Random Thoughts Thread

[harper]

On top of it being broken, it was basically split in half so the other side has absolutely nothing on it. Even more astounding? haha

[Bikeage]

I'd sacrifice a copy of Madden '90 something and fix that. And 777 is a great Danzig song.

[harper]

I'd sacrifice a copy of Madden '90 something and fix that. And 777 is a great Danzig song.

How exactly would one go about fixing it?

[DinnerX]

I found a picture of the circuit board inside the cartridge.

The only pin on the broken piece that appears to be connected to anything is the first pin on the right on the back side of the cartridge.

That pin does have the longest stub left. I guess the snes is grabbing what's left.

EDIT: No wait, just noticed a trace going somewhere on the side that's completely gone. Now I don't get it.

[Bikeage]

I'd sacrifice a copy of Madden '90 something and fix that. And 777 is a great Danzig song.

How exactly would one go about fixing it?

Without actually inspecting it, my first thoughts would be to disassemble the cart and remove the broken connectors, then cut the same width and length you need from a donor cart, and replace. This would require a soldering iron and cutting tool, and maybe some jumper wire to go to the new pins.

[harper]

I found a picture of the circuit board inside the cartridge.

The only pin on the broken piece that appears to be connected to anything is the first pin on the right on the back side of the cartridge.

That pin does have the longest stub left. I guess the snes is grabbing what's left.

EDIT: No wait, just noticed a trace going somewhere on the side that's completely gone. Now I don't get it.

So, no clue what that missing piece might actually affect?

[CRTGAMER]

I'd sacrifice a copy of Madden '90 something and fix that. And 777 is a great Danzig song.

How exactly would one go about fixing it?

Without actually inspecting it, my first thoughts would be to disassemble the cart and remove the broken connectors, then cut the same width and length you need from a donor cart, and replace. This would require a soldering iron and cutting tool, and maybe some jumper wire to go to the new pins.

Glueing a cut part of a PCB probably won't hold. Very likely snap off after a few cart inserts which might damage the console. Desoldering each game chip is also risky and won't work if one is a "Glob" Chip.

@ harper - Maybe just try the cart? This will save all the guessing.

[DinnerX]

@harper- I just went to look that up after I posted earlier. This sort of thing just bugs me.

I looked up what the pins actually connect to in the SNES. It appears the one pin that is totally gone (and connects to something on the SMRPG board) connects directly to the expansion port on the snes. Maybe it was used to check for game copiers or something. At any rate, it certainly isn't needed to play the game.

I'd say the game is good to go, if the cartridge slot is grabbing the stub of the other pin.

[harper]

@ harper - Maybe just try the cart? This will save all the guessing.

I already know that it boots up, has a couple of saves on it which I've played a few minutes of, and I've played the beginning about 20 minutes in with no issues. I was just wondering if that could affect some specific point in the game and make it unplayable (assuming the saves weren't made after it was broken).


@ DinnerX, that's great news, thanks for the help.

[CRTGAMER]

@ harper - Maybe just try the cart? This will save all the guessing.

I already know that it boots up, has a couple of saves on it which I've played a few minutes of, and I've played the beginning about 20 minutes in with no issues. I was just wondering if that could affect some specific point in the game and make it unplayable (assuming the saves weren't made after it was broken).

@ DinnerX, that's great news, thanks for the help.

Since the game runs and loads a save, it should be fine. Its not like a later level uses a separate pin. Definitely save a couple of times just to be sure.