How To Replace A GBC Cartridge Battery

[Nmos100]

You may be a little kid but you were a BIG help. Thank you.

[MrSuperpoder]

Thanks a lot for the video it really help me

[MarieTaglioni]

How old are you?!??!?

[Sheijian]

are you anakin skywalker?

[DaXLR]

Also, if you have a very big save file and want to do a preventive battery change, its totally possible to hook up a temporary power source in parallel to the battery (+ on + and - on -) in order to keep your saved files during the process. I used a adjustable power source and soldered probes on the existing leads. Its tricky, i managed to do it only one time out of 3, but it works ;)

[jon21101992]

dude - you the man. faith in new generation: restored.

[PatHawkscom]

Thank you so much for this video.

Using your Instructable, I replaced the batteries in a dozen Game Boy cartridges tonight.

FWIW, I went to a battery store that put tabs on the batteries for me (for no charge). This made it much easier to solder to the PCB.

[isetmfriendsofire]

Or can I use electrical tape?

[isetmfriendsofire]

Wait, so if I break off the tabs, I have to solder them back on? Damn, I'm screwed.

[needfordylan]

pirated games and used pokemon games usually have this problem

[SierraPapaFoxtrot]

Pardon my belated comment but you're very clever and cool for making this video. Very clever indeed.

[harrykid]

where does a little dork learn how to solder do they teach that in school these days

[dddggr]

my pokemon sapphire says that the battery has run dry and that clock based events will not occur, what exactly does that mean and is it enough of a problem to open the cartridge and replace the battery?

[needfordylan]

@dddggr yes most likely

[ThePlatypusAgent]

I once bought a second hand version of Pokemon Gold. When i took a look at the old save file on it, I saw that the previous owner had hacked the game and had unlimited rare candies, as well as every legendary from generations 1 & 2 at level 100. a few weeks later the battery in the cartridge died. :(

[Nicksolo85]

That may be the problem with my old Game Boy Donkey Kong Land.

I can save the game (without taking the cart out of the system) but next time I play.....All files are erased.

[needfordylan]

@Nicksolo85 that usually means your save battery is empty

[Nicksolo85]

@needfordylan If I have to get it replaced, I don't know if I'd do it myself or take it to a local video game retailer who's employees would have a better idea as to what they're doing.

[needfordylan]

@Nicksolo85 ok

i think you can better get it done by a store or a guy you know thats good at doing stuff like this if your not good at doing stuff like this like me because if you mess it up you may never be able to save your game again and that sucks. (sorry for bad english)

[ceyel6]

you remind me of that guy from the ghostbusters!

[SuperKoopa97]

I have this problem with my Pokémon Silver: in my case the saved file doesn't dissapear, but goes corrupted and i need to crete a new game. It is still a save battery problem? P.D: I play the game in N64 using Pokémon Stadium 2's GB Tower. I would be really happy if you answer me.

[JoeComputerman1996]

@SuperKoopa97 I am sorry, i have never heard a case like this, i unfortunately can not help you

[chubhub22]

@SuperKoopa97 sometimes if you get corrupted data files it could indicate that you got a bad game did you buy the game from ebay because i used to buy games from ebay til i realized i was buying fakes and a lot of fakes dont save well the quickest way to know if you got a fake is look inside the game where the contacts are and see if it says nintendo on it

[DaXLR]

@SuperKoopa97 It probably is, if the power gets low enough, it'll be in this twilight zone where it can keep only parts of the memory chip running at a time, which is likely to corrupt files as only parts of the data gets lost, but not all, like in this case. Try changing the battery. If it don't work, then its probably the memory chip itself, which cannot really be changed.

[zitzblitz123]

good job you know the essence of pure science:)

[TheLinkinpark2035]

does this work with pokemon sphire

[PETMONMONPET5]

Yo bro if i sent you my pokemon crystal and gold would you fix the battry for me, i got them at half price book store they had 2 reds 2 blues yellow gold silver and crystal each one was around 10-15 dollars so i bought them and those two are the only that dont save Ps,I can make you an offrer

[JoeComputerman1996]

@PETMONMONPET5 I am sorry, but at this time I do not accept games from the mail

[NoFatAsiansPlz]

Can you explain what's soldering the batterys? I'm new to this thing

[videogamemaster223]

wait how the crap can you play a Gameboy color game on a GBA SP

[DominiqueBlatt]

@videogamemaster223 The GameBoy Advance SP is the best of the entire GameBoy Line because of it's backwards comparability. Which means it's able to play any game for GameBoy ever made! I make mine in Pearl Blue!

