Does this Super Metroid need a new save battery?

[AppleQueso]

I just got a copy of Super Metroid.

When I start the game up, it shows 3 save files, all of which say:

ENERGY 00
TIME 00:00

starting any of these files shows the usual opening cutscenes, but Samus dies immediately when you take control of her.

I tried erasing all 3 of these saves and just starting a new game, which caused it to behave normally. I reached Zebes, saved my game, and turned it off for a moment. When I turned it back on, all of the saves were 'reset' to that ENERGY 00 thing.

I assume the battery is dead. So yeah, is this just a weird quirk because of a dead save battery, or is this a bigger problem?

If it's just a dead battery, can someone link me to a good tutorial on replacing them?

[Hobie-wan]

Well, hopefully just a nearly dead battery that is being weird and the save is getting corrupted because it isn't all staying there. Try this, play to a save point, save, then reset the SNES. See if you can still load the save without it being corrupted. If that works, then a new battery should sort your out. If the save is corrupted at that point, there could be something more going on.

Replacing the battery is easy as long as you have a bit, a soldering iron, and either a tabbed battery or a holder and some wire. I'm pretty sure there's room for a holder in a SMet cart. You just pay attention to which way it is orientated for polarity (take a picture if you want to be safe), desolder, solder new one. Done. Don't use some bullshit half-assed wad of tape method and don't try to solder to a bare battery. It won't work or you'll make the battery explode trying to heat it up enough for solder to stick.

[AppleQueso]

Alright, I tried that.

Saving and hitting reset allows me to reload my save. Powering off erases everything.

I've noticed that I'm getting occasional freezes too. I'm assuming that's just dirty contacts or something, I figure I'll give the game a good cleaning when I try and replace the battery.

I don't have the bit to open the cartridge, but I can easily order one so it's not a problem.

[Jontendo]

Don't use some bullshit half-assed wad of tape method and don't try to solder to a bare battery. It won't work or you'll make the battery explode trying to heat it up enough for solder to stick.

It's unlikely to explode, but direct heat for too long (just a few seconds) will kill the battery.
Painting a spot of flux on the top & bottom of a new cell will let the solder stick quickly for reconnecting to the old tabs (a decent alternative where solder tab cells aren't readily available). I don't like the tape method either (the connection can't be trusted no matter how tight you wrap it).

[o.pwuaioc]

Don't use some bullshit half-assed wad of tape method and don't try to solder to a bare battery. It won't work or you'll make the battery explode trying to heat it up enough for solder to stick.

It's unlikely to explode, but direct heat for too long (just a few seconds) will kill the battery.
Painting a spot of flux on the top & bottom of a new cell will let the solder stick quickly for reconnecting to the old tabs (a decent alternative where solder tab cells aren't readily available). I don't like the tape method either (the connection can't be trusted no matter how tight you wrap it).

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 44&t=33889

[Jontendo]

Don't use some bullshit half-assed wad of tape method and don't try to solder to a bare battery. It won't work or you'll make the battery explode trying to heat it up enough for solder to stick.

It's unlikely to explode, but direct heat for too long (just a few seconds) will kill the battery.
Painting a spot of flux on the top & bottom of a new cell will let the solder stick quickly for reconnecting to the old tabs (a decent alternative where solder tab cells aren't readily available). I don't like the tape method either (the connection can't be trusted no matter how tight you wrap it).

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 44&t=33889

I stand corrected. I've soldered many of these without issue, but apparently I've been racking up some major karmic debt to the universe. Maybe I should stay home today.

[o.pwuaioc]

Well, he blew two of them up, so perhaps he just took your unlucky one.

[Jontendo]

Well, he blew two of them up, so perhaps he just took your unlucky one.

Well, looks like I owe someone a Coke.

[Ziggy]

Haha, I was thinking of that same thread.


@ AppleQueso: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117792

So it sounds like it's just a dead battery.

Also worth noting, I think the older Super Metroid carts are pre MAD-1. The battery backup circuit on SNES carts, before Nintendo used the MAD-1 chip, is similar to NES carts and can exhibit the same behaviors (dropping and/or corrupting saves).

[Hobie-wan]

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117792

Ok whoops, based on the cart pics in that, it does fill the shell. So no adding a battery holder unless it is one of the rarer super thin ones. Tabbed battery it is then.

I have some if you need one, or I can swap it if you decide you aren't up to it.