GBA Backlight Help

[SuperMew98]

Hello all,

I bought an AGS-001 backlight modded GBA from eBay a few days ago, and it arrived today. Everything seemed fine until I turned it on. The backlight works, and it plays games, but the screen looks washed out and there is a black diagonal line running down the screen.

I was wondering if there is anything that I can do to fix these problems. I've heard some stuff about LOCA glue from This Does Not Compute's video here (even though it's a GBC): www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXQJAZINRkE

Thanks everyone and have a great day.

Images:
Black diagonal line: http://s2.postimg.org/v72jd87o9/IMG_5119.jpg
Washed out (lights on): http://s23.postimg.org/tn72ngi2z/IMG_5120.jpg
Washed out (lights off): http://s3.postimg.org/yfhwdeuir/IMG_5122.jpg

 

[mammastuffing]

I don't think AGS-001 was backlit and by your pics it looks like it's frontlit. Since it's most likely frontlit I don't think there is much to do about the washed out look. For the black line I'm guessing you have a bad connection between the motherboard and the screen. You probably need to open it up och check the cable connecting the screen to the mobo.

 

[SuperMew98]

Yeah, it's frontlit. And I opened it up and checked the connections, and they look fine to me. Somebody on another forum website had told me that the frontlight may have been installed the wrong way (rough side facing outward, smooth side inward), and it was, but when I flipped it to the right way (rough side in, smooth side out) it ended up looking like this:

Black diagonal line: http://s24.postimg.org/b98weinmd/IMG_0575.jpg
Lights on: http://s11.postimg.org/4luobgq03/IMG_0577.jpg
Lights off: http://s17.postimg.org/6w3u84eam/IMG_0578.jpg

What you can see in the pictures is pretty close to what I can see irl (almost completely opaque).

There's also something else that is new: the red light shining through the plastic screen cover in the bottom right. What could that be? I think that is from the pad that has the connections for the frontlight.

Any other ideas?

 

[mammastuffing]

Is the black line like a row of dead pixels? If so, I'm sure it's due to either a bad connection or a bad solder. Your ribbon cable may be damaged or you have a cold joint somewhere (very common issue on the original Gambeboy).

I'm guessing the light that shines through the plastic is just the source of the light. If you look at other frontlight modded GBA's they all look the same:
http://s226.photobucket.com/user/eddebaby/media/GBA-FL-FT-ON.jpg.html
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FPs_tOShFbg/hqdefault.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d8n2ytGu96k/VEMbMddIRUI/AAAAAAAACDg/Jp4zOZZzV94/s1600/20141018_215200.jpg

 

[SuperMew98]

The black line isn't a row of dead pixels, but a sort of illusion, meaning that at certain angles I see the line, but at others I don't.

I have carefully inspected the connections and they appear fine to me.

I think you're right about the light shining through the plastic being from the frontlight. I can just cover it with duck tape.

 

[Nusdogg]

That black line is normal. You'll see that at certain angles cause of how the original GBA screen is design. It's not meant for the front light panel therefore it's gonna look wash out.

I did do this to mine tho, used the AGS001 screen with the front light since it has its own AR film. No glare nor wash out either like the front lit mod:

 

[SuperMew98]

That black line is normal. You'll see that at certain angles cause of how the original GBA screen is design. It's not meant for the front light panel therefore it's gonna look wash out.

I did do this to mine tho, used the AGS001 screen with the front light since it has its own AR film. No glare nor wash out either like the front lit mod:

So would you recommend that I go buy an AR film protector and apply it to the inside of the GBA on its screen? Here's what I was thinking of getting: http://www.amazon.com/Acase-Screen-...49797065&sr=8-1&keywords=anti+reflective+film

I could then use an Exacto knife and cut a piece out of the sheet and size it to fit the GBA's screen.

I also heard something about a potentiometer that could be adjusted to change the washed out look, but I'm pretty sure that person was using an AGS-101 screen. Should I start there, as that is a non-permanent way to start?

 

[Nusdogg]

So would you recommend that I go buy an AR film protector and apply it to the inside of the GBA on its screen? Here's what I was thinking of getting: http://www.amazon.com/Acase-Screen-...49797065&sr=8-1&keywords=anti+reflective+film

I could then use an Exacto knife and cut a piece out of the sheet and size it to fit the GBA's screen.

I also heard something about a potentiometer that could be adjusted to change the washed out look, but I'm pretty sure that person was using an AGS-101 screen. Should I start there, as that is a non-permanent way to start?

It'll still looks washed out. I've tried it

 

[SuperMew98]

Is there something that you think would be best that I do?

 

[Nusdogg]

Is there something that you think would be best that I do?

You can buy some clear Anti Glare Screen Protector for cell phones and put it on.