Game Boy DMG-01 Vertical Lines - Fixing eBay Junk

[@kam_mil]

4:30 "so there are six batteries that need to come out"

[@Sam-gw3gc]

lol

[@RetroRepairs]

Ha, oops

[@KOSMOS1701A]

i knew the gameboy was a power hog but SIX batteries, jeez

[@mjc0961]

@@KOSMOS1701A Don't be like that, you'll make the Game Gear feel bad about itself. 😋

[@will.c.2005]

What is this sega game gear

[@moderusprime]

I'd like to know a little more about the Gameboy Foreplay Adapter please.

[@mistwolf]

Mr. M. for handheld versions of Rez?

[@whatiwonder4299]

Instructions and basic installation of the Gameboy Fourplay Adapter can be found within the manual provided with the device.

[@AsheCraftingCorner]

We just need 2 more people

[@jba2048]

I’ve done this one several times. It’s a really quick and easy repair. Great video. Thank you.

[@hellmasterx]

it broke new ground!

[@dddman9220]

can you tell me please a lifespan of fix? how long a screen will work without lines ?

[@subtoyoungfogo]

@@dddman9220 0.01 Neuroseconds

[@subtoyoungfogo]

Which is about 0.000000009 quantumyears

[@tylerblount6322]

Hello there I’m Tyler nice to meet you. I saw your videos most recently and it is so incredible that you are doing a fantastic job of fixing stuffs keep up the good work man.

[@loteknomad5032]

I think it would have been like 24 years ago now, but I still remember the moment, in the car coming back from toys-r-us after having just gotten a new game, when the first couple of lines on my old Gameboy went bad. Had no idea it would have been this straightforward to fix that. :)

[@Malsherz]

Been slowly getting into repairing and modding old handhelds and just received two DMG's from Ebay, one has LCD Rot around the edges but otherwise appears to work fine, that one I'll probably get one of those drop in backlight lcd kits for it and call it good. The other one had this issue and since I'm new to the whole thing I was a little nervous doing it but I ended up getting it back into flawless working order. Thanks for the amazingly helpful video.

[@chrisw1634]

21:10 and 21:14 looks like a few vertical lines are missing on the far right side. Great vid though, I'll use this example to fix my own unit.

[@OmoiSenpai]

Pokemon Crystal alone is such a good buy for $20 with all of that stuff ^_^

[@mogourmetzulu213]

Where can I get it ?

[@mogourmetzulu213]

Around Oakland California

[@KISSbestfan]

Thanks for the new video Adam. Last days have been really horrible, but what can you do, you always gotta face your problems. Take care !

[@RetroRepairs]

Hope the next days are alot better for you!

[@KISSbestfan]

@@RetroRepairs Thank you ! Its rather a discussion we could do sitting by fireplace, and grabbing some whisky, not here. I hope someday we would have an occasion to do so !

[@RetroRepairs]

@@KISSbestfan Fair enough. Well hopefully things can start looking up for you. Cheers

[@echangwang1821]

Dang, that's a good deal. Whenever I look for Gameboys they're always completely destroyed, missing the plastic screen cover, are yellowed and overall just in terrible condition w/ a smashed screen all for 30ish dollars and from Japan with 10-ish dollars for shipping lol.

[@RetroRepairs]

It's crazy how much people are asking for some of these DMGs in terrible condition. I see them in pawn shops all the time for $30 or more in yellow condition with no screen lens like you said.

[@gc4397]

Game collecting has gotten extremely expensive because of the huge boom of people collecting in the past 5 years. I remember a couple years back I got a 2 DMGs, 10 games with manuals and an official Nintendo carrying case for 20$ at the flea market. Yes, I know that was a steal even for the time lol but Now when I spot one, they want 50$ lol when its battery cover is missing and in crappy shape. Don't get me wrong ,I'm glad more people are enjoying the retro game experience but it's getting too expensive lol

[@thatonerepairguy4784]

