cleaning tips

[jrhodes]

Any tips, do's, don't 's, etc for cleaning a TI, especially the cartridge port?

I will be taking the system apart soon for a thorough de-mucking, and wanted know what to do about the cartridge port.

Can i just use strong rubbing alcohol or is that not advisable?

Edited September 13, 2018 by jrhodes

[+arcadeshopper]

Cart ports get dirty and also wear out. The best howto is here: http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/minimem/cart_fix.html which is also in the FAQ pinned post here.. The felt is not your friend..

[jrhodes]

I know with NES at least, you could disassemble the system, pull the cart connector, and tighten them.

I had this done to NES a few years ago by someone working a local Game-X-Change.

Not sure the exact process, but i think it involved bending/pushing the contacts.

He explained that it would be easier for him to do this then replacing it with a new connector, and has worked like a dream since.

 

Anyone selling replacement cartridge port boards, just in case?

Edited September 13, 2018 by jrhodes

[jrhodes]

I've gotten it apart, and pulled the keyboard connector from the motherboard.

I have the stackpole style keyboard. Not sure if i should attempt the alpha-lock bypass (joystick up not responding when alpha-lock is on) mod or not.

Surprisingly, the motherboard-side female connector for the cartridge slot is dirtier then the actual slot.

I am tempted to try cleaning the motherboard connector without opening the shielding.

I have to find what i did with the thermal paste, seem to have misplaced it since i last used it.

Edited September 13, 2018 by jrhodes

[Tursi]

I don't know if anyone is selling the replacement cartridge ports, but I have a large box of them.

[+arcadeshopper]

I don't know if anyone is selling the replacement cartridge ports, but I have a large box of them.

 

I'll take em!

[jrhodes]

I am happy to report the TI is back together and working good ,

but i opted not to do the alpha-lock bypass.

For the most part, everything went back together well, but i had keys falling off the keyboard during the reassembly.

I almost had the FCTN button installed upside down, but managed to correct that and get everyone in the proper place.

There turned out to be a few hairs hiding in the cartridge port contacts.

I wish i could modify my TI to somehow allow the cartridge port to be removed for cleaning without a full tear down of the system in the future.

Edited October 12, 2018 by jrhodes

[Tursi]

I wish i could modify my TI to somehow allow the cartridge port to be removed for cleaning without a full tear down of the system in the future.

 

In practice, once you've removed the oil-soaked pad, you shouldn't have to clean it very often.

[+TheBF]

 

In practice, once you've removed the oil-soaked pad, you shouldn't have to clean it very often.

 

 

I have used a product called Nutrol for years which is a mix of Alcohol and a very light contact oil. It seems to keep the cartridge port and fire hose on my legacy gear working well after the initial mechanical (hands on) cleaning procedure.

 

The old girl sat in a box for 15 years since I last cleaned it and it came out and just worked.

 

(I have no connection to the company that makes Nutrol)