Ask general Genesis/MD/Sega CD/32X questions here (for new members)

[Iron Lizard]

No trust me they are dead. I have cleaned the holly hell out of them with alcohol, erasers, nothing works.

[Mr. Ksoft]

On the topic of dead carts: Two weeks ago I bought Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine and didn't get to look at the cart until I brought it home, and the connector at the bottom was horribly dirty. I alcohol'd it, and got most of it out, so that it will at least be identified as a good cart by the TMSS. However, the game won't load, and I'm pretty sure it's because of the poor condition of the cart. On the connector nearer to the casing there is some greenish-blue stuff, which not only looks unsightly, but is slightly layered over two of the contacts. Alcohol doesn't remove it and I can't get an eraser to fit in there... what is that stuff? Should I just take the cart back or can I clean it up? (Also, note I don't have that special screwdriver thing whose name I cannot remember. So it's not like I can open it up or anything to better be able to access the connector)

[TmEE]

that stuff is rust, the sooner you get rid of it the better.... if you can, scrape it off with some flathead screwdriver, or MAYBE use very fine sandpaper

[Mr. Ksoft]

Well, that did nothing... I'm guessing the cart is actually dead.

[TmEE]

there's a chance that it has rusted through the copper... and there's no real fix for it... soldering and opening up the cart is required in all cases.

[snume]

I think that because the contacts are gold, it's actually oxidization. It most likely can be cleaned off, but TmEE is quite right, it may have eaten through the contact, and if so, you will need to rebuild the contact. It shouldn't cost moe than $20 including shipping for a gamebit to open the cart, you just have to look online.

[Mr. Ksoft]

Doesn't matter now; I returned it. Might as well get a different copy anyway, the label was looking pretty bad as well. Probably used to be a rental copy.

[TmEE]

I got my gamebit for 11$ including shipping to Estonia

[madperry]

i just recently purchased a brand new in box Genesis 3. this thing is a turd. the sound is awful, and it feels exceptionally cheap. i'm not surprised, really.

i did notice something immediately. on the bottom of the console is a 4 way switch. guess what for? region. don't know what the 4th region is. maybe this is old news to most but i am thrilled by it. this is a factory installed switch. not some hack added by someone.

[evildragon]

4th region is: PAL/JAP

Used for China I believe.

[Zebbe]

Wow. A pre-modded console by the manufacturers themselves. Amazing. Can you show a pic?

[17daysolderthannes]

I think that because the contacts are gold, it's actually oxidization. It most likely can be cleaned off, but TmEE is quite right, it may have eaten through the contact, and if so, you will need to rebuild the contact. It shouldn't cost moe than $20 including shipping for a gamebit to open the cart, you just have to look online.

the contacts are copper, and its not rust, its called "verdigris" which IS caused by oxidation. It can either be cleaned off with alcohol or can be dissolved with a baking soda solution (what is used to clean battery terminals on cars). I've never whipped out baking soda on a game before, but probably returning it was the easiest way to go in this situation because it may have had even worse things going on inside the cart.

[madperry]

Wow. A pre-modded console by the manufacturers themselves. Amazing. Can you show a pic?

here it is. the switch is small, but you can see it on the left side, right in line with 2 other openings.

[David J.]

Wow, my Genesis 3 didn't have a sticker like that on the bottom... Hmm.

[Zebbe]

madperry: Thanks for sharing. It was nice to see something like these. I wished all consoles were region free.