Dead Metal Slug 4 Cartridge

[Rustler77]

Hi All

I recently purchased an MVS Metal Slug 4 cart for parts or repair, hoping to get it working again. The first time I powered it up, the MVS booted to the test pattern. The second and every attempt since then shows a black screen and nothing else. Someone else has already attempted to fix it as the P1 & V1 chips have been replaced. I'll have problem soldering in new rom chips if that is whats needed but I've never tried repairing a cartridge before and have no idea where to start.

Cheers

 

[TheJiggler]

pictures? is it an original? Maybe clean the contacts with an eraser. The fact it's had a repair already is telling you something. I suspect you will probably need to go down the road of replacing chips/reburning etc. It may be more pain than you really want to endure if you have no idea where to start.

Clean the contacts and lets see where this goes, hopefully you have a unibios? done a CRC check with it?

 

[Neo Alec]

Start with the P rom. Verify the data on the chip. Get out the multimeter and start checking the traces from it.

 

[Rustler77]

I think it an original. Contacts are clean but look like they have been sanded in the past. I have unibios 4.0 for but I'm stuck at a black screen and can't get into it to do a CRC check. I was having a closer look at the boards while I took the pictures and noticed that C5 has also been removed at some point and that the solder was a bit rough. I was about to go and reflow the pins when I noticed something strange with the rom, it looks like it's installed back to front right?

 

[GohanX]

That C5 is upside down! I think someone's been trying to repair this without knowing wtf they were doing. Also there is a pad missing on that chip on the left, but I think that is the ground plane so it shouldn't matter since it will connect on the bottom side (if it doesn't you can make a small repair.)

It does look legit at least. The only thing different from the MVS scans sample are the two eproms, but having a couple of eproms is pretty common, could be a repair or it could be a last minute program change from SNK.

 

[Neo Alec]

Wow, there could be a host of problems here. Can you post photos of the solder sides of the boards so us armchair enthusiasts can sit here and scrutinize some more while you verify these P rom traces?

For after you get the P rom fixed: What's that black above the connector pins on the CHA board? Can that be removed, or are all the leads broken?

 

[smokey]

Next to being upside down pin 1 on C5 seems repaired maybe also not making contact

 

[Rustler77]

What's that black above the connector pins on the CHA board? Can that be removed, or are all the leads broken?

The leads are fine, at some point someone has cleaned the contacts with acetone and melted the plastic shield to the PCBs.

Also there is a pad missing on that chip on the left, but I think that is the ground plane so it shouldn't matter since it will connect on the bottom side

Both connections to the ground plane on the underside of the board had dry solder joints as well.

Next to being upside down pin 1 on C5 seems repaired maybe also not making contact

Yes pin one has been snapped off and in addition to that traces for pin 3 and pin 22 have been ripped off the board so they'll need repair as well.

 

[lithy]

That solder work looks worse than mine and I suck. Coupled with an upside down rom chip (lol) this person knew how to get replacement eproms burned but not how to orient them the right way? I'm kind of stunned that's even possible.

But I think I've found the primary problem.



Good luck sorting it out.

 

[Rustler77]

I have a XGecu T48 programmer on the way, hopefully be here in the next day or two. Can I use this to verify the ROM before I solder it back in?

 

[Neo Alec]

But I think I've found the primary problem.

View attachment 86771

Good luck sorting it out.

lol FYI, OP, all the Metal Slug 4 carts say that.

 

[smokey]

I have a XGecu T48 programmer on the way, hopefully be here in the next day or two. Can I use this to verify the ROM before I solder it back in?

Yes, I just got one aswell. You can use the software to check if the eprom is OK. Or you can save the rom in a .bin file on your PC and then use this piece of software to compare the rom vs the mame database.

Instant Arcade - Push Our Buttons

 

[Misos]

I have a XGecu T48 programmer on the way, hopefully be here in the next day or two. Can I use this to verify the ROM before I solder it back in?

I don't known if you ordered one but the T48 needs an adapter to program and read the most common eproms used in MVS carts (27c800,27c160,etc).

 

[Tarma]

It's MS4, I really wouldn't stress over saving this. Be doing the world a favor by putting it out of its misery.

 

[Rustler77]

T48 needs an adapter to program and read the most common eproms used in MVS carts (27c800,27c160,etc).

Really? I got the T48 TL866-3G specifically because it said "Support high-voltage chips, such as 27Cxxx series" in the description.

 

[Moob Butter]

It's MS4, I really wouldn't stress over saving this. Be doing the world a favor by putting it out of its misery.

I came to this thread expecting you to say “Good riddance, one less MS4 in the world”. I’m glad I wasn‘t disappointed

 

[Misos]

Really? I got the T48 TL866-3G specifically because it said "Support high-voltage chips, such as 27Cxxx series" in the description.

Yes. The t56 does not need an adapter but the t48 needs one.
You're working with eproms with 42 pins and the t48 has a socket with 40 pins.

 

[maki]

FWIW a leg is missing on C5 as well

 

[wyo]