On and off again SNES functionality problems

[treismac]

One of my Super Nintendo Systems has the strangest consistency problem. Sometimes it works fine and other times it takes ages for a game to fire up. At other times, the game will not boot up past the first or second load screen. This is, thankfully, not the case with my other SNES, so the problem has to be with the damn system.

What would cause a system to work sometimes and other times not?

[omp!]

Could be capacitors, had a SNES lately and most of the caps had leaked out. Replaced them and it was right again. I only replaced the surface mounted caps.

[bust3dstr8]

It sounds like your problems may just be dirty contacts...and if it's not
it can't hurt to clean the cart slot.


This has been working great for me, a credit card, paper coffee filter and
some contact cleaner. After your done you will see streaks of black grime
stuck to the filter.



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7355221842_10ab0892f5_m.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7355221596_7cc84fd3f6_m.jpg

[APE992]

I'd have to agree that it sounds like dirty contacts. If they're dirty enough it can easily cause intermittent communication with the CIC and if it doesn't get to communicate with the SNES 100% of the time it won't boot at all and will even freeze midgame if memory serves.