70 replies to this topic

[Healuslol]

Thank you all once again for your kind words and encouragement. For those of you who have already placed an order, once you get your game(s) back, feel free to let everyone know how things are working out! The best advertisements I can possibly get are your compliments and expressions of satisfaction

I'm going to have you fix my DWIII but I.m going to wait til I get these other games I ordered from eBay to see if they need fixed to save on shipping.

[Zenithian77]

That sounds like a good idea to me, Healie. Just send a heads-up PM when you ship your games, and I'll notify you when they arrive, the repairs are complete, and when they are shipped back to you.

[Zenithian77]

Now that I have my first order in, I'd like to take this opportunity to provide a little update on Gameboy/Gameboy Color games. After opening and inspecting the game board and exterior casing, I will have to stock an additional part, as well as use CR1616 lithium coin cells for these particular games. As it turns out, CR2025 and CR2032 batteries (or the corresponding part I have in stock) won't fit. Once I have these in stock, Gameboy/Gameboy Color games will be retrofitted as quickly as larger-sized games.

Edited by Zenithian77, 15 August 2008 - 02:19 AM.

[Amisbro]

got a couple of questions for ya that you might be able to answer here:

1. Currently what is the "newest" system you can fix?
2. How much does it cost?
3. Will you ever be in the business to fix a CD if its screwed up?
4. Do you know anything about the circuitry of a DS game in case I say am playing....DQ IV aand the batter goes to $#!&? That would suck if the battery went and I was in the process of beating Ramdivice only to have the battery crap out or something like that

thanks in advance and talk to ya soon

[Healuslol]

got a couple of questions for ya that you might be able to answer here:

1. Currently what is the "newest" system you can fix?
2. How much does it cost?
3. Will you ever be in the business to fix a CD if its screwed up?
4. Do you know anything about the circuitry of a DS game in case I say am playing....DQ IV aand the batter goes to $#!&? That would suck if the battery went and I was in the process of beating Ramdivice only to have the battery crap out or something like that

thanks in advance and talk to ya soon

Batteries of a DS game will probably last a long ass time. like 10-20 years.

[Zenithian77]

Amisbro – Those are very good questions, so thank you very much for asking them. I'll answer each one in as much detail as I can provide.

1) I am currently able to inspect, diagnose and repair most any problem with NES, SNES, Genesis, Nintendo 64, Sony PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles. Keep in mind that regardless of the console, if anything goes wrong with the integrated circuits (ICs) on a console's mainboard, then there's nothing I can do to fix that. Anything else on the mainboard is technically repairable. With said that, I am still investigating the business viability of console repair; in the meantime, I will accept orders on a case-by-case basis. If I can provide a reliable and cost-effective service, then I'll run it just like the battery replacements.

2) For the time being, console repair cost would be based on an owner report of the problem, and what I would see as necessary to fix it. So once again, the cost would be on a case-by-case basis. However, if I'm able to expand my business to regularly offer console repair, then I'll absolutely provide flat rates to make it easy for everyone. After all, classic consoles require just as much TLC as the games do!

3) If by fixing a CD you mean to repair physical damage such as scuffs, scratches, pits and so on, then I would say I haven't given that any thought...yet. If demand made the service cost effective, then I would be glad to offer it. I also happen to know how to repair most damaged discs (within reason), so the idea is definitely feasible.

4) I did some quick research on Nintendo DS game carts, and discovered they have a small amount of EEPROM (a type of flash memory) to save data. Based on currently existing technology, flash memory typically does not require a battery to store information, given the nature of how that type of memory writes and stores data. I could not say for a 100% certainty until I opened a game, but my initial impression is these games do not use batteries. For the sake of knowing, I'd have to do some further hands-on research with Nintendo DS games in order to say conclusively what's going on in there.


Healuslol – You raise a very interesting topic. Since mainstream flashware technology is still quite new in terms of absolute years on the market, no one is really certain how reliable it will be over the long term. I would say that with proper care and storage practices, there is every expectation such games could last for many years. Since portable systems and games are subject to more abuse than their household counterparts, I would speculate they would have a shorter statistical lifespan by comparison. Hard evidence and data aren’t available yet, so I would recommend than if you own portable systems and games, treat them just like eggs.


Plattym3 – I agree. As I mentioned earlier, I would suspect games programmed onto flashware would not require batteries. Floppy discs required no external power source because they used magnetic storage principles comparable to (but not exactly like) modern hard disk drives in our desktop and laptop computers. On the other hand, flash memory utilizes straight electricity to write or overwrite data. If I had to take an educated guess, I would say Nintendo DS games have separate areas for storage of a game's main program and save data.


