The alcohol trick works well!

[TheEdge]

Ok, so yesterday I got Shinobi III and Contra: Hard Corps in the mail. Shinobi III played fine but when I tested Contra out it didn't load up. At this point I began pacing my room while attempting to fight the urge to throw the cartridge against the wall. I then remembered the whole "Swip the contacts with alcohol" trick and quickly ran to storage room to get out the bottom of rubbing alcohol and qu-tips.

After a few brushes (which came up black) and allowing it to dry off, I tried it again and it worked fine. I'm very pleased I don't have to scream at anyone on the phone to get my money back or package it back up again and mail it back.

So if anyone is wondering, yes it works. Just wanted to share that with you guys. Now I'm wondering how to clean the console itself.

[mick_aka]

I thought this was going to be about beating games while drunk, one of my favorite past times.

[warriorisabouttodie]

I'm surprised this is the first cart you've encountered with this problem. Most games I buy need a good cleaning before they work reliably.

[JFLY]

I'm surprised this is the first cart you've encountered with this problem. Most games I buy need a good cleaning before they work reliably.

Same here. I've always a had to clean my used carts even though the seller has stated clearly in the auction description that the cart has been.

[17daysolderthannes]

I clean every game before I put it in my systems as a rule. I don't want someone else's 15 years of corrosion going into my system. For really stubborn games, you can also gently sand the pins with an emery board and then remove the excess grit with rubbing alcohol. Some people go "OMG, NO, HORRIBLE!" but when you don't have any other option, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[TheEdge]

I clean every game before I put it in my systems as a rule. I don't want someone else's 15 years of corrosion going into my system. For really stubborn games, you can also gently sand the pins with an emery board and then remove the excess grit with rubbing alcohol. Some people go "OMG, NO, HORRIBLE!" but when you don't have any other option, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Your right, When I get back home I am going to swab the Shinobi III cart as well.

Question: Where can I get spare power / cable adapters?

[Iced Snowman]

I thought this was going to be about beating games while drunk, one of my favorite past times.

I second this notion.

I was able to conquer Shinobi III while hammered, but not Contra: Hard Corps. That monster is tough to play while sober.

[17daysolderthannes]

Your right, When I get back home I am going to swab the Shinobi III cart as well.

Question: Where can I get spare power / cable adapters?

eBay

Play N Trade

Amazon

what exactly are you looking for?

Unfortunately, most places charge out the ass for cables as often people will lose cables before they will lose the system so there are more systems than cables floating around (which ends up a plus if you want a few backup systems just in case).

Just make sure what you're buying is more or less the exact output for your system. I have noticed on early build SNES consoles (ones with white letters on the eject button) that some 3rd party adapters (9V 850mA instead of 10V 850mA) will produce an annoying green scanline in the picture on all games. Even worse, a Sega CD may not play games at all if it doesn't have at least a 9V 1.2A adapter.

[TheEdge]

eBay

Play N Trade

Amazon

what exactly are you looking for?

Unfortunately, most places charge out the ass for cables as often people will lose cables before they will lose the system so there are more systems than cables floating around (which ends up a plus if you want a few backup systems just in case).

Just make sure what you're buying is more or less the exact output for your system. I have noticed on early build SNES consoles (ones with white letters on the eject button) that some 3rd party adapters (9V 850mA instead of 10V 850mA) will produce an annoying green scanline in the picture on all games. Even worse, a Sega CD may not play games at all if it doesn't have at least a 9V 1.2A adapter.

I need a spare power supply & cable adapter for a Sega Genesis model 1. My original power supply falling apart and the cable adapter is giving me some flickering dots on the screen. You can't really notice it unless the screen goes black but its there.

[mick_aka]

I second this notion.

I was able to conquer Shinobi III while hammered, but not Contra: Hard Corps. That monster is tough to play while sober.

I genuinely seem to be allot better at playing games after a few pints.

[Youngie]

What a waste of good alcohol!

[Iced Snowman]

I genuinely seem to be allot better at playing games after a few pints.

Agreed, it takes the edge off. I’m going to have another 16oz (wishing it was a pint) and fire up my recently acquired Japanese gem known as Alien Soldier. I finally broke down and purchased this game which is in complete mint condition. It appears to be just as difficult as Hard Corps, so I’m not going to tip back the cans too much.

[Bramsworth]

Why does everyone use Alcohol? Really, next time if anyone has a problem like this, just use the Q-Tip without it. It gets all the dirt off and all works the same. I don't get why rubbing a liquid on the bare board would be comfortable for anyone, and I've yet to hear a reason it's needed.

Just try it next time, you'll see

[RowdyRodimus]

I've found that windex works best. Just dampen q-tip and do it like normal.

[TheEdge]

Just cleaned all my newly purchased games. They were really dirty. The q-tip almost turned completely black.

I noticed that the front of the carts has more room to move the q-tip back and forth than the rear of the cartridge so I would suggest using q-tip that isn't very padded.