New Gp2x Unit Won't Power Up!

[timallen82]

Hi everyone!

I am new to the "homebrew" scene and have anxiously awaited my GP2X since September. It arrived today and upon installing the batteries, I turned the unit on and all I got was a blank, black screen with very faint lines on the LCD that go away when I power the unit off.

Did I get a damaged unit or am I missing something? How does one flash the unit's firmware if the screen will not work? Could doing so fix the problem?

Please help!!

Thanks,
Tim in Florida, USA

 

[OCA|]

I turned the unit on and all I got was a blank, black screen with very faint lines on the LCD that go away when I power the unit off.

​

Try installing some good NIMH batteries - the ones that come with it are really, really bad. I havn't heard of the unit actually failing to turn on with the included batteries, but it wouldn't surprise me.

-OCA|

 

[mth411]

Alkalines?

Even with my old gamepark, I needed alkalines or powerful rechargables have a display, the heavy duty batteries would just make the screen shimmer.

Also, if its from GBAX, you can be sure Craig fired it up and tested it, so try other batteries. You might have just gotten "broken batteries".

 

[Jarska333]

Those are usually good for remotes and such.

 

[timallen82]

Thanks for the quick replies, but I just tried some brand new AA Energizer alkalines and I get the same problem.

No backlight, no display. Just very faint colored lines which go away when I turn the unit off.

PLEASE HELP!!

mth411 said:

Also, if its from GBAX, you can be sure Craig fired it up and tested it, so try other batteries. You might have just gotten "broken batteries".

Is that why one of the seals on the end of the box was broken?

 

[Drak]

eww thats unfortunate just return it if u cant get it to work and get a new one

 

[stepp]

Really feel for you mate......i dunno what to sugest being new to the scene myself and expecting mine any day now. I have read that the batteries need to be decent to work the machine but if youve tried new ones and you get nothing at all, then i dunno what could be wrong. Except maybe its been badly handled in the post?......hope you get it working matey, sorry i cant be more help.

 

[digitaljez]

Have you tried cleaning up the battery contacts ?

 

[queso]

I had a similar problem. Put some Energizer AA batts in... good as new.

 

[stepp]

If you read his post hes already put new batteries in it........

 

[Drak]

I knew that the GP2X was gonig to be sloppy when it came out but.. Something like this? All these lil silly things and I think to myself how greedy GPH is.

To think about it.. they probably profit by like 60% because they use cheap screens, low budget saudering etc.. lol

GREED is everywhere!

 

[stepp]

They must be employing some serious cheap labour.....some of the problems are just laughable.

 

[Vimacs]

yes, one of the seal was broken couse they test evry single unit, so it must either be your batteries or it was damaged while it was shipping.
try some fresh carged nimh's, if that dosnt help return it and get a replacement.

 

[stepp]

Are the units packed well then in the box or are they floating around inside? Must of taken a hell of a beating for the screen to become faulty.

Probably due to crappy workmanship where it was made......seems that a lot of people are going to be returning units in the next few weeks.

 

[timallen82]

I have been waiting since September 23rd to get the TWO units I ordered. As of right now, I only have received ONE. Sending this one back for a replacement will make it that much longer before I have a working unit. I e-mailed Jacquelyn about the other unit I have not gotten yet.

I'm a little frustrated. Anyone have any other constructive ideas?

 

[stepp]

Buy a psp...only joking mate....send it back.....its all you can do.

 

[timallen82]

Well I went to Radio Shack tonight and tried out the proper DC power adapter (3V, 1000 mA, negative tip) and I got the same results as when I tried using fresh alkalines.

I still get a power LED lit up, black screen with no backlight, and very faint vertical lines of varying colors.

I guess I'll be shipping back for a replacement. I only hope GBAX covers my shipping to the UK from the USA!