Just paid $7CDN for Super Mario 3 for NES...how do I clean it??

[Sinner]

I just paid $7CDN for Super Mario 3 for NES...did I over pay??
It didn't work at first, but I used a q-tip and some glasses cleaner, and it worked fine...I've heard of better ways, but I think it involves taking the cartridge apart...
Anyone know of a better way??

[SithMaster]

dont know about the price but i use a qtip and rubbing alcohol.  for the ones i can get open i use an eraser on the contacts.  if you dont have the bit you can make one using a pen.

get a pen that you dont want anymore and take out the everything so its just the shell.  heat the end with a flame and then press it to the screw.  when it cools it should be able to turn the screw.  each screw may need its own pendriver made.  i havent done this yet so may or may not work.

[horseboy]

Ya, you probably overpaid. You can find one on ebay for a buck with a couple more for shipping.

As for cleaning... I use Q-tip and alcohol. It works pretty well, but I have been looking for a better way to do it as well. I was going to post here, but I guess this fits right in. The principle is ok, but the problem is that the q-tips are just to damn flimsy. I think that alcohol is definitely the correct cleaner (the higher %, the better), but does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement for the q-tips? I am about to go through and clean up my collection and I am not looking forward to cleaning 1200 carts with freakin' q-tips.

BTW, we are talking about cleaning the contacts here. Cleaning the cart itself is a whole other story.

[stuzza]

Q-tips and alcohol will only give an ok clean.  If you really want to make the contacts like new you need to get a security bit to open up the cart and then use a cloth and some sort of cleaning solution.  I bought a cleaning kit (not an official nes one) off of ebay a while ago which inlcuded the security screwdriver bit, cloth and the cleaning solution.  I used to use the q-tip method, but its not until you can actually open up the cart and get a good look at the contacts that you see just how much dirt is still left after using that method.  You'd be surprised at how black the cleaning cloth gets after a good scrub on most carts!

[Level42]

Best way to clean copper contacts is a glass fiber pen.
No messing with aggresive fluids and stuff.

Like this:


http://www.hama.be/portal/articleId*3114/action*2563;jsessionid=DDD3F7900E04637E318E5BA6B5389116.tomcat_be_lin8

Sorry I couldn't find a US/English site with them. Probably used the wrong search name in google.

Should cost less then $10,-

No messing with aggresive fluids and stuff.

One tip when using this: DON'T try it on you fingers !!!!!

[Sinner]

Ya, you probably overpaid. You can find one on ebay for a buck with a couple more for shipping.

As for cleaning... I use Q-tip and alcohol. It works pretty well, but I have been looking for a better way to do it as well. I was going to post here, but I guess this fits right in. The principle is ok, but the problem is that the q-tips are just to damn flimsy. I think that alcohol is definitely the correct cleaner (the higher %, the better), but does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement for the q-tips? I am about to go through and clean up my collection and I am not looking forward to cleaning 1200 carts with freakin' q-tips.

BTW, we are talking about cleaning the contacts here. Cleaning the cart itself is a whole other story.

I looked on eBay, and most of the ones I found were in the USA, which means converting to US dollars, more costly shipping, and they actually charge you for bringing it across the border...it would end up costing me more than the $10 I was willing to pay...As for the Q-Tip thing, have you tried the wooden ones??  The kind your doctor would use...they are much more rigid...aslo the Q-Tip brand are stiffer than the generic or store brand...

[NightGod]

They sell glass fiber pens at Radio Shack.

http://www.nintendorepairshop.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?search=yes has the security screw tools for $6.50, something you definately might want to consider if you are going to be cleaning 1200 carts.

If you still want to go the swab route, you can buy foam swabs with plastic handles at places like Fry's. They're generally used for printer maintainance and are probably alot more expensive in the long run than the screw + some cloths would be if you're talking about cleaning 1200 carts.

[dendawg]

Best way to clean NES carts:

What you need:

• 3.8mm Gamebit (http://sylentwulf.powweb.com//product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=57&osCsid=188c9791363c2780db6e60fc7496ffc4) screwdriver bit.  If working with Tengen carts you will need a T-10 Torx bit.
• Rubbing Alchol, 70% or higher.  Do not use cheap ass Dollar Store alcohol.  Those are 40% or even lower.  Get it from Kmart, Walmart, Meijers, etc.
• Scotchbrite pad, the one without the sponge attached.
• Q-Tips and/or cotton balls.

Cleaning time!

• First, ground yourself by touching something metal.  Remember: Electronics+Static Electricity=Bad.
• Disassemble the cartridge using the Gamebit.  Occasionally, you may run into standard flathead screws.  No biggie right? Everyone has a flathead bit floating around.  (If working with Tengen carts, you'll be using your Torx bit.  The third screw is under the back label.) 
• Wow, that's a tiny board, eh?  all that unused air.  Note the orientation of the circuit board and lift it out.
• Cradle the board with your hand and scrub the contacts with your Scotchbrite pad vigorously.  Don't be afraid, it's not steel wool or sandpaper.  Turn board over and repeat on other side.  The contacts should now be nice and shiny once more.
• Use your Q-Tip to rinse any residue off the contacts.  It also couldn't hurt to clean the inside of the cart also.
• Reassamble your cartridge.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Stingray]

A pencil eraser works pretty well. Works great if you take the PCB out of the case. You really want the correct bit if you're taking apart more than one or two carts.

-S

[Vigo]

But according to my nintendo manual, you can't clean your games with anything other than an officially liscenced nintendo cleaning kit!!!! I'm telling! 

seriously tho....start with the q-tip and alcohol, and work your way up to the more serious methods until the game works...

and 7 CDN doen't seem too bad for what is possibly the best mario game ever made...