bernie Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) I recently bought an atari 800 off of CL and after replacing it's CPU board it seems to be working (48k NTSC version). It came with several (left) cartridges. I tried some and they don't see to work (frogger, wizard of war, defender, centipede) - I just get memo Others work part of the time (after inserting/removing). Any ideas how to diagnose? My machine is still apart from the CPU repair, how do I remove the plastic cover so that I can clean the contacts? Edited March 14, 2017 by bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) best thing is to use zero residue electrical contact cleaner and some times .... i hate to post any link to evil bay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/NAKI-Eliminator-Sega-Game-Gear-Video-Game-Cartridge-and-Console-Cleaner-/122373112187?hash=item1c7e01817b:g:ph4AAOSwSlBYs2LT there are plenty of options but you can either make your own or modify something ready made.... often more inexpensly brasso is a last resort for rusty destroyed stuff... only clean in the direction of the pins.. not across them of sideways.... Edited March 14, 2017 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Also try cleaning the cartridge connectors with a Q-tip and alcohol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Thanks will try to order it. I've managed to remove the plastic cover protecting the cartridge slot. Should I just pour the stuff in there or put it on a cartridge and insert it? best thing is to use zero residue electrical contact cleaner and some times .... i hate to post any link to evil bay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/NAKI-Eliminator-Sega-Game-Gear-Video-Game-Cartridge-and-Console-Cleaner-/122373112187?hash=item1c7e01817b:g:ph4AAOSwSlBYs2LT there are plenty of options but you can either make your own or modify something ready made.... often more inexpensly brasso is a last resort for rusty destroyed stuff... only clean in the direction of the pins.. not across them of sideways.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Also try cleaning the cartridge connectors with a Q-tip and alcohol Thanks will try! I have those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 What % of cartridges actually go bad (electronically) I've noticed that the connectors on some are really worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Thanks will try! I have those Ok using alcohol in sprayer and qtiis I cleaned a few that were giving me trouble and they now work kinda... they sometimes give me black screen, sometimes the graphics aren't loaded, but if I power off/on, I got them to load at least once! Is this normal with really old cartridges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Try cleaning the cartridge port itself too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Use a pencil eraser on the cart contacts. I find that it works much better than alcohol. It's just tricky to get to both sides of the board 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I have only seen 2 cartridges truly go bad in 37 or more years... and that was across more than one system.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Try cleaning the cartridge port itself too. I sprayed some alcohol in it, but I'm guessing there is no easy way to wipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I sprayed some alcohol in it, but I'm guessing there is no easy way to wipe? I think I used q-tips to get at it. Contact cleaner is better than alcohol, though; it dries quickly and cleans better, especially when you're only able to spray parts down or wipe minimally. Just make sure you use a type of contact cleaner that isn't destructive to plastics (some of them are). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Trim a used/new credit card and fold a trimmed cereal box panel to fit the cartridge connector. After spraying with cleaner insert the card and box paper into slot for drying and cleaning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 paper side out label print side facing towards that credit card of course! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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