I just took apart a SNES I've had for years, it was deemed dead and was used as a window wedge. (As it was thought to be dead and was a perfect size to use )
Anyways, I just took it appart to see if I could fix it. I can get it powered, but when I go to load the game it doesn't change output. I found that if I turn it on for about 10 seconds, turn it off, put the game back on, and power it back up the game will load. Sorta.
The sound comes out fine, as does most of the graphics, but sprites are corrupted looking. I know for a fact that it isnt the game. Also if I reset it I have to start all over or its just a black screen. (The 10 second thing)
Is there way to fix this? Or is damaged beyond repair?
check all the connections and make sure there is nothing crossing the cart pins, If it is something like Cola, just get an old toothbruch and some rubbing alchohol and rub away, then make sure your game is clean, then make sure that all the pins inside the cart port are not bent...
Hope that helps!
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I've tried everything, got it to turn on every time, but sprites still currupted... Any more sugestions? It looks a lot like it is useing the wrong blocks, maybe an offset is off, maybe something isnt filtering the signal right?
(And I happen to have tested this with two of the same game, so I know its not a bad connector on the game.)
It DOES sound like a very dirty cartridge slot, and possibly a combination of that and dirty games.
Cleaning it is MUCH easier than replacing it, unless you have the one specific SNES model (out of the 4 available models, 3 possibilities for you) witht he removable cartridge. If you don't, you'll break it. 99% chance.
To clean:
Grab some rubbing alcohol. Using something small (like a toothpick, or a SMALL flathead screwdriver) and some patience, clean each pin as follows:
Take your toothpick (by itself) or your screwdriver, or other pokey thing that will fit in the slot. Put some rubbing alcohol (maybe dilute it a bit if you're really worried about wrecking it, try a 80% alcohol to 20% water combination, roughly) on the toothpick or pokey thing with a cloth folded over it, and scrub each pin (by "scrubbing", I mean apply moderate pressure on the pin, and rub it up and down a few times (at least 5 or 6 if you want it nice and clean).
Do that for all 62 pins (if you get the right sized tool with the cloth, you can do 2 at a time, one on each side) and it should work prefectly. If it doesn't grab a piece of cardboard and clean the cartridges as follows:
Grab a piece of cardboard (the kind that has the two sheets with the "Z" pattern inbetween, like cardboard boxes). Get some sandpaper, not too rough, maybe around 200-300. Wrap the sandpaper around the cardboard. I'm sure you can figure out what to do from there. Just don't do it too much or you'll scrap the contacts off (If you do it WAY too much!)
The model of connecter on ebay isn't the same as mine, but can't I just deselder the old one and attach the other? Then pin layout is the same. (Mine is two parts, one pulls off of the other. The Lower half is soldered to the board.)
Do you have a link to that cart connector? You need to be careful with buying them, because although they may have the same number of pins, the connector may not have the same depth, length, etc.
Im not putting it back into its old case, so aslong as it loads well and the cartridges dont have a problem it'll be fine. Or am I missing some point?
Yeah, you were. I was talking about the depth of the cart connector itself; it needs to be as deep as the original to form a strong connection between the pins. However, that's usually only a concern if you're buying random connectors or modding a floppy drive or something. I can see now that this is made specifically for the SNES, so you should be okay.
I had the same problem with my Genesis. It seemed to only work if I put really heavy stuff on top of it. The connector was fine, just one of the chips needed to be resoldered.
Try putting stuff on top of the system in various spots to see if it works any better/worse. Sounds silly, but it's worth a try.
You seem to have the one that can be replaced. Cleaning's cheaper, but if you want to go ahead and buy a cartridge thingie off ebay, that might work too. You won't need to desolder or solder anything. Just make sure if you do get one it's the kind for your SNES, that pops into the thing on the board.
@ Wallydawg - My case is trashed, as in got fed of with neatly cutting it lose. So its bare boards, inturn setting something on it would crush everything
(Please note, I didnt damage the bored, its just that the case isnt in reusable for anything, sept maybe clutter)
Anyways, from what I know the one on ebay should be able to go in my other one's spot, but will requite a soldering becuse it isn't like mine. But the bottom pins are the same arrangement. And if all the cartridge slot does is connect the game to the board then I see no problem in trying.
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