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- Joined: 22 Sep 2017
- Posts: 6
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Game Gear with McWill LCD static screen and no sound
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:59 am
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Hi all. I apologize for making this so long but I wanted to give as much info as I can.
After installing the McWill LCD, the console worked fine for a few minutes then the red LED started blinking. After 10 minutes or so it turned off completely. After resetting it I would get the static image that I've uploaded in this post. When this static screen appears, both the LED and sound don't work either. So I continued to power it on and off repeatedly and I got it to work. But again, the red LED would blink and it would eventually power off. So I took it apart and checked all my soldering. Everything looked fine. I had no idea what could be the issue so I recapped the whole console (now the second time) and put it back together. It made no difference, I was still getting the static screen. So I took it apart again. I had the console disassembled/split into 2 parts and I tried to get it to work in this state. Powering it on and I was able to get clear video and sound. This didn't last very long because moving the top half of the console just a tad and it would power off. So I continued to try powering it on and off while the console was still split into 2 and moving the two halves around in case there was a bad connection. This would work sometimes, the vast majority of the time it would not. Most times I would get the static image. My best guess from that was the connector between the power PCB and the mainboard was possibly bad. I desoldered it and connected the two PCB's with some 26 awg wire. It made no difference. At this point I gave up.
Every couple of days or so I would try turning the game gear on and off while disassembled and once in a blue moon I'm able to get video and sound. When I do get it to work the red LED blinks and eventually it completely shuts off. 99 times out of 100 I get a static screen with no sound and power LED off. I was once able to have it running for a little over an hour and the LED was not blinking. The VGA out worked at this time also.
My game gear is a 837-7719-01. I haven't got a clue where to go from here. I don't believe the issue is with the McWill screen at all but rather the main board itself. My best guesses at the moment are:
-replacing the power PCB
-reflowing potential cold solder joints on SMD components
-find a dead SMD component (I don't know how to do this) and replace it
Also I noticed in the installation instructions it states:
"!!! Use hot glue for the internal screws of VGA connector. Otherwise the screws may cause short circuit !!!"
I'm very confused by that statement. How could the screws cause a short circuit? That could possibly be related to my problem.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
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- Joined: 09 Dec 2013
- Posts: 228
- Location: detroit
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 12:30 pm
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Re: pic 153059, did you try to put some electrical tape around the internal part of this connector and its nuts? ( all metal stuff on the connector covered with tape )
Best regards and good luck,
- dink
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- Joined: 05 Jan 2006
- Posts: 374
- Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:23 pm
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Install looks OK.
Note, the power LED is output from the Sega ASIC to display "battery OK" if your input voltage falls <~6.4v it will go off. Or if there is a short, of course.
I'd say your power board is going bad and/or you need to use alcohol and a brush to cleanup the old leaked electrolyte.
What is your VCC voltage when static is on?
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2017
- Posts: 6
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 2:42 am
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dink wrote Re: pic 153059, did you try to put some electrical tape around the internal part of this connector and its nuts? ( all metal stuff on the connector covered with tape )
Best regards and good luck,
- dink
I have not. It's possible it was shorting to the main PCB when I had it reassembled. But I still can't get it to work even with the game gear split in 2 to where it can't possibly short so I don't know if this is the issue.
segasonicfan wrote Install looks OK.
Note, the power LED is output from the Sega ASIC to display "battery OK" if your input voltage falls <~6.4v it will go off. Or if there is a short, of course.
I'd say your power board is going bad and/or you need to use alcohol and a brush to cleanup the old leaked electrolyte.
What is your VCC voltage when static is on?
I checked VCC at several points:
front side of the PCB underneath the LCD: 4.85
McWill PCB: 4.57
LED: 4.71
Seems normal to me? Close enough to 5 volts. I could try to replace the power PCB but I'd hate to drop $22 for a replacement board to only have it not fix the issue.
Thank you both for your inputs.
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- Joined: 05 Jan 2006
- Posts: 374
- Location: USA
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 8:09 am
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dont replace the power PCB. if you are willing to be patient I can send one to you.
4.5v is really low for the GG. it starts cutting off usually around 4.65v.
-Segasonicfan
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2017
- Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:44 am
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segasonicfan wrote dont replace the power PCB. if you are willing to be patient I can send one to you.
4.5v is really low for the GG. it starts cutting off usually around 4.65v.
-Segasonicfan
I would be forever grateful if you could. Fingers crossed that replacing it fixes the issue. Could the low voltage also come from dead SMD components?
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- Joined: 05 Jan 2006
- Posts: 374
- Location: USA
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 3:09 am
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actually, I didnt see you mentioned 4.85v at the PCB. This is OK. I don't think the power supply is your issue.
Are you in the USA? Maybe you could send it here if you want me to take a look at it. It's hard to say what would cause that if your voltages are good.
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2017
- Posts: 6
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:00 am
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segasonicfan wrote actually, I didnt see you mentioned 4.85v at the PCB. This is OK. I don't think the power supply is your issue.
Are you in the USA? Maybe you could send it here if you want me to take a look at it. It's hard to say what would cause that if your voltages are good.
I am willing! Since I am completely lost as to what the problem is. I'll send you a message
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- Joined: 05 Jan 2006
- Posts: 374
- Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:38 am
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unmaker sent me their GG to fix and I was able to repair it :)
Here are some pics of it working now.
-Segasonicfan
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