I just did that Saturday I found one in a old filling cabinet at work there was some corrosion on battery ends 30 min soak in clr fixed that, the outer screen fell right out cause the double sided tape dried up cleaned that up replaced that. Soaked cases in dawn hot water for 45 min scrubbed real good took soldering iron to screen fixed all the lines looked new again board said 1989 and was cleaned up the Tetris game inside it was playing Tetris for awhile after lol

[@nightwishkid1]

Selling it on Craigslist? Just saw a Gameboy with Tetris advertised as from 1989! Lol

[@thatonerepairguy4784]

nightwishkid1 no it wasn’t mine so I just left it on the desk for co workers to play

[@zincmann]

Pokemon Crystal itself more than paid for that bundle. NIce Pickup my guess is you did that locally no one online would be selling all of that for $20 lol

[@RetroRepairs]

Yeah local sale

[@KevoTheFello]

Thank you! You gave me the courage to try and fix my DMG! I posted a video of me doing it using only this video, it was the first time I ever held a Soldering Iron in my life! If I can do it anyone can.

[@etasa]

I have a lot a consoles that doesn't work and because of your videos I just a lot of things to try to fix them, thank you

[@RetroRepairs]

Good luck with the repairs!

[@BoodroGaming]

Those special affects are top notch, the production value of your videos are getting better.

[@NrOneSimpsons]

Love the videos @RetroRepairs your channel has to be my favorite repair channel on youtube :P you do such a great job explaining stuff.

[@STHelton1]

Broken arm? No problem. Arm bones are a common culprit for this kind of problem. Just grab some isopropyl alcohol... :)

[@whatiwonder4299]

I want him to design a t-shirt like those vintage Dr. Pepper Shirts only with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol instead.

[@Straightened-Slinky.]

Thanks for another informative repair video. Love your content, Retrorepairs!

[@AgentSmith2K]

I did this a few years ago on my wife’s. She still doesn’t use it

[@ZackMuffinMan]

:D I love finding Gameboys with this issue! Super easy fix!

[@AsheCraftingCorner]

Finally,youtube recommended a good channel

[@gergoo_ic]

Just wanted to say thanks, I was fixing mine based on your video:-)

[@richardosborn548]

For as long as I watched your videos I enjoy the intro music.

[@Ninja54766]

I like watching you fix stuff, thanks for the video.

[@Tone260]

Been looking forward to a new video, thanks Adam!

[@teedub1775]

Hey man.. Just watched your video and did the repair.. Thanks.. I subscribed as well..

[@jarodatkinson5306]

Hey Adam, Can I just say firstly I love watching your channel.... I watch a LOT of tech based youtube and yours is easily my favorite channel because learning how to fix things is super interesting. My only complaint is that you don't do enough videos!. Inspired by your work as I am, I am buying a soldering iron... but they come in different power outputs. What wattage do you recommend? Any other tips for a beginner like me as to the type of solder wire etc would be appreciated as well. Keep up the great work!!! P.S. ... could you do a vid on the ps3 fat (backward ps2 compatible one with the mirror finish on the drive opening) Y.L.O.D. ..... I have two I would like to fix!!!!

[@senketsu8632]

Wish i could solder cant do it to save my life. Great video sir

[@subtledemisefox]

I kind of know how but my soldering iron stopped working and glows red hot. Also the tip gets loose and I gave myself a small third degree burn trying to screw it back on thinking the iron was cool.

[@CuhShark]

Failure is definitely the best teacher. My first solder job was on an snes power port replacement. It seemed to work for a while but eventually gave out. After that I started fiddling with it and ended up lifting one of the pads. What I learned from that was to never use the solder that comes with a cheap soldering iron, always use flux, start on your soldering iron's lowest heat setting and work your way up as needed, never keep the iron on the board or solder points for longer than absolutely necessary, use solder wick to remove old solder - cheap pumps are pretty useless for larger solder points.

[@MintyFarts]

♡ Wow this was so simple and it's like a brand new GB!

[@seacrezt]

Just fixed mine today. Great little project.

[@Wantar]

s far as I know, GameBoy Color games work perfectly on DMG GameBoys, minus the color of course. :) Thank you for the video.

