CGB in MGB shell...worklog

[OMFGCAPS]

Pretty much all the guts are good to go, until the mobo stopped working. Might try again later.

I'll just post some comparative pics of work I did, and hopefully they'll be helpful to someone else who wants picks this project up.

Hot glued to case and soldered power tabs to mobo, but they could easily be just directly attached to the mobo.

screw post holes extended and volume slot dremeled(sloppy)

EXT slot removed (sloppy) because it didn't line up with the buttons, but I think relocation would have been easy for someone good at this.

power jack could fit with or without case cutting. also, i took maybe a CM off the bottom of the board

all really rudimentary info, but might save someone some time.

 

[OMFGCAPS]

soon you'll have to sticky this beta nyah nyah

 

[samjc3]

i doubt it. they wont just because you said. also, good job! you took the faceplate off a gameboy color! cigarette

 

[OMFGCAPS]

look good dont it

 

[Bibin]

i doubt it. they wont just because you said. also, good job! you took the faceplate off a gameboy color!

Actually, I can't believe this, but I'm going to say that he did a pretty good job cutting it and making it look stock. I'll be very happy if this project is successful.

Edit: Is that a *Can'tSayThisOnTV*ing wedding ring?

 

[samjc3]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

he he edited his post now i look like an asshole.

 

[Pally321]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

You started it yesterday and it's already dead?

 

[Jewjo]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

Are you going to power it off of the two AAAs? Is that possible? Tell me more about this project; I wanna try it myself.

Fake Edit: I just tried it and you can run a CGB off of two AAAs. I guess that makes sense seeing as how AAAs and AAs have the same voltage. I guess the current is the only difference between the two batteries? So a CGB won't run as long on two AAAs as it would with two AAs, I'm assuming.

Currently, I have both a CGB and MGB open on my desk, so I might try this mod right now! I imagine this just requires trimming the board a few mm on the top and bottom, getting rid of the IR LEDs on the top of the board, and relocating the power switch, right? I haven't checked the controls, but here's to hoping they line up. Caps, any tips?

If I'm stealing your thunder or anything, I'll back off if you want.

EDIT: I just got the screen in place, and I just realized that the in order for the buttons to line up, the mobo will have to be a few mm lower than I had originally thought and the jacks will have to be moved to the other side of the mobo, or removed a la Caps' GB. Also, I'm thinking that I'll keep the power switch on the side, and the MGB's power switch will be an overclock switch. Or vice-versa. This is more work than I had originally anticipated. Caps, did your CGB still work after that 1.5 cm trim in the last photo?

EDIT2: I just broke it. I was trimming the bottom part of the mobo, and cut too much I guess. If anyone has any pics of the hidden traces, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[OMFGCAPS]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

ill take better pics of how i fit it when i get home, also i had to trim the metal cart slot plate for the cgb cart pins to line up with the buttons

also, i only spent about 2 hours on this whole project and know as much as you about the electronics

 

[Bibin]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

It died likely beacuse some power-based connections towards the bottom got cut. Some relocating of traces should get it working again; no digital electronics exist below the cart slot anyway.

 

[Jewjo]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

It died likely beacuse some power-based connections towards the bottom got cut. Some relocating of traces should get it working again; no digital electronics exist below the cart slot anyway.

I guarantee that's what happened to mine. I could probably fix it quickly too, but I don't know what traces go where, and I can't check as I've disintegrated the bottommost cm of the board. In so doing, I've also sacrificed my headphone and charger jacks, unless I can rewire those too.

 

[Twilight Wolf]

Edit: Is that a *Can'tSayThisOnTV*ing wedding ring?

Right hand, not left. It's probably just there for looks.

This is looking interesting. I will be watching.

 

[Jewjo]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

I'm sorry, Caps. I hooked up the battery terminal's GND to pin #3 (IIRC) on that square thing in the bottom corner of the board and my CGB is now functioning. (The first time a random guess has paid off fully for me when it comes to modding!!) As soon as I get the speaker to work and get the case purdy looking, I'll be done.

Questions for anyone:
1. The CGB gets a longer battery life without the LED, right? I've removed mine and don't feel like putting it back. Plus it'll be a pain to get it lined up with the MGB shell. My true motive: revealed.
2. Why won't my speaker work? I have the + end connected to its original spot on the mobo and the GND connected to the bat terminal's GND. I guess I just overlooked some connection or something somewhere.

 

[OMFGCAPS]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

why are you sorry? and good information about the ground traces!

were you able to do anything about the ext port? or just chop it like i did

 

[Bibin]

Re: CGB in MGB shell...worklog [dead atm]

1. The CGB gets a longer battery life without the LED, right? I've removed mine and don't feel like putting it back. Plus it'll be a pain to get it lined up with the MGB shell. My true motive: revealed.

Maybe 6 seconds extra or so.

2. Why won't my speaker work? I have the + end connected to its original spot on the mobo and the GND connected to the bat terminal's GND. I guess I just overlooked some connection or something somewhere.

Chances are the switch on the headphone jack that tells the speaker to cut off is tripped.

 

[themadhacker]

this is lookin pretty nice.

 

[Jewjo]

Sorry because I was going to beat you. Was.

I cut and pried off the EXT port and in so doing I removed that little 3 pronged IC above it. I'm not sure if it still works, as I'm in the battery switching phase. I'll update in an hour or so if I get back to working on it.

Bibin, I don't think that the headphone switch is tripped because I completely removed the switch and haven't messed with anything in that area.

 

[Bibin]

Sorry because I was going to beat you. Was.

I cut and pried off the EXT port and in so doing I removed that little 3 pronged IC above it. I'm not sure if it still works, as I'm in the battery switching phase. I'll update in an hour or so if I get back to working on it.

Bibin, I don't think that the headphone switch is tripped because I completely removed the switch and haven't messed with anything in that area.

I think by removing it, it's done something to it that makes it think it's tripped.

 

[Jewjo]

Any idea on how to fix that, Bibin? If not, I'll just mess around with it some. My luck so far with this has been pretty good over all.

In related news, I had a hard time positioning the battery contacts to match up with the CGB, so I just soldered them in place like Caps did. It still works, even though it's missing that IC, whatever it does (I hope EXT port stuff based on its position).
Now I just need to:

• Fix speakers
• Rewire LED
• Some minor case work
• Fix whatever inevitable problems I'll have.
• Front lighting, but I need an SP first. How cool would that be?

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Raaaaage at the fact that I can't fit the shells together. I can't figure out what's obstructing them. Caps, did you run into this problem?

 

[Bibin]

If I were you I would make button alignment a top priority.