Rattling inside my GBA cart

siegeshot · Post by **siegeshot** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:03 am

I have a used Castlevania CotM, because I traded in my old one long ago, before realizing how bright the DS would be. (CotM looks incredible btw, looks horrible even on my SP) anyway. I was trying to clean it up this weekend, I've had it for a while now, and it rattles inside.

There's only one screw and it is one of those 3 way deals, I don't have that kind of screw driver, but I can kind of manipulate it with my smallest flathead at an angle.

The rattling doesn't affect gameplay but since I'm cleaning it up and trying to make it my own, I was wondering which part was probably rattling, and if it was worth trying to find a little 3 way screw driver to open 'er up and see what the deal is, or what it could be, like the battery maybe, because it looks fine from the outside.

And what the heck causes something to rattle in a cart, its my first time hearing this.

Sorry so long, thanks.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:10 am

You might be able to open the case with a small enough flathead screwdriver. However, there is a chance its just the board itself moving around. Some games i own are like that, but its hardly noticable.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:25 am

I use a small flat head screwdriver that takes up one of the prongs, and then I push it into the screw firmly as I turn to keep it in its prong.

Retromaster · Post by **Retromaster** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:47 am

Almost every cartridge I have for the GBA rattle heavily, but not dangerously. The pins don't move, but I can hear somrthing flopping around in there that doesn't effect gameplay. I have yet to open one with pliers or the melted pen method. Stay tuned, as I might open one up and talk about what's rattling.

siegeshot · Post by **siegeshot** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:28 pm

I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for all the tips. I'll keep checkin back here.

Retromaster · Post by **Retromaster** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:39 pm

Right now i'm having trouble getting the nintendo screws out. I'll post about the insides when I get the thing open

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:16 pm

Retromaster wrote:Right now i'm having trouble getting the nintendo screws out. I'll post about the insides when I get the thing open

What method are you using to open it? I can post pictures of the insides if you want me to.

Retromaster · Post by **Retromaster** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:31 pm

well, I first tried the melting pen method, then needle nose pliers, but that didn't work either. so I should probably melt another pen and see if that works. I really don't want to rip open Metal Slug Advance with a grinder.

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:48 pm

If you pinch the cartridge between your thumb and forefinger (with your thumb on the label), and apply light pressure, does it still rattle when you shake the cart?

When I do that to Mario Kart Super Circuit it doesn't rattle anymore.

I think that's caused by the amount of play in the PCB's mounting point to the screw post in the cartridge.

heroicraptor · Post by **heroicraptor** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:14 pm

how do you take apart the "gold" bolt-type ones?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:32 pm

heroicraptor wrote:how do you take apart the "gold" bolt-type ones?

Do you mean like the ones in Nintendo systems and older carts? For those the pen melt method can be best.
@Retromaster: Are you talking about the tri-wings? If so, do what I said a few posts up.

heroicraptor · Post by **heroicraptor** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:59 pm

vskid wrote:
heroicraptor wrote:how do you take apart the "gold" bolt-type ones?
Do you mean like the ones in Nintendo systems and older carts? For those the pen melt method can be best.
@Retromaster: Are you talking about the tri-wings? If so, do what I said a few posts up.

so i wouldn't be able to put it back together?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:02 pm

heroicraptor wrote:
vskid wrote:
heroicraptor wrote:how do you take apart the "gold" bolt-type ones?
Do you mean like the ones in Nintendo systems and older carts? For those the pen melt method can be best.
@Retromaster: Are you talking about the tri-wings? If so, do what I said a few posts up.
so i wouldn't be able to put it back together?

You most likely could put it back together, just leave the pen the way it is after taking the screw out and use it to put the screw back it.

Retromaster · Post by **Retromaster** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:22 pm

vskid wrote- "@Retromaster: Are you talking about the tri-wings? If so, do what I said a few posts up."

Yes I am trying to remove the tri wing screws. I'll try your idea...