[@RetroRepairs]

They do not. The dmg has a lock mechanism on the power switch that slides into the indent on normal GB games. Gbc games don't have that inherent so they're unplayable. There are certain exceptions such as pokemon gold, which is backwards compatible

[@Wantar]

@@RetroRepairs Aah, ok. Must be only GBC games that come in black cartridges, like The Legend of Zelda DX. They are in original cartridge type. The newer translucent ones don't work then. Thanks.

[@RetroRepairs]

Exactly

[@Term271]

RetroRepairs hi

[@Term271]

RetroRepairs I got a qustion

[@CoffeeQuilava]

Nice, I just picked up one from Goodwill for $4 I got to do this

[@christopherwills731]

YES! Love you videos!

[@Exploited89]

Nice to see you again!

[@richardwest711]

Thanks Adam, it may have took me most of the day to clean and remove the carnage from a exploded battery, I expected to sit for a hour and fix the vertical lines. Well it took maybe 5 min tops... Thanks eh, not sure where you are but I owe you a beer. I'm in B.C. so I may even cold still when it gets there.

[@RetroRepairs]

Awesome to hear! Im in northern Ontario, I suspect by the time it makes it partway through Alberta it'll be nice and warm, but it's the thought that counts, right?

[@richardwest711]

@@RetroRepairs yeah man, I will just pack it with dry ice, or my ex wife lol. Truly man your awesome, I reference you videos more than anyone. If I can get you more subs and like I will. Send a po box to my messanger, Richard West will be a pict of solar striker. Even if it's a gift card you will get your beer and a bone for your dog.

[@ryanj.7523]

Have you thought about using evapo-rust for all the crusty and rusty bits? It’s fairly cheap and it’s reusable as long as you store it in an air tight container. So you could buy a jug and pour it in a snap lock kitchen tub and use it as needed it completely removes rust and is safe to touch with bare skin.

[@noahboat580]

Man i want to learn how to solder. These videos i can learn from a little bit, cleaning the contacts, how to do preventive maintenance, how to identify a broken contact, but obviously i shouldnt jump in thinking im a know at all. I bet skillshare has some stuff relating to that, but im already trying to learn a skill from the Culinary Institute of Michigan so hopefully i can get around it after that

[@unnamedchannel1237]

KZbin search rc model reviews solder tutorial

[@RetroRepairs]

Just gotta do it. Practice on something you wouldn't be upset about breaking. Nobody's born knowing how to solder, one day i just picked up an iron to replace a fuse on a snes, and went from there.

[@130jukeboxhero]

How do you tell if all the lines are showing. I have one where i think theres a 1 bar difference on the right rside but Im not sure

[@Meubeu1]

Really nice fix, I didn't know about this strangely, I always like your "fixing" videos, few cuts, well explained. Though I don't know if it's the camera angle but at 20:03 it looks like your screen is a bit off to the left, not a huge deal, it just triggers my OCD haha.

[@RetroRepairs]

I know what you mean. Sometimes im bad at that - moving what im working on, but it moves either off- center or out of the frame altogether.

[@Meubeu1]

@@RetroRepairs Not sure if I misunderstood your answer or not, but I meant the gameboy screen, not the camera work !

[@RetroRepairs]

@@Meubeu1 Ah, I see what you mean. Along the right side it looks like the light gap is a bit wider. I've checked that again, and the display simply has no pixels there. Maybe it's an odd display unit? I'll have to compare to another display to see if there's any difference.

[@Meubeu1]

@@RetroRepairs Interesting, been a while since I had my hands on those fat models, I do remember this "issue" but I thought it was symmetrical, at least. Guess not :)

[@unnamedchannel1237]

What hand cream do you use?

[@daliromeriskie328]

I really love the foreplay adapter.

[@rixtkooistra3779]

This game boy looks better than mine!! Mine is al yellowish and got some scratches on the screen, any idea how to fix that?

[@RetroRepairs]

Look up Retrobrite techniques. It works fairly well. They also make glass screen lens replacements. They're alot more durable than the plastic ones, come in a couple different colours, and just look much better.

