Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, components will have a marker similar to this:
Image from Texas Instruments
But sometimes the marks are hard to see, especially with small components. Sometimes you can pull up the datasheet for your given part, and it might include near the bottom how the parts are packed in the reel. Here's the example for the TPS22917 that's used on the AGBM boards:
Failing all of that, you can try putting some white paint on top of the component using a paint marker, and then cleaning it off with isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip.
You might have noticed the dot code on the AGBM boards - this was taken directly from Nintendo's original design! I am using this code to indicate the revision of the circuit boards.
The number in the middle indicates the year. There are 12 columns - each correspond to the month of the year. The 3 rows indicate a third of the month. So, in this example, the dot in the middle of the fifth column indicates this is the revision from the second third of May in 2026.
The GBA's code name was AGB = Advance Game Boy.
AGBM can be interpreted either as Advance Game Boy Modded, or Advance Game Bucket Mouse. :)