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    Sega Saturn RAM Cart Not Working

    I bought a second hand White Saturn recently and I'm having all sorts of problems with the 4 MEG RAM cart. To start off with it seemed to work fine, I tested it with X-Men Vs Street Fighter and it played a few rounds ok, then the graphics became corrupt and it crashed. I then tested it with Marvel Vs Street Fighter and the same thing happened - along with random moments when the game refused to boot up at all. Vampire Savior is the same.

    I've blown on the cart contacts, blown on the cartridge port on the saturn, etc - now I only get an error message (in Japanese) which I assume is telling me that it can't detect the cartridge at all.

    This is the third Japanese Saturn I've owned and all of them suffered from this problem in one way or another - but this is the worst.

    Any hints or tips? Can I clean the contacts inside the Saturn, or is it a lost cause?

    Considering how robust the Megadrive is, the fact that the Saturn cartridge port is so duff really annoys me.

    #2
    i usually just get a cotton bud and clean both sides if the contacts. You will probably see the bud taking off a fair bit of dirt, then give it a try.

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      #3
      Tried that - actually, before I cleaned the contacts it was working slightly, now it doesn't work at all.

      I think the issue is with the Saturn rather than the cart being dirty.

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        #4
        Push the cart all the way in, then pull it out slightly.

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          #5
          Just a thought but it if CD games seem to work OK and it's happened on all your other Saturns it could be a variation on this problem / fix for the NES. The pins inside the cartridge slot are not straight but bent around in a sort of hook shape to make them protrude. Over time and use the 'bulges' eventually flatten, meaning the contacts don't always connect properly. I had to reshape the pins in my NES because of the same problem and the symptoms were exactly as you describe, e.g. graphical glitches and corruption leading to crashes, or just not booting at all. Might be worth giving it a go!

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            #6
            Careful you don't break the pins off though!

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              #7
              As Kubrick stated,

              Put the cart fully in the saturn, then gently lift it up both sides until it feels "Tight"

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                #8
                Thanks for the tips guys - will give this a go when I get a chance. If I get no joy then I may have a look at that 'NES' style solution, but the pins look VERY fragile.

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                  #9
                  The best solution is to get an Action Replay cart. Some cal it a 5 in 1. The one's that let you play imports and are 1 and 4 meg rams. The carts are much more reliable than the 4 meg carts. It's a really common problem with both the Capcom and SNK carts. I should put the cart back in the box and invest in one of the Replay's mate. Had one for over 3 years now and haven't had a single prob.
                  3DS FC (updated 2015): 0447-8108-3129

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                    #10
                    I know what you're saying mate, but it's usually the action replay carts that are the problem. The contacts board on those carts is larger than that of the official 4/1 MEG and backup RAM carts, so once you plug an action replay cart it, it forces all the contacts inside the saturn apart. This happened on my last Saturn.

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                      #11
                      Really, never found that problem myself. I've used quite a few of the beasts over the years to. Hmmm...'tis a problem indeed Damien. Well if it's any help (which it probably isn't) I use the Action Replays from Rob Webb and to this day have never had any contacts problems - had about 6-7 saturns over the last 2-3 years to. Perhaps it's just luck of the draw!?
                      3DS FC (updated 2015): 0447-8108-3129

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                        #12
                        I might pick up an action replay cart, TBH. I've got nothing to lose, I suppose. I'd rather not have to sit there moving the 4MEG RAM cart up and down like I'm trying to crack a safe, just to get it to work properly.

                        I'm lazy - how much are those carts these days?

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                          #13
                          Forget that - check checked - £18 from Rob. Is that the best price?



                          EDIT: Looks like this is new and improved for 2007, it runs all the Capcom titles!
                          Last edited by Duddyroar; 09-07-2007, 13:10.

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                            #14
                            possibly could be cheaper elsewhere but I like Rob and his carts are decent. Never had any prob with them myself mate.
                            3DS FC (updated 2015): 0447-8108-3129

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                              #15
                              That's good enough for me, will grab one when I have the moolah.

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