When I try to run my new EZFlash JR cart on my DMG, it doesn't even have a garbled logo, the entire screen is garbled and scrolls down while beeping like crazy. Adjusting the volume and screen brightness causes the beeping to change. I put in new batteries and nothing changed. Does this mean I have to replace the capacitors?
#Corrupted screen and weird noises with ezflash jr
rich oracle
dusk otterBOT
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heady grove
Can you please capture a video of this happening? Also, what happens when you put this ezflash jr into a different gameboy?
rich oracle
Can you please capture a video of this happening? Also, what happens when you pu...
Here, apologies for the sidewaysness of it. Also, it is able to reach the loading screen when the SD card is removed, but still has the corrupted look instead of a nintendo logo. This is also the only gameboy I've got access to at the moment unfortunately.
heady grove
ok, I've never seen this before but I have an idea of where to start.
can you test this dmg with a normal cartridge first please? and what batteries are you using?
it looks like the power regulator in the dmg is struggling to power the system - so I want to see what happens with a normal cartridge that uses less power than the ezflash
rich oracle
ok, I've never seen this before but I have an idea of where to start.
can you te...
It works just fine with Tetris. I am using... some several-year-old amazon basics batteries 💀
woah ok also i just noticed the bottom left corner has gotten very hot after i left it on for a few minutes by accident
heady grove
can you try new batteries in your gameboy with the ezflash?
I do suspect your dc-dc board may be dodgy given that it's warming up, that shouldn't happen even if your batteries are a little weak. The bottom left corner is where the dc-dc board lives but I'd like to see you try new batteries before I diagnose further
last question, does it warm up if you play Tetris for 10 minutes?
rich oracle
I do suspect your dc-dc board may be dodgy given that it's warming up, that shou...
I think the board definitely did something bad, i opened it up to make sure nothing had exploded but yeah the power board now has a faint scent of burning. (and no it didn't do that with tetris)
heady grove
Gotcha, thanks for the clarification
Yeah, that isn't right for sure and shouldn't be happening even if your batteries are a little weak - but please try some new ones with the ezflash and let me know what happens and we can continue once you've tried that
Can you get pics of both sides of the power board?
rich oracle
Gotcha, thanks for the clarification
Yeah, that isn't right for sure and shouldn...
I don't have any brand new batteries (I'll try to get some soon). New(er) batteries made it maybe a little bit better? It still didn't start with the SD card in though. Here's the board that now smells very toxic and chlorine-like 
Actually is that the wrong board? The one with the headphone jack looks more messed up but I thought that was only audio.
heady grove
no that is the correct board
rich oracle
Just for funsies these capacitors seem to have some white stuff on them.
Seems to be a lot of white on both boards where there isn't normally.
heady grove
did batteries ever leak in it or was it ever stored in a humid place?
rich oracle
did batteries ever leak in it or was it ever stored in a humid place?
I got it used/broken and repaired it into this (semi-)working state, so I don't know the history of it. It didn't have much/any corrosion on the terminals though, so it would seem not.
heady grove
gotcha. lets pick this up once you've tried new batteries, I do have suggestions to try once you've done that 🙂
rich oracle
Okie, I will go on a battery quest soon as I'm able.
heady grove
drop me a ping once you have them
rich oracle
drop me a ping once you have them
Ok, quick run to the store to get batteries, and got interesting results. It was able to get to the "battery dry" screen but with repeating pixels around the nintendo logo (not on the logo, all around it.) Pressing A to continue caused some random symbols to appear, and then it stopped responding. I tried again, and it got stuck on "loading". Tried again with the contrast turned down and it said there was an SD card error. Throughout all these tests the contrast is flickering up and down and the screen is barely visible.
heady grove
ok, it sounds to me like your dc-dc module is faulty. the dc-dc module should have enough grunt to support the load from the ezflash junior easily with the stock display
the fact it got hot as well when you left it powered on adds to my suspicion
there are replacements, but you'll have to IPS mod it for them. the only current replacement im aware of that can run the original LCD (has the -18V rail) is from a manufacturer we do not recommend you deal with
if you're happy to IPS mod then this becomes easier, you can replace the dc-dc module as part of that and honestly I'd recommend replacing the dc-dc module on any DMG that you IPS mod as the stock dc-dc module struggles at higher loads anyway
With that explanation out of the way, before you decide what to do maybe ask around in the discord to see if anyone has an OEM dc-dc module they have going spare, many people do because of IPS modding the system 🙂
zinc narwhal
I have a bunch of spares from my DMGC build. The DC-DC module should be working, though I reused the wires from the board, meaning I’d have to solder some wires to it. If shipping from Canada to your location isn’t too expensive, I could send the spare DC-DC module, free of charge other than the cost of shipping.
heady grove
that's a generous offer Vox 
zinc narwhal
Not using the parts. They’re sitting on the corner of my desk taking up space. May as well get rid of them
rich oracle
I have a bunch of spares from my DMGC build. The DC-DC module should be working,...
:O I'm in california so that seems very doable! That would be great
zinc narwhal
Sounds good. Shipping shouldn't be too much hopefully since it only needs a small bag for shipping.
I should get some higher quality wire next time, the insulator on these wires melted from a quick tap of my iron on the PCB
Wow these old boards are incredibly fragile. I lifted a pad without any force. Still making a connection though. I'd secure this if I had solder mask, but I don't.
rich oracle
😳
zinc narwhal
I'm going to get some solder mask and make sure this connection is secure before sending it.
rich oracle
🙏 Tysm for doing this
zinc narwhal
No problem. As said before, it was parts lying around doing nothing.
rich oracle
Better to send them off to a good home ; )
rich oracle
if you're happy to IPS mod then this becomes easier, you can replace the dc-dc m...
I've been trying to research this in case I decide to IPS mod a gameboy in the future, but there seems to be very little info about the dc-dc module/voltage regulator? I found one post that said it would depend on the exact setup of your gameboy and whatnot, but like... what? Where could I find more information?
I'm thinking I may be able to IPS mod another gameboy with a broken screen but working regulator and combine them into two functional Boys
zinc narwhal
Sounds like a good idea.
What information are you looking for about the DC-DC regulator?
rich oracle
What information are you looking for about the DC-DC regulator?
I'm trying to figure out what I'd need to use with a rips v4 display, and where to source it from.
I see some being sold on gameboy specific stores, but also it seems like maybe it's just a common electronics part that I could get from any retailer?
zinc narwhal
When you buy from those stores, they include not just the display, but the ribbon cable, adapter board, lens, and a brand new IPS board, along with all the mounting supplies.
rich oracle
Yeah, but that doesn't involve replacing the power board right? zipplet had mentioned the stock board can sometimes struggle to supply enough power.
zinc narwhal
I don't know too much information about aftermarket power boards, but I believe if you want to use an IPS kit and a flash cart, you should get a new power board. Newer power boards can handle more power draw, and provide cleaner power.
rich oracle
Yee, I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy a gameboy specific one, or if there's a simpler/cheaper option
zinc narwhal
Definitely buy the power board intended to go with the game boy
There are some amazing people in the community who have made replacement power boards with good dimensions so they fit in the shell, and provide the console the proper voltages.
heady grove
There are some amazing people in the community who have made replacement power b...
this is the correct advice. if you really know what you are doing you can shoehorn in other stuff, but this comes with many caveats. support the community, use one of the community made boards 🙂
@rich oracle I agree with your idea of buying another dmg to IPS mod and taking the dc-dc board from that to fix your current gameboy. That also means you can experience both screens
rich oracle
Ok awesome. Thank u both for the advice :D