GBA Original - backlit replacement screen

MTyler87 · Jan 21, 2020

Hi there, I've been wanting to backlight my partner's gameboy advance (original fat not sp) and I'm trying to get a brown tabbed screen since our gameboy requires a 40 pin connector and I'd like to avoid any screen issues when installing...

Are these screens the brown tabbed screen in question that I would have no issues with?

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!

Cartmanuk · Jan 21, 2020

The screen you have their is an IPS. It will work without any issues.
If you want original a Nintendo original then the 101 is the screen your after

White tab AGS 101 screen (after market screen)
Brown tab AGS 101 screen (Original Backlit SP screen)

MTyler87 · Jan 21, 2020

Thank you for getting back to me so soon and for the picture comparison. I have been looking for a 101 brown tabbed screen but all I can ever find are the white tabbed (UK here) which is quite frustrating because I've read about multiple issues using that on a motherboard that requires a 40 pin connection.

You don't have any idea where to get such a screen without butchering an old SP by chance?

Thanks!

- Michelle

EDIT: Oh I just took in that you said the screen would work without any issues, that's everything I need to know, thank you VERY much!

bitoriginal · Mar 19, 2020

Just as an FYI, the white tab LCD works fine with a 40 pin if you use a type A cable and Gaggi's solution.

If you need links I can provide them but unfortunately it wont let me add them in my first post

It does require you to remove 5 components and solder a wire between two points on the board. This means you can calibrate the screen using the potentiometer to get it working perfectly, especially if you'e got a flash cart and the AGS Aging test rom which makes it super easy. It's definitely the best solution for the white tab but is way more work than the IPS, especially if you want to add a brightness sister board to change the brightness, which are available on eBay.

Personally, I think it's worth it because I think it looks way better than the IPS V2, but it is personal preference and requires quite a bit of additional work and skill with a soldering iron.