How to Clean or Fix Sega Saturn Cart Slot

[executioner]

It happens to be a common problem, have an Action Replay and can't get it to work now. It has been in the slot for maybe 2-3 years. I practically never take it out because it needed to be pushed and pulled into a sweet spot to work. I always got it to work but this time I think it needs extra work. Action replay menu does not come up and Marvel vs Street Fighter does not work.

My guess is that is need a more thorough cleaning or a little bending of the teeth in the slot. There are two screws besides the slot on the board but seems I need to unscrew something else to take it out or maybe it can't be separated. Anyone with a tutorial, step-by-step or helpful advice for doing this?

Couldn't find it here on the boards or google, maybe I'm not using the right words.

[Hobie-wan]

The screws on the sides of cartridge ports in systems only hold the slot firmly in place so you don't accidentally rip it off the board when plugging in and removing carts. The NES is the only one I know of where the cart slot assembly is removable. You'll have to carefully try bending he pins or cleaning the slot in place.

[Ziggy]

The screws help hold it onto the board, but that slot is soldered. Every pin of the slot is a pin that's soldered to the board. Removable, yes, but what a pain in the ass that is!

Your slot probably isn't dirty as much as it is worn out. The Saturn's cart slot is just about the worst ever. It gets worn out very easily. The GameShark is the worst for wearing it out. The Action Replay has the beveled PCB like an official Sega cart, and looks to be the same thickness when comparing it with my eyes, so it shouldn't be bad to use. But I have heard conflicting arguments whether or not it's bad for the slot like the GameShark is.

Anyways, I have a spare model 1 Saturn that needs to be repaired. I couldn't get the slot to work at all. Maybe I can finally get around to it, I could take pics of the process if I do.

[executioner]

Damn! I tried cleaning it again very carefully with a cloth using a thin plastic to push it and was unsuccessful.

I tried to do something like this:

http://mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/md2-loose-cart.htm

But the pins are very thin, one of them came out of its guide and was a bitch to get in again. Don't feel its the best method.

This weekend I'll try the cart in a friend's Saturn just in case but don't think its the cart itself. There's gotta be another way!!

[fibblins]

I'm having the same problem as well. Recently dug up my old Saturn and bought a 4-in-1 AR for it. I never used the cartridge slot in the past, and already it's not detecting the action replay. Occasionally it works but it's only temporary. I suspect the slot is just dirty after collecting dust for 14 years. Any good cleaning methods?

[Ziggy]

I like the credit card method. Wrap some cloth around a credit card, but use your head, you want it to be the same thickness as a memory card PCB. Use one cloth damp with alcohol. Use another cloth that's dry. After you stick the damp cloth in a few times, you'll probably notice a lot of grim on the cloth (hopefully) which means you're cleaning it.

[bacteria]

On a sideways question - what is the cart slot for - I thought the Saturn only played CD games? Excuse question, until I get around to modding my Saturn and research the subject properly, I know very little about the Saturn; i've never played one either.

[Ziggy]

It was mainly used for a memory card. The system has very little save memory on board, a save cart has a lot more. You could also use a GameShark or Pro Action Replay with it.

[emwearz]

On a sideways question - what is the cart slot for - I thought the Saturn only played CD games? Excuse question, until I get around to modding my Saturn and research the subject properly, I know very little about the Saturn; i've never played one either.

Few reasons.

. RAM Carts (In the form of SNK's 1M and Capcoms 4M) allow you to play some games with more frames of animations (Are are completely required for many SNK / Capcom games), kind of like Nintendo's Expansion pak. (If you like the KOF / SF / VS / Metal Slug games you really need them).

. KOF95' has its own game cart (It is the only game I understand that does) that has graphics, etc stored on the cart, it allowed for more frames of animation and close to no loading times, all releases after his used the 1M ram cart.

. Memory Carts (Store your saved games)

. Action Replay 4 in 1 and devices like it (1M / 4M built in, storage for your saved game (however you cant save directly to the cart), the ability to play imported games on your Saturn without the need for a mod)

I think I covered all bases.

[synbiosfan]

On a sideways question - what is the cart slot for - I thought the Saturn only played CD games? Excuse question, until I get around to modding my Saturn and research the subject properly, I know very little about the Saturn; i've never played one either.

Few reasons.

. RAM Carts (In the form of SNK's 1M and Capcoms 4M) allow you to play some games with more frames of animations (Are are completely required for many SNK / Capcom games), kind of like Nintendo's Expansion pak. (If you like the KOF / SF / VS / Metal Slug games you really need them).

. KOF95' has its own game cart (It is the only game I understand that does) that has graphics, etc stored on the cart, it allowed for more frames of animation and close to no loading times, all releases after his used the 1M ram cart.

. Memory Carts (Store your saved games)

. Action Replay 4 in 1 and devices like it (1M / 4M built in, storage for your saved game (however you cant save directly to the cart), the ability to play imported games on your Saturn without the need for a mod)

I think I covered all bases.

Just to bust your butt...How can you forget the Net Link???