how to clean the Sega Genesis Pin Connector

[streetsofrage]

I have very clean games and there not starting up on first boot and I refuse to blow my carts


I suspect the culprit is my dirty used and abused model 2



so the question is how do I clean the Sega Genesis Pin Connector?

[JDB]

Unscrew the case, and put the circuitboard in your dishwasher on a LOW heat and with NO detergent.

Should work a charm :-)

[streetsofrage]

this sounds so crazy I just might have to try it

[makinagenesis]

it works. honest, try it on wily wars first

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Don't forget to let it dry for a month.

[xelement5x]

What I do is take a thin microfiber cloth, cover it in rubbing alcohol and then use a credit card to push it into the cart slot and then pull it out. After each time move to a different section of the cloth, do it a couple times at least, or until gunk stops showing up on the cloth when you pull it out of the cart slot.

Alternatively, take the extra copy of Sonic 2 that everyone has and put a bit of rubbing alcohol on it and insert and remove it several times, cleaning off the cart pins each time to remove the junk.

Just my 2c!

[JDB]

this sounds so crazy I just might have to try it

Please don't try it. My caregiver went away for five minutes and I got to type crazy shit into the computer.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Well, I've heard of people washing mother boards in soap and water and then letting them dry for over a month and having them work fine and fixing some problems caused by dirt. So it didn't strike me as that crazy to be honest.

[profholt82]

What I do is take a thin microfiber cloth, cover it in rubbing alcohol and then use a credit card to push it into the cart slot and then pull it out. After each time move to a different section of the cloth, do it a couple times at least, or until gunk stops showing up on the cloth when you pull it out of the card slot.

Definitely try this. I always do this when I get new used consoles, and you'll be amazed by the gunk that comes out of it. If your games still don't work after that, you can always remove the pin connector and bend each individual pin back into place. This is a tedious process, but over time putting in and removing carts from the console gradually bends the pins out of place. I've replaced the whole pin connector on NESes before, but never on a MD. I'm sure it's not that difficult though.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

It might be a bit harder on the Genesis since it's soldered onto the board. The NES connector slides right off if I remember correctly.

[Guntz]

I've got a simpler solution, take an old toothbrush you'll never use again, dip it in isopropyl alcohol, then scrub the cart slot, occasionally wiping the bristles on paper towel and doing this all over again a few more times. That's a very surefire way to get a cart slot clean. You need to let it dry for a while though.

Alternatively, if you can't take the console shell apart, take a cartridge, wet it's edge connector in isopropyl alcohol, then just insert/remove it from the cart slot several times. Wipe the edge connector's dirt off, then repeat this process a few more times. Again, let the system dry for a while.

Personally I think washing the entire mobo is a waste of time with home console PCBs. They will never, EVER get as dirty as arcade PCBs, those are usually bare with no plastic or metal casing. My two solutions above are plenty for the average home console.

And never try to re-bend the pins on top loading home consoles (except the Saturn), that's just dumb and you only risk breaking the cart slot. The only reason you have to do it on the NES is because Nintendo stupidly designed the slot to be hyper extended. Carts left in the up position will work with a new pin connector and they won't wear out the slot. If you don't believe me, take a spare pin connector in your hand and insert a cartridge. Note how it normally stays up and must be pushed down with some force to be like the original configuration.

[omp]

^this man knows. I use the toothbrush and methylated spirits method, take the board out, turn it upside down and with a well wet toothbrush, use a gentle flicking motion it grabs all the dust, dead spiders, hair and small children out of the bottom of the cart slot. Clean as a whistle and has saved a few consoles in the past.

[tma73]

^Some good ways to clean it already mentioned.
When I clean my pins first I run some really really light 800 to 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper up and down in the slot just a few times.
I use compressed air to blow out any dust, etc.. Also while I'm at it I check for any obstructions, dirt, hair, carpet remnants, etc... and carefully remove with some tweezers or those tiny micro screwdrivers.

Then I use DeoxIt D5 corrosion/contact cleaner...it's amazing stuff but really expensive... (if not some generic elec. contact cleaner). Let the cleaner dry and try it out. Make sure all your games are clean as well (if not, it will just contaminate the pins on the console again).

t

[Chilly Willy]

What? You mean you don't all have one of these?





The top (second image) cleans the cart edge, and the bottom (third image) cleans the Genesis connector.

[streetsofrage]

does the cleaning cart really work?