Curious...

ChristopherT · Post by **ChristopherT** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:43 pm

While giving my VIC-20 it's semi-annual checkup, I found a blank
cartridge in my bin of Commodore stuff. It's dark brown, like a utility
cartridge, but looks like it never had a label on it. I plugged it into the
VIC and nothing happened when I turned on the computer. I cleaned
the contacts with a pencil eraser and plugged it back in. Now it's working
and it turns out to be a copy of Gridrunner. I can't imagine why it's in a
blank cartridge unless someone damaged the original one.

Anybody have some tips on cleaning old cartridges? I hate using rubbing
alcohol on them unless it's really necessary.

Thanks!

Christopher

Tepic · Post by **Tepic** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:49 am

I usually just blow on mine. Odd but it works.

vic user · Post by **vic user** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:09 am

I just use a little bit of windex on a q-tip, and then rub the contacts, and let the cart. air dry for a bit.

Been using this method for all my gaming carts. (atatri 2600, sega, intellivision, etc..) and no worries so far.

chris

ChristopherT · Post by **ChristopherT** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:14 am

vic user wrote:I just use a little bit of windex on a q-tip, and then rub the contacts, and let the cart. air dry for a bit.

Been using this method for all my gaming carts. (atatri 2600, sega, intellivision, etc..) and no worries so far.

chris

Thanks, Guys! I found a copy of River Raid by Thorn EMI for the VIC-20
in my C-64 box. I'll try the Windex and Q-tip method on that one. I do
have some Atari 2600 carts that I have to clean as well.

Christopher

KilrPilr · Post by **KilrPilr** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 12:48 pm

It can be a pain but i find the pencil eraser works the best. I used to use a qtip and alcohol, which seemed to work) but the contacts still looked dirty. Using the eraser cleans em up like new. If they are really bad i will use sandpaper. Very very fine grit of course, like 280 grit or even higher.Its a scary thought but if you use fine enough paper and barely rub them it pretty much just removes the dirt film but also roughs up the contact so it makes a better connection.

Leo

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:40 am

I use.. bah, don't know the English word - stålull (mineral wool?), a grey metal "fur" which you break small pieces of and moisten so it lathers a little. Normally used to give a rough clean to your sink, but I carefully cleaned cartridge connectors too. Maybe not the most protective solution. I never thought about using alcohol, and sand paper even at the finest grade sounds about similar to my "wool".

vic user · Post by **vic user** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 3:34 am

sounds like what we call s.o.s. pads, over here

chris

Boray · Post by **Boray** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:01 am

I wonld't recommend Anders' approach!!! I think the connectors are plated with different metals to prevent corrotion. For example "gold plated". I think some of the carts actually are gold plated or they wouldn't have that yellow shine to them. I only use cleaning alcohol (T-röd) and those things that are ment for cleaning your ears with (Topz).

/Anders

tweel · Post by **tweel** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:38 am

I wouldn't recommend grinding away the metal with anything. There are chemicals specifically made to clean edgeboard fingers and prevent (or least delay) their re-oxidation. Try a local electronics shop or a catalog -- MCM Electronics used to be a good source for these, I haven't checked lately. If you can't get "professional" chemicals made for technicians, but you have a Radio Shack nearby, try their "Edge Connector Cleaner & Protector", catalog # 64-4340. It's in the form of a valved "pen" with a wedge-shaped felt tip. And if all else fails, use electrical contact cleaner (preferably without oil in it) from a hardware store, applied with a Q-Tip.

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:48 am

Well, I know/said it is not a good solution, but somehow comparable to the worst case sand paper or file I think. I know as much as my 32K memory expansion didn't work at all when I received it, no matter how it was inserted. I didn't think of using isopropanol alcohol, and a rubber eraser never was on my mind, but light scrubbing as described worked and it still works almost ten years after.

Now everyone have a list from gentle to rough, and it is up to everyone how careful you want to be vs what means you have for use. Personally I thought the rubber would isolate more than bringing electrical contact.

Leeeeee · Post by **Leeeeee** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:05 pm

KilrPilr wrote: If they are really bad i will use sandpaper. Very very fine grit of course, like 280 grit or even higher.

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!!

Lee.

KilrPilr · Post by **KilrPilr** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:08 pm

Yeah i know.Its sounds scary and you think its bad but it really isnt.Trust me i wouldnt do something to ruin my carts. 280 grit is like a pencil eraser. not harsh at all.

Leo

Leeeeee · Post by **Leeeeee** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:18 am

It really is bad. You should never ever use an abrasive on edge connectors, even a very fine one. The cleaner look of the contacts after using an abrasive cleaner is caused by the greater sacttering of light from the scratches in the surface, these scartches increase surface area and promote further corrosion and contact reliability is reduced. After cleaning with a solvent the contact may not look properly clean but it is better than a scoured surface for the contacts.

After cleaning a thin film of switch lube, or similar, should be used to prevent any further deterioration.

The only time I'd ever use an abrasive cleaner is if there were corrosion salts present from chemical corrosion, after a battery leak for example.

Lee.

Boray · Post by **Boray** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 5:37 am

After reading on the bottle of the "T-Röd" I use, well, it isn't alcohol, it's some kind of etanol. I think the difference is that you will go blind if you drink it...

/Anders

Post by **Jeff-20** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 11:00 am

What about the dedicated cleaner fluids of the 8-bit and 16-bit days? They were sold much like tape cleaners for VCRs. What are they composed of?