[luizamoony]

@videogamemaster223 GBC games are compatible with GBA and GBA SP consoles

[hanssonj]

@videogamemaster223 YES

[mrpaintballfan]

hes 15 now.

[WilsonFb4u]

This dude needs a fucking medal.

[killyrm34300]

nice video p.s. no offence but you have the most annoying whiny voice ever

[Roonifer]

You have the most adorable voice ever. <3

[GoombaMan4]

I just used some packing tape solder could make the battery explode and damage the game board

[senorlightnin]

did you say to use tape if we dont solder?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@senorlightnin NO, the tape keeps good pressure, u still need solder

[flameeeee1]

@JoeComputerman1996 thanks so much man my internal battery died and thanks so much again :-)

[sw201444]

You can touch the card... just ground yourself first... just like a computer

[jigo53]

smart kid :)

[BlazingZombies]

to answer a question, i is a fluted 6 socket and never touch your game chip, static build up will discharge into your chip and melt your microscopic wires that will mess up your game, DO NOT EVEN TOUCH THE EDGES EITHER

[TheRavingReview]

hes kipkays son.

[Giuzippper]

how did you set the multimeter? dcv? how much? 20?

[XularusXIII]

DON'T TOUCH THE CIRCUIT BOARD EXCEPT ON THE EDGES! Doing so may ruin the chips.

[relyt22ful]

this is the smartest 12 year old on youtube

[alex14northgate]

i have a very important question. when you replace a save battery does your save data erase?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@alex14northgate yes, unless you keep power on it the whole time with a second battery and hold the wires

[andobankai]

Thanks for showing me the insides of a GBC game. I needed it before I opened my gold version.

[brejo57]

Thanks for making this really helpful vid dude!!!

[GLADIATOR238]

I don't need no fuckin sawter

[TheWexler]

screw driver is a 3.8mm security bit

[mrlichenstein]

the battery has to be a little thinner for gba games though... something like CR1620 or CR1616. I had to do this repair on a Mario Kart Super Circuit cartridge

[CripEastSide]

what screw driver do you use to un screw the screw on the back of the cartridge ??

[JoeComputerman1996]

@CripEastSide I used tweezers and a paper clip. I dont remember what screwdriver this is. sorry

[CripEastSide]

@JoeComputerman1996 ok thanks. wow fast reply lols

[Pap9]

@CripEastSide

you can use a clear (transparent) plastic tube from a BIC pen (or any other pen). just melt the tip of it over a lighter and then quickly press it on the screw. the plastic tube's tip will form in the shape of the screw. and you can unscrew it.

ALSO

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DESOLDER the battery holders (to plus and minus). they are just glued to the battery but its very easy to detach them with a sharp knife or sth similiar. then you can just slide the battery in the original holders:)

[romthunder]

@CripEastSide i used a simple pincet lol found everywhere here lol

[FailedSquare]

why are you wearing gloves to change a battery?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@FailedSquare I always burn my hand when I solder because I am not that good at it

[FailedSquare]

@JoeComputerman1996 ah ok lol. fyi you can solder to a battery you just have to be very quick about it. i have done a few game boy cartridges this same way. good job on the vid man

[masterchief9064]

hes actually 40.

[JoeComputerman1996]

@masterchief9064 im 15 (as of this comment)

[masterchief9064]

@JoeComputerman1996 i was joking man. but cool video. you're a smart kid :)

[tantou]

You're 15 and you know how to solder, off to a good start.

[supercrapnstuff11]

your really helpful but you seem cluttered and unorganized

like me :)

[dansnoice]

You're a smart kid, you know that?

You'll go far.

[Mrcabletwitch]

fuck...why can't they just use a god damn actual screw...

