Game Boy (DMG-01) #1 - Screen repair (Dead columns)

Using a heat gun (on the lowest heat) to heat the glue and press the cables in place. Do not use a metallic object to press down as this might damage the cables. In this video I'm using the eraser on a pen.

Make sure to remove the rubber thingy that is located under the screen before you use the heat gun.

This is a lot easier if you turn the contrast up to the maximum while the unit is turned on. Be careful not to heat the screen/cable too much. The screen might turn very black/dark blue in the bottom. This goes away but you probably should lay off the heat when you are seeing this.

This process might take a while. From the two units I've tested this with it seems as if the it helps if you rub up and down and not just roll from side to side like I do here.

I also noticed that a cable might connect after you have heated it up and then just let it cool again without constant pressure.

The idea for doing this comes from this instructable:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-a-Malfunctioning-LCD/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Game
• Boy
• DMG-01
• repair
• screen
• column
• pixel

[Benem3000]

Ya there are lines on the left of the screen that are out. When I try to fix them they just go straight black. Any ideas as to why? I can still play games because they all together on one side. I fixed the right side already though! ALso replaced buttons and speaker. Gonna get new screen protector, one I have is really dirty and scratched. Also might backlight itf I solve the screen problem. Can you even replace the LCD screen?

[fjodor]

@Benem3000 Your milage might vary I guess. I didn't have that problem though. If I remember correctly the plastic ribbin cables of the LCD screen is soldered directly to the main board. If you're careful with the heat it should be possible to desolder it. However it think it'll be easier to just get another DMG01 as I don't know where to get the new LCD :)

I've actually bought several broken DMG01 off eBay and salvaged pieces from different units to make one working.

[9Karma9]

Hey dude, how do you remove a screen cover from the gameboy! PLEASE REPLY

[fjodor]

@9Karma9

Do you mean the whole front or just the little gray piece in front of the LCD? If it's the whole front you'll need a tri wing screwdriver. Just google for it and you'll find several sites that sell them. If you mean the gray translucent piece I haven't tried removing it. But i just think it is glued on.

[konnikonni]

Just fixed my DMG by just applying hot air and pressing around on the rubber band. Great!

[fjodor]

@konnikonni Glad to help man :)

[jhvorlicky]

Just fixed all dead columns! But I didn't apply any pressure to anything, just heated until the screen went completely black and slightly dull/matt looking. Then I stopped heating and let it cool down. All columns back to life! I think it is to do with re-spreading something between the two sheets of glass. Possibly nothing to do with the ribbon cable connection. Next on the modding agenda is LED backlighting.

[Haunted360]

Worked perfectly. Thank you very much!

[urbinax]

hey can you help me? i took a photo with a camera to my gameboy pocket, the flash of the camera made a 2 diameter circle burn on the screen, dont know how to repair :(

[nicolarave]

t I have 4 death lines, horizontal, not vertical, how I can repair that?

[newtwo101]

I have 3 original gameboys 2 made in Japan and 1 made in China i don't know the difference between the china ones and the japan ones. They both work fine and no difference expt that they were made in different countries then.

[MorioKun1]

I've always just ran a soldering iron on the bottom. First remove the plastic strip, then turn on the iron and just keep it moving and never stop and hold it in one spot. Always seemed to do the trick.

[johneymute]

can,t help that i hated the gameboy screen,not only has it issues with response,view dagree angle,poor vissible screen position,poor contrast,dizzy greenish color,but it was also placed way too deep inside the system wich makes the shadow more vissible thus making it harder to see it,also the glossy screen protector couses licht reflection, making it also hard to see.

[JonnMcNally]

@propyro85 If you mean the tri-wing screwdriver, you can purchase it at nonelectronics or kitsch-bent / (dot com). Two online stores I personally recommend.

[PnkyDmn13]

Thanks for the video. I managed to get one of two lines back with a similar method. Unfortunately the "sweet spot" for the other line was farther down the ribbon cable and when in trying to fix it by inserting a piece of cardboard for pressure, now one side of the lcd looks a shade or two too dark. Maybe thats how it always was, but of course I would just notice it now and cant say for sure :P

[flexyldy]

Can I use a hair dryer?