Game Gear problem

[Ashramkun]

I have a Game Gear that resets randomly. Sometimes I can finish the entire game, sometimes it occurs on the Sega logo in the boot process and sometimes in the middle of the game.

It doesn't make any difference which game I use. It seems that with Sonic 1 there are fewer problems than with GG Shinobi, for example. And once the resets start, they tend to become more and more frequent. I am using real cartridges, not a Everdrive.

Long story short: Already change two times all the caps, change the screen, change the sound and power board. The main board looks nice and clean and I tested with AC adapter and batteries.

video showing the problem:


Any tips on what I can do?


The complete story for those who want to know.

- I bought this Game Gear brand new in 1992.
- Around 2015, I made the full recap once it was not working anymore. This recap fixed the problem, but the screen wasn´t good, with green pixels.
- Around 2022, I noticed the the reset problem. I made another recap that didn´t fix the problem. More green pixels on the screen.
- 2024, I tried to fix the problem with a new screen. I got a Retrosix kit with a new audio board with new speakers. The screen is nice, the new speaker and the new audio board are working. But the reset problem continues.
- 2025 Even with all correct output voltages, I tried with a new power board, but that did not fix the problem.

 

[tech3475]

Maybe check for dodgy solder joints, corroded traces and maybe feel around in case there's an issues with the PCB e.g. internal crack.

Do any of the chips/components feel hotter than you'd expect? Worst case scenario maybe an IC is failing?

 

[Ashramkun]

Maybe check for dodgy solder joints, corroded traces and maybe feel around in case there's an issues with the PCB e.g. internal crack.

Do any of the chips/components feel hotter than you'd expect? Worst case scenario maybe an IC is failing?

Thanks for the reply.

The board seems to be in excellent condition. I can't see any cracks or problems on the tracks.

I don't have the equipment or knowledge to analyze it in a more technical way. My testing is limited to a multimeter. In any case, if there is a problem with an integrated circuit, I think it will be beyond my ability to repair.

It seems that none of the components are heating up. Even because sometimes it restarts before the Sega logo even appears. Other times I can play for several minutes without any problems.

Anyway, I'll take another look at the tracks.

 

[wolffangalchemist]

I would check the joints on the power switch too.

 

[Ashramkun]

After a few days of analyzing everything that my capacity and lack of equipment allowed, I found the problem. It was the wires that connected the main board to the power board.

The strange thing is that these wires were measured several times, and apparently they always had the correct contacts and voltages. In fact, I got very strange results in the tests, where the video game worked normally for 30 minutes, and without anyone touching it, the problem appeared.

Since I had nothing to lose, I simply replaced this wire with a new one, and so far it seems that it solved the problem. It took a little work, because I had to use the same connector.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who tried to help!

 

[Deleted member 301661]

After a few days of analyzing everything that my capacity and lack of equipment allowed, I found the problem. It was the wires that connected the main board to the power board.

The strange thing is that these wires were measured several times, and apparently they always had the correct contacts and voltages. In fact, I got very strange results in the tests, where the video game worked normally for 30 minutes, and without anyone touching it, the problem appeared.

Since I had nothing to lose, I simply replaced this wire with a new one, and so far it seems that it solved the problem. It took a little work, because I had to use the same connector.

View attachment 484163

Anyway, thanks to everyone who tried to help!

Might be the wires dried hot and with temperature shock it just got unreliable.
This is one example of why sometimes while measuring (cooled down) all seems fine, but when plugged in (getting heated up) the contacts fail.
This could also happen with a track on the board and you would only find it with high resolution calibrated heat camera, or with a scope while active.