Replace the Battery in your Game Cartridge! **56k warning**

[mr_pikachu]

I'll admit I'm unfamiliar with most of this process and with the mechanics of DW3. But is it possible that because the battery was not soldered into the cartridge, the game itself is unable to draw power from it? That is, could the battery just be too loose after having slid it in? If that's the case, maybe there's a better way to secure it... not sure. You also may want to check to make sure the CR2032 3V model will work in this case.

Those are the only ideas I have. Other, more technically inclined people probably have other suggestions, but if it's not a battery problem then it would likely have to be something with the game itself. Let's hope it's the former.

[jubily_]

mr_pikachu, I’m really really thankful for your help!
Here’s what I did:

? -“But is it possible that because the battery was not soldered into the cartridge, the game itself is unable to draw power from it? That is, could the battery just be too loose after having slid it in? If that's the case, maybe there's a better way to secure it... not sure.”
Yeah, this is my suspicion too… I took a picture from the metallic structure of DWIII to show you (sorry by the bad quality of it…). It is different from the usual as you can see in the image above…

I’m sure it is connected to the two poles… one above, one down, cos this system compresses the battery against a metallic structure that is itself soldered to the base.

I really don’t know how to secure it better… the system already secures it… but this is the only possibility left…


√ -“You also may want to check to make sure the CR2032 3V model will work in this case.”
This was the model that I took from the cartridge… Of course it could be already changed by the person who had the game before me (it was bought in second hand)…
Truly, I don’t believe anyone could sell a game like this, unless it was damaged… Maybe the guy had already tried to replace battery, and he couldn’t!
Besides that, I noticed that the positive pole (+) was up (faced to me), and the negative pole (-) was faced to the chip base… which is contrary to your Pokémon batteries placement… It suggested me that the guy, who tried this before me, mistaken the position… But I already tried the two different ways, without success…



? - “but if it's not a battery problem then it would likely have to be something with the game itself. Let's hope it's the former.”
I thought that too, but would the game be playable if it was damaged? It could be, but this works fine! …except the savings… but is always a possibility…



√- Make a reset attempt (by trying the game without any battery, and then with the new battery... The game could have not noticed the new battery...)
I already tried it… didn’t work.


√- The new battery can be damaged (yeah, it actually happens once in a million!)
I took a battery from a pc, which is the same CR2032 3V model, to test with another battery, and it stills don’t work.



√ - I simply don't now how to save this... (It’s always a possibility)
“To save one's progress, the player must visit a Church (also known as a House of Healing in early North American versions) and talk to a priest or nun.” (wikipedia)
That’s what I do….


√ - wait one night with the new battery in, to… I honestly don’t know for what! Lol But I even tried this! Didn’t work…

Conclusion: I don’t know what else I can do… I think I tried it all! Uff… but it still don’t work.
Anyway, I must say that I really appreciate your help mr_pikachu! =)
Thank you!

[mr_pikachu]

Hrm. Well, I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to help you actually solve the problem. It's just not my area of expertise at all - I'm a novice with internal computer hardware, and in some respects this is on a higher level.

The one thing I will say is that it's highly unlikely that someone else tried to pull a battery switch before you. Most people wouldn't dream of attempting it, particularly without a guide like Master Kirby's. So the internal workings were probably unaltered when you got it, aside from the battery being out of power. (If you're still unsure, it may be worthwhile to try to find a picture of an open cartridge online for reference.)

Other than that, I'm afraid there's not much more I can offer. Master Kirby still drops by occasionally, so maybe you can catch him then. Or you can try to contact him through his website, or something. He has a lot more technical know-how than the rest of us; he's the one who started this whole thing, after all! So he may be able to offer some advanced insight. Or maybe you'll be able to figure out some alternative solution to your dilemma. However you proceed, though, I wish you the best of luck!

[Master Kirby]

Well jubily_, I can tell you why you are having problems. You do not have an official game. Based on those pictures you posted, I would say that that is definitely a pirated game. The circuit board is built differently than all Game boy cartridges I have seen. The outside cover of the cartridge also is obviously a poorly done cheap imitation.

At the top, it says "GAME" instead of "GAMEBOY Color". The cartridge is shaped slightly differently than the standard Game Boy cartridges, and the label looks like it is game art that someone printed out on a color printer. As you can see in the picture I linked to earlier, the cartridge should be clear. All Game Boy Color cartridges that are not backwards compatible to the original Game Boy are clear, while the gray cartridges, such as your game, were only used for pre-GBC games.

