Atari Cartridge issues- some work some don't

[bernie]

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

[_The Doctor__]

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__

[tjlazer]

Also try cleaning the cartridge connectors with a Q-tip and alcohol

[bernie]

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....

[bernie]

Also try cleaning the cartridge connectors with a Q-tip and alcohol

Thanks will try! I have those

[bernie]

What % of cartridges actually go bad (electronically) I've noticed that the connectors on some are really worn.

[bernie]

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?

[MrFish]

Try cleaning the cartridge port itself too.

[+orpheuswaking]

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

[_The Doctor__]

I have only seen 2 cartridges truly go bad in 37 or more years... and that was across more than one system....

[bernie]

Try cleaning the cartridge port itself too.

 

I sprayed some alcohol in it, but I'm guessing there is no easy way to wipe?

[MrFish]

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).

[+Roydea6]

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.

[_The Doctor__]

paper side out label print side facing towards that credit card of course!