How to Troubleshoot a Gameboy Advance SP
The Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP, launched in 2003, provides perhaps the definitive version of Nintendo's classic Game Boy Advance system hardware. Small, stylish and durable, the machine added features such as a backlight and more touch-friendly buttons to the basic Game Boy Advance layout. If you are still playing on a Game Boy Advance SP, the older hardware of your system may need troubleshooting from time to time to ensure you enjoy the machine for as long as possible.
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Instructions
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Check that your game cartridge is correctly inserted. Remove the cartridge and reinsert it, label facing outward, pushing gently until you feel the game lock into place. Turn on your Game Boy Advance SP. If the game does not start correctly, remove the cartridge and clean the gold contacts on the inside of the bottom edge with a cotton swab and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Let the contacts dry before trying the cartridge again. If you are using an original Game Boy cartridge, try using a different cartridge in your Game Boy Advance SP. Not all original Game Boy games work with Game Boy Advance SP.
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Check that the battery is fully charged. Insert the power adapter into the top of the Game Boy Advance SP and plug it into an electrical outlet. Let the battery charge until the light at the top of the machine stops glowing. If you have been having trouble playing original Game Boy games on your Game Boy Advance SP, it may be because these cartridges require more power to run. If you cannot get the charging light to display by plugging the adapter into a electrical outlet, try using a different adapter to charge your handheld.
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Check for white spots on the screen. If your game system boots up and loads games, but displays a small white spot during play, the screen has a minor defect. These defects are so common that Nintendo advises playing for a few weeks to see whether the spot is distracting enough to warrant repair; there is no way for this defect to spread or worsen. If the spot remains distracting, proceed to the next step to learn how to contact Nintendo to arrange repair.
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Arrange a repair if necessary. If your screen is cracked, broken or displaying black areas during play; if the battery is not charging when the machine is plugged into a power source; if white spots are so distracting that comfortable play is impossible; or if thin white lines are displayed on the screen during play, contact Nintendo (see Resources) to arrange repair. If your system is no longer within warranty, it may be cheaper to purchase a new machine or upgrade to a Nintendo DS, which plays all Game Boy Advance games.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit gameboy image by Dron from Fotolia.com
