Unusual Action Replay 4M Problem

[thekirbster]

Hey one and all, I was wondering if someone could help me out with an unusual problem with a Sega Saturn. Here it goes.

I just recently got a Sega Saturn (Model 2, Black, and NTSC) a couple months back. I have slowly been getting games for my new system like Night into Dreams...
Well, today I received Fighters Megamix and an Action Replay 4M (brand new state) in the mail. I put Megamix into the CD drive and the AR 4M into the cartidge slot. This is where the problem begins.

Instead of the usual Saturn boot logo being put together piece by piece until complete, I get the Saturn logo on a gray screen. Then it says "Sega" before rebooting continously. I immediately went online to do some research. The first of the solutions I found is to try the AR 4M cart out a little. After a few milimeters on both sides, the system went to the audio player whereas the CD would not pull up the AR menu by default. It would not reconize the CD therefore failing to want to pull up the AR menu, too. The solution I tried, failed.

I did a little more research and found that the Saturn's cartidge port is easily prone to failure. I then tried to clean the top with a few Q-tips. I still got the repeating result onscreen. Without the cart, any game I have boots just fine. I already know the problem lies with the catridge. I just do not know what to do.

Could anyone help me out here?

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

Well it would seem that you have a deadcart slot. I have went through a few Saturns because the slot dies. Unfortunately the Saturn cart slot is very fragile and bothersome. I do have a few thing you can try though. Inspect the slot, make sure there is noyhing down in there such as lint, hair, or even paper. ( I have seen it all at this point) Next, think of the Saturn's pin connector like you would an NES. If there is a pin bent a little too far out of place you will get wonky effects. Sometimes just jiggling it around will fix it ( sort of like an N64). The cart slots are not easy to get fixed so if nothing works that I have stated you would be better to save your cables and go to ebay and buy one without cables for 20-30 dollars.

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

Also, if you are handy with a soldering iron you might open the system up and check the paths going to the slot for any broken connections

[thekirbster]

Well, the strange think is the AR 4M is brand new, I think it may be the one with the problems now. I tested it on another Sega Saturn and it did the exact same thing. I going to say if I cannot get a refund or a replacement for this from where I ordered this from.

As an added bonus, I am also going to follow your advice from your first post as to make sure nothing is wrong with my catridge slot so both ends are safe.

When everything is said and done, I will update here. Thanks.