Sega Game Gear problem

[e_brugal]

As everyone knows i recently bought a Sega Game Gear for $14 with 5 games, the listing specify that "it turns on but there's no image".

http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=22011.msg199716#msg199716

So i try it today and it turns on but no image as the listing said (the screen turns on but stays in a brownish color). it has sound with Sonic, Arch Rivals and Leaderboard Golf but very, very low. Any solution on this?

Also i don't hear sound from mortal kombat and Columns, Do they need a clean up or the pins on the Game Gear need a clean up?

Thanks in advance 

[sheep2001]

Low sound on Game Gear is a common problem, and I believe (fairly) easily resolved by changing capacitors on the mainboard. 

This youtube video seems to address both your problems:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvm14pCzxmA

[e_brugal]

Thanks 

[Hesch]

If you're going to start taking apart the Game Gear anyways, and have the spare income, now's the time to consider a full screen replacement.

http://www.retrorgb.com/gamegearmcwilllcd.html

[redsox2012]

I've been wondering, and I'd like to know if anyone here knows for sure - do the capacitors in the original Game Gear fail due to the amount of usage it gets, or do they simply fail over time (due to corrosion of the original materials used)?  I recently bought a GG and it's nearly mint condition.  It looks like it's barely been used.  It works perfectly - both picture and sound.  It wasn't advertised as replaced capacitors, and it was in it's original box with the shrink wrap still on it.  Maybe I got lucky and the capacitors simply won't fail (kind of like the few original Xbox 360's that haven't yet red ringed), or they'll eventually fail if I use it too much.  I mean, they have lasted 25 years so far.  At least I have a spare GG Majesco version that I use primarily, though Master System games look better on the original version.

[TDIRunner]

I'm pretty sure they fail due to age more so than from use.  But like everything, there will always be a small percentage of things that last longer than normal and a small percentage of things that fail quicker than normal.  Hopefully you have one that will last longer than most.  But even then, it doesn't hurt to get it recapped before they fail.

[e_brugal]

If you're going to start taking apart the Game Gear anyways, and have the spare income, now's the time to consider a full screen replacement.

http://www.retrorgb.com/gamegearmcwilllcd.html

I though on that, but i really like to play all games in there Native resolition. in this case i will leave this one with the
original screen. but i have in mind to buy others (sold on the USA) to make a collection (more or less what wiggy did with game boy). but i will buy one or two later on to make the change of screen as you suggested.

Thanks

[Hesch]

I do get that. But I expect you'll be extremely disappointed with the screen once you get it back on. Those displays were absolutely terrible. I recently picked up a 2nd Game Gear with an awesome collection of like 20-25 games for like $80, and someone had modded a backlight into it. Which only made it worse.

[e_brugal]

I had one back in the 90's, I remember that it wasn't good. But I'll buy later on another one and make the change  because I want one or two modded with the screen but the others as they came originally.

But thanks again 

[e_brugal]

Ok, so I have found how to open Game Gear cases, how to clean them ( I knew it was the same as the nes, snes but wanted to confirm), thanks to sheep for the video on haw to open and change the capacitors. I have found pictures of where are located each and every capacitor I have to change (depending the model. But there's something I haven't found. How to clean the pins where the cartridge goes.

Does anyone have something or know how to clean them?

[Captain Alexander the Bat]

There's this Sega Game Gear Cleaner that's rare on Ebay if you search for Sega Game Gear Cleaner you may find some as those are now rare to find now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NAKI-Eliminator-Sega-Game-Gear-Video-Game-Cartridge-and-Console-Cleaner-/122373112187?hash=item1c7e01817b:g:ph4AAOSwSlBYs2LT