GBA will not turn on

Hello guys, first time posting (mostly a lurker), but unfortunately I have a problem.So, I recently found my Gameboy Advance after what I thought I had lost it. I opened the battery compartment and there were two batteries in it; this must be a bad thing since these batteries have been in there for a year, there were some crystal like stuff in there, which doesn't surprise me. I did my best cleaning it with a cotton bud, and placed in new batteries, but to my dismay, it won't turn on. No initial light, fresh batteries does nothing, I'm afraid that the batteries must've fried something in there (the batteries were alkaline batteries).There's a little crystal-stuff on the battery contacts, although not much to make any difference. Maybe I could get some alcohol solution to clean the contacts, although I don't think that would do. I honestly don't know what to do, has anyone ever had this problem? If so, how did you fix it? I don't really want to throw this GBA away or get another since, well it sounds silly, but this was my first ever handheld. Getting another one would feel alien to me.Thank youEdit: Would like to add that this is the first gen model, not an SP or Mini

alcohol won't do anything. You need to scrape it off with a small flat bladed screwdriver. It's unlikely to be damaged internally.

Right, I'll try to do this, although It seems a bit... I don't know how to say this, but I remember that the contacts use to be shiny, now, it looks a bit rusty without the brown colour :S

Replying to #3

Yes, the batteries leaked and corroded the terminals. the corrosion will prevent contact between the battery and the terminal, preventing electricity from flowing.

Thank you Loonylion, that has worked ^.^ Is there anything I can do to protect the contacts, besides removing old batteries?

Replying to #5

No, just don't leave batteries in there until they leak.

Alright then, again thank you very much! You don't know how happy I am :D