Author Topic: Cleaning a dirty PCE?  (Read 221 times)

Nando

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Cleaning a dirty PCE?
« on: October 23, 2012, 08:35:06 AM »
So lately I've had a few issues with some games not coming up when I start my Core system. The TV screen will go through that pink/magenta flicker and then go white and nothing will show on screen. Re-inserting the game tends to fix the issue. I have yet to not have a game work. It's just freaking me out a bit. The games I have all seem fairly clean, but I have not looked inside the unit itself yet.

I ran into this guide to cleaning an NES
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nesmaintenance/nesmaintenance.htm

to you guys that do maintenance on your machines, are there any online guides similar to this nes one? I'm sure I could figure it out but I want to read as much reference as possible before opening up me baby :D



turboswimbz

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Re: Cleaning a dirty PCE?
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2012, 11:21:57 AM »
Just as a follow up question, Is it all games or just a few?  hmmm also there was a thread where opening up and cleaning the dust out was mentioned (who was that, one of the modders/fixers - chop maybe?) Well whoever it was did mention that quite a bit of dust can get into the system itself, but I can't find the thread. 
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vestcoat

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Re: Cleaning a dirty PCE?
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2012, 11:50:17 AM »
to you guys that do maintenance on your machines, are there any online guides similar to this nes one? I'm sure I could figure it out but I want to read as much reference as possible before opening up me baby :D
That NES guide looks OK from skimming it. Brasso might save badly corroded contacts, but the usual culprits are simple grime or a thin cloudiness that might be corrosion, but it's so minor alcohol can take it off. I use the highest isopropyl I can easily find (91%) because I'm leery of additives in things like windex and rubbing alcohol.

TG users are lucky because the contacts in our systems are pretty good and Turbochips are easily cleaned with their contacts not being hidden in a cartridge. My Duo took years of steady gaming before I experienced any hucard problems. Keep your games clean and store them properly. A rub with an alcohol q-tip is needed once in a while. Pushing a clean game in and out a dozen times, cleaning it, and repeating will help burnish the contacts inside the system.  I bought a used High Frequency cleaning kit on ebay with a Genesis cleaning card that fits the TurboGrafx perfectly. Docs cards also work. Only open up your console as a last resort.
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PunkicCyborg

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Re: Cleaning a dirty PCE?
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2012, 03:30:37 PM »
My PCE only likes playing games if I don't insert them all the way. Only times that didn't do the trick a little clean up of the contacts did the trick.
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Nando

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Re: Cleaning a dirty PCE?
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2012, 01:56:54 AM »
Makes me feel less worried now.

Thanks again all!