Broken NES game, When do I give up on it?

[Schiggidyd]

Hey guys, I recently found a copy of Life Force for NES at a thrift shop, I was excited because I know it's a great scrolling shooter.
I took that bad-boy home, cleaned the connectors up real good, and popped it in my NES.

Grey screen.

What could possibly be wrong with it if the NES is very clean and the connectors are flawless?
I'm really experienced with getting NES' to work, but the cartridges are not my area of expertise..

Any suggestions would be helpful!
Thanks!

[wiggyx]

Check the internals for any damage if you haven't already.

[shogungb90]

I had the same issue with ninja gaiden 2 i took it apart and it looks just fine but still it won't play so now its a coaster...

[plasticMan]

Hey guys, I recently found a copy of Life Force for NES at a thrift shop, I was excited because I know it's a great scrolling shooter.
I took that bad-boy home, cleaned the connectors up real good, and popped it in my NES.

Grey screen.

What could possibly be wrong with it if the NES is very clean and the connectors are flawless?
I'm really experienced with getting NES' to work, but the cartridges are not my area of expertise..

Any suggestions would be helpful!
Thanks!

I had this happen a few times to me.
open the cart very carefully and make sure that you dont disturb the circuit board to much.
now get a magnifying glass from the 99 cent store or use your eyes. look at each trace on the circuit board.
look for broken or cut connections.
check around components for melted solder and loosen parts.
once you find the troubled area, throw a little solder on it to make your connection again.
clean, reassemble and it should work
hope this helps.

[Schiggidyd]

I wish I had a soldering gun, it seems like a really helpful tool for modding/repairing. I don't know if I'm ready to take the next step into technical ecstasy!

[Greg2600]

assuming you cleaned the cartridge's pins with rubbing alcohol on a q-tip?

[Schiggidyd]

I go a step further and use Brasso (metal polish) with a Q-Tip, and rinse/dry with alcohol.