SNES Background Issues Possibly VRAM

Hey guys,

I recently got a hold of an extra SNES that I took apart and cleaned from top to bottom. I got everything to work, but upon testing some games I noticed that the backgrounds have started glitching and skipping/flashing/etc. I have tried this SNES with several games and they all exhibit similar symptoms. They all work fine on my other SNES, so I know it's the system. From what I've read these symptoms are caused by a failing VRAM and as my experience is somewhat limited I was hoping to get some help. I've traced all of the leads from U4/U5 and they are all working just fine. As for the next step, I would like some advice. I currently do not have another SNES board to pull VRAM off of, so if replacing the chips is my best bet, then that'll have to wait a while. Should I try resoldering each pin and see if that makes a difference? Please shoot me some advice and let me know what you think.

By the way it's a first revision SNES, model SHVC-CPU-01


-Matt

 

Resoldering first, there may be a bad solder joint somewhere. Resolder both the RAM and the cart connector to be sure.

 

SHVC? Isn't that part of the model numbers used in Japanese Super Famicom hardware?

Anyhow, I've seen people selling replacement VRAM chips if you need them without cannibalizing a perfectly good SNES. Before doing that, make sure to do the things wilykat said.

 

He is referring to the motherboard revision. US SNES systems also have the SHVC designation inside of the console.

 

Really? I've never opened a SNES before so I didn't know that. How come the labels on the bottom of the console's shell says SNS-001? Why did they make the part numbers different?

 

only Nintendo knows. My guess is they were using Japanese name because the mainboard is virtually unchanged, only the outside console was changed for USA release with plastic tabs changed for region lockout.

 

The power circuitry is also slightly different and so is the RF module. It's NTSC-M on USA systems and NTSC-J on Japanese systems.

 

Well, I tried resoldering the VRAMs with no luck. The blinking backgrounds are still there and haven't gotten worse or better. I suppose my next step should be to replace the VRAM.... Now I've only been here for a few days, so I can't post WTB, but does anyone know where I might find a broken SNES or chips for sale?
Thanks for the help.

 

I noticed eBay has some for sale. They may charge too much though.

 

I recently bought a new snes to replace my non working unit and it exhibited flashing and garbled background graphics, it turned out to be a very dirty cart connector. i cleaned it with a old c/card with a very thin old cotton cloth wrapped around it soaked in methylated Spirits.

 

Check for broken traces. Posting screenshots could help, too.