GG free to a good home

Make sure the connections were the batteries hit on each side on the game gear..are not corroded..or rusty.take a piece of sand paper to them ..to be sure..also try other batteries.. if still no power up. Would be the switch..

Hi Themist, what you describe seems like a system in a real bad shape, there is little than can be done on a 20+ years old portable system. Sadly, the batteries are zapped very fast, that was part of the problem the GG was not a success. It needs to be pluged to an AC Adapter to really be enjoyed. The screen issues are not possible to fix, unless you get a replacement one, and the audio and brightness issues, might be an hardware related. Sorry to say it, but there is not much you can do with your Game Gear.

Hi,
Do a search on the net for Game Gear display repair. There is even videos on YouTube that show how to make the repair.

I would suspect it it the capacitors that have failed. The display, and the sound issues are easily repaird by installing new caps. Seek someone who is good at soldering small parts on a circuit board. The cost of the parts should be under $10.
These are common issues with the GG, so if you decide not to have it repaired, there are still those of us out there that would buy your unit to repair.
Good luck.

its very tough to say as the production of this video game is closed and u wont get any spare parts

Hi,
Common problems with the GG. I would suggest that you seek the services of someone experienced with soldering small electronic parts. The repair is straightforward, but if you have never soldered, or worked on curcuit boards, I would not attempt it.

I have repaired 3 before with good results. To save me from repeating a reply, please see my other post here:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t4174826-fix_sound_sega_game_gear_2110

As capacitors age, they dry out. When they dry out, the fail.
The youtube videos will show you what you are up against. I'll bet I could make some money fixing all these units that are her eon FixYa :)

Good luck.

I had the same exact problem. I took the back off, pressed on each of the capacitors. Carefully put the cartrige in with the back still off, plugged in the power and turned it one and presto, it started working!!!

Here's a picture of the capacitors and another solution if my easy fix doesn't work.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ggrgb/ggrepair.html

Sega Game Gears are notorious for having the battery compartments rust and break because of prolonged exposure to batteries. So check that. Then put in batteries and see if the light turns on. If all checks out. Put in a game. No video. Take the game out, put it back in a dozen times. That will strip down the contacts a little it to help make a good connection (works well on NES's too, well most systems with cartridges). Still nothing, try another game. Or clean all the contacts with some sort of alcohol. Like rubbing alcohol, or fingernail polish remover. I have a GameGear also and I went though what you are going through. What I told you to do made mine work. Good luck!

don't panic
sometimes the LED goes on the Megadrive
so try to tune it in anyway. (clean a game and put it in)
also sometimes you can get a "Dry joint" at the power port at the back of the megadrive.
this is fixed by unscrewing the megadrive and a little solder on the each of the 3 joints.

well the old and newer sega gennsis have diffrent cables, so i'd say by it its a great console

try replacing some of the capacitors, that is mostly what causes the problems in the gamegear, mine had the same problem.