to get two to run properly. Now, this came without an AC adapter, and who knows how long it's been sitting in the shop. There's enough of a charge to turn it on and at least start the games that do work. Could the battery being low effect it's ability to run games?
I took it apart and did my best to give it a cleaning, but still no go. The connector pins are kind of hard to get at with this thing, so I'm not sure if it's just dirty and I can't clean them properly.
It was free, so it's not a huge loss, but I'd love to get it running properly so I can play it when I'm supposed to be productive at work.
Anyway, I can barely get it to run anything. Most of the time it'll get to the Game Boy screen and stick, just give me a blank white screen. I haven't tested every game I own, but out of what I've tried I've only been able to get two to run properly. Now, this came without an AC adapter, and who knows how long it's been sitting in the shop. There's enough of a charge to turn it on and at least start the games that do work. Could the battery being low effect it's ability to run games?
I took it apart and did my best to give it a cleaning, but still no go. The connector pins are kind of hard to get at with this thing, so I'm not sure if it's just dirty and I can't clean them properly.
It was free, so it's not a huge loss, but I'd love to get it running properly so I can play it when I'm supposed to be productive at work.
Comments
Use a cotton swab to swamp a game pak with alcohol and insert/remove repeatedly. Clean the pak and repeat until the pak is clean, then dry both. Test with a different clean game in case the game pak is wet inside.
The switch for GBC/GBA mode can also go flaky.
I use an official Game Boy cleaning kit and they can still be found new for cheap but this is what I did prior to that:
Use a cotton swap to swamp a game pak with alcohol and insert/remove repeatedly. Clean the pak and repeat until the pak is clean, then dry both. Test with a different clean game in case the game pak is wet inside.
The switch for GBC/GBA mode can also go flaky.
Tried the method with the game pak. Something is still wonky with this thing. A few more games are working now, but it's still finnicky. They'll work one time, then not work the next. I can only assume there's some problem with the pins.
I use an official Game Boy cleaning kit and they can still be found new for cheap but this is what I did prior to that:
Use a cotton swap to swamp a game pak with alcohol and insert/remove repeatedly. Clean the pak and repeat until the pak is clean, then dry both. Test with a different clean game in case the game pak is wet inside.
The switch for GBC/GBA mode can also go flaky.
You probably know more about GBA's than anyone in the modern world, CZroe.
That said, if the GBA/GBC mode switch is going flaky or sticking it could still be responsible. I've seen that a couple times before. If it's having trouble booting a GBA game, see if it shows the GBC BIOS when you turn it on with no game. Also, if the GBA splash shows when you have a GB/C game inserted, then we have a mode switch problem. You can also manipulate the switch directly with a toothpick to see if it consistently boots in the correct mode (pushed=GBC; released=GBA).
I hope you get this sorted, OP! I had a spare AGB-101 board for over a decade (cracked LCD/case) and I would have offered it if I still had it. Another member graciously supplied an AGB-101 LCD and AliExpress finally had the Classic NES Edition replica shells so it already found a home, unfortunately.
Nah. I haven't done much beyond shell swaps and cleaning.
That said, if the GBA/GBC mode switch is going flaky or sticking it could still be responsible. I've seen that a couple times before. If it's having trouble booting a GBA game, see if it shows the GBC BIOS when you turn it on with no game. Also, if the GBA splash shows when you have a GB/C game inserted, then we have a mode switch problem. You can also manipulate the switch directly with a toothpick to see if it consistently boots in the correct mode (pushed=GBC; released=GBA).
I hope you get this sorted, OP! I had a spare AGB-101 board for over a decade (cracked LCD/case) and I would have offered it if I still had it. Another member graciously supplied an AGB-101 LCD and AliExpress finally had the Classic NES Edition replica shells so it already found a home, unfortunately.
I seem to be getting the proper boot up screen. When there's no cart I get the full screen that just says "Game Boy". GB/GBC carts give me the smaller screen, even if it doesn't load beyond that.
I'm gonna bring it back to the shop and see if he can give the contacts a better cleaning than I could.
Here's how it looks and the hack job repair the previous owner did.