Nonworking 32X

So, I've bought a Sega 32X (with another Genesis 2) off eBay. The seller didn't seem to have any information about the system or its games (actually wrote it down as an "adapter" to the "Saga Genesis"). I've tested all the Genesis games and got them to work, but the 32X doesn't seem to want to at all. Every time I put in any game (32X or Genesis), the screen flickers a bit, then changes to a really dark green color, and doesn't even show the licensed by Sega screen.

I cleaned off the connectors, but don't want to open it up until I have a decent idea on what to do inside. Any help would be gladly appreciated.

 

I'd reseat the two ribbons inside first. Cheap and easy to do. If that doesn't work I'd make sure the cartridge slot is getting a good connection up top and your power supply is actually working properly. From there it only gets harder and starts to cost money.

 

Shitty flat white cables of death.

http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/

 

You could replace them shitty white things.

 

Oddly enough that was the EXACT same page I used. It worked for a bit, but I think I need to get the spacer for my Genesis, because it stopped working again when I changed games.

 

UPDATE: It's working now, I'm not sure if it was the cables or just how the thing was seated in my Genesis, I'll have to look for a spacer on ebay soon.

 

The spacer doesn't really seem to serve much of a purpose in my experience.

 

Really? It just seems to loose on there, and I've placed the 32X carefully but firmly on there multiple times and it seems like a guessing game as to if it works. Maybe I need to clean some of the connectors.

 

I gave those white things a good go on one of mine, but had no success either. Just intermittently playing games.
Turns out it was much simpler than taking the whole thing apart.
Piece of fine sandpaper folded in half run back and forth through the cartridge slot fixed that problem for me.
Worth a shot if you have some sandpaper... not everyone does though :smile-new:

 

Sure is loose and the thing does help somewhat but never to the point where I think "damn I never wanna run this without it".

 

x

 

I had this same problem, What i did was i cleaned the ribbon cables using some isopropyl alcohol (Preferably 90%) and some cotton swabs and let it dry for a bit... Reconnect and you should be good to go. Worked for me.

 

32X was never very well built in my opinion. I'd be surprised if those cables weren't the reason for failure weeks after release.

On Megasis's with really shitty connectors it's a lifeline. One miniscule tap = frozen game and lost progress. The 32X already sits in really loosely without those metal things and the spacer but on a console like that it's even worse.

 

Oh the isopropyl is a good idea too, I used it on the cartridge connector on the 32X that slots into the Mega Drive.
It's incredible how much grime and dirt builds up on them over time.

 

Dont use sandpaper on cart slots. It just damages them - even though it might work short term, you are making things worse.

 

A pencil eraser will work much better than sandpaper.

 

Whoops! Really? Yikes! What else could be used to get in there and give it a good scrubbing?

Wait pencil eraser on the gold fingers of cartridges and the part of the 32X that hooks into the Mega Drive right?
Pencil eraser wouldn't fit inside the game cartridge slot would it?

 

Yes, the pencil eraser on the PCB edge connector contacts.

Even if you had a really thin eraser it would be difficult to scrub the pin connector as the eraser is too flexible. Soaking the pin connector overnight in isopropyl alcohol would help loosen up whatever gunk is shoved in there.

 

Ahhhh got it, I just use methylated spirits for the PC edge connector contacts / gold fingers. No sandpaper on there.
Guess I better invest in an eraser and avoid using sandpaper in the future... well except for sanding my doors down at home. Hahaha!
Faber-Castell here I come! :biggrin-new:

 

Plastic card (credit card etc) and a thin cloth, wrap it over the card and pull it tight so there is no slack. Dip in IPA and insert into the cart slot over and over, cleaning the contacts.