[@user-zz7ss5bt9h]

I bought a sealed Resident evil 2 tiger 99x gaming device on Ebay, but the screen has deteriorated in 20 years and the image is in stripes. Local masters in Russia could not fix the device, they said that it was necessary to change the cable, but there was no replacement, even after the intervention from outside the screen began to flicker, do you know how to help?

[@viniciuscu1]

Amazing! I love your videos. Try to be more active on Twitter, I'm sure that many people would love to be in touch with you there. Do you have any knowledge about Wii u? I have one who isn't reading the sd card even after a slot replacement. I need some help!!!

[@RetroRepairs]

Ive never tinkered with a wii u, id guess somewhere along the circuit there's a bad connection or maybe component that's failed, but honestly couldn't say.

[@HW1134]

Welcome back :D

[@PuppetMaster8707]

Mine I use to play as a kid isn't yellowed no scratches all covers are there and still works great

[@winnetouch]

Tried doing this recently but I have 2 or 3 stubborn lines that just don't show up at all. And their all on the far right.

[@SecondHandMessiah]

Thanks for the instructive video.I recently bought an old DMG gameboy that had this issue with the lines. When i opened it up to do the repair i noticed the the right side of the ribbon connected to the screen was lifting. Tried the soldering iron, the lines would appear when the iron was on the ribbon but as soon as I remove the iron, the ribbon lifts again. Have you come across this issue before? Should i use adhesive to hold it down and attempt the reflow again, or just attempt to use new solder to try and bridge the gap?

[@trevrr]

I'm having the same issue, did you find a solution?

[@duranchilton6173]

Retro, Great video! Been watching a a lot over the last week or so and was curious if you have done a video on any n64 memory pack repairs(havnt found one on your page)? I have a couple that read corrupt or damaged and would like to see if there are any common issues to be found that might be a straight forward repair? Thank you for your time and info!

[@RetroRepairs]

Never run across any. I'd imagine the ram chip could be reflowed, but ive never tried.

[@statistic420]

If going to add backlight, should I fix vertical lines before or after mod?

[@chuy-retro-gamer1231]

Para reparar líneas horizontales? Habrá un metodo

[@deano386]

Your blue mat reminds me of u.k recycling bin top 😂😂

[@trimbalemrbale575]

i got a gameboy thats has a broken power connection somewhere. light comes on but speaker and screen dont

[@gartmorn]

Have you tried it with a re-flowing heat gun? Does the light contact made by the soldering iron perhaps help the process?

[@RetroRepairs]

I haven't. My thought was the excess heat could affect the display, notably the polarizing film. Soldering iron can be controlled alot better

[@gartmorn]

That makes sense!

[@lucalone]

how much degrees must the sodering iron be?

[@urielcarbajal9666]

a question at what temperature should the soldering iron be adjusted to solve that screen flexor?

[@RetroRepairs]

Mine was at 650, but im sure it could be lower. Needs to be hot enough to reflow the connection under the ribbon

[@urielcarbajal9666]

Could you tell me the brand and model of your soldering iron because mine is BAKU brand just to guide me thanks

[@RetroRepairs]

I've got a Hakko FX-888D. It's considered an "entry level" soldering station, but it's a pretty solid unit for the price. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles as a professional grade unit, but I've used some real cheap ones before, and this is notably better.

[@timblake5844]

Where was this video 25 years ago?

[@casualcouch9459]

would you mind telling me the soldering iron tool your using because i would like to buy it for my own gameboy repair

[@RetroRepairs]

Hakko fx-888d. Very good "low" cost station (around $100). You can definitely get cheaper and they get way more expensive, but it's a very solid station for the money

[@GustoTheGamer]

You saved my gameboy thanks

[@llloyd4]

@RetroRepairs Crazy question, do you ever resell the stuff you fix? Or are these just for your own personal collection?

[@RetroRepairs]

Bit if both. If ive got duplicates I'll sell or use to trade

[@llloyd4]

@@RetroRepairs Do you have an Ebay page where we can check to see if you have anything for sale?

