Sega Mega Drive not working

[mihcael]

Just bought a Sega Mega Drive (I) from a market last week but having some troubles.

When i turn it on i get a message something like "Made under license...." its white text on black background, but then nothing. I tried several games.

I initially tried using the included RF cable which appeared to be damged with no luck. I then purchased an AV to RCA cable to hook up to my LCD TV.

Is there any issue with using old consoles on new LCD TV/s? Any suggestions to find whats wrong?

Thanks

[flugle]

There's no video problems if you can see the "Made under license" message.

The first thing that springs to mind is to clean the contacts on the cartridge connector. It sounds like the unit can't see any carts plugged into it.

[mihcael]

Thanks for the tip, i shall give it a try.

I would assume that the problem is most likely with the connectors in the console since it happened with the 3 cartridges i tried.


edit - Didnt know how to best clean the connector. But i found that by not inserting the cartridges fully they are mostly functional.

[CAPT-Irrelevant]

I think we're all on a ressurrected vicious cycle of giving tech support to retrotech

[DonutKing]

I'd give this a try:

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/se...loose-cart.htm

I've done it to my MD1 and it made inserting cartridges a lot easier. Give it a squirt with some contact cleaner while you're at it.

[mihcael]

Thanks, will do!

[DeusCore]

Originally Posted by DonutKing

I'd give this a try:

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/se...loose-cart.htm

I've done it to my MD1 and it made inserting cartridges a lot easier. Give it a squirt with some contact cleaner while you're at it.

+1 kudos to you sir.

[mihcael]

Originally Posted by DonutKing

I'd give this a try:

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/se...loose-cart.htm

I've done it to my MD1 and it made inserting cartridges a lot easier.

Done that, made a difference. Games now loading every time.

Give it a squirt with some contact cleaner while you're at it.

Is this something i need to buy, or will mineral spirits do the job?

Im now having issues with graphic corruptions. Mostly affecting the background and some sprites. Is this still related to the connectors or is the machine possible a bit stuffed.

[DonutKing]

Metho on a rag will work.
The other trick is to get a pencil eraser and rub down the contacts (although it might be a bit tight to do it effectively on the cartridge slot) and blow all the rubber shavings out when you're done.

[xsive]

Originally Posted by DonutKing

Metho on a rag will work.
The other trick is to get a pencil eraser and rub down the contacts (although it might be a bit tight to do it effectively on the cartridge slot) and blow all the rubber shavings out when you're done.

I tried this with a few carts. The results were rubbish and I ended up with bits of eraser all over the floor for my troubles. I'm sticking with rubbing alcohol and cotton buds

To clean the slot, get a bit of stiff cardboard, about the same thickness as a game cart board. Cut it to the right length and wrap it in a thin cloth that's been dampened with rubbing alcohol. Repeatedly insert and remove the thing into the connector. You should be able to see gunk come off the pins if they're dirty.

[DonutKing]

Yeah that sounds like a better way to do it. The rubber works well on a flat edge connector like in the carts themselves but not so much the spring contacts in the cartridge slot.