Sega Saturn Dragonforce Backup Cart Not Showing up

[philipofmacedon]

Hey everyone,

I just bought the Dragonforce branded Backup cart for my Saturn, but I have yet to make the thing work.

I know the slot isn't completely dead, because my RAM cart, plays metal slug fine. I got it from here at the link below.

http://www.racketboy.com/store/sega-sat ... -cart.html

Has anyone ever had one of these backup carts die? The ebay seller had 99%+ feedback, so I don't think he's intentionally trying to pass me a lemon.

I'm more inclined to think something is wrong with the backup slot itself. Maybe the pins have gotten pushed too far apart by the other cart I use?

I can't see the cart in the memory manager or within Dragonforce. I have a US saturn, and while this is a Japanese cart, it shouldn't matter, right?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Hobie-wan]

Have you tried cleaning the new cart? Maybe they last used it a year ago and it's gotten just a little surface dampness corrosion that needs cleaning and they assumed that just because it worked last time they used it and it's been on a shelf that it's fine?

[philipofmacedon]

Cleaned the cart and the port with 91% alcohol, still no luck.

Anyone have experience bending the card slot pins closer together? Other ideas?

[spiritplx]

I've mentioned this in another thread before (and I think others have as well), but I jam a piece of folded paper between the cart and the slot itself in order to ensure contact. The cart slot just sucks on the Saturn. Give that a shot and see if it helps at all.

[philipofmacedon]

Do you put the paper behind the cartridge to push it forward? Or in front to push it back?

It does seem like it has some play in the slot.

[spiritplx]

I put it behind to push it towards the front. Mine is an Action Replay Plus cart, but I'd imagine it would be similar for yours. If behind doesn't work, just try again in front.

[SaturnHST]

You should test it on another Saturn console to see if it's the cart slot or the cart that's at fault.

I've encountered several official backup carts that would not show up, but when they did there would be a line of glitched characters.

Here's a pic someone else took of a glitched cart:


http://segasaturngroup.proboards.com/thread/1852?page=2

I deleted that line and it seemed to work fine afterwards. Although, I noticed sometimes the glitch line would show up again for some reason.

[s8n]

checkout my guide on how to clean and open Carts , it may help


viewtopic.php?f=17&t=43079

[philipofmacedon]

Still fighting with this thing. Cleaned the cart with a pencil eraser. Also cleaned my slot pins a little with a very fine grit piece of sandpaper.

Current result is that my RAM cart now works on the first try. But still cannot get the backup cart to register at all.

Looked at em both, doesn't look like one is wider than the other. It seems so unlikely, but starting to think the cart has gone bad.

Just curious, anyone else have carts go bad?

I appreciate all the ideas you guys have given.

[philipofmacedon]

Think I have an answer.

My card is a 3rd party counterfeit masquerading as a official Sega Dragonforce card.

Took the thing apart again, found "DATEL REF 1175" stamped on the pcb. Also the front plastic doesn't completely match the official Sega ones.

I'll try and take some pictures.