SNES Issues

[Duncan]

So I recently became the proud owner of a Super Nintendo. Normally, this would be a great thing since I never owned one as a kid (I was the odd one out with a Genesis) -- so I'll finally get to play all the games I loved at my friends' houses.

The problem is, the thing seems to be very temperamental about loading cartridges -- when I pop in a game and turn it on, all I get is a black screen. Most times, my "method" is to continually insert and eject the cartridge (turning the power off and on as needed) until it finally kicks in and starts the game. But I'm concerned that I might be doing damage to both the carts and the console with this practice.

I'm especially concerned since I started up a game of Super Mario World, got about 20 levels in, then was surprised to find (after using "the method" to get the game running) that my data had been summarily erased. Not cool...

Any suggestions? I've cleaned all four of my recently acquired carts thoroughly (some were quite filthy), but I haven't cleaned out the cartridge port yet. Think this might be the problem?

Duncan

[Bratwurst]

Cartridge port is most likely the issue indeed. I'd take a credit card or some similar, thin rigid plastic and slip a cloth over its edge. Stick that in the connector a few times and see if any dirt comes off in a black, zipper kinda pattern. I use isopropyl alchohol with this, too.

[Duncan]

Cartridge port is most likely the issue indeed. I'd take a credit card or some similar, thin rigid plastic and slip a cloth over its edge. Stick that in the connector a few times and see if any dirt comes off in a black, zipper kinda pattern. I use isopropyl alchohol with this, too.

Lessee -- I've got a ATM card I need to get rid of (recently replaced with a new, better one), and a full bottle of isopropyl. Looks like I'm all set...

...I'll let you know what happens!

Duncan

[Duncan]

UPDATE:

Works great now! Thanks for the cleaning advice; it's lots cheaper than buying a cleaning kit.

However, I've realized that my Mario World cart is a piece of trash (the board rattles loudly inside its case) and has to be treated gently. Then again, I did have to clean a good amount of f**king NAIL POLISH off of it to start with...

...lousy used crap... :/

Duncan