GB Cart Not Working - What to Do?

[StephPlusPlus]

This is probably a newbie question, but I swear I did a Google Search on it, cleaned it, made sure other game worked on it... etc.

Alright, here's the issue: when I put the game in, and turn on the system, I get the gameboy logo and a slightly garbled "Nintendo" under it. The game does not load after this. Here is a picture. http://i56.tinypic.com/20ka9md.jpg

1) I first tested this in a GBA SP. There was no Nintendo logo. I made sure the GBA SP played other games. It does.
2) I cleaned the game. Same thing happened.
3) I took the game apart, cleaned it with an eraser and rubbing alcohol. The Nintendo logo is there, but a little garbled. (See picture)
4) Cleaned it again. Same thing.
5) Tried it in a GBA that works, and a GBC that works. Same thing.

Everything on Google suggests I clean it. Or "it's broke". What else would save this cart?

PS: This is Pokemon Red, if that helps. I heard you could break the game with some deadly glitches or something. Is this the case?

[YoshiEgg25]

PS: This is Pokemon Red, if that helps. I heard you could break the game with some deadly glitches or something. Is this the case?

Nope, the glitches on Red/Blue wouldn't cause something to this extent.

[KDub]

When I've had this happen with GB carts (garbled Nintendo logo) it was because the cart wasn't seated right. Is the cart warped in some way to keep it from connecting right?

[StephPlusPlus]

When I've had this happen with GB carts (garbled Nintendo logo) it was because the cart wasn't seated right. Is the cart warped in some way to keep it from connecting right?

Did not look like it. For good measure, I put a small piece of card stock under the board to lift the contacts. No dice.

[Hobie-wan]

I had a copy of Pokemon Red come into my possession that would play the title fine, but when you started a game, the professor guy would pop up on the screen then the system would play a few wonky notes and lock up. Cleaning didn't help and there was no visible damage. I think it had just gotten static zapped. Maybe the same with that cart.

[BoringSupreez]

Sorry, but I think it's fried. Get another cart.

[StephPlusPlus]

Ah, well. Looks like it won't be working. I was afraid of that.

On a positive note, shopping is fun, right?

[scarper]

You could possibly have a fake copy on your hands, resulting in extraordinarily cheap cart production that falls apart real easily. I don't recall this happening with 1st gen Pokemon games, but a friend of mine had a very similar issue with her fake copy of Pokemon Fire Red on the GBA. I'd look into it.

[nightrnr]

This is a long shot, but...

Have you tried removing the save battery and putting it back in? I've seen corrupted saves do weird things to games (although I admit that the game should at least load).
Sounds like a stupid reason, but you never know.

Anyways, that's the last thing I'd try before giving up on it.


Also, I assume you cleaned the game with a Q-tip an rubbing alcohol right? A dry clean is enough sometimes, but not always.

--EDIT--
Oooh, I forgot one other thing:
Have you tried inserting the game, and then pulling it slightly out (and I mean barely). My copy of Space Invaders has such worn contacts that it won't boot up unless I do this.

[StephPlusPlus]

Also, I assume you cleaned the game with a Q-tip an rubbing alcohol right? A dry clean is enough sometimes, but not always.

Yes, I tried that. Even after the dry clean.

Have you tried inserting the game, and then pulling it slightly out (and I mean barely). My copy of Space Invaders has such worn contacts that it won't boot up unless I do this.

Interesting thought, but it didn't work. I pulled it out with varying degrees of "slight". It was a good idea, though. ):

You could possibly have a fake copy on your hands, resulting in extraordinarily cheap cart production that falls apart real easily. I don't recall this happening with 1st gen Pokemon games, but a friend of mine had a very similar issue with her fake copy of Pokemon Fire Red on the GBA. I'd look into it.

Fake cart? Dun look like it, as it has Nintendo on the board and whatnot. The outside looks like every Red cart I've seen. The label is also far less than perfect, it just looks old and well-loved. Still could be a pirate, but it seems like pirates usually have less wear. Here's a picture of the board, if that helps. Maybe it is?
front: http://i52.tinypic.com/2dbkx2a.jpg
back: http://i54.tinypic.com/fd7sdy.jpg

Have you tried removing the save battery and putting it back in? I've seen corrupted saves do weird things to games (although I admit that the game should at least load).
Sounds like a stupid reason, but you never know.

Anyways, that's the last thing I'd try before giving up on it.

That doesn't sound like it would work, but... doesn't that involve desoldering?