Hmm...it would seem this is all adding up to be excellent material for a future FAQ

Edited by Zenithian77, 18 August 2008 - 03:12 AM.

[ultpaladin]

If I could actually have my save files preserved in my old SNES carts, I would take advantage of this service myself.

Edited by Woodus, 19 August 2008 - 11:37 AM.

[Zenithian77]

I appreciate your well wishes. As for preserving SNES save data, what would be required is a device that would permit archiving of the save data onto another storage device. Then the battery could be replaced, then finally the save could be rewritten back to the game cart. All of this is possible with devices like the CopyNES (naturally for the NES) or a flash cart (multiple cartridge-based consoles). Though I don't have these devices in my possession right now, I would seriously consider picking them up so that I could offer archiving services as well. Just like with previous questions that have been asked, if I could turn enough of a profit to buy them, I would be very inclined to do so.

If I could actually have my save files preserved in my old SNES carts, I would take advantage of this service myself.

[PlatKing]

Yo Matt, just a thought for ya.

Buy some of the more popular battery backed games, do your battery fixer upper on em and toss em on the ole auction block and mention they have been fitted with a retainer for easy battery replacement in the future. This could even up the sale price for em. In the listing you could also mention your service to do other titles. I don't think this would violate eBay's policy as long as you have a game up for sale in the listing.

[Zenithian77]

Hmm...to be sure, this is an interesting idea. I might do a pilot auction on eBay, once I have some cash rolling in from orders. Hypothetically speaking, there are probably some who would be interested in acquiring (or replacing) a game for their collection in this fashion.

Thanks for the suggestion, Plat!

[PlatKing]

Keep yer shirt on Zenny, I haven't forgot about ya. Just working my butt off lately.
You guys really really should see a sample of Zenny's work, it looks pretty darn good.

[Zenithian77]

Duly noted, Platmaster-G, no worries. As for showing what the "finished product" looks like, I'll think about it

Keep yer shirt on Zenny, I haven't forgot about ya. Just working my butt off lately.
You guys really really should see a sample of Zenny's work, it looks pretty darn good.

Edited by Zenithian77, 31 October 2008 - 10:36 PM.

[Healuslol]

Yea Zen, I'll be getting my games to you. Life has just been kicking me in the ass lately.

[Zenithian77]

Damn, I hear that, man. Let me know when you're ready to place an order, and I'll send you the necessary info!

[danny677]

you are very welcome thankyou for noticing.

[Rune Caster]

I have a question Zenithian, do you have a way to back up save games before you change batteries in a Nes game? I have a used copy of Dragon Warrior 3 with a save battery still working in very good condition, with a beat up manual from the rental game I rented a long time ago... I might be instrested later in a battery change...

[Zenithian77]

I really feel for you Rune Caster, since I was in the very same situation as you are with my games. I've been asked this question by a few customers; unfortunately, I do not have a device in my possession that would allow me to do this - yet. Technically speaking, this is very realistic and simple enough to do with such a device.

Ideally, what I'd like to do is eventually build a CopyNES, so I have that capability. Until that time, I am unable to back up and restore save data during the battery replacement process. I wish I could tell you otherwise, because this isn't just a business to me; I don't want you to lose your game save any more than you do. Let me know if you'd like to have the battery replaced in your copy of Dragon Warrior III, or any other game in your collection.

[zenithian]

Now that I have my first order in, I'd like to take this opportunity to provide a little update on Gameboy/Gameboy Color games. After opening and inspecting the game board and exterior casing, I will have to stock an additional part, as well as use CR1616 lithium coin cells for these particular games. As it turns out, CR2025 and CR2032 batteries (or the corresponding part I have in stock) won't fit. Once I have these in stock, Gameboy/Gameboy Color games will be retrofitted as quickly as larger-sized games.

Have you obtained the parts you need to replace a GBC cart's battery? I went to finally finish Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 the other day only to be told that my save file has been lost. I think it's a battery issue; I've seen a similar reaction in a Dragon Warrior IV game I rented back in the early 1990s.

[Zenithian77]

Have you obtained the parts you need to replace a GBC cart's battery? I went to finally finish Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 the other day only to be told that my save file has been lost. I think it's a battery issue; I've seen a similar reaction in a Dragon Warrior IV game I rented back in the early 1990s.

Glad to hear from you, zenithian!

Yes, I do have in stock the part necessary for GBC battery replacement. If you're interested in placing an order, send me a PM and we'll work out the necessary details. Thanks for your inquiry!