Need help with getting a NES game to work

[erehwon]

I got a Final Fantasy cart that isn't working and I want to fix it. I've put it in the system and I don't get blinking. All I get is a black screen.

I've already used some cleaning methods on the cart. I used 90% alcohol with q-tips on it and I've also used this DeoxIT pen I got on it. I think I heard about that from here. It worked on two other carts, but not on this one. Could this be another issue besides the contacts being dirty?

[COUNT SMRIFNACK]

Are other carts working in this NES?

[ooXxXoo]

If you are almost for sure that is not the actual NES system but the cartridge,try openning the game case and take a closer look at the pins traces.Maybe,one of them has become damaged.

[erehwon]

I'm not sure if it is the system or not, but it did play several other games after I cleaned them. The system is actually one that I got from a garage sale. The lady said it worked and it has for the most part. I should probably clean the connectors inside, but it is working and I wanted to test some games that I want to sell.

Here are some pics of the game connector.
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/5958/1007427reducedow2.th.jpg (http://img398.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1007427reducedow2.jpg)

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/7034/1007429reducedpx6.th.jpg (http://img398.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1007429reducedpx6.jpg)

[erehwon]

Maybe it was the system. I tried it in another system that I had and it worked perfectly. I tried in the other system again and it worked in that one too. Though, it had some vertical lines going through the letters. I guess I do need to clean the system.

By the way, is the starting screen of FF, where you can choose a new game or continue supposed to have the name Final Fantasy? If it is, I have more cleaning to do since that name didn't appear in either system.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Try using a simple metal cleaner like Brasso or Mr. Metal on the pins. Take a drop on a rag and rub the pins until they really shine (on both sides). It's worked on all my NES games so far. The metal cleaner won't damage the pins as it's used to clean many fine metals.

[ooXxXoo]

It sounds like is definately the NES system cartridge connector....I'll recommend to replace it at once....You can find them all over Ebay and other sites...It is fairly easy to do,and there are several threads around here on this topic.

[erehwon]

That DeoxIT is a metal cleaner. I'm just wondering if the ones TheDomesticInstitution mentioned or ones from the hardware store would be cheaper. I've seen bottles of contact cleaner at the Do It Best Hardware shop near my school. I guess I might have to use some of that stuff on the games and the connectors. I would rather try to restore the connector before buying a new one.