+D Train Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 3 hours ago, Video said: Some early Activision titles actually had a foam plug originally, but Activision discontinued that on later carts. I remember that on my original copy of fishing derby! 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5396424 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 Slightly off topic, but closer to this thread than any other. Something I’ve been curious about with all the cartridge cleaning I’ve been doing. @Ben from Plaion What are your thoughts on the exposed cartridge slot pins on the console itself getting dusty and dirty over time? Is this something that perhaps should have a cartridge dust cover made for it at some point? A blank cartridge or something smaller that’s only purpose is to keep the pins clean. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5399623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_1970 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 1 hour ago, MikeM_ said: Slightly off topic, but closer to this thread than any other. Something I’ve been curious about with all the cartridge cleaning I’ve been doing. @Ben from Plaion What are your thoughts on the exposed cartridge slot pins on the console itself getting dusty and dirty over time? Is this something that perhaps should have a cartridge dust cover made for it at some point? A blank cartridge or something smaller that’s only purpose is to keep the pins clean. The plastic cover from the packaging seems a good temp until some enterprising outfit (Atari, prthaps) makes a new dust cover. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5399664 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scifidude79 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 10 hours ago, MikeM_ said: Slightly off topic, but closer to this thread than any other. Something I’ve been curious about with all the cartridge cleaning I’ve been doing. @Ben from Plaion What are your thoughts on the exposed cartridge slot pins on the console itself getting dusty and dirty over time? Is this something that perhaps should have a cartridge dust cover made for it at some point? A blank cartridge or something smaller that’s only purpose is to keep the pins clean. I just keep a cartridge in mine at all times. That's an old trick with cartridge slots and consoles that don't have built in dust covers. Though, as far as I know, only a handful of consoles ever had those spring loaded doors built in. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5399895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susy Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 (edited) Su ebay potete trovare delle coperture antipolvere come questa nella foto: Edited January 30 by susy 5 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400125 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 6 hours ago, scifidude79 said: I just keep a cartridge in mine at all times. That's an old trick with cartridge slots and consoles that don't have built in dust covers. Though, as far as I know, only a handful of consoles ever had those spring loaded doors built in. I’m a little weary of that because I would think over time it would lessen the spring tension of the pins. I’d rather have a solution that only fits around the plastic and doesn’t enter the slot. I suppose I could take apart a game that doesn’t work and remove the chip. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400129 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorkbot Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 20 minutes ago, MikeM_ said: I’m a little weary of that because I would think over time it would lessen the spring tension of the pins. I’d rather have a solution that only fits around the plastic and doesn’t enter the slot. I suppose I could take apart a game that doesn’t work and remove the chip. I found this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225981504573 And this on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1512453189/atari-26002800-slot-cover-console-dust But your idea of taking apart a dead game and using the empty cart is pretty good! (At least it would be cheaper!) 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400144 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scifidude79 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 5 hours ago, MikeM_ said: I’m a little weary of that because I would think over time it would lessen the spring tension of the pins. I’d rather have a solution that only fits around the plastic and doesn’t enter the slot. I suppose I could take apart a game that doesn’t work and remove the chip. I have no scientific data to back this up, but all I can say is that I've been leaving cartridges in slots for decades without it seeming to have any negative affect on the pins. Still, a little plastic cap for the slot branded with Atari and the Fuji logo, similar to that 3D printed one that @susy posted, would be sweet. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 I don't think a dust cap like that is a bad idea - but the problem is that when you see ones for sale on etsy or eBay, sellers might ask $10-12 for the cover... and $20+ for shipping! Sorry but I'm not going to pay $30+ for a little hunk of plastic. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chad5200 Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 11 hours ago, LS650 said: and $20+ for shipping That's because you are in Canada. In the United States shipping is $5.35. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400647 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 35 minutes ago, chad5200 said: That's because you are in Canada. In the United States shipping is $5.35. Sure. That doesn't make it any easier. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5400668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxit Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 For any of my cart based systems that are out, and lacking shutters, I just have one of my favorites on the slot, but not engaged. It acts as a dust cover, and no chance of contact fatigue. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5401268 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scifidude79 Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 1/30/2024 at 10:09 PM, LS650 said: I don't think a dust cap like that is a bad idea - but the problem is that when you see ones for sale on etsy or eBay, sellers might ask $10-12 for the cover... and $20+ for shipping! Sorry but I'm not going to pay $30+ for a little hunk of plastic. Dude, that looks sick. I'd love to have something like that, but I'd still like to support Atari and Plaion and I might wait a while to see if they release something like that. I always feel sorry for Canadians when I see or hear about those shipping prices. It's a shame it costs so much to get products to you, especially since you share a land border with the United States. (yes, I know why it's the way it is) 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5401317 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 So my Coleco copy of Donkey Kong has been non-functional for a long time (replaced it with a red-label one a couple years ago). Opened it up, pulled out the chip, then put it back together with a repro label and voilà! Dust cover. 