SNES Corrupted Graphics and How to Fix

I've been reading about how the SNES can get corrupted graphics, but I always read that it's because of a corrupted PPU. But there are capacitor kits for sale. How do I know if a SNES has a faulty PPU instead of a need of a full capacitor replacement? And where might one get a PPU without trashing another SNES?

I was testing one today at a local seller, and he let me borrow it for repairs. On a Speedy Gonzales game I could only see half of the colorful graphics. On Thunder Spirits I saw just plain garbleness.

 

You don't get a PPU without trashing another SNES.

You kind of answered your other question, then. Actually, it's most likely to be the PPU, but there are what, less than 10 caps? Change them and see. If you're talking about garbled characters, though, it sounds more like a RAM issue.

 

Broken traces. Happened before on the very forum.

 

Blown PPU can happen but is rare. Like others some trace or bad connector. Ram is more common.

Cap's just do it! With the age of the systems its just a matter of time till they are all dry and your sol.

 

Well, since I read about this dude fixing 3 SNES with the black screen of death by replacing caps, I do not take anything for granted on the SNES.

 

All I read on the internet about this issue never really gave a clear difference between vram/ppu issues and bad caps. But who knows? I have to order some 33ufs real soon.

 

You guys are talking about something you really know nothing about... lol

There's at least one capacitor that if faulty can certainly cause that "black screen" problem. The one near the F411/F314 chip. That one does keep the reset signal low for a couple of milliseconds after power is turned on. That's what generates the "power on reset". On that situation, pushing reset one time after powering on the unit could cause it to work.

 

Well, thanks for that tip I will try it on my black screen of death SNES.

 

Blerg no offense but it is really annoying when people use terms like this to explain a fault. We are not on Call of doody! Lols

 

I am far from the first to call it like that. So I assumed most people would know what I mean.
Hope it is not the windows reference that offends you but anyway sorry. From now on I shall call this issue The ''SNES-that-powers-on-and-produces-a-flicker-on-screen-then-only-a-black-screen-with-no-sound-all-the-while-the-cart-and-cart-slot-are-fully-clean-and-all-hookups-tested''
And I do not play Call of doody so I do not catch that joke sorry.

 

I would just call it a no display issue haha, the flicker is just surge..

The Doody part is the joke hehe (On some fanboy-anti xbox video i saw once.. The guy was legit! Even wore a mask)

 

Well I'm glad this topic popped up. I've had an SNES since this past summer that has corrupted graphics. Here is a video of the issue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV2xfoMAbwo&feature=youtu.be I checked for severed traces but nothing stuck out. My thoughts were the S-WRAM but after reading this thread I was curious if one he PPUs is bad. Contra III and EDF force run fine. Mario All-stars give me corrupt graphics and Top Gear gives me clean menus but a black screen when trying to race. The unit basically locks up.

 

Fixed it today, and found that it was either the RAM or PPU, not the capacitors. I replaced all onboard capacitors with radials (easier than expected!). Found the same problem, blocky graphics or none at all when booting Sim City. I hear perfect sound nonetheless. It's dead.

 

I called it a few posts ago ... But on the case of the other guy, corrosive leaked goo from the capacitor did cause the broken traces.

 

@ DC16 congrats on finding the next step to get your board up and running or giving up.