I would guess that someone tried to copy the game and make fake versions to sell, but they just didn't build the saving mechanics properly.

[jubily_]

I see... I guess you're right!

Well, at least I loved the beggining of the game! That funny thing of the personalities...!!

(It crossed my mind that I could play the game till the battery of the game boy go down!! It would be a maratone! But i gave up from that ideia...)

Master Kirby, and all who helped me, Thank You very much! ^___^

Thank's for your patience and help!

I'm very gratfull!

[thatonekid393]

Hey, I'm sorry for bumping a thread that is this old, and I understand how annoying it must be to some of you, AND I know Master Kirby hasn't been active since last March....but I want to say how awesome this post is. I found a spare battery in my room and with my dad's help, fixed my Pokemon Gold cartridge. I'm on my way to getting the hang of the game again, and it's thanks to you. THANK YOU!!!!!

[Master Kirby]

Hi thatonekid393, Thanks for letting me know that this thread has been a help. I'm glad to see people get back into the originals (pre-Advanced generations) again. Even though the newer games have better graphics, there is something nostalgic about RBY & GSC where there were less than 300 species. With recent generations, it seems as if Nintendo just wanted to add a lot of new kinds of Pokemon just because they were making a new game. I think if they reworked the gameplay using the same original Pokemon, there could be more improvement than just adding new species to every new game. (I guess this is why I haven't played any of the DS games. I'm afraid it will just be a rehashing of the same old thing. Maybe I'l play some remakes first: http://rijon.nintendo-net.com/brown.html)

You are probably right about me being inactive for a long time. Since moving last year, I do not have internet access at home and access to the Pokemasters forum (along with many other gaming sites) is blocked at work, so it takes more effort to go to the library or another location where it isn't blocked. I still have my preferences set up to email me whenever someone posts in one of my topics, so I will know if there are any responses.

If you like this kind of videogame modification thing, you might be interested in looking around the Benheck.com forums. I have posted my GBA overclocking guide in the Handhelds section, and you could also find many other (often much more complicated) video game related projects. (This should not be considered advertising since it is not a competing Pokemon Forum.)
http://forums.benheck.com/viewforum.php?f=22

[the cadaverer]

this thread is awesome. I dug out gold and its battery was done. started following the process and realized that it was harder to do without soldering. not wanting to have to go through this again i thought about what steamtostay had thought of and soon i had cracked open my gold and I'm now in the process of making my monster rom ill keep you updated

[mad_hotrod]

Hi there master kirby! this guide looks very promising and might hold the answer to my query. I know it's a forum for pokemon, but i bought this GBA carts and have the same problem: saving. My games are Zone of the enders and Final Fantasy Tactics advance, I can't save my games on both and was wondering if I can do the same (as per this guide) to replace the batteries. These are asian copies (i think) so is it still possible to apply the steps in this guide? I haven't opened them yet (don't have the tools). thanks in advance, and more power!

[Master Kirby]

These are asian copies (i think) so is it still possible to apply the steps in this guide? I haven't opened them yet (don't have the tools). thanks in advance, and more power!

Hi mad_hotrod. If those are asian copies, and not official versions, the problem may just be that they weren't built right. As was discussed with jubily_ above, his game couldn't save either (and it was also a fake).

Some GBA games don't even use a battery to back up their games since they have some kind of flash chip. I would suggest trying to open up the games and if they have a battery you could check its voltage and replace it if it is dead. If that doesn't work, I guess you should just go buy a real copy.

[Mr.E]

What's with people with one post posting in this here thread?

There shouldn't be any major differences between carts regardless of the game or region, so long as we're talking standard Game Boy cartridges, but those are GBA games... While I couldn't imagine it's anything but still unscrewing the cases and soldering in a new battery, I don't know what differences or new difficulties it may cause.

[shoomiz_723x]

Hello Master Kirby
i just wanted to take a second or two to thank you for making a tutorial of this sort. Yours is the only one on the web i think.

I also needed to ask you something.
How long would a black colored Pokemon Blue version last if i played it roughly once a month for about 5 years now?
* About 4 of the 5 years i played with this cart, i used a GBA SP.
** Im fairly certain the game is original, but i dont think its got the newer batteries that last longer, and that Nintendo began to put in its GBC carts in 2003.

