Hardware GBA not turning on after IPS mod

massouji82

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Hey guys!

I have recently modded my GBA with Funnyplaying 3.0 Inch IPS AGB Laminated Kit, which included screen and shell. Also changed the speaker to the Funnyplaying one. After assembling, the console initially turned on but it was sort of stuttering, after several tries of resetting the ribbon cables, the console only briefly started up the screen and startup sound before dying and at the end it wont event start up, the power light just briefly flashes before dying. The strange thing is that the machine was working perfectly before the mode. I also tested the IPS kit before assembling and it seemed to work just fine. I also soldered the A and B points for the onscreen display. Didn't manage to use the SELECT pad so using START pad instead. I've also tried using different batteries that I know are full of charge. The strange thing is that I tried disconnecting the screen cable from the board while its still soldered on, but the power won't stay on.

Please help! Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
 

Mr_Marr

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Hey guys!

I have recently modded my GBA with Funnyplaying 3.0 Inch IPS AGB Laminated Kit, which included screen and shell. Also changed the speaker to the Funnyplaying one. After assembling, the console initially turned on but it was sort of stuttering, after several tries of resetting the ribbon cables, the console only briefly started up the screen and startup sound before dying and at the end it wont event start up, the power light just briefly flashes before dying. The strange thing is that the machine was working perfectly before the mode. I also tested the IPS kit before assembling and it seemed to work just fine. I also soldered the A and B points for the onscreen display. Didn't manage to use the SELECT pad so using START pad instead. I've also tried using different batteries that I know are full of charge. The strange thing is that I tried disconnecting the screen cable from the board while its still soldered on, but the power won't stay on.

Please help! Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
What kind of batteries do you use?
 

Mr_Marr

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I tried both the funnyplaying rechargable ones, regular rechargable and regular non-rechargable batteries

The stuttering makes me think that It could be a dirty power switch causing the issue, but you said it was working before, so maybe one of the capacitors are dying and can't handle the extra power needed for the ips screen.
Tyr cleaning the power switch with some ipa and double check the connections.
 
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massouji82

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The stuttering makes me think that It could be a dirty power switch causing the issue, but you said it was working before, so maybe one of the capacitors are dying and can't handle the extra power needed for the ips screen.
Tyr cleaning the power switch with some ipa and double check the connections.
Do I need to open the switch or is it enough tho use a qtip from outside? I've attached some images and a clip that shows what happens. But shouldn't it power on normally when I disconnect the screen since the screen will stop drawing power?
 

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massouji82

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If the power switch is dirty, then you absolutely need to open it up to clean it. There are videos available.
I understand. I just don't get why this all of a sudden happens after changing the screen when it worked perfectly fine before? Makes no sense
 

zeomax

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Makes no sense
It makes totally sense.
The new screens uses up to three times more power than the old screen. If your power switch is dirty is has a higher resistance and your GBA will shut down. Dirty power switch is a wide spread problem with all Gameboys.
 
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massouji82

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It makes totally sense.
The new screens uses up to three times more power than the old screen. If your power switch is dirty is has a higher resistance and your GBA will shut down. Dirty power switch is a wide spread problem with all Gameboys.
Yes, after reading up on the issue it makes sense indeed. The power switch is probably dirty but before installing the IPS screen it could still provide enough power. Will open it up for cleaning soon. Another thing besides randomly resetting is that the screen brightens and other screen settings randomly changes. Can this behaviour also be related to the dirty power switch? Thanks!
 

hippy dave

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Huh, I just snipped the touch sensor off my ITA kit (after soldering the connections for the touch controls), and haven't had any further problems, so maybe that would be an easier first step to try, and if you do still have phantom input then proceed with the above guide
 
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massouji82

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Huh, I just snipped the touch sensor off my ITA kit (after soldering the connections for the touch controls), and haven't had any further problems, so maybe that would be an easier first step to try, and if you do still have phantom input then proceed with the above guide
Thank you! Would you mind showing where you cut?
 

massouji82

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Hey guys! So today I opened the power switch. It was not very dirty but I cleaned it thoroughly with ISO. But unfortunately the machine keeps randomly resetting. Any other ideas what the reason may be? Thank you!
Post automatically merged:

I should also mention that I'm using the Everdrive mini flash cart, if that matters.
 

qzack

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Curious on what color is your power led light on your GBA when it is turned on..?
I know it's for a quick second but does it show a color..?

I had similar issues with mine and I had to replace the caps in order to have it function again.
I got on Console 5 and ordered a cap kit.

Some symptoms of mine were:
- Power LED was always red and never Green. Tried normal and rechargeable batteries, didn't matter.
- My Everdrive when loading a game would just reset and not load the game. This was probably due to the console not getting enough power.

I had cleaned the switch as suggested. PITA because it's soldered but I got it cleaned. I also managed to
have the little piece of metal that actually runs the switch fly off. I got the little bastard back in there but "Nice Design"
choice here.

I ended up getting a IPS screen from Ali Express and it has the OSD feature. I don't know what one you purchased, just throwing this out there.
 

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