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Mrcabletwitch you can put a real one after, and they used to do it for you so you would pay them.

[Mrcabletwitch]

@JoeComputerman1996 this might be a stupid question but do you turn it clockwise or counter? lol

[FailedSquare]

@Mrcabletwitch counter...

[Ridhi0]

How do you take the screw off?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Ridhi0 there are many ways, i used tweezers and a paper clip

[jarredmeehan]

thank you so much You Rock !!!!!!!!

[therussian12]

is there anyway you can keep the metal tags that are on it without having to take them off and reuse them?



[JoeComputerman1996]

@therussian12 I don't think so

[therussian12]

@JoeComputerman1996 it actually does work they are on pretty damn tough but if your careful and pull them out it works

[DDFxC]

Thanks for the help. It worked!!!

[donsonwan]

Were did u get the soldering kit and wat type of wires did u use

[donsonwan]

This fixed my pokemon crystal I'm going to try it on gold thank ur awesome

[MaximStratus]

Dude Thank you very much, U are Genius for tht age:) Thanks to you now i can play my old Pokemon Yellow, silver and Gold versions:))

[Darkerface]

I'm trying this right now, but the batteries keep running dry after one-two saves

[BassZ1890]

Pretty smart for your age! But I wonder why you just tossed the circuit board around so casually. Aren't you afraid of static damage to the board?

[KaneCharlesworth]

nice vid mate, uhhh can anyone tell me how long the new battery would last?, if it also depends on how much i play it, which would maybe 1 or 2 hours a day

[HeroicPeanut]

@KaneCharlesworth if you get a new one thats good it should last 5 - 8 years the default one in the game is about 7 years

[brokensoul619]

i have two pokemon silvers, but one of em has a dead battery while the other has a battery that actually works but unfortunately it's all glitchy and when you save the file it says that you have 7 badges. What I'll do is take out the battery from the glitchy one and install it on the other one if that makes sense. thanks.

[shitichii]

good vid. very thorough thanks

[easyasa]

Your one of those genius kids arn't you? I'm looking forward to you inventing the playstation 6 one day!

[moomooguy2]

@Zalfazar

I totally agree...this kid is smart

[gojacketsgo61]

This was the hardest part of the battery replacement in my opinion. This kid is good for fixing stuff, whenever I try, I break it :(

[JustTVinc]

Good to see a kid that actually does his homework and takes all the proper precautions before doing stuff.

Excellent work.

[shonenjump565]

haha acts like we wouldnt beleive him that hes using the same game/battery

[chaster321]

Thank u! I tried using a pen

[erizo908]

i hate how people are so dumb in tryin' to open the game...come on, be creative, i own a tool now but when i didn't i had no trouble, i used thin pliers or even a nail cutter. so yeah. u dont have tu burn a pen

[maul485]

thanx 4 the vid, man. i already have to do this for a couple super nintendo games, and they use the same battery. soldering wires to the terminal instead of the battery is a great idea, thanx XD

[Starscream183]

Thank you so much i almost soldered the battery ahahaha! well thank you! This was so helpful!

[Slayn00]

Did you soldered one end of each cable to the circuit board?

[redwar85]

your voice is similar to lars ulrich voice from metallica lol

[redwar85]

your voice is similar to lars ulrich voice from metallica lol

[thepsynergist]

Just know that removing the battery will delete your save. Only replace the battery if you don't care about losing the pokemon on the cart.

[JoeComputerman1996]

@thepsynergist yes, unless you solder some wires and connect a new battery without removing the old one. although, this is assuming that the battery is fully dead, and that your save file is gone (like mine in the video). thanks for the comment though!

[leathercodyc]

how long the new battery?

[Zalfazar]

Your really smart for your age, based on how you voice sounds. I can tell you'll be an amazing engineer one day! ROCK ON DUDE!

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Zalfazar :)

[erizo908]

@JoeComputerman1996

hey joe....i've got a bunch of 3.6 volt batteries that fit perfectly between my game's tabs...but i'm worried about the voltage being higher than the regular "3v".....will my 3.6 batteries ruin the circuit or will they work just fine???????

please respond

pd:nice video

[JoeComputerman1996]

@erizo908 I don't know. Sorry that I can't help you

[erizo908]

@JoeComputerman1996

..thanks anyway, man

[emosk8gabbagangsta]

hahaha I played pokemon in the year this guy was born :D

[ifnersh]

does it matter what kind of wire you use?