I dont have the materials to make the replacement, and i dont think i could replace the battery even if i tried; thats why i just want to know how much life is left in my carts battery.
Id also like your insight on the theory that sais if you charge your SP, you charge that battery in the cart.

Please and thank you as always,
Yours,
shoomiz_723x

[Master Kirby]

I'm always glad to see that people find this tutorial useful. I'm pretty sure mine isn't the only one on the web, but I haven't seen any others that have gone into as much depth.

You said that you had a Black cartridge of Pokemon Blue? That's odd. I don't think those exist (officially at least). As far as I know, every Pokemon Blue cartridge is blue colored.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it loosing its power. The Red/Blue/Yellow games do not have a clock like Gold/Silver/Crystal, so I have not heard of them having the same problem of running dry. I haven't played my Red version recently, but the last time I did, it still worked (outlasting my Silver version's battery).

If you don't have the materials, and don't think you would be able to make a replacement, then I would recommend that you just leave it as it is. Get your fun out of it while you can, and if it eventually looses the ability to hold a save, find someone who could help you replace the battery. You could ask one of your parents, or someone else who you know who would be more experienced with taking things apart. If you can find someone who owns a soldering iron, then they should be able to replace the battery since its a simple two tabs soldered to a board.

If you have any questions, it might be a few days until I answer since this site is blocked at my work computer, but I'll try to answer when I can. I'll still get the message sent to my email.

[shoomiz_723x]

Wow, that is kinda odd. As far as I can tell, though, its original; The word Nintendo is in the right places, there's and ESRB rating and everything. The gameplay seems to be in order as well, but then again it could just be a really good copy .

I also need to ask you about my first Blue V cart. This one was blue, and for sure an original. For some reason though, it stopped saving after i played it for 2 and a half years. To be fair, i played it alot; (i was young). After the first time it deleted, every file i started saved a few times then was erased as well.
I just need some insight on this as it seems to be in your area of expertise, and the game doesnt really seem like it has a battery issue.

Thanks again for your answer though; ive been worried these past few days about my game's battery. Your reply eases my mind

If its easier for you, you could just send me your reply via email (shoomiz_69@hotmail.com) and ill post it here for you.

Thanks again, and in advance,
Yours,
shoomiz_723x

[Mr.E]

I'm not gonna claim to know what I'm talking about, I'm mostly just posting to assure you somebody is paying attention here.

My gut says the opposite of yours. If there's no documentation elsewhere stating that the DL2032 battery is an acceptable substitute, I'd assume it doesn't work. I think the easiest course of action, though, would be to simply try the battery you have. Either it works or it doesn't, then you just buy the proper battery and do it again. If you can replace it once, twice should be no problem.

*shrug*

[SupremeChampion]

i'm inclined to agree with mr.e here. the battery you have might not work, but if you are able to replace it once, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle for you to do it again if the DL2032 doesn't work. i mean, why not try right? worst case is that it doesn't work and you need to buy a different battery, best case is it works and you save a couple bucks.

~ The Italian Stallion

[Starscream]

May I know why does my Silver Version battery ran out first before the Yellow Version?
Can I use the battery included i the Yellow version on Silver?

[Jeff]

Gold, Silver, and Crystal use an internal clock which drains the battery faster since the battery has to hold the save file and run the clock. You probably could use the battery from yellow, since I'm sure it's the same type, but you'd be better off using a fresh one.

[Starscream]

Gold, Silver, and Crystal use an internal clock which drains the battery faster since the battery has to hold the save file and run the clock. You probably could use the battery from yellow, since I'm sure it's the same type, but you'd be better off using a fresh one.

I think you are right on that ne. The only problem now is where could I buy one....
I have to look everywhere...

[Jeff]

Yellow version is basically identical to Red and Blue except it has features to make it more closely mirror the anime, such as Pikachu being your starter and Jessie and James appearing. Also, if I remember correctly, the only pokemon that requires Pikachu's happiness to be a certain level in order for you to get it is Bulbasaur.

Gold and Silver are the sequels to Red, Blue, and Yellow, so they have way more features such as the day/night cycle, breeding, and the ability for pokemon to hold items, not to mention more pokemon and moves.

If you just want to relive the originals, Yellow is a darn good approximation, but if you want a better game, go with Gold or Silver.

[AllHail Master Kirby]

ok kool, I'll just stick with Gold or Silver, whatever my friend doesnt want to play.

