Master Mega Converter for Mega Drive

[KnightWarrior]

Can anyone tell me what Cart Pin this is?? Does it trip Master System Mode on the Genesis??

Bottom looks ok

[Guntz]

Hard to tell from the picture, but the bottom row pin might be signal D15 or A22 and the top row pin could be D1 or A13... Those are required game cart signals.

Also, that top row pin may still connect.

[KnightWarrior]

The 10th Pin from the left fell off

[Guntz]

Ah, much better picture. I'm relatively sure the SMS mode pin is #32 on side B (the bottom row in the picture), but not entirely certain... 10th pin from the left, top row, is D1, a data line. What exactly is the problem here?

[KnightWarrior]

When I turn the Genesis with Sonic hooked up blank nothing dude....

[Guntz]

I think that's because one or more address lines aren't making a connection, including the missing pin you described. Either new pins, a new cart slot or a new adapter would be in order.

Also... I hate to say this, but I had a serious brain malfunction. I didn't realize this was an SMS cart slot I was looking at... Despite reading the title. I think I'll go shoot myself now... But first I'll leave correct information on the damaged pins.

10th pin from left, top row = Pin 31, A6 (address line)
11th pin from left, bottom row = Pin 30, A5 (address line)
12th pin from left, top row = Pin 29, A4 (address line)

Long story short, while I got my information wrong, there's still disconnected address lines. Sorry man...

[lumclaw]

It looks to me from your second picture, all four of those middle pins aren't going to connect. But what do I know?

[Guntz]

That other, 4th pin is also an address line. Sometimes pin connectors can be deceiving... Speaking of such, that's partly why I thought it was a Genesis cart slot. Sega-made SMS cart slots have quite a wide gap between the two pin rows, unlike the Genesis. SMS carts also use thick PCBs. The "damaged" pins that are still present may connect.

Only real way to be sure is to disassemble a cartridge and the adapter, then do continuity testing (that is, if there's no cross connecting going on between the two PCBs).

Point is, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an easy fix for this problem. I'd imagine inserting new pins is impossible and replacing a PCB/soldered cart slot totally sucks. The easiest thing to do would be get another adapter, unless the MDII style ones are expensive/hard to find.

[KnightWarrior]

How can I get replacment Pins for it??

or better yet any sites that sells Master System cart slots??

[Guntz]

You can get a Master System slot from Tototek for $4 + shipping.

http://www.tototek.com/store/index.p...products_id=78

Hope you're up to the task of desoldering the old slot off successfully... It ain't easy.

[KnightWarrior]

I'm going to get it, but I'm going to have someone else do it..I don't even know how to solder I might end up breaking it

[GohanX]

I didn't know they sold cart slots (and dirt cheap ones at that.) Too bad they don't have an MVS cart slot, I could use one of those.

[Guntz]

Just wait until DavidG starts selling MVS cart slots, they're gonna be awesome! Be patient 30-yo friend...

[Chilly Willy]

I'm still looking for Saturn connectors. There are lots of console/handheld connectors out there... and then there are some that are impossible to find.

[lumclaw]

SG-1000 expansion port connector would be nice. Pair that with an SMS equivalent to make a converter, we could finally use the real FM module and have the closest thing to SMS meets Datassette! SG-1000 tape recorder plugs into the keyboard.