troubleshooting a hu-card adaptor

[toppy]

Hello! I could use a little troubleshooting advice if there's any to give.

I've owned an NTSC Turbografx with a handul of US games for years now, which is kind of pitiful, yes I know. BUT, I recently decided to add to my modest collection with some Japanese gaming goodness. I bought a hu-card adaptor from a UK seller, and acquired a sampling of Japanese games from eBay. This was supposed to be a happy time. Well it turns out that all of my US games start up, but none of the Japanese games do. I only see a white screen.

I'm using one of those hu-card adaptors that were sold by Telegames back in the day. Here's a pic of the exact card I have.

Some possibilities: the adaptor could be defective, I haven't done the "hu-card insertion shuffle" properly, or all of the Japanese hu-cards I purchased are dead. What other possibilities are there? I'm trying to eliminate all variables.

The hu-card seller is far from me (he's in the UK; I'm in Canada). I'd rather consider a return a last resort.

Is it actually possible that all my imported hu-cards are dead?? There are nine of them from three different sellers. What are the chances? ZERO?

This hu-card adaptor doesn't exactly have many exposed bits and pieces. The contacts on the male end look clean and intact. The contacts in the slot, as hard as they are to inspect, look free of debris. Is there anything else on this card I could inspect? I don't exacty want to tear off the red paper.

Is there anything I can do to the pins to "prep" them, similar to blowing on the ol' cartridge opening?

Thanks for reading.

[Necromancer]

Welcome aboard the crazy train!

That's the same type of converter as I have, and it's rather a pain in the butt to use.  You probably need to clean the male contacts on the converter (I always need to give mine a good rub down with a soft cloth if it hasn't been used in the last few weeks) or need to clean the female pins on the converter (just shove a HuCard in and out a few times).  Also, try pulling the HuCard out slightly after you've inserted it fully; mine seems to make better contact that way.

[chany60126]

I own the green diveboard converter which is similar to this (Mirai) converter, except longer. But yeah, just like necro said, you gotta clean the male contacts every now and then if it hasn't been used in a while.

[DragonmasterDan]

In addition to aforementioned comments regarding cleaning it. Depending on how much give there is on your converter you may want to try repositioning your cards. The pins have to line up perfectly or it won't work.

[Necromancer]

That's the same type of ██████ as I have, and it's rather a pain in the butt to use.  You probably need to clean the ██████ (I always need to give mine a good rub down with a soft cloth if it hasn't been used in the last few weeks) or need to clean the ██████ (just shove a ██████ in and out a few times).  Also, try pulling the ██████ out slightly after you've inserted it fully; mine seems to make better contact that way.

What exactly was I talking about. 

[nat]

My Kisado has been used so many times that the pins that make contact with the cartridge pins have been pushed up so far that they don't make decent contact with most carts anymore. I have a small piece of cardboard (cut from a matchbox) that I have to insert with the HuCard in order to push it up high enough to make good contact.

Try cleaning first, but it's worth a shot if you have no luck with that.

[BlueBMW]

You could always region mod your system so a simple flip of a switch replaces bulky unreliable converter carts..  :-"

[toppy]

Also, try pulling the HuCard out slightly after you've inserted it fully; mine seems to make better contact that way.

I could kiss you right on the mouth. This was the problem. I just have to nudge the HuCard back out ever so slightly to get it to work. I'm so happy: I was playing Kyukyoku Tiger and swearing like a sailor. Good times!

The adaptor looks and smells pretty new, so there was no wear or dirt. However, thanks to your feedback, I'm now aware of some of the things that could happen to it over time with lots of use. That is quite helpful. I really appreciate the replies.

You could always region mod your system so a simple flip of a switch replaces bulky unreliable converter carts..   :-"

Yes, you are right.

I've had this puppy in storage for quite a while now, and am starting to "get into it" again. I don't know if I'm with the minority, but I have to say there is something nice about a stock, bare-bones console; at the same time, it would be nice to bump up the video output from RF, and be able to pop in a Japanese HuCard without having to perform minor surgery. We'll see!