[Poryhedron]

Doesn't Charmander also require your Pikachu to be happy? I know Squirtle doesn't, but I think both Bulbasaur and Charmander do.

And fans of the anime's 1st season can really get a kick out of Yellow Version. In addition to the obvious references, it also features random trainers on Routes who have been given dialogue to turn them into AJ, the kid who trained a Sandshrew through 100 wins; and Joe and Giselle, the students from the fancy pokémon trainer's school. The ways you get Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle also vaguely resemble the ways Ash got them...there are tiny little references galore.

[CadoAngelus]

this tutorial worked really well. my girlfriend bought Crystal off eBay and it seemed to work the first day she got it, until she turned it on the following morning and the save had been corrupted and she had a mystery gift with no prompting.

My dad - being an electrical engineer - added a few tweaks of his own though (dunno why he did, but he argued with my about the conductivity of some of the materials we used). We followed the tutorial up until it says to tape or solder, my dad instead used an elastic band - which rapped round the circuit board a few times would actually keep the battery firmly in place, and because rubber isn't conductive it doesn't effect the performance of the game.

Also, before we tried to take the battery out, we had a quick look at the inside of the cartridge to see how it all fitted together, it turns out our battery was spot-welded to the tabs. It was very difficult to remove the tabs, and it took a goo hour or so on each tabs - trying to be as careful as possible.

[AllHail Master Kirby]

Ok, I tried the battery swap.

First 2 out of 3 went fine. I only soldered the top side though because its awkward to solder in such a tight space and its strong enough to only solder one side in my opinion.

Now for the 3rd one...The pictures explain it all...









Basically the solder wouldn't jump from the contact that was connected to the circuit board so I thought I would heat up the surface of the battery to help it across...I left it on their too long.

[Mr.E]

Now instead of replacing your batteries, you can go buy a remake of your favorite game.

[Jinouchi]

Firstly - Wow! What an awesome thread!! Very informational. Thank you very much, Master Kirby.

I would like to try using the spot welder to attach my own tabs, as it is MUCH cheaper that way. However, so far people have only told me that either I'll blow myself up, or that it wouldn't work (well, essentially). I've got soldering experience and have been a geek for some time now, but I'm not terribly familiar with capacitors, and don't want to cause more damage than is already present to some dead carts I've got. Could you explain proper construction and usage of the spot welder? One person told my that a spot welder using two AAs won't hardy do anything, and another thought I was crazy for trying such a thing, and told my it was very dangerous. The former gave me some instructions on how to build one, but it's about the size of a car battery and I get the feeling it's a bit overkill, as the one posted worked just fine for you.

As a second thought - which method actually works better? Spot welding or soldering? From browsing the net, I've heard about more accidents with soldering batteries than with spot welding, but I may have insufficient information. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

P.S. Here's the other spot welder I was told to try (yours looks much simpler - not to mention safer) http://www.philpem.me.uk/elec/welder/


UPDATE:
Well, after a few more hours of googling and talking to my dad, my boss and a co-worker, I've managed to get a decent spot welder working. However, I have to charge it off the camera I took it out of, as I have no (known or available) 300+ volt source to charge the capacitor with. You appear to have some sort of voltage amplifier circuit built into yours; is that correct? I've been trying to find a way to build a small voltage amplifier circuit so that I don't have to use my camera (the bare contacts of which have discharged the capacitor into my fingers multiple times -.- ) to charge it, but have had little success.

Also, what's the voltage rating on the capacitor you used, or what would you recommend? (I'm using a 300V cap now, which seems to be just barely sufficient.)

[Master Kirby]

King Dusk,

Yes, a DL2025 should work fine. Any battery that is 3 Volts and can fit in the cartridge would work. Basically, if you have a battery that you don't know about, just do a Google search to find a spec sheet online. I searched "DL2025 battery spec", and the 5th result had a link to the spec sheet below.
http://www.duracell.com/oem/Pdf/dl2025.pdf
It looks like this is just a Duracell brand version of the CR2025.


def_K,

The Digikey part number P223-ND is a Panasonic BR2032 battery. This is a 3v battery with the same tabs that the batteries have inside the Game Boy games. I'm not really sure what you mean when you say the tabs are in the wrong position? The wider side of the battery is the "+" side (with the flat tab), and the other side that has the bent tab is the "-" side. The game cart circuit board has the contacts labeled (see the picture of the opened red cart in the first page of this thread). Solder the flat tab to "+" contact on the board (top left), and solder the bent tab to the lower right hand "-" contact on the board.


