How-to on my blog

[2Dskillz]

I have started a series, RetroRepairs 101 where I plan to do a good explanation\photo gallery of various repairs necessary to upkeep retro equipment. The first can be seen here:

http://james.langaming.net/?p=93

It is basic cart cleaning, but I plan to expand to fix other issues. Does anyone have suggestions toward repairs they would like to see or would recommend? The idea is to start with simple, common issue and then slowly work further into more complex repairs.

Thanks for any feedback.

[ooXxXoo]

Hey, I don't really have any suggestions, just wanted to say that you do look like Zangief... :D

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[Ed Oscuro]

Looks great. I see you're one of the "good guys" promoting the long-term viable solution for cartridge cleaning (alcohol & q-tips), so I'll be watching.

I dunno if this is something you had in mind, but I'd like to request seeing a how-to on capacitor replacement, Game Gear or Turbo Express or something along those lines. Alternatively, fixing the sound again on a dropped Game Boy Color - man, I've got some stuff to work on around here.

[Cinder6]

Hmm, never seen using a toothbrush on the connectors, before. Always used an eraser.

Now, these aren't problems that I need help with, but here are some ideas (basically things I've had to do in the past):

72-pin connector on NES (replace or repair)
Save battery replacement/testing
Sega CD model 2 fuse replacement
Dreamcast resistor replacement
Disc-based system laser intensity guide (how to increase)
Permanent marker removal

If you want to get a little more exotic (and have the equipment), you could do something like a cap kit on an arcade monitor.

[Compute]

How about 'fixing your 4 switch atari 2600 that won't play games less than 4k but plays all others flawlessly..ha. For cleaning edge contacts at work we use 'alpha wipes' with rubbing alcohol. They work great when you can pinch them on either side and rub away. Just make sure to get ones that are ESD (electrostatic discharge) safe as ones that are not ESD safe can hold a 2000v blast of static electricity! It's a specialty cleaning item, so don't count on finding it at your local ace hardware. Otherwise find someone who works for an electronics manufacturing company and you're set :bigmac: