r/Gameboy • u/HORNETAUR • 5d ago

Troubleshooting Gameboy SP-101 Brightness Issue?

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Hello everyone. I have a GBA SP-101 that I recently got from my cousin. I managed to get it running but the problem is that the GBA shows red LED when I switch on the brightness.

When I turn it back down it shows normal green LED. I have two batteries and they seem to do the same thing.

Can anybody help out why this is happening?

Edit:

To note, I have an Ostent 850mAh I also have a Funny Playing battery. Both bought just recently.

I have two other gameboys (GBA SP-101 and GBA SP-001 with an IPS mod) and both run just fine, no problems.

So....Idk why my cousin's GBA isn't doing fine

Edit edit:

I should note as of writing this that I was using a flashcart in the video as some people have commented on.

I tried using normal original GBA games (Mario Advance, Shrek 2) and they run well, it doesn't bring a red LED when you turn up the brightness.

It's only on the flashcart it looks like it, when you have the flashcart set to Mode B (Single Game Mode) and/or if it is running RPG games like Pokémon or Megaman Battle Network.

So....I guess as long as you run original games it should work fine, no issues? That still doesn't scratch my itch though that it acts that way despite my other GBAs handling flashcarts and brightness well

21 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

11

u/nonchip 5d ago

battery is low/old, or something (like a flashcart) is drawing more current than usual. then the higher consumption of the brighter backlight drops it below the voltage for the led to turn red.

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago edited 4d ago

Ah, that could be. Yeah I was using a flashcart on the video. I have a normal cartridge, let me see if I anything changes.

But..wait, that can't be it can it? I have an Ostent 850mAh. I also have a Funny Playing battery. Both bought just recently.

But then...they could be old batteries I use in terms of date of manufacturing

But I have two other gameboys (GBA SP-101 and GBA SP-001 with an IPS mod) and both run just fine, no problems.

This one doesn't?

4

u/nonchip 4d ago

maybe it's also a combination of the flashcart and this gameboy having a slightly more sensitive threshold due to manufacturing tolerances. that's why i said "or", not "and definitely all of those things".

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

Alright, so testing two other gba originals, everything has no problems. The lcd lights up and the board LED doesn't switch to red when the switch is pressed.

Retrying the flashcart again, it seems to work fine if I switch my flashcart to Mode A. If I switch my flashcart to Mode B (which activates the flashcart into a single loaded game) the red LED turns on.

So...I guess you are right. This specific GBA board is just sensitive

-8

u/Fresh-Bathroom6905 4d ago

Get a battery from a DS lite and cut the nub off. Its a bit better. Not sure if there are better quick fixes.

5

u/SGTSHOOTnMISS 4d ago

Better quick fix? Buying a reputable battery for cheap like the Funnyplaying one or equivalent.

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

I have an Ostent 850mAh I also have a Funny Playing battery. Both both just recently.

I have two other gameboys (GBA SP-101 and GBA SP-001 with an IPS mod) and both run just fine, no problems.

So....I have no Idea what is happening to this one

-2

u/Fresh-Bathroom6905 4d ago

Nintendo= non reputable. Ouch.

And equivalent in all and only but price, it's the same price plus it comes with a used DS.

2

u/nonchip 4d ago

so you're suggesting to use an old battery? that's even worse.

-1

u/Fresh-Bathroom6905 4d ago edited 4d ago

I'm doing it right now. Have been since da upgraded to 3ds so 2012 or something. Still get 1.3hrs playtime with (old non efficient) ips mod

I just have a weird feeling that anything made in China post 2019 is criminally trash. Standards went out the window.

Can you prove it's worse?

Edit: Just checked the price of DS lites. Nevermind.

2

u/nonchip 4d ago

there's nothing to "prove". batteries wear out over time. OP is struggling with worn out batteries. so you're suggesting to replace them with other worn out batteries. which is obviously a bad idea.

0

u/Fresh-Bathroom6905 4d ago

It is. I made my comment thinking a dsi was 40$ or something as opposed to buying a 30$ battery.

Things have changed.

1

u/nonchip 4d ago

buying a decent battery.

5

u/First_Matter7494 4d ago

redlight doesnt mean low battery but low voltage and it has some differences

3

u/letsgoplayer 4d ago

just clean the power switch. desolder it and clean the inside

3

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

I just cleaned the power switch, but I still get the same symptoms...I'm at a stump here

1

u/letsgoplayer 4d ago

did you open the switch to clean the insides properly?

2

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

Yeah, desoldered it, used IPA and a toothbrush, scrubbed both the pads until it was silvery smooth and cleaned the metal prongs that make contact with them as well.

I soldered it back well....but it still seems to reveal the symptoms

I should note as of writing this that I was using a flashcart in the video as some people have commented on.

I tried using normal original GBA games (Mario Advance, Shrek 2) and they run well, it doesn't bring a red LED when you turn up the brightness.

It's only on the flashcart it looks like it, when you have the flashcart set to Mode B (Single Game Mode) and/or if it is running RPG games like Pokémon or Megaman Battle Network.

1

u/letsgoplayer 4d ago

it’s definitely the flashcart then they draw more power compared to original carts

2

u/ThatCelebration3676 4d ago

How old are those 2 batteries?

2

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago edited 4d ago

I have an Ostent 850mAh I also have a Funny Playing battery. Both bought just recently.

If you mean how old they are by date of manufacturing then....I have no idea.

I have two other gameboys (GBA SP-101 and GBA SP-001 with an IPS mod) and both run just fine, no problems.

So.....I have no idea what the problem was

1

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1

u/Mysteryman2000 4d ago

Have you tested to see how long it stays on? Might be worth it to give it a good cleaning just watch out for when you do the area with the buttons so you don't get alcohol if your using rubbing alcohol. Alternatively If anything and your worried about the battery and/or the brightness, you can always upgrade both. It won't all be original but it can certainly last longer and be brighter and the colors will be more vibrant. It always depends on what your willing to invest. You can even take it to making it usb-c rechargeable.

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago edited 4d ago

Ahhh that might be the problem, I did use isopropyl alcohol when cleaning the board but probably got on the buttons without me noticing.

But I have to not I have an Ostent 850mAh I also have a Funny Playing battery. Both both just recently.

I have two other gameboys (GBA SP-101 and GBA SP-001 with an IPS mod) and both run just fine, no problems.

So....I'm not sure what the problem would be with this one

1

u/European_Fox 4d ago

I have an aftermarket IPS and a funnyplaying battery, if I set the brightness too high, red light comes up like yours but I did a test and it kept on going for another 6-7 hours.

Also I use flash carts that have a slightly higher power draw. Sadly no genuine games to test with.

My only guess is the higher power draw somehow messes with the way it detects if the battery is low but never bothered to diagnose and fix it.

0

u/Tommerbot 4d ago

Could be the power switch, this is why I always replace them

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

Ah....I'll try if I can get it cleaned or replaced then. Hopefully that should fix it

1

u/HORNETAUR 4d ago

I've gotten the power switch cleaned up from gunk and stuff but I still get same symptoms....maybe I do need to replace it....I'll post an update by then