VGCollect Forum

General and Gaming => Hardware and Tech => Topic started by: anruiukimi on February 05, 2014, 09:04:59 pm

Title: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: anruiukimi on February 05, 2014, 09:04:59 pm
I've seen some abysmal NES carts in hideous condition, and I've always been able to get them working.

However, I have a copy of Mario/Duck Hunt/Track that I got for a buck a few months back at a garage sale, and it looks great on the outside. However, I get nothing but a gray screen when I try to fire it up. I finally picked up one of those security screwdrivers, and took it apart...and the inside looks as good as the outside. I'm actually boggled. I've cleaned the contacts, and my NES Top Loader works fine, I was just playing  DWIII last night. Does anyone have any ideas?

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--x_k-pc1yvI/UvLsEwvBcKI/AAAAAAAAK6g/kvyAibkn2m4/w1044-h587-no/20140205_175732.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tkFdnqnMXnY/UvLsGV50aSI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/eYRPFuTYowY/w1044-h587-no/20140205_175738.jpg)
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: atarileaf on February 05, 2014, 09:26:00 pm
Looks like it could still use a little cleaning, perhaps something more aggressive. What do you use to clean your carts?

On the other hand, some carts are just dead. Perhaps stored in a very cold, hot or humid environment, subject to some kind of electrical shock that killed a chip, etc. Or just a faulty cart, which sometimes happens.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: anruiukimi on February 05, 2014, 09:42:35 pm
Quote from: atarileaf on February 05, 2014, 09:26:00 pm
Looks like it could still use a little cleaning, perhaps something more aggressive. What do you use to clean your carts?

On the other hand, some carts are just dead. Perhaps stored in a very cold, hot or humid environment, subject to some kind of electrical shock that killed a chip, etc. Or just a faulty cart, which sometimes happens.

I just use rubbing alcohol, I've heard some other things to use, got any recommendations?

Yeah, that's true. Well. I'm not out a lot, it's more the principle of the thing. :P
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: atarileaf on February 06, 2014, 06:06:49 am
rubbing alcohol is good, try to get the highest percentage possible. 99% is what I use. There are other methods that people use that I won't recommend as I haven't tried them. When all else fails and you're to the point of just tossing the cart, I'll sometimes use a very very fine grit sandpaper lightly on the contacts. That has fixed a couple of nes carts I thought to be dead, one being a Bubble Bobble.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: ffxik on February 06, 2014, 08:53:22 am
Hit it some more especially on either end.  The contacts there are still corroded, not too bad mind you but you never know.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: ffmaniac2050 on February 07, 2014, 12:29:52 pm
Use wellmans glasstop cleaner.  Put a small dab on each side if the pins, run it with your fingers and then remove it until dry with a dry was cloth.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: fazerco on February 08, 2014, 06:06:44 am
It may sound stupid, but did you check if it was a ntsc or pal version?
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: anruiukimi on February 08, 2014, 01:08:19 pm
Quote from: fazerco on February 08, 2014, 06:06:44 am
It may sound stupid, but did you check if it was a ntsc or pal version?

I suppose it's possible? I don't see anything that indicates PAL on it, is there something obvious I should be looking for? It's this cart: http://vgcollect.com/item/21309
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: fazerco on February 08, 2014, 01:19:25 pm
You should see it under track meet. Something like this NES-WH-USA, if USA is something else like FRA then its French.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: fazerco on February 08, 2014, 02:00:24 pm
Nvm, i cant find a pal version online, so USA only

Additional a nice NES site

http://bootgod.dyndns.org:7777/profile.php?id=345 (http://bootgod.dyndns.org:7777/profile.php?id=345)
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: anruiukimi on February 11, 2014, 07:56:11 pm
Quote from: fazerco on February 08, 2014, 02:00:24 pm
Nvm, i cant find a pal version online, so USA only

Additional a nice NES site

http://bootgod.dyndns.org:7777/profile.php?id=345 (http://bootgod.dyndns.org:7777/profile.php?id=345)

Thank you! Looks like a handy website, too.  :)
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: tpugmire on February 12, 2014, 11:54:06 pm
I could be mistaken, but I don't think that cartridge was released in PAL format. I seem to remember hearing about how PAL regions got Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt/Tetris instead.
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: anruiukimi on February 16, 2014, 10:21:44 pm
So, after taking both rubbing alcohol and metal polish to this and two other games, all of these are now working great. :D Definitely going to remember the polish in the future!

Thanks for the tips, everyone!
Title: Re: Busted NES cartridge?
Post by: retrogamer418 on May 24, 2014, 09:57:48 am
Here is how I clean game contacts.


Don't use anything other than the white eraser. I also have tried using fine sandpaper but I prefer the eraser method. It is not as abrasive.