How to repair LCD games (if possible)

lord · Guest

Hello,

I have some LCD games on which the screen doesn't work. A part (if not all) of the screen is always on. I tried to open the games and I find that the screen was in fact made of 3 parts : a glass, a filter and a plastic screen on which all the caracters and background are painted. But I can't find what to do to repair it.

Hope you will be able to help me.

Thanks,
Sylvain

Rik · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject:

The sounds like the 'screen rot' problem that plagues a lot of older LCD games. Something (I believe heat and/or humidity over the years) causes the LCD to become damaged, which usually results in it looking like it's on all the time (even with batteries removed). If that's the case (if your LCD looks like it's partly on even without batteries), it's pretty much gone. The only way to fix it is to replace the LCD.

You can see an example of this here:
http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Tiger/SpaceInvaders.htm
That game is off, and the whole display is almost completely black (it should look like the little at the bottom of that page). The only way I can fix it is to replace the LCD...

Sorry about that... (If the 'always on' part of the LCD goes off when you remove the batteries, that could be physical damage to the LCD, or the connection between the LCD and the circuit could be bad or corroded...)

If you just want the game to _look_ normal while on display, remove the filter piece from under (or on top of) the LCD. That should make the black sections of the LCD appear transparent again (but you still won't be able to play the game...) I did that with my Star Castle game to clean it up a little:
http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Tiger/StarCastleLCD.htm
It just barely has the screen rot problem (so it's still playable), but I wanted the pic to look good... Should have done that with Space Invaders... Mr. Green

Rik

lord · Guest

It is the screen rot problem. You're right. So there is nothing I can do to repair it. I think will do like you said for display.

Thansk for all,
Sylvain

R.O.B. · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

Can I do this with my microvision screen because it still works but has a slight amount of screen rot that gets on my nerves. Thanks,

Rik · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:55 pm Post subject:

Well, if you take out the polarizing filter, the LCD will look nice and clear (so you can display a 'clean' game for people), but you won't be able to play it. (Removing the filter makes the LCD invisible, even when the game is operating normally). Taking a Microvision apart down to the LCD is a pain (and you may never get it back together and working perfectly), so I'd recommend against it..

R.O.B. · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:58 am Post subject:

is there any way I can replace the screen on my microvision? because I would like it to look better so I can play or display it.

Rik · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:26 am Post subject:

Well, the only source of Microvision screens I know of is other Microvisions... So you'd have to buy another one with a better screen, and then you might as well just use that one..

Do you still need a Blockbuster cartridge? I found an extra, PM me your address and I'll send it to you...

Rik