Sega Master System Help?

[dj2times]

just bought a sega master system (2 controllers, gun, and 4 games $60 bucks) but when i got it home and hooked it up it wouldnt work. powers up but only displays a black screen with white fuzz on the bottom half... any body know what might be causing this? what i need to do to resolve this problem?
http://lowscore.net/segams.jpg

[chaoticjelly]

You trying it with a game in?

Perhaps the cartridge connector inside the system is dirty / the cartridge is dirty?

Recommend cleaning the game cartridge edge connector with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol (or similar solvent)

Or you could try blowing on the cartridge, and inside the system on the connector..

Failing that.. is the system tuned into your TV properly?

Also next time you might wanna put this kind of thread in "Technical / Restoration Society" - just a friendly piece of advice, not being funny :)

Good luck!

[chrisbid]

the master system should boot without a cart

[dcescott]

Try using a different RF switch, like a nes one. Also look at the power supply, make sure it matches to the system. It takes a few more or less amps than a NES. But it sounds like a RF problem. Clean it out anyways w/ isopropyl alcohol and a qtip. 99% is ideal, 91% is found at a drug store. The 99% is at Fry's or a similar huge electronic/computer store. Don't put a game in, it has a game built in already, the crotch-rocket game and the gun game Hang on/safari hunt.

[InsaneDavid]

Don't put a game in, it has a game built in already, the crotch-rocket game and the gun game Hang on/safari hunt.

Incorrect, although this misinformation seems to be spread everywhere. :roll: There were MANY versions of the Master System hardware with built in games, etc. There's a whole thread here dedicated to that...
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=81182

As chrisbid said, even if the sytem doesn't have a game built in you should get the Master System error screen / start up instructions screen. Try toggling the channel 3/4 switch a few times and another RF box.

[dj2times]

ive already done all the above. rf boxs, toggled channels, power supply is correct... (except the cleaning) i assumed the store that sold it to me had already done that. and the lady that sold it to me said she had already played it, so i didnt expect to have any problems with it when i got home.
didnt think cleaning it would effect playing the games already loaded on it.... thats why ive come to the forums for help.
hmm....

[s1lence]

I would still try cleaning it. You never know what gunk could be on the contacts. You may have a version that doesn't have a preloaded game so its worth a try.

[-hellvin-]

My first and foremost advice is open it up and CLEAN. Get that out of the way and then if it still doesn't work, at least you know that's not the reason. If you have a different tv, try it on both. I believe I read you were hooking it up on RF, so make sure you're on the right channel. Sometimes with my tv, if I'm already on the right channel, it will just display static until I switch channels to something different and then go back to the correct one.

[InsaneDavid]

ive already done all the above. rf boxs, toggled channels, power supply is correct... (except the cleaning) i assumed the store that sold it to me had already done that. and the lady that sold it to me said she had already played it, so i didnt expect to have any problems with it when i got home.
didnt think cleaning it would effect playing the games already loaded on it.... thats why ive come to the forums for help.
hmm....

Never assume, always clean at least the outside of everything and all the connectors.