Cart dead?

[Atari the Jedi]

So I've got a cart that is coming up as a black screen. When I got it it was dusty but noting major. I cleaned it l

[Atari the Jedi]

Is it dead ? How many times do I try it before I call it a goner!

[shadow460]

Not necessarily. The only thing that really kills a cart, IMO, is there's enough damage that the owner decides not to fix it. I draw the line after cleaning and sanding the contacts and reflowing the board inside. If it's something rare, you could get a board made to mount inside it.

[Cap5750]

When you say you cleaned it, I'm assuming it was with a q-tip, etc?

 

Also, you might try wiggling the cart around a bit before turning it back on. I have a couple of games where the cart needs to sit in the console at a funky angle because the contacts are bent or something. I've also seen where it would work fine on one type of console (like the jr) but not another (like a vader).

[bohoki]

i suggest using some 600 grit wet dry on the contacts before you trash it i had a star trek that up and died on me though

[Atari the Jedi]

I have been able to bring up the title screen but wording is messed up and the game then freezes after a few seconds

[Atari the Jedi]

I am not that savvy to do sanding or cracking a cart open but I'm still getting a flatline:(

[shadow460]

5200 carts aren't too hard to open. You will need to experiment to find out just how to squeeze the shell once the screws are out. If the name of the game is showing up, the ROM is probably alive.

[bohoki]

you just need to use something flat to get the little door open on the front i often use a paperclip

 

then with some 600 grit folded over a ruler just rub back and forth on the contacts then clean it with a cloth wrapped on the ruler slap it in the machine

[Atari the Jedi]

What is a grip? This is an activision cart I'm working on; though I also have a missile command doIng the same

[Atari the Jedi]

Oh grit is sand paper

[Atari the Jedi]

So after playing dr. Frankenstein last night I did it! It's alive! I revived a copy of H.E.R.O. It now oddly skips the title screen. Isn't that true to the 5200's just won't die:)

[shadow460]

You might have more work to do on it, though. If it wasn't skipping the title screen before, the fact that it does now could indicate that it's going to lock up at some in opportune time, like 5 points before you set a new personal high score.

[82atari5200]

I've only every had 1 cart die. It was Qix. And it was definitely dead. But out of close to 300 carts I had at one time not a bad percentage.