[@shoeflaps]

Where did you get your rubber work mat? I'm not sure what I need to be searching for.

[@RetroRepairs]

Amazon. Look for heat resistant work mat or esd safe work mat

[@shoeflaps]

@@RetroRepairsCheers, I'm liking the little compartments for screws and such, will have a look.

[@JayT9626]

If the Gameboy pocket have the similar problem but horizontally is it the same way to fix it?

[@linkdorf376]

No, only vertical lines are fixable

[@101Volts]

Could you please make a video on Genesis games that won't boot? I have two myself, I cleaned the contacts very well; I started with Rubbing Alcohol which didn't work so I used watered down QuikGlo (a metal polish / wax) and that fixed other games that weren't working after Rubbing Alcohol but it didn't fix these two. One game has no save battery, the other does but the battery reads good.

[@RetroRepairs]

Honestly, I've found genesis games have a higher complete failure rate of the ones ive tested. Nintendo carts fail more often, but are fixable, I've yet to fix a genesis cart of the 5 I've tried. I suspect that since the cart's circuitry is so simple, it's more prone to damaged ROMs from voltage spikes, which requires a replacement chip and ROM writer

[@hwogrillo]

Is there any chance you could go back in time about 25 years or so, and then put this video on a VHS tape and send it to me? Cause I really could have used it

[@RetroRepairs]

Pfftt... VHS? Betamax is superior and will be the dominant video format through the 80s and 90s.

[@hwogrillo]

@@RetroRepairs I put all my money on CED. Who wouldn't want to watch a movie from vinyl?

[@damianrangel4764]

This was the reason why I had to return my Game Boy to my local game store after a day of owning it, sad :(

[@Barchiesmusic]

I love your theme music

[@nstern2]

A heat gun and some kapton tape also works and is much quicker. I've done it without the tape also but am not 100% sure it wont melt anything in the screen.

[@RetroRepairs]

I'd be worried about the polarized filter under the glass. If that melts or distorts, the image will be ruined. I like that the iron gives you the ultimate control.

[@woofoof]

Plsss do a wii u gamepad repair. Ive been dying to see you specifically repair one!

[@megamuffinman420]

What kind of mat is that?

[@awmehgoddd]

5:41 "I'm gonna leave this _whole half_ intact-" (Sorry, the oxymoron gave me a little giggle)

[@kylelee4209]

I got one for ya I have a dmg 1 and I did back light mod and bivert chip worked great but now will only play games that doesn't tdd have battery if game has battery nothing happens please help

[@RetroRepairs]

Ive heard of this happening. It may have to do with where you pull your 5v source for the backlight from. I believe when i did mine, i grabbed 5v from the capacitor right under the screen. This mainly happens when using an everdrive, but i suppose it could also happen on a game with a higher power draw. I have a video where i do a backlight/bivert mod and i test it with pokemon red, which has a battery and there are no issues. I might suggest opening it up and checking your 5v source.

[@kylelee4209]

Thank you for the reply and that's where I have the light soldered is to that capacitor which is why I'm confused cause it used to play pokemon just fine including silver and gold

[@partypiggaming9344]

I did this for the first time last Friday. I found that a tiny amount of soldier instantly fixes the screen for the most part.

[@wickeduploads]

thank you for your videos!

[@scholaire]

Why didn't you take off the ribbon cable, as to not damage/melt it?

[@subtledemisefox]

He said it was fairly heat resistant

[@adampainter103]

Where do you find this stuff? I've been looking all over for broken/damaged games and consoles but can't find any for sale.

[@RetroRepairs]

Just gotta get lucky sometimes. Local sales i can sometimes snag really cheap stuff on Facebook, and then there's Ebay, but tou have to sift through all the overpriced crap

[@adampainter103]

​Thanks man. Awesome job on the videos though; you give sound advice and I've replaced several of my cartridge save batteries using your videos as a reference.

[@dragodracoman6717]

Gbc games do work on DMG's, but there will be no color.

