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I just unpacked @[email protected]'s GameGear. It is dead, and most probably suffers from crappy capacitors. I already have a full replacement set here, so I will post some updates in the next days to weeks. Let's see if the LCD screen is still viable, or a TFT mod is also required.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #sega #segagamegear
I tried to power mine on recently and got nothing. Assuming it didn't end up in an e-waste bin, and I can find it, how hard is this repair? Do you need to solder anything?
@[email protected] yes it requires a bit more advanced solder skills. If you never soldered before I would advise not to try it. But GameGears can be repaired very well. Lots of replacement parts available. And with a new TFT screen they are immense fun, I think. Pick up a cheap flash cart and go nuts! Total invest with screen and flash cart is not cheap though. Will come to about 120€. Doing only the capacitor replacements is only about 8€ in materials.
I think delicacy with prying and holding ribbon cables is much more skilled than soldering. If you watch a nasa or tektronix video on soldering you can learn quite quickly how to solder properly, but best to definitely practice on junk before something you care about
You can get very nice clones of old soldering stations for quite cheap now with excellent tips. A brass tip cleaner sponge is also up there on must haves. Then a quality flux, the old school types are fine you just need to be sure to properly clean the board after using them.