Cleaning Cart Contacts

J

JoshuaMiller

Krauser's Shoe Shiner
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Posts
241
Hi-

I am aware of the cleaning thread, but I have a pretty specific question-

I bought a Top Hunter cart off of ebay, I'm pretty sure it's an original cart, but the background layer graphics are pretty jacked up (the R side of the screen is black, the L side flickers on and off).

I've tried the cart in every slot on my board (6) and the problem is the same, so I blame the cart.

I cleaned the hell out of the thing over the weekend, but the problem is still there.

I noticed a bit of corrosion on the contacts of the cart (the edge of the board that is visible when the boards are in the plastic case, where the cart interfaces with the slot) and I suspect that could be part of the problem.

Finally getting to the point- How do you guys suggest cleaning off this corrosion? Is it safe to use a very fine grit sandpaper?

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-

--Joshua--
 
zapatistab

zapatistab

Athena's Wardrobe Manager
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Posts
2,284
JoshuaMiller said:
Hi-

I am aware of the cleaning thread, but I have a pretty specific question-

I bought a Top Hunter cart off of ebay, I'm pretty sure it's an original cart, but the background layer graphics are pretty jacked up (the R side of the screen is black, the L side flickers on and off).

I've tried the cart in every slot on my board (6) and the problem is the same, so I blame the cart.

I cleaned the hell out of the thing over the weekend, but the problem is still there.

I noticed a bit of corrosion on the contacts of the cart (the edge of the board that is visible when the boards are in the plastic case, where the cart interfaces with the slot) and I suspect that could be part of the problem.

Finally getting to the point- How do you guys suggest cleaning off this corrosion? Is it safe to use a very fine grit sandpaper?

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-

--Joshua--
Click to expand...

I am assuming you used and eraser to clean the contacts. If you didn't try using a Pink eraser before you go the sandpaper route. Sand paper should work as long as you don't sand away the contact.
 
J

JoshuaMiller

Krauser's Shoe Shiner
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Posts
241
cool. thanks.

I did use an eraser, but there is stuff that looks like rust that I'm probably going to have to sand off. . .
 
chris1

chris1

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Oct 18, 2002
Posts
10,830
JoshuaMiller said:
cool. thanks.

I did use an eraser, but there is stuff that looks like rust that I'm probably going to have to sand off. . .
Click to expand...


I use a very light grain sandpaper..Or mainly Red industrial type Scotch Brite with 98% alcohol..


,
I wonder if due to the rust,a trace may be cracked or broken...

..........
 
J

JoshuaMiller

Krauser's Shoe Shiner
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Posts
241
k, so contacts are nice and sparkly, but the cart's still fucked. I'm probably going to return it to the ebay seller, but I'm curious about one thing-

I noticed this when I opened the cart to clean it, not sure if this is normal for neo carts, but this capacitor-looking thing (to use the correct terminology) is soldered to this chip. the 2 longer wires are connected to the chip, but if you look closely, there is a third short wire sticking out from the blue cap that is not connected to anything and likely snapped off of the same chip.

Does this mean the cart is a boot? It seems pretty ghetto compared to how clean the rest of the board looks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20679035@N02/2007324999/
 
zapatistab

zapatistab

Athena's Wardrobe Manager
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Posts
2,284
JoshuaMiller said:
k, so contacts are nice and sparkly, but the cart's still fucked. I'm probably going to return it to the ebay seller, but I'm curious about one thing-

I noticed this when I opened the cart to clean it, not sure if this is normal for neo carts, but this capacitor-looking thing (to use the correct terminology) is soldered to this chip. the 2 longer wires are connected to the chip, but if you look closely, there is a third short wire sticking out from the blue cap that is not connected to anything and likely snapped off of the same chip.

Does this mean the cart is a boot? It seems pretty ghetto compared to how clean the rest of the board looks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20679035@N02/2007324999/
Click to expand...

Take a pic of both boards. I'm no expert in the repair department, but some MVS carts have some weird repair jobs. Taking a pic of both boards will make it easier to determine whether it's a boot or not.
 
J

JoshuaMiller

Krauser's Shoe Shiner
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Posts
241
Both boards-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20679035@N02/2007741113/

(sorry about the links to flickr, I don't know how to host images properly)

I know that this isn't the right place for a boot discussion, the main thing that I'm interested in is wether I can fix the cart by soldering the short wire back to the chip (and where to connect it).

'course if it IS a boot, then I'm sending it back to the seller either way. . .

Thanks for the Help!
 
Lochlan

Lochlan

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Dec 23, 2006
Posts
1,067
Post bigger/better pictures so we can see what's written on the ROM IC's, and post pictures of the backs of the boards so we can see the soldering job.
 
Neo Alec

Neo Alec

So Many Posts
No Time
For Games.
25 Year Member
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15,817
From what I can see in those pictures, it looks probably legit. It's normal for games to have parts like the one shown.

The game looks to be in good condition, so I'm surprised you're having problems. Normally I'd suggest to clean it inside and out with distilled water.
 
zapatistab

zapatistab

Athena's Wardrobe Manager
Joined
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Posts
2,284
What Alec said. They look legit. I'm sure you've already inspected the boards, but I would look for broken traces. Unless the cart itself is bad, I don't have anymore suggestions.

Maybe you were sold a non working cart.
 
C

carlosm7

n00b
Joined
Nov 23, 2007
Posts
7
Ultrasonic bath

Hi.

This guy uses ultrasounds to clean his boards.

http://www.arcadiabay.de/source/item.aspx?id=2210

May be safer on the boards than getting them all wet. ;)

Edit: I accidentally posted this here, I have reposted it now on the correct thread. I request that some moderator please delete this message. Thank you!
 
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