Topic: Cleaning Cartridge Connectors

[raptorspike]

I have a number of consoles that still run on cartridges. Does anyone know what is the best way to clean the connectors should they get dirty? I used to have a bottle of cleaning solution, but that is running dry

[Dirk Temporo]

Ammonia. That's what the used game store near me uses. Just dip a Q-tip in it, and run it along the connectors. Smells terrible, but the games work.

[stevey]

"Ammonia"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT STUFF IS TOXIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and you dont need to clean it just blow as hard as you can on it.

[SgtShiversBen]

That's a big no no especially when it comes to the NES cartridges (but I still do it :-D) because Nintendo went with a cheap and very corrosive material when making the pins.  When you blow in the cartridge the moisture from your breath gets on the pins and after time it becomes worn down and eventually stops working.  I don't know about the SNES, N64 and Genesis though.  So yeah.

[IceCold]

You can't blow into those either. It says so on the cartridge.

[stevey]

but that the only way to get the old nes game working. snes, n64, gb, and genesis dont need to.

[Dasmos]

Clearly that is what they are talking about, There are other ways and blowing into the cartridge is bad........dammit why not read???

[KDR_11k]

Stevey, sorry, you're retarded. Blowing at the cartridge does NOTHING. ZERO. The removing/reinserting procedure makes it work, blowing at it has no effect except for adding moisture that will corrode the connectors. When the NES connector is toast you replace it or bend it forward with a big needle (tthe pins tend to get bent inwards which makes them lose contact). Usually it's a problem with the machine, not the cart.

SgtBen: A corrosive material corrodes other materials. I'm sure that's not what you meant .

[nickmitch]

Didn't they have a cleaning cartridge for the SNES? I think I have one of 'em.

[couchmonkey]

I've used a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water to clean dozens of old NES games, and it works pretty well.  Only really badly damaged games don't respond.  Use a Q-tip or something similar and make sure you rub all of the connectors well.  You can sometimes see the dirt on them; that makes it a little easier to figure out just what to clean.

P.S.  I also picked up an NES cleaning kit and it was worth it.  The cleaning tool is stronger than a Q-tip and cleans more connectors at once, and it includes a cartridge that will clean the connectors in the system itself.  You may still have to make your own cleaning solution, though, since there aren't many new cleaning kits out there.

[KnowsNothing]

NEVER blow on it, it corrodes it, and destroys it.

Couch has got the right idea, though when I clean my cartridges I just use rubbing alcohol, without the water.  I've heard a few sources tell me this is the way to go, though I can't remember any of them  It works like a dream on my Genesis and SNES carts.  I don't know if it's better or not to mix it with water, but meh, it's working for me.  I haven't had my SNES for too long, so I'm not sure about long-term damage >_>  

[stevey]

"Stevey, sorry, you're retarded. Blowing at the cartridge does NOTHING. ZERO. The removing/reinserting procedure makes it work,"

I don't spit when I blow, I know how to blow dry.

[KnowsNothing]

When you BREATHE moisture comes out.  Do you think that's smoke you're expelling on a cold day?  You can't help it.

[KDR_11k]

Well, perhaps he has as much water as intelligence in his body?

[ThePerm]

i use a shirt and cover the cartridge when io blw into it...that way the moisture doesnt go through byt it gets rid of the dust

[evil intentions]

My cousin once spit into my OoT cartridge.  Darn the boy...