A couple of problems regarding two separate Tamagotchis

[Penguin-keeper]

It's nothing to panic over.

I don't think that putting boxes on top of hot-water bottles is wise, personally. I also don't think that putting hot-water bottles in the vicinity of electronics, or exposing them to that sort of heat, is a good idea.

The screen-fading is permanent, because the polarisers have been damaged (read this to get an idea of how LCDs work - hopefully it will explain it better than I can). You'd need to replace the polarisers on the LCD module, and that's something that I have no experience with and cannot explain how to do. I don't even know if it's possible on these sorts of things. Obviously, this does not apply to the issues with the missing pixels or the "clouds" that you've seen on other virtual pets - it just applies to the overall fading, and having to tilt the unit slightly in order to see the display well.

I'm really sorry to hear that your utility-providers have been messing you around. That's really poor service. I hope that you can get it resolved!

 

[Porg]

Penguin-keeper - I can't help but panic, lol. I'm a big worryer. Thank you so much for being so helpful, though, I really do appreciate it. I hope I can someday return all of the help you have given!

Eep, I should probably remove them, then. What I did was put the hot water bottle in a fabric case, then wrapped it in a towel (so there are two things for it to warm through before it gets to the plastic my Tamas are sitting on), then put it under the plastic box my tamas are stored in. I just felt it- the plastic to the box is warm, but not hot. Should I remove the bottle do you think? Again, I am so sorry for all of the questions.

Thank you for the link! I think I will give that a read now. Hm, if that can be replaced, I guess it would be for a specialist. I might give it a google, because I guess you never know if someone does it or not? I'm assuming this kind of thing can happen to all electronics and not just Tamas.

Thank you! I hope so too- its been an absolute nightmare this winter. I can safely say that when I am done shopping around, I think I might switch providers. :/ I've got a hot water bottle strapped to me at the moment, haha.

 

[Penguin-keeper]

Don't worry about returning the help - I do this because we're all in this hobby together, and if we don't all act to preserve it and its history, then who will? That, and it's fun to help other people out!

I think that you should remove the hot-water bottle, personally. From the vicinity of the box, that is, not the one that's strapped to you! Quite apart from the heat, it could potentially lead to spillage, and I'm sure that you don't want to deal with rapidly-cooling water getting everywhere in this weather! (And especially not getting on or near virtual pets!)

Anyway, yes, polarisers fading is something that can happen to old LCDs in any sort of device - if you've ever seen a faded-looking calculator, that's down to the same problem. Indeed, there may well be some advice that pertains to calculators or similar devices that would also apply to old virtual pets! If you find anything, let me know - I'd be interested in learning about what can be done about it. It's going to become more of an issue for out-of-production virtual pets someday, and that means that it's best to learn more now, before that happens.

And, yeah, I wouldn't blame you for switching providers - at this point, that sounds like the right thing, and probably the only thing, to do!

 

[Porg]

Penguin-keeper - that is very true! I want to preserve these the best I can, which is why I am worrying so much. They are an amazing creation that are both very dear and nostalgic to me. I hope I can help others in the future. Still! Thank you again, you really have been a great help.

Righto! Hot water bottles removed! I don't think that they would have leaked on them, at least, given they were under two towels and under the two plastic boxes (I kind of sat them on top of the bottles and towels). Do you have any advice in how to store them, so that they don't freeze up/are a bit more protected? My fingers are looking like icicles at the moment, LOL.

I will let you know for sure! I definitely feel that there needs to be something that can be done to protect or save these critters, given like you said, when they go out of production... thats it. No more of that particular one. I'll do some searching and see what the result is. I might ask a friend to ask his father, also, as his father is very good with electronics and has worked with them pretty much all his life. He might know something at least.

Definitely! I am very bitter (excuse the pun) towards the shoddy service that provider has... provided. If you can say they have even provided a service! I'm so thankful that I have means to keep warm at least. Although the same can't be said for the other objects in my home.

 

[Penguin-keeper]

You're very welcome, as always!

My best advice for storing them under the current conditions, if you're really worried about it, is to simply keep them in the room that has the most heat in it - which is most likely to be wherever people are, in this weather. Under normal circumstances, I'm pretty sure that just keeping them at room-temperature is the way to go.

And, "bitter", hah, good one!