Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity question

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BazookaBen
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Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity question

Post by BazookaBen »

So I'm having trouble finding a good FAQ on how to go about swapping an SP backlit screen (from AGS-101) into an original GBA.

So I know my AGB-001 has a 40 pin connector, and the SP screen I'm pulling has the B-type connector (equally spaced traces, white tab). Is there an adapter out there that will work with these two models? Will I be able to get equivalent picture quality to the AGS-101? I'm seeing reports of washed out colors and image retention with the B screen on 40-pin motherboards, but it seems some people were able fix it by soldering in a couple places, or maybe the people getting washed out color were using an incorrect adapter. It's really confusing.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
leonk
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by leonk »

BazookaBen wrote:So I'm having trouble finding a good FAQ on how to go about swapping an SP backlit screen (from AGS-101) into an original GBA.

So I know my AGB-001 has a 40 pin connector, and the SP screen I'm pulling has the B-type connector (equally spaced traces, white tab). Is there an adapter out there that will work with these two models? Will I be able to get equivalent picture quality to the AGS-101? I'm seeing reports of washed out colors and image retention with the B screen on 40-pin motherboards, but it seems some people were able fix it by soldering in a couple places, or maybe the people getting washed out color were using an incorrect adapter. It's really confusing.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Your best bet is to contact the adapter seller and ask them for best way to use their product. I've had very helpful sellers in the best.
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BazookaBen
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by BazookaBen »

Leonk had the right idea. Contacted thegodofgaming on ebay and he had the right cable for me. Picture quality is very good, can't tell a difference in color with my other AGS-101. Will need a second copy of one of my games to get a side by side comparison


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opt2not
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by opt2not »

Nice job, that thing looks sexy. :D
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scottmog
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by scottmog »

the SPs have two different versions of the 101 screen, black tab and white tab

the black tabs only work with 40-pin and white with 32-pin

So you need to open up the SP and look at the ribbon cable's end that's attached to the motherboard for white or black
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scottmog
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by scottmog »

take off the battery cover and look through the hole at the exposed part of the motherboard

if the number starts with a 0, it's 40-pin

if it starts with 1, it's 32
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opt2not
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by opt2not »

Could a small pot be installed on the power line to the LCD, to dim the brightness?
I tend to play my portables right before bed and the bright light bugs the missus, so I end up setting the brightness down to the lowest when playing in the dark.
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cools
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by cools »

Wow, want one of those. They available pre modded?
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BazookaBen
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Re: Modding OG GBA with Backlit SP screen, compatiblity ques

Post by BazookaBen »

scottmog wrote:the black tabs only work with 40-pin and white with 32-pin
You didn't read the thread, I'm using a white tabbed screen with a 40-pin motherboard. You just need the right cable, thegodofgaming has the right ones.
opt2not wrote:Could a small pot be installed on the power line to the LCD, to dim the brightness?
I tend to play my portables right before bed and the bright light bugs the missus, so I end up setting the brightness down to the lowest when playing in the dark.
Yeah, or you could do a switch. By hooking up the extra wire for power, I was able to get between the low and high brightness on a 101. Without the wire, I was getting slightly lower than the 101 low setting.

cools wrote:Wow, want one of those. They available pre modded?
Yeah, there are tons on ebay, including from the seller mentioned above.
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