View Full Version : Fixing NES cartridges
Zora Mystery
05-10-2008, 08:14 PM
I got Final Fantasy for the NES this morning, and the cartridge seemed fine. I played it for an hour or two and left it until this evening. For some reason, when I shake the cart a bit it feels like it's going to fall apart or something, and it sounds like a piece of something is being tossed around inside. Is there any way to fix this?
erehwon
05-10-2008, 08:17 PM
If you have the security bit, you can open up the game too see what might be moving around. You might want to invest in some of these since it makes cleaning carts a lot easier.
TheDomesticInstitution
05-10-2008, 08:56 PM
Be very careful when you open the cart though, as the EPROMs are all spring loaded... they've been known to put out eyes. Other than that, the technical and restoration section of DP is a better place to pose such an inquiry.
bb_hood
05-10-2008, 09:47 PM
If it plays fine then there is nothing to worry about.
If something is rattling inside it is most likely a piece of plastic. On the inside there are little pieces of plastic which often break off when a game is dropped or whatever, these can obviously be removed with the security bit.
flyers156
05-10-2008, 10:39 PM
If it plays fine then there is nothing to worry about.
If something is rattling inside it is most likely a piece of plastic. On the inside there are little pieces of plastic which often break off when a game is dropped or whatever, these can obviously be removed with the security bit.
Yup. Sound like some loose plastic to me.
If it needs a cleaning, a security bit and a bottle of metal polish (noxon) will do the trick.
kedawa
05-10-2008, 11:05 PM
You can spread the cartridge shell apart far enough to let out the plastic bit without cracking the shell.
I've done it to dozens of NES carts with no problems.
Chuplayer
05-10-2008, 11:21 PM
Be very careful when you open the cart though, as the EPROMs are all spring loaded... they've been known to put out eyes.
Um... what?
NayusDante
05-10-2008, 11:21 PM
Be very careful when you open the cart though, as the EPROMs are all spring loaded... they've been known to put out eyes. Other than that, the technical and restoration section of DP is a better place to pose such an inquiry.
Do you have any pics or more info on the springs? I remember buying a copy of Shadowgate that didn't save, but made a loud BOING sound when it was tapped, like a spring. I've wondered about it ever since.
Blitzwing256
05-10-2008, 11:54 PM
Do you have any pics or more info on the springs? I remember buying a copy of Shadowgate that didn't save, but made a loud BOING sound when it was tapped, like a spring. I've wondered about it ever since.
i think it was a terrible attempt at being either an asshole or an even worse attempt at being funny.
no springs to wonder about.
TheDomesticInstitution
05-11-2008, 01:45 AM
Um... what?
Do you have any pics or more info on the springs? I remember buying a copy of Shadowgate that didn't save, but made a loud BOING sound when it was tapped, like a spring. I've wondered about it ever since.
What... you guys think I'm making this up? Seriously.
i think it was a terrible attempt at being either an asshole or an even worse attempt at being funny.
no springs to wonder about.
The wisdom from someone with a far superior sense of humor. Killing babies... hmmm...
Zora Mystery
05-11-2008, 07:16 PM
Do you have any pics or more info on the springs? I remember buying a copy of Shadowgate that didn't save, but made a loud BOING sound when it was tapped, like a spring. I've wondered about it ever since.
Well, I thought it was funny! It's not springed shut, just look at the top how it's connected.
I'm not concerned with the plastic piece in the cartridge, but the two pieces of the cartridge coming apart.
natinh0
05-11-2008, 07:23 PM
If it is fine, i see no reason to do ANYTHING except PLAY!
NayusDante
05-11-2008, 07:32 PM
If it is fine, i see no reason to do ANYTHING except PLAY!
The particular cart that I had didn't hold saves, so I returned it for another one.
Zora Mystery
05-11-2008, 07:38 PM
If it is fine, i see no reason to do ANYTHING except PLAY!
It's not fine, it's falling apart like it did with my Ninja Gaiden which did the same thing before it stopped working. Oh well, I'll just find another forum or something.
Chuplayer
05-11-2008, 09:57 PM
It's not fine, it's falling apart like it did with my Ninja Gaiden which did the same thing before it stopped working. Oh well, I'll just find another forum or something.
If it's not losing saves, then it's probably fine. It probably is a stray piece of plastic. That won't do any harm. Don't believe that spring-loaded EPROM bullcrap.