Megadrive 1 - Fixing Loose Fitting Carts
UPDATE - If you plan on using a Mega CD unit, be careful doing this, if any pins are touching then the MegaCD may not start up and appear to be completely dead...
On a few Megadrives, mmmonkey noticed that games will only load if the cartridge is pushed towards the back or front of the console, the cartridge doesn't have a nice snug fit, it's actually got quite a wobble. This is quite easy to fix on a Megadrive 1, you only need a small flat-headed screwdriver.
These pictures were taken whilst a Megadrive was in pieces (the switches modification was being carried out, and it made taking photo's a lot easier), it isn't necessary to take it apart, you can perform this just by opening the cartridge slot doors.
Here you can see the 2 rows of cartridge connectors, you'll notice there is a large gap in-between them.
Using a screwdriver, work along one row of connectors, pushing down on each individually as shown in this picture. You do not have to push really hard, please do NOT push really hard.
Now you can see that which connectors have been done, notice there is hardly any gap at all now, continue and do all the connectors, it should only take a half a minute or so.
To start with, only do this to one row of connectors, you may find you don't need to do both rows. If you've pushed down too hard on each of the connectors, then you'll notice you'll have to really push hard to get a cartridge in now, so make sure you start by pushing gently on each connector, if it hasn't worked, then push a bit harder and try again. If you have pushed the connectors too hard to start with, then once you've managed to put a cart in, leave it in for some time (overnight, days, weeks?!), this should relax the tight fit a bit.
Of course, if just 1 or 2 games don't work, the actual cart may be knackered, you could try cleaning the connectors, some people use a cotton bud soaked in alcohol - it's meant to work okay, but mmmonkey has never tried this. If you have purchased (or made) a 4.5mm Gamebit tool (the same as the one to open most Nintendo consoles), then you'll find that it fits most Megadrive carts, take it apart and rub at the connectors with a normal pencil rubber. See our other guide to make your own Gamebit screwdriver.
Loose cartridge connectors an inevitably, but are probably made worse by people leaving cartridges in the console, so if you're not using it for a while take the game out!
This could probably be applied to other cartridge based consoles (see the Megadrive 2 guide as well, as it's a little different).
