Atari Jaguar problems

so I finally bought a game for my Jaguar after nearly 6 years, and I'm pretty sure the system does not work. When I turn on the console (cart inserted) the Jaguar logo comes up, but the screen is mostly red, and the game never loads (unless the system has load times I'm unaware of). If I push any button on the system I get weird static.

the system has collected a lot of dust, so maybe that is the problem, if the system is beyond repair I won't be too heart broken, but I figured better to ask first before declaring it a paper weight.

Not to state the obvious, but try cleaning the contacts and re-inserting the cart.

My Jaguar used to work perfectly, but somewhere along the line my cartridge slot became ultra-janky, and I get the red screen 9/10 times with a few of my carts.

Edit: also try "wiggling" the cart around. Sometimes if re-seating the cart doesn't work for me, it will work if it's "pushed" or "pulled" in the slot (like wiggling a loose tooth).

Lochlan said:

Not to state the obvious, but try cleaning the contacts and re-inserting the cart.

My Jaguar used to work perfectly, but somewhere along the line my cartridge slot became ultra-janky, and I get the red screen 9/10 times with a few of my carts.

Edit: also try "wiggling" the cart around. Sometimes if re-seating the cart doesn't work for me, it will work if it's "pushed" or "pulled" in the slot (like wiggling a loose tooth).

Click to expand...

I'll be able to try it Friday, the system did have a mountain of dust so I'll try cleaning the contacts. Is air in a can safe to use?

Also, are Jaguars prone to just crapping out?

OrochiEddie said:

I'll be able to try it Friday, the system did have a mountain of dust so I'll try cleaning the contacts. Is air in a can safe to use?

Also, are Jaguars prone to just crapping out?

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Compressed air/"dust-remover" safe to use? In what sense? I've never had any problems with it, but make sure that you don't spray yourself (and keep the can upright), that stuff is ridiculously cold.

I've heard anecdotally that using compressed air to clean PCB's isn't a good idea, but I've never personally had any problems with it.

IDK about Jag's crapping out, sorry. I haven't been into the Jaguar scene since sometime in the late 90's. It sounded like your Jag is having issues similar to mine though, and the fixes I mentioned seem to work for me.

I bet it will work much better once you give it a good cleaning, though. Good luck.

Does it do this with other games?

I have a particular cart that gives me the red screen almost every time. I don't know how I ever managed to get it working, but it does work. Clean it and wiggle it around.

Neo Alec said:

Does it do this with other games?

I have a particular cart that gives me the red screen almost every time. I don't know how I ever managed to get it working, but it does work. Clean it and wiggle it around.

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it's the only game I own for the system, I only bought it this year, but I've owned the Jaguar for nearly 6.

OrochiEddie said:

it's the only game I own for the system, I only bought it this year, but I've owned the Jaguar for nearly 6.

Click to expand...

Definately try another game.

I agree with Alec. Some of my carts are harder to get started than others.

Lochlan said:

I've heard anecdotally that using compressed air to clean PCB's isn't a good idea, but I've never personally had any problems with it.

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The problems with compressed air are that you could damage components with the force of the blast or that it can cause liquid damage.

The liquid damage comes from water vapor in the air compressor, not from a can of "air" so use a trap on the compressor and drain the tank twice a year.

Raymond