Neo Geo MVS Edge Connector Question

[MaxAsh]

I'm working on restoring a Neo Geo 2-slot. Along with the cab, I was given 7 MVS cartridges. Every one of them was a mess, gunk/oxidation all over the place. I've put all of them through some extensive cleaning, and I've gotten 3 to work properly so far. A fourth is operating at about 80%, minor glitches and no sound. The final two are pretty bad. I was looking at the edge connectors and I noticed that several of the pins appear to be scraped off and no longer connected. Most are clearly supposed to be connected, so I'm working on repairing them using some videos/posts I've found.

Here's my question, hopefully simple: Is there ever a case where a pin would exist, but NOT be connected to anything? Or would they just leave that space blank on the edge connector as I've seen on other boards? Guessing it just "looks" like a clean break, and it really should be connected, but wanted to make sure before I repair it.

[MaxAsh]

Figured I'd add some pics of the cabinet since this is a restore thread. Thank goodness for Citristrip. Who paints a beauty like this black. Ugh. And I didn't post the games that it came with: Metal Slug, World Heroes, World Heroes 2, Art of Fighting, King of Fighters '96, Fatal Fury 2, Blazing Star. The first 3 are working. 4th one has some glitches and no sound. KoF and FF2 are the ones with the busted up edge connectors. Blazing Star I'm taking my time on, really hoping that's a good one.

[MaxAsh]

Bumping my old thread from forever ago. I finally got around to trying to repair the last couple cartridges, hoping someone can give me some solid advice. Is there a known good method for edge repair when there are gaps like this on a PCB? The finger-board kit is no good since these are cartridge edges. Any thoughts? So far I've been use copper tape, cut into thin strips and soldered between the gaps. It's not a great, clean method. Welcoming tips/suggestions.

Thanks

[ChanceKJ]

I'm no expert on PCB repair, but yes, i've seen boards where a trace exists for a contact on the edge connector, but it stops before going into the board. Its pretty noticeable when it does (i guess depending on the person who designed the board). And i've also seen cases where there isn't a trace on the edge of the PCB, and its just left blank.

Yours do look damaged, but again, not an expert.

Double check the pinout for that board and count the pins on the edge, that should tell you what ones you're missing, as what the function of them are for.

Sorry i can't be more help then that.