Used SNES Cartridges

[Streetball 21]

I walk into this pawn shop and find Super Mario RPG for SNES. I pay $9.99 for it, go home and then it doesnt work. Any suggestions on repairing it? Do i need to clean my SNES system? Or is it the game itself? I can exchange it for another game, but this game was hard to find. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jajaja]

I walk into this pawn shop and find Super Mario RPG for SNES. I pay $9.99 for it, go home and then it doesnt work. Any suggestions on repairing it? Do i need to clean my SNES system? Or is it the game itself? I can exchange it for another game, but this game was hard to find. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Most likely its just the game thats dirty. Use a q-tip with some rubbing alcohol and try cleaning it.

[The-Bavis]

Does your system work on other games? If not, clean it. If so, clean it anyway because you just put a dirty game in there. Here's an article from the Knowledge Base about cleaning cartridges:

http://www.digitpress.com/livefaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=392791&id=69&artlang=en

[Ed Oscuro]

I often find that some games need to be coaxed into working with a particular system. Sometimes it's the system, sometimes the cartridge...

[WanganRunner]

LOTS of my SNES games, in fact, I'd venture to say a MAJORITY of them, don't work.

I'm certain it's a cleaning issue, simply because all the ones I bought complete (i.e. dust free) are perfect, and most of the loose ones don't work.

I need to take some time and clean both those and my genny games.

Ironically, my NES games are all dusty as hell, but they work flawlessly. Who'd a thunk it?

[tylerwillis]

Windex + q-tip also works well for the cartridge. Do one end wet, the other end to dry it out. Let it rest a few mins and then try.

Also look and see if there is any visible damage to the connectors.

[TeddyRuxpin]

Some games/systems like the cart to be inserted to a certain depth; ie: not all the way in as far as it'll go. But that could have to do with being dirty. I actually just use a qtip and normal tap water and that cleans fine.

[Flack]

As that knowledge base article states, cleaning those carts with Windex and/or water will eventually cause the contacts to corrode and rust. That corrosion will also spread to your system. If you plan on keeping this stuff for a while (and keeping it working) you should switch over to alcohol. Water based cleaning may work in the short run, but in the long haul you're damaging your stuff.

[tylerwillis]

Agreed - water is bad for contacts, but I don't think that Windex glass cleaner is water based. I'm fairly certain that it's alcohol based, and I've been using it for yearts on all my carts.

I took a look at the bottle itself and at windex.com and neither mention that it includes water (save for Windex outdoors). I certainly don't want to call a mod's knowledge into question, but I am somewhat concerned if Windex is water based and I've been doing that for so long - would you happen to have a link or explain how you found Windex to be water based?

<sorry for the thread hj>

[TeddyRuxpin]

Ah... ok. Will do. :embarrassed:

[Jagasian]

Good god no! Don't use rubbing alcohol or Windex. They have water in them! You need this:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62318&highlight=

It is still very inexpensive and works great. It also contains no water. Basically it is pure rubbing alcohol, i.e. no water at all. Normal rubbing alcohol contains 30% water. Similarly with Windex.

[ScottK]

I've always used rubbbing alcohol for over 15 years and never had a problem. Most of the cleaning kits they sell at the stores are a mixture of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water.

I always wondered why the back of nes cartridges always said not to use alcohol to clean. I think that it's because they wanted you to buy their alcohol based products instead.

[The-Bavis]

I always wondered why the back of nes cartridges always said not to use alcohol to clean. I think that it's because they wanted you to buy their alcohol based products instead.

Yeah, they say that, but when you buy the Nintendo brand cleaning kit it tells you to use an alcohol and water mixture to clean the cart and system. Maybe they just imagined people dunking the cart in a vat of alcohol.

[Aussie2B]

I've always dilluted my alcohol with water so it's 50/50. From what I've heard, pure alcohol is too strong and can damage connectors.

[Jagasian]

I've always used rubbbing alcohol for over 15 years and never had a problem. Most of the cleaning kits they sell at the stores are a mixture of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water.

I always wondered why the back of nes cartridges always said not to use alcohol to clean. I think that it's because they wanted you to buy their alcohol based products instead.

They probably put water in it, not because it is the best solution for cleaning, but because the pure stuff can only be shipped by ground transportation since it is highly flamable in its pure form. Even a small amount of water will be absorbed into the cartridge circuit board and metal contacts. Over time this will accelerate its degradation. Just because you haven't noticed a problem with it, doesn't make it the best choice for cleaning.

The 99% pure anhydrous isopropyl alcohol that I linked is inexpensive, can easily be bought online in the same size as a typical store bought rubbing alcohol. So its best to be safe and use the 99% pure isopropyl as opposed to the dilluted with water stuff.

[Xexyz]

I think I'll continue to take my chances with the 91% Isopropyl.

[Streetball 21]

I appreciate all the help but the game never worked. I sadly took it back to the pawn shop and got some other games as stated in the weekend finds thread. Thanks anyways fellas.

[Mattiekrome]

I remember one time when I was a lot younger, my SMB3 wouldnt work. I got so frustrated with it that I took it to the bathroom sink and ran water down inside of the cartridge for a bit. I cant remember if that fixed it or not tho :/

[Slate]

I have a few SNES games that won't work.. And the contacts look just as good as my minty SNES games. :/

So, you aren't the only one..

[Red Hedgehog]

Yeah, I have a Genesis Streets of Rage 3 cart that despite all cleaning of contacts won't work. I suspect the ROM is damanged since it will display the license message, but then the screen goes red.

If I ever get the proper tools, I'll open it up and check it out.

[Nesmaster]

my original copy of super return of the jedi stopped working for no reason. I went to play it one day and it didnt work. So i did something very evil :evil:. I found a copy at a local pawn shop that worked, and took my broken one back and said it was non-working :D. then ended up picking out 1 or 2 nes games :P