GPA White LCD, but HDMI Works

[vangkn]

I Need help with my GPA v2. For some reason when i plug in the power my lcd screen loads up a white screen. It does not load up retropie. but if i use an hdmi on the retropie it still works just doesn't work on the lcd screen that came with the kit.

[Flavor]

I Need help with my GPA v2. For some reason when i plug in the power my lcd screen loads up a white screen. It does not load up retropie. but if i use an hdmi on the retropie it still works just doesn't work on the lcd screen that came with the kit.

I would guess that the FPC connector isn't fully engaged.

https://youtu.be/1qjr7Gil2gc
Start at 49 seconds and watch how they clip it in.

[vangkn]

I Need help with my GPA v2. For some reason when i plug in the power my lcd screen loads up a white screen. It does not load up retropie. but if i use an hdmi on the retropie it still works just doesn't work on the lcd screen that came with the kit.

I would guess that the FPC connector isn't fully engaged.

https://youtu.be/1qjr7Gil2gc
Start at 49 seconds and watch how they clip it in.

Its plugged in perfectly...so im not sure whats wrong.

---

Btw does it matter which way i face the pins?

>I notice one side is circle and the other is square...

Woukd that have anything to do with it?

[Flavor]

The fingers should be facing up. Does that make sense?

Where did you get the image file from? Was it from me or not?

When you boot up with HDMI, do the controls on the GPA function properly?

[vangkn]

The fingers should be facing up. Does that make sense?

Where did you get the image file from? Was it from me or not?

When you boot up with HDMI, do the controls on the GPA function properly?

Fingers? For the lcd screen? Yes its facing up.

Image file was from retropie website.

No GPA does not function properly....keys dont work and sound doesnt work. So i feel like maybe the pins are set up wrong? But my brother said. Because they are the same pins...it doesnt matter which side is which.

I feel like the problem is the pins...

[Flavor]

No you are not using the right image file. That is the problem. Look on the Google drive folder that was linked on the sheet that came with your kit. I can't paste the link right now, because I'm on my phone and I don't have it here easily.

[boopek]

FWIW I was having the same issue. The LCD cable looked fine, but it needed to be reset like Ed suggested.

[linusnorton]

I'm also having this issue. I will try to plug it in again. It's probably the most fiddly bit of the whole build.

[Flavor]

Here's 2 scenarios for when the system boots with a white LCD, but HDMI works fine:

1) The GPA controls work fine. You can navigate the main menu. The ON/OFF POWER button works properly which means that you hold it down until the green light comes on, and then the system boots/runs until you hold it down for about 10seconds and the system will shut down.

This probably means that the FPC ribbon cable has not been properly (or fully) connected/engaged. I will try to make my own video about this, but (in the meantime) check this video.

This link should start at 49 seconds and quickly show how they clip it in.
https://youtu.be/1qjr7Gil2gc?t=49s
I know it's a video about a "better" type of connector, but it's just an example.

Make sure that the "shoulders" are both "open/out" and that the ribbon has the "fingers" up. Fully push the ribbon in, and then push both "shoulders" all the way in.

Again, I will probably try to make a video about this (and probably a full build) maybe tomorrow.

2) The GPA controls don't work. On the first boot, the menu asks you to set up a new controller. Also, the ON/OFF POWER button may not work properly.

This probably means that you have used a SD card image from RetroPie instead of a customized one for the Game Pie Advance.

[Flavor]

I'm also having this issue. I will try to plug it in again. It's probably the most fiddly bit of the whole build.

By the way, I agree that these FPC "ZIF" (Zero Insertion Force) connectors seem fiddly. Once you've used/understood how they work, I think that they work quite well.

With this whole DIY project stuff, I knew that there would be parts that people would have issues with. I just didn't know which parts I understood well that other users would find new/challenging/confusing. This is obviously one of those pieces that I should have realized people wouldn't be familiar with.

Thanks for your patience and for helping me work through these things to make a better experience for everyone.