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5401572 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben from Plaion Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 1/30/2024 at 12:12 AM, MikeM_ said: Slightly off topic, but closer to this thread than any other. Something I’ve been curious about with all the cartridge cleaning I’ve been doing. @Ben from Plaion What are your thoughts on the exposed cartridge slot pins on the console itself getting dusty and dirty over time? Is this something that perhaps should have a cartridge dust cover made for it at some point? A blank cartridge or something smaller that’s only purpose is to keep the pins clean. I'm quite the fan of the clear cover provided in the box 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5401595 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetmanUK Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 (edited) On 1/30/2024 at 5:48 PM, Glorkbot said: I found this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225981504573 And this on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1512453189/atari-26002800-slot-cover-console-dust But your idea of taking apart a dead game and using the empty cart is pretty good! (At least it would be cheaper!) I like these options but the postage in both cases is just too much. Shame. I have a blank Activision cart shell, the game was dead, I have already removed the board. Maybe I'll use that. Edited February 2 by JetmanUK 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5402232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_1970 Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 (edited) On 2/1/2024 at 8:51 PM, Ben from Plaion said: I'm quite the fan of the clear cover provided in the box Until someone on Etsy makes a cover specifically for the 2600+ I’m doin that, but a major downside is that it doesn’t fit quite right with cables attached. I could cut some notches I guess, but the packaging is so nice I’m loathe to deface it 😂 Edited February 2 by Sean_1970 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5402361 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 Little PSA here concerning cart cleaning. I had a copy of barnstorming that I couldn’t get working on my 2600+ or my original 7800. Cleaned the hell out of it and it just wouldn’t play. Couple weeks went by and decided to give it one more cleaning and try it again before officially calling it a dead cart. Worked on first try. Don’t give up right away. There is always a chance. 👍🏼 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5408936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LTIME6100 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 On 2/1/2024 at 9:28 PM, MikeM_ said: So my Coleco copy of Donkey Kong has been non-functional for a long time (replaced it with a red-label one a couple years ago). Opened it up, pulled out the chip, then put it back together with a repro label and voilà! Dust cover. This is my solution for my 2600 jr. An empty Activision cart (non-working Freeway) with DIY label. My 2600+ is stored in a cupboard with a sliding door, protected from dust 4 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5409193 Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 1 hour ago, 2LTIME6100 said: This is my solution for my 2600 jr. An empty Activision cart (non-working Freeway) with DIY label. My 2600+ is stored in a cupboard with a sliding door, protected from dust Love this idea! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5409258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 I like some of the cartridge plugs you see on etsy - but with the shipping charges from the States it would cost me about $30 US for a small hunk of fancy plastic. I decided to make my own cartridge plug with some art craft foam I had sitting around. It turned out pretty good for free, I think. 5 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5409261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxit Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) People have mentioned pencil erasers, and I'm sure that these have been discussed before on AtariAge, but I'd like to add my recommendation for the electric eraser. They work really well for that Activision cart that still has significant visible carbon(or green corrosion, as the case may be) on the contacts, even though you've scrubbed and scrubbed with a swab and IPA, and the swab no longer removes anything. The electric eraser can give your contacts back that clean, shiny appearance. Yes, it's mildly abrasive, so don't go overboard, but they don't have super high speeds, or overly torquey motors so they shouldn't be likely to cause damage if used carefully. The eraser can be extended to access contacts without cart disassembly, by applying a small piece of tape to the eraser holder. This will keep the eraser from working itself out of the holder while in use. On Amazon. On AliExpress. On Ebay. Edited February 17 by fluxit added links Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5412050 Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LTIME6100 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) On 2/12/2024 at 7:30 PM, LS650 said: I like some of the cartridge plugs you see on etsy - but with the shipping charges from the States it would cost me about $30 US for a small hunk of fancy plastic. I decided to make my own cartridge plug with some art craft foam I had sitting around. It turned out pretty good for free, I think. My DIY solution using the rest of an old iPhone shell… Edited February 17 by 2LTIME6100 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5412546 Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane857 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 On 1/30/2024 at 1:21 AM, Sean_1970 said: The plastic cover from the packaging seems a good temp until some enterprising outfit (Atari, prthaps) makes a new dust cover. Personally...I just throw a T-shirt I no longer wear over it. 😂 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5412607 Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane857 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 On 2/12/2024 at 5:11 AM, MikeM_ said: Little PSA here concerning cart cleaning. I had a copy of barnstorming that I couldn’t get working on my 2600+ or my original 7800. Cleaned the hell out of it and it just wouldn’t play. Couple weeks went by and decided to give it one more cleaning and try it again before officially calling it a dead cart. Worked on first try. Don’t give up right away. There is always a chance. 👍🏼 I have noticed that sometimes it is the fit of the cart, not how clean it is. Looser fitting carts give me the most problems. 👍 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/358907-clean-your-carts/page/3/#findComment-5412609 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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