Master System 'Software Error'

[grandta13]

I am regularly getting the following message on my SMS (bought second-hand):

Code: Select all

                        V2.4
MASTER SYSTEM © SEGA 1988
SOFTWARE ERROR

It is an NTSC-U system.
This happens when I try to play any cart (Double Dragon [U], Shinobi [U]*, and Sonic the Hedgehog [AU]). All the inbuilt games work when I don't have a cart inserted, though.
*Worked twice, but froze after a few minutes each time.

I have tried cleaning the slot and the games; I had to use a SNES slot cleaner sideways with isopropyl alcohol. I used cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol for the carts.
I'm unsure where to go from here; any advice would be appreciated.

[flojocabron]

I've gotten this a couple of times too, but usually I put the game in again or try a different one and it works.

Sometimes a little scrubbing with the q-tip and alcohol.

For yours to be doing it on every game is a little weird.

Is it maybe your console?

Do you have the ability to play these games in another persons Master system? Do you even know anyone who has another one nearby?

Do sega master systems get busted caps? Maybe you have to open it and inspect your system carefully.

Are you brave enough to put your system to the screwdriver?

[grandta13]

For yours to be doing it on every game is a little weird.

Is it maybe your console?

Do you have the ability to play these games in another persons Master system? Do you even know anyone who has another one nearby?

Do sega master systems get busted caps? Maybe you have to open it and inspect your system carefully.

Are you brave enough to put your system to the screwdriver?

I've opened it up, but I don't see any visibly damaged components. I forgot to mention that when I got it, it had a damaged case, like it had been dropped or something had fallen on it (like a CRT). Shinobi did play when I first got it, but I never got Double Dragon to work. I got Sonic a week or two later, and I couldn't get it to work either. I don't know anyone else with a SMS, but at least one of the games worked initially, so it seems unlikely that the games are the problem.

EDIT: I've just tested Double Dragon and Shinobi after taking the top RF shield off and both worked on the first try (I don't have time right now to see if they would keep working without freezing). My copy of Sonic has been temporarily misplaced, so I can't test that one yet. I haven't cleaned the carts or the system pins since the last time I tried to test the games (which was a few weeks ago). Also, Shinobi wasn't working when I tested it a few hours ago before removing the RF shield, so it seems odd that it's working now.

[ApolloBoy]

Most of the SMSes made around 1988 and later tend to develop bad solder joints on the cartridge slot, it's a very common issue. Heat up all the joints, add a little extra solder and you're good to go.

[fahlim003]

Most of the SMSes made around 1988 and later tend to develop bad solder joints on the cartridge slot, it's a very common issue. Heat up all the joints, add a little extra solder and you're good to go.

This is it. Reflowing the solder points for all 50 pins on the cartridge slot generally does the trick in resolving the "software error". I second this recommendation.