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Installation & 

Assembly Guide

For VA1 models or any Dual ASIC Game Gear

A PRODUCT OF Gamebox

 LLC 

 ©2023

EXPERT

(Document Revision 10) 3.24.23

Summary of Contents for GGDH

Page 1: ...Installation Assembly Guide For VA1 models or any Dual ASIC Game Gear A PRODUCT OF GameboxLLC 2023 EXPERT Document Revision 10 3 24 23 ...

Page 2: ...Systems LLC https www gamebox systems Our Socials Instagram instagram com gamebox systems instagram com postmanmods instagram com nobble64 discord gg ff9ctaU Join the community Twitter GameboxSystems PostmanMods Nobblesnozzles ...

Page 3: ...wing these instructions While these instructions aim to give the user a comprehensive and safe guide to completing this modifcation there are many potential variables that could result in the unit that the user is at tempting to modify requiring more restorative measures There is also a serious risk of injuries and death when working with electronics At the time of this guide s writing these conso...

Page 4: ...Remove the 6 phillips screws and 1 gamebit screw holding the two halfs of the shell together and carefully open up the Game Gear Page 4 PART 1 Game Gear Recap Functionality Test STEP 1 ...

Page 5: ... you open the case If you see VA1 continue to step 3 All Dual ASIC models of Game Gear are compatible with this mod NOTE If you are not using a Dual ASIC board or DO NOT see VA1 and you see VA4 VA5 or do not see VA1 then your Game Gear is NOT COMPATIBLE with this version of the hardware A further hardware revision will include support for these later models ...

Page 6: ...move ahead to STEP 5 of PART 1 Page 6 Remove cables from power and audio PCBs Use a tooth brush or Q tip with isopropyl alcohol or deoxit to clean any corrosion off the Game Gear motherboard Once the corrosion is cleaned use needle nose pliers to grab and GENTLY move the capacitors back and forth to break the glue underneath each capacitor ...

Page 7: ...ors on the back of the motherboard and replace all capacitors on the motherboard and the power PCB For a capacitor map go to https wiki console5 com wiki Game_Gear Find your motherboard and power board revisions and follow the diagrams to recap your PCBs Audio PCB does not need a recap ...

Page 8: ... a power source wall adapter or 6x AA batteries plug in a game and test the console Ensure the console powers on and reads the game If the recap is successful move on to STEP 5 NOTE Save the screws from the cartridge connector shown right Otherwise you will have to procure 2 new M3X11mm screws They are required for final assembly ...

Page 9: ...PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 5 a For Dual ASIC Models Page 9 Remove the circled componants ...

Page 10: ...PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 5 b For Single ASIC Models Remove the circled componants Page 10 ...

Page 11: ...Page 11 PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 5 c For Single ASIC Models Remove resistor R56 ...

Page 12: ...ctive shield Desolder the points in the red circles and remove the CFL tube and the fuses NOTE Solder must be removed for the GGHD to sit flat on the motherboard PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 6 Page 12 ...

Page 13: ...E but firm pressure upward and drag soldering the screen pin contacts The screen cable will lift cleanly from the contacts one at a time when drag soldering with correct pressure applied Remove excess solder from screen pins on the motherboard PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 7 Page 13 ...

Page 14: ... a SINGLE ASIC installation replace each of the circled resistors with 4 solder bridges Dual ASIC installations can ignore this step PART 2 Game Gear Motherboard Preparation STEP 8 For Single ASIC Install Page 14 ...

Page 15: ...ctor pins to the solder holes on GGHD as shown Slide GGHD down as far as possible to make the castellated edges as close as possible to the screen pins on the Game Gear motherboard Ensure Pin 9 aligns with the first castellated edge PART 3 GGHD PCB Installation STEP 9 1 9 Page 15 ...

Page 16: ...he screen pins on the Game Gear motherboard by soldering at the the point where the two PCBs meet PART 3 GGHD PCB Installation STEP 10 Before moving to step 11 take a moment to ensure the GGHD PCB is sitting as close as possible to the Game Gear motherboard If there are any gaps caused by excess solder on the screen connector pins or the solder points shown in step 6 remove the solder before conti...

Page 17: ... circled Apply a generous amount of solder first then pinch the 2 PCBS together while applying the soldering iron to the anchor points again to ensure the PCBs are as close as possible PART 3 GGHD PCB Installation STEP 12 Page 17 ...

Page 18: ... short as possible A long wire may cause graphical artifacting PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 13 a For Dual ASIC Models NOTE Unless specified pad labels on the Game Gear motherbaord are the same on Single and Dual ASIC Motherboards Location may vary slightly Page 18 ...

Page 19: ...he troubleshooting section at the end of this document about adjusting the length of this wire PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 13 b For Single ASIC Models NOTE Unless specified pad labels on the Game Gear motherbaord are the same on Single and Dual ASIC Motherboards Location may vary slightly Page 19 ...

Page 20: ...T10 Location PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 14 a For Dual ASIC Models Page 20 ...

Page 21: ...T10 Location PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 14 b For Single ASIC Models Page 21 ...

Page 22: ...Wire M3 M4 and M5 to the corresponding pads The example above shows a Single ASIC motherboard PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 15 Page 22 ...

Page 23: ...Wire the following points START M16 B M14 A M15 PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 16 Page 23 ...

Page 24: ...Wire the following points Right Audio M41 Left Audio M42 UP M10 RIGHT M13 LEFT M12 DOWN M11 PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 17 Page 24 ...

Page 25: ...Using a needle nose pliers flatten the side tabs on CN2 expansion port PART 4 Wiring Controls And Sense Signals To GGHD STEP 18 Page 25 ...

Page 26: ...Using a needle nose pliers remove the bolts and the metal shroud on the controller connector Connect to GGHD as shown NOTE DO NOT use connector J3 PART 5 GGHD Final Assembly STEP 19 Page 26 ...

Page 27: ...CB in the front of the bottom case followed by the Game Gear motherboard Align screw holes and assembly will drop into place Secure using 4 M2 screws at the four corners and the Game Gear cartridge case screws as shown above PART 5 GGHD Final Assembly STEP 20 ORIGINAL CARTRIDGE CASE SCREWS Page 27 ...

Page 28: ...et as shown controller port first and align controller port mounting holes with front two holes of bracket Place top case on top of the bracket for final step of assembly PART 5 GGHD Final Assembly STEP 21 Page 28 ...

Page 29: ...izer Place an M3 screw into one of the two front holes Adjust controller PCB such that the screw goes through to the threaded insert and fasten Fasten the remaining 3 M3 screws ENJOY YOUR NEW HD GAME GEAR PART 5 GGHD Final Assembly STEP 22 Page 29 ...

Page 30: ... in some consoles having a different clock impedance phase shift SOLUTION Changing the length of the wire connecting the GGHD to the Game Gears clock point As shown on Page 19 may fix this issue Start with a 2 inch strand of wire and increase the wire s length by 1 inch increments to a maximum of 8 inches Page 30 ARTIFACTING EXTREME DISTORTION ...

Page 31: ... damaged pins on the game gear cartridge or the cartridge connector SOLUTION Scenario A Check your connections on these lines Make sure there are roughly 4 8 volts going through the 5 volt line Scenario B Check your connections along the castellated edge check continuity if needed Scenario C Check the pins on your cartridge cartridge connector clean with isopropyl alcohol or deoxit Physical breaks...

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