Industry guru Dave Taylor answers free tech support questions about a wide variety of business and technical topics, including blogging, Google AdSense, MySpace, Sony PSP, Apple iPod, Mp3 players, management, Linux, SEO, Mac OS X, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Microsoft Windows.

Still befuddled? Get immediate live tech support with SupportSpace!

Pokemon and Nintendo Gameboy Advance: Can't Save, Dry Battery?

Hi Dave, I have pokemon gold on gameboy color. I've had it for about 2 years now and recently it's been playing up. When i save the game it runs through the usual procedure of saving and says "save successful" BUT when I turn it on again the next time it doesn't have the "continue" option. only "new game" it's REALLY ANNOYING!

Also [I hope u dont mind me asking this too] but i have pokemon sapphire on gameboy advance and when it loads it says "internal battery has run dry, time based events will no-longer occur" which is also VERY annoying and I cannot complete the game because some pokemon only appear at night and it stays as permanent day time.

Dave's Answer:

I usually don't field Pokeman questions, but let's have a stab at this one, shall we? I hate to think that you're having problems with your Gameboy Color, after all...

Nintendo Gameboy Color First off, the problem with the game save failing is probably this issue that they classify as "Game Keeps Erasing":

"In some rare cases, the saved data in Pokémon may be lost if you reset or turn your system off too soon after saving a game. Make sure you are waiting a few seconds after the save message disappears before turning the system off.

"Games may also erase if the connectors are dirty or damaged.You may use a cleaning kit. However, if the game or system is very dirty, you will need to have it cleaned by Nintendo.

"Do not link U.S. and Japanese games. If players trade data between the U.S. and Japanese games, it will destroy the saved data on both game paks, forcing players to re-start their games from scratch.

"In a very few Pokémon Red and Blue game paks, the battery chip inside the game may become disconnected. Due to the age of the game, we cannot offer repair or replacement."

That's from Nintendo's Gameboy Help Area on their site. Check it out, there's some pretty useful information there.

Then the problem with Pokemon Sapphire's "Internal battery has run dry" error message has a straightforward - though crummy - message from Nintendo's help site:

"This occurs when there is a problem with the internal battery of the Pokémon game pak that regulates the clock feature of the game. For the most part, other than a few minor events, this will not affect game play, nor will there be any loss of saved data. The save info is preserved in the game's memory chip, not the battery. To repair the issue, the game must be replaced, which will result in a loss of all of save data. If you are still concerned about this issue, and are interested in replacing the game, please call our Consumer Service Department at 1-800-255-3700."

Basically, you're out of luck. I'd call them and suggest that their "it won't affect game play" message might well be completely inaccurate and see if you can convince them that having a game you paid for die on you isn't a good way to make you a lifelong customer.

Or, plan b, you'll find that you can buy Pokemon Sapphire on eBay for pretty darn cheap. That might be your easiest solution, though unfortunately you can't copy across any game saves and will have to start the new game from scratch. A quick check showed that you can expect to pay about $10 + shipping for a new copy.

Good luck!

Help others find this article at Del.icio.us, Digg, Netscape, Reddit, and Simpy.

Categorized: Sony PSP, MP3 Players, Etc. , Video Game Tips and Help (Article 6734)
Tagged: gameboy advance, gameboy ds, nintendo gameboy color, pokemon
Previous: Are verbal contracts legally enforceable?
Next: Does MySpace install spyware or adware on computers?

Still Have Sony PSP Questions?
Looking for all your Sony PSP answers in one place, organized as a convenient quick reference work? Then you need Dave's Everything Guide to the Sony PSP, a 150-page ebook ready for you to download right now!

Subscribe!

Never miss another useful Q&A article again! Subscribe to AskDaveTaylor with Google Reader.

Comments

Well he could back up the sapphire save with a action replay or gameshark, then download the old save to the new gamepack using the ar/gs

Posted by: Archo at December 26, 2006 4:46 PM

Hello I have Pokemon Fire red and I want to know how i can get a Mew and the Aura Ticket on this game.

Posted by: Dillian at March 25, 2007 2:11 PM

you have to get it through a nintendo event

Posted by: cooldude64 at April 27, 2007 10:17 PM

the games are not saved on the battery is correct but the memory is the same as computer memory, no power no save. If the battery dies all saved data will be erased. Just done this myself for a friend and works fine again. You need a CR2025 (Iused a CR2032 as I had heaps and just fits) BUT BE WARNED THESE BATTERIES WILL EXPLODE IF OVERHEATED. Or take the old one to a battery pack manufacturey and they will make one up for you, If you use a CR2032 it will last about 50% longer.

Posted by: Paul at May 5, 2007 8:03 AM

i have just started red and blue versions of pokemon with my brother. the plan was to be able to trade pokemon with each other, but we cannot seem to connect at the trading center. We are playing on gameboy advanced's with a gameboy advanced link cable. Is this the problem, that you cannot link together while playing a gameboy advance with a gameboy colour game or is the link just faulty.

Posted by: Miles gibbons at May 9, 2007 12:03 AM

With the old pokemon games, I have found a way to fix the games that do not save! All you need are some tweezers, your pokemon game, and some tinfoil. First, take the tweezers and stick them around the small screw on the back of the game carton. turn the screw until it comes out. then push and slide the top of the game down. now, all of the insides are exposed. Take the tinfoil and fold it up to about the same size as the batter that you see inside. Move the battery up and down so it is disconnected from the base a little bit then leave it as how you found it. Next, take that piece of tinfoil and put it directly on top of the battery. Then put the cover back on and try to sqeeze it over the tin foil so the battery is very firmly in place. put the screw back on and your game should work! If it does not, simply buy a new battery and replace the old one.

Posted by: Prank at September 22, 2007 12:49 PM

As for getting a Pokemon game on Ebay, be careful you don't get a fake one!

Posted by: umbmon at November 9, 2007 6:15 AM

Miles I love you...this worked perfectly thank you so much.

Posted by: anonymous at December 10, 2007 3:59 PM

i have pokemon leaf green version and i am unable to save the game i use duracel batteries.when i put new battries then also i am unable to save the game what should i do plz answer it cause i cant complete the game

Posted by: enrique at February 28, 2008 1:26 AM

Enrique, we're talking about the little battery inside the game cartridge, not the batteries that power the system. Replacing this battery is a little more advanced than it seems.

Posted by: Critical Mass at March 27, 2008 1:42 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!