Game Gear not powering up

[protek]

Those of you who have Game Gears. Is the power LED supposed to lit even if there's no cartridge inserted? I don't have a cartridge but I've tried to power it up with a 9V PSU, positive tip. Two different PSUs actually. No light, no nothing. Haven't tried with batteries as I don't have that many. Just need to know how the GG is supposed to behave, when powered on without cart, in case I need to contact the seller as it was sold as tested. It was not bought from here.

 

[scrappysphinx]

Hi there, the game gear light does indeed come on and the screen will illuminate even with no cartridge

however I think you need a psu with outer positive tip negative like the md1/master system plugs

 

[protek]

Hi there, the game gear light does indeed come on and the screen will illuminate even with no cartridge

however I think you need a psu with outer positive tip negative like the md1/master system plugs

View attachment 72377

Thanks!

I've been reading the opposite regarding the tip polarity. GG and Genesis 2 PSU supposedly have the same model number. OTOH my MD2 PSU plug doesn't physically fit the jack.

Now dare I try it the other way round, or is it too late already?

 

[scrappysphinx]

My UK GG definitely takes my md1 psu as in the image above. I do however also have a US GG which only takes the md2 psu.

I'd say give it a try what have you got to lose?

 

[protek]

Ok, it seems to power up, when I changed the polarity to negative center. Power led lits and display illuminates. Have to get a cartridge for testing.

Thanks!

 

[wilykat]

There are 2 different versions of power jacks used. In USA they generally work with SMS and Genesis (MD) power supply. From what I understand, some of the European GG takes MD2 (Genesis 2 for us in USA) with different plug size and different polarity.

Screwy tactic SEGA used.

Anyway if you tried the power and tried the good batteries and it still doesn't light up, it's dead. I could suggest assemblergames or sega-16 forum since many people there have repaired dead Game Gear and bought it back to life. Here's one of the more extreme​ repair someone did just to save a Game Gear.

 

[protek]

Well, it does power up now, when I changed the polarity. Hopefully I didn't inflict any damage, when I tired it the wrong way first. Well, I should be wiser next week, when the game I bought arrives.

 

[ShambleS1980]

meh its probably fine

 

[protek]

I got one cartridge today. The game boots and can be played. Luckily the wrong polarity didn't completely kill the GG.

Problem is that the Game Gear only powers up from an external PSU. From batteries it's a no go. Any ideas regarding this? Are there schematics available for the Game Gear?