[jirdimaster]

So basically u just tape it in and if u want to be extra careful use something as a spacer so its squeezed in there tighter....right?

[rookiecopIT]

i need a battery!

[werewolfsfury]

I wish I knew this earlier I had a level 100 blastoise who is now gone forever

[bobbyjoe882]

brilliant video! I just bought a used cart, now no worries if the battery is dead or not. you are a genius!

[Sanghei47]

thank you so much

[alexanderthegreat100]

Excellent video, very good explaning job you did. You came across as very knowledgeable and you showed every step with adequate explanation. :D thank youu

[beam0071]

i was playing pokemon gold once and turned it of,after a while i turned it on again and the save state was gone,afterwards i made a new save state and i saved and it works again but i didnt even change the atterye.why did that happen?

[trumpetdude341]

@beam0071 you probably bang the game really hard and the battery fell out of place and then came back into it. that happened to me once.

[beam0071]

@trumpetdude341 i bdidnt bang it 0.o.mabie it was my pesky cousin?

[Newbonzy]

Brilliant! thanks a lot!

[flimflabber777]

Great video dude! I'll have to do this to my pokemon gold, and super mario bros deluxe :D

[quade7899059]

i have an old pokemon blue and when i make a save and get to viridian city gym and battle brock then when i save and turn it off then on there is no continue

"

[JoeComputerman1996]

@quade7899059 The Battery Is Dead

[wilfan12]

@quade7899059 Its Pewter city man i played it yesterday for the first time since 96.. such a game.. Did you get the problem fixed??

[JoeComputerman1996]

@wilfan12 what problem?

[IRONpiplup]

what does solder mean :p plz respond

[Fuji086]

Wait did you try to solder the battery?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Fuji086 no, i read online not to

[MrPimpsterKing11]

How do you know which battery it is

[JoeComputerman1996]

@MrPimpsterKing11 2025 or 2032(Longer Lasting)

[iambleachfanfreak]

@MrPimpsterKing11 ideally cr2032

[CanadianForth]

Hey dude me again

one of friends has a different problem with his gold instead of The "continue" dissapering he can choose it and it says "the save file has corrupted" it works almost exactly the same in your video as he can continue until he takes out his gold from the GBA then its just a "the save file has corrupted" he is wondering if the battaries will make a difference

[JoeComputerman1996]

@CanadianForth that might be an early sign for the dead battery

[VGmaster153]

@CanadianForth I've had this problem before, except it was from a pirated version of the game. I've found a real copy at my local Goodwill yesterday and I tested both by removing and testing the batterys (new ones). It might be pirated and it just deletes data at random, maybe due to a wrong battery.

[CanadianForth]

Good video i got a few questions all my pokemon games are dieing. heres whats heppening

Pokemon Fire Red-Sub curcuit board not installed (brought it from store)

Pokemon Sapphire- Cant start it up where it should say "gameboy" in the loading screen its a bunch of weird letters cant start (looks like japanese letters)

Pokemon Gold- I understand that problem now

Pokemon Crystal- Cant start the game because where it should say gameboy its covered in black

Pokemon Red- Same thing as Crystal

[JoeComputerman1996]

@CanadianForth Fire Red Sounds Like A Fake, Google How To Tell

Sapphire Is Japanese

Gold The Save Battery Is Dead (Watch The Video)

Crystal clean contacts

same for red

[CanadianForth]

@JoeComputerman1996

Thanks dude really informative :) although im 100% Sapphire isn't japenese though i was playing and it froze on me all of a sudden after i saved and now i cant turn it on because when u turn it on its suppose to be "gameboy" but its scribbles I can get a screenshot if u need one :(

[JoeComputerman1996]

@CanadianForth can you

[CanadianForth]

@JoeComputerman1996

oh wow i was told my brother screwed up crystal and red because he put water in it? is it still possible to get it to work? i doubt it.. dam i only got blue and ruby left lol

[JoeComputerman1996]

@CanadianForth Dry It Out With A Hairdrier

[jj4rent]

just tryd this and i works (it loads the game so the batt i put in works) but it still wont save : (

[JoeComputerman1996]

@jj4rent it will work w/o battery, it just wont save, it might be in backwards

[rrdedel]

very nice video dude ! THANKS A LOT

[TigerClawTV]

Good video.