[@The-OGRE]

how many watts is your soldering iron?

[@RetroRepairs]

It's an adjustable soldering station.

[@mjc0961]

I had to do this to my GameBoy.

[@Sam-gw3gc]

whenever i try to fix something i get frustrated and give up

[@earlspencer7863]

If you're gonna go through this procedure you might as well do the backlight mod. Kits go for 10-15 bucks and you can sell the modded Gameboy for $100.

[@RetroRepairs]

Im aware, I've done a backlight mod in a different video. This is how to quickly fix vertical lines. Not everyone wants to add a backlight and bivert mod. I probably will end up doing the mod to this as well.

[@earlspencer7863]

@@RetroRepairs Thanks. I didn't see your other video will check it out. It's a somewhat tricky mod I was always confused where to make the connections since tutorials differ on the solder points.

[@fastgamingmusicandotherstuff]

What the intro of video from.

[@RetroRepairs]

Someone made it for me

[@fastgamingmusicandotherstuff]

@@RetroRepairs thanks for reply

[@trentwesker1471]

I would like to see a game gear screen fix, i have one with screen issues

[@odaddy47]

Did you recap, there's also a BACklite mod

[@jimmyboe25]

jesus 6 batteries! were do the other 2 batteries go??

[@klebingermusik]

So how do you fix horizontal lines? :/

[@RetroRepairs]

A similar way, but it's alot more difficult to access the connections

[@klebingermusik]

Great. Was my fault - backlight installation. But thanks because somewhere else I read „you cannot fix horizontal lines“. Great channel :)

[@TWood5050]

do you have an ebay store with stuff for sale?

[@RetroRepairs]

I do not, everything is either local sales or i keep it for my own collection

[@Hippie459MN]

Now it needs a backlit display.

[@RetroRepairs]

Buying parts tonight

[@Hippie459MN]

@@RetroRepairs Awesome! Hopefully you do a video. I really need to do the backlit display to mine. Bought it new back in like 1990 and still play it.

[@RetroRepairs]

@@Hippie459MN Already did one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5-9dWanac5gecU When I do it for this one, I'll record again, having had some practice now, I feel I could do a better job now.

[@RetroRepairs]

I highly, highly reccomend the Bivert mod if you're going to backlight it. Backlit display without the bivert mod looks pretty washed out.

[@jochenwuerfel]

9:55 650°? Normally you would use a very low temperature.

[@LDCORREA]

Can I use hot air?

[@RetroRepairs]

Not sure

[@whatiwonder4299]

Four play adapter? Yes please.

[@salvadorlopez527]

That is an amazing price considering pokemon crystal came with it

[@TobuscusSkylander]

awesome first!

[@TobuscusSkylander]

hows it going adam!

[@TobuscusSkylander]

lol foreplay adapter

[@sirflimflam]

I miss my original gameboy... Some douchebag in my neighborhood stole it.

[@zincmann]

There's still plenty out there you can find them and buy one if you really want it

[@allahspreadshate6486]

That was me, sorry. I sold it for crack...

[@sirflimflam]

@@allahspreadshate6486 The sad thing is, that's exactly what he did.

[@allahspreadshate6486]

@@sirflimflam - Bad joke. Apologies :(

[@lzbulgaria1]

Fixed my vertical lines, as soon as i close it all up, i get horizontal ones 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

[@da-1995]

It‘s a german gameboy✌️

[@josephnealeUKscratchcards]

👍🏻❤️

[@connorgarcia4559]

You can see his face in the reflection sonetimes

[@kirabate]

Did you see the horns and the six eyes?

[@insiraseunick]

i dont even own or plan to a gameboy. what am i doing here

[@FeelingShred]

Was it really possible to play on such small screens without backlight? How desperate were kids, jesus... I had a Genesis and later on a PC with a fuckload of emulators, so I missed this whole portable party

[@RetroRepairs]

In the 80s and 90s, you didn't know any better. There was always a game gear with a backlit screen, but the game lineup was crap, and it ate batteries like crazy