9 replies to this topic

[ElephantStyle]

Is there a way to open up a colecovision cart (coleco's own licensed ones) without breaking it?

[Ze_ro]

There should be two screws that are covered up by the label. If you feel the label, you should be able to find them. Unfortunately, there's not really any way to get at the screws without damaging the labels. You can try using an exacto knife to carefully cut a cross over the screw so that it's not overly obvious that you cut it, but that's about as good as you can get.

--Zero

[ElephantStyle]

Hey thanks Zero!

[Zaxxon]

Why do you want to open it? If it's just to see what it looks like inside, I'm sure there's a pic around somewhere of the insides so you don't have to damage a cart.

[ElephantStyle]

Actually, I just opened one up. It was a non-working one. I heated up the label with a hair dryer, peeled it back carefully and took it apart. Cleaned the contacts with a pink eraser, put it back together, reheated the label and stuck it back down. Label condition is virtually identical, and even better, now the game works! I'm gonna try this with some more "dead" colecovision carts.

woohoo!

[Zaxxon]

Can't you fit an eraser in there to clean without opening them up?

[ElephantStyle]

Perhaps, but I can do a better job by opening them up, more room to maneuver... at least, thats been the case in the past with nes carts. Also, that way I don't have to worry about eraser "dust" getting left in the carts either.
Whatever works I guess.

[bjk7382]

why not use a qtip and alcool to clean carts. I have never had to do anything else to get dirty carts to work.

And "if" alcohol doesn't work, use 600 grit emery cloth and lightly sand the contacts. I have never used an eraser on a cart.

[ElephantStyle]

bjk7382 said:

why not use a qtip and alcool to clean carts. I have never had to do anything else to get dirty carts to work.  

And "if" alcohol doesn't work, use 600 grit emery cloth and lightly sand the contacts. I have never used an eraser on a cart.

Used a qtip and isopropyl (sp?) alcohol. Didn't work in this case. Just because you have never had to do anything else to get dirty games working, doesn't mean it worked for me (although it usually does).
My method works on the worst scenario cases, I'll stick to it.

[JerseyDevil]

ElephantStyle said:

bjk7382 said:

why not use a qtip and alcool to clean carts. I have never had to do anything else to get dirty carts to work.

And "if" alcohol doesn't work, use 600 grit emery cloth and lightly sand the contacts. I have never used an eraser on a cart.

Used a qtip and isopropyl (sp?) alcohol. Didn't work in this case. Just because you have never had to do anything else to get dirty games working, doesn't mean it worked for me (although it usually does).
My method works on the worst scenario cases, I'll stick to it.

I agree, I have been using pencil erasers to clean my games for years. Sometimes there is crap on the contacts that can't be cleaned with alcohol.