[HarvestMoonFan10]

i got this tom and jerry game for the game boy color first it says gaame boy like always then it says someting about tom and jerry then the screen goes blank SOME BODY HELP ME

[JoeComputerman1996]

@HarvestMoonFan10 I'll Help You, Video Please

[ziprider255]

I need help. My Pokemon Red game is corrupted. I press continue, then it loads the save like normal, but then whenever I talk to someone in the game it freezes and then starts playing a bunch of random sounds from the game! And this happens with almost ANYTHING that involves text appearing on the screen. Would replacing the battery help?

[JoeComputerman1996]

@ziprider255 Is It A Cartridge Or A Rom? Send Me A PM

[cinnamobe]

Thanks! this helped me learn how to take out the battery and i did that now just waiting to buy the CR2025 battery i need for it.. thanks x

Gold was my fave game back when i was a kid and i spend over 50 pounds on it so i want it to work again :o lol

[Sillyzombie666]

you did this wrong YOU NEED to solder it or it will just fallout, but you need to buy another battery that has tabs built onto it, it make soldering it to the board much safer and easier. i just did with to about 8 super nintendo games and 4 nes games, i used a battery clip for those but still its much more reliable then your method. next time when you get the battery just add the word tabs to the battery type or search for gameboy game save battery

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Sillyzombie666 I know it is more reliable, i did it fast and had a lack of supplies and ruined the tabs

[Sillyzombie666]

@JoeComputerman1996 even if you had the tabs it would not help you need the battery with them built in, if you ever want it fixed the correct way send me a pm i can fix it for free just pay for parts n shiping

[JoeComputerman1996]

@Sillyzombie666 nah, it still works fine

[riveradn]

Nice! I thought i was going to have to buy a new game but i saw this video, and followed the steps and now my game saves perfectly. Good Video!

[themysteriousQueer]

how do i fix a corrupted save file for gold version? I turn it on and after the title screen, when i press continue, it says: Cannot play because of corrupted save file.

[PsykotikChimpmunk420]

Nice ^^

[mrfoozy47]

wait how do you open the cartridge? the screw is really weird

[JoeComputerman1996]

@mrfoozy47 You Have To Use Pliers Or A Paper Clip

[TheOneAndOnlyFink]

@mrfoozy47 I melted the back end of a bic pen and used the screw as a mold for a screwdriver. If you try this, take out the ink tube first, then melt the back end of the pen. You have to press the melted pen really hard and let it harden or you'll screw up the molding process and have to re-melt. When the pen is ready, about six minutes to be safe, start to turn the pen slowly while putting pressure on the screw

[guitarrealhero]

hey Joe, I followed these instructions to replace the battery for Pokemon Yellow, and it still doesn't work. I even tested the volts on the terminals with the battery and I'm reading right around 3V. Any suggestions to fix this? thanks a lot

[JoeComputerman1996]

@guitarrealhero Did u get the polarity right, if the battery is in backwards, it wont work, do u have any pics u can put up of the game so I can help u?

[Sillyzombie666]

@guitarrealhero 2 things, its not making a good enough of a contact or as joe said the polarity is wrong, the - end should be facing you and the + against the board

[gameglitcher4]

I own a yellow version cartridge and never replaced the battery and it still saves. The internal clock reduces the life of the battery but it isn't in red blue or yellow.

[07sam70]

the hard bit is making sure the wires stays in contact with the battery, i done this yesterday and played through half a game then left it overnight and the battery must of just lost contact and i lost my save :( working on it again today

[Wanted797]

@deciilandia  bought lolololol

[JRB725111]

he has to pokemon silver games

[tehmariopwner]

Any way that I can do this without soldering?

[Redpirates1234]

@tehmariopwner be very careful to the connectors near the battery.