AllHail Master Kirby,

I'm glad to help. Wow the battery just exploded apart! That's why I made a spot welder when solder wasn't sticking. Based on the splatter I would guess it didn't just split open and leak a little.


Amani2,

Thanks for that link. That is a good explanation. I have copied it below for the benefit of everyone else.

So what's the difference between a CR2032 and a BR2032?

Most Lithium cells have a nominal terminal potential of 3 volts. Like other types of cells, however, their voltage isn't perfectly uniform throughout the discharge period. Because of somewhat different design, the BR-type cells yield more uniform voltage over most of their useful life, but near end of life, their terminal voltage drops precipitously. CR-type cells, on the other hand, exhibit a more gradual decline in voltage over most of the discharge interval, and thus they may give somewhat longer service in circuits designed to tolerate a wide range of terminal voltage. They also cost less than equivalent BR-type cells.


Jinouchi,

I'm not really sure what the specs are for the capacitor I used, or what kind of circuit was attached. I just connected wires to the capacitor, and when it sounded like it was charged up I shorted the wires together on the tab and battery so the discharge made the spot weld. That camera flash is back home, and I have since moved out, so I don't really have access to see what is inside. Maybe this Christmas when I go back I could try to remember to look for it.

[ORCACommander]

1st thanks for posting this guide I will be repairing my silver version and a friends red version using this after another friend pays me back the money he owes me
2nd your recommended 220mAh battery I did some calculations assuming that the default battery lasted only 6 years and have come to the conclusion that your 220 mAh battery will last 8 years.
3rd digi key has 220 mAh ones with tabs in ther catalog but none stocked atm. edit also the tabs are wrong

[Hoffy]

Thank you so much for this guide! I'm so happy to be able to play one of my favourite games of all time after three years of it not being able to save! Now I can play it in preparation for Soul Silver

[masterofwii]

I don't know if this has already been asked, but could you remove the front of the cartridge, then start it up, and while it is on replace the battery? Just curious.

[ORCACommander]

you will run a higher risk of frying the pcb and the slot front plate on the gameboys will restrict your work area to much

[caltemus]

Actually, I've heard that GBA games use a slightly different technology that makes them immune to this problem.

They arent immune, kind of. Your save game isn't on the battery, but if the battery time based events wont occur and that can greatly affect gameplay, the battery can be replaced, however, in the same manner that Kirby has laid out.

Pardon the late and somewhat unrelated reply.

[MCPhatman]

Well I have had succes soldering the battery loose but trying to take of the tabs just hasn't worked at all and they are still attached to the battery and seem a little too mangled to work right.

Ist there any alternative that I can use or what do I need to look for when I want to buy a replacement. I live in Holland so if anyone knows a suitable store that has something I can use. Or even something I can use as an example?

[Mosical]

Is there a way to turn off the time and save battery power or is that impossible? Anyway thanks for the information. One other question I have had my silver version longer and played it more but it is my Gold version that no longer saves is there a reason behind this?

[Mr.E]

@Phatman, no idea because this isn't my thing. I'm paying attention, dunno if anyone useful (Master Kirby or whatever) will show up. ;o

Mosical, not all batteries have the exact same lifetime. It's possible the battery in your Gold cart just wasn't that good of a battery, or the guys in the factory soldered an older one in there, or whatever.

[MCPhatman]

Well it worked even with the mangled tabs I just taped it on with tape and the cartridge puts enough weight on to keep it in place.

Thanks for the tutorial I couldn't have done it without it

[Mr.E]

Well, the battery is going to last however long those type of batteries normally last... As in, probably a few years and stuff. I don't know anything about the other thing.

[ORCACommander]

eth if you look on the previous page you can see i did some estimates on how long the batteries would last. what you are looking for to get your save game off is a flash cart programmer which because the GB is so obsolete are no longer commercially produced. you will have to make your own.

[Mr.E]

They probably just turn the game on, dink around with a thing or two and find nothing wrong with it.

[ORCACommander]

if i can not rip the game save to my comp for use with an emulator and send it back to the cartridge i want nothing to do with it. personally I would call anyone who says there's still holds a save a liar if they failed to prove it with a video since the cartridges are 9-10 years old.