SNES Graphical Help

Hi all, I have some issues with a SNES that I need some help with.

Basically my SNES is throwing out some graphical errors that look like this:



and:

I bought the SNES a while ago that had some mods done do it, two switches are on the side of it, one switch is to switch between PAL and NTSC mode, and the other switch is for 50 mhz or 60 mhz. I can take photos of the inside of it (as much as I can), but I'm wondering what's causing the issue, or if I can really do anything to fix it. Thanks for any help that is suggested.

 

What snes is it? is it originally PAL or NTSC? Does it happen with the switches in different positions? Some pics of the mod would be good.

 

It's a normal US SNES (aside from the paint job), NTSC model. It happens when the switches are in the different positions (I can post a video if you want to see). Here are a few pics of the console:

[GALLERY=media, 2046]Side Of Unit by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 2045]Mod Pic by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 2044]Mod Pic 2 by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 2043]Inside Of Unit by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 2042]IMG_0378 by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 2041]Dirt by HumanityPlague posted Feb 2, 2017 at 5:28 PM[/GALLERY]

I also included a picture of the AC adapter plug. Sometimes the unit has trouble powering on, like I have to turn the cord when it's plugged in, and I don't remember if the SNES power port looked like that or not.

 

OK. I'll bite.

Man.

So ideally the ICs in your system are OK, but you have some intermittent contact in the signal path for RAM/CPU/PPU. Perhaps a signal is grounding out, or there is a cold solder joint in one of your paths. If the quality of the soldering work for the wires for those switches is an indicator of the job underneath, the work underneath the metal shielding isn't going to win any awards.

I am... happy? ...that you can still see the triforce scaling and rotating as well as the background flickering in and out on SMRPG. I wonder if one of the wires is unintentionally bridging some pins or points as it stretches across to your switches.

The sound module looks like it was the victim of a drink spill while that early model SNES was sitting on its front. Between spills and mods, it looks like it has been through a lot!

Have you fully disassembled a SNES before? Are you good with a soldering iron? If you attack this, make sure you discharge the SNES properly before servicing. If you feel uncomfortable with it, do you have a knowledgeable friend that could help?

In addition to proper system disassembly and cleaning, I think this SNES needs:

1: Wires to the PCB need to be checked. Look for bridges. Look for leftover flux that wasn't cleaned up (part of your cleaning process). Probably ought to just redo the circuit - desolder, clean, resolder, clean.
2: Taking power and ground directly from the 7805 voltage regulator "works" - but you could probably pull it from a place closer to your circuit (ideally with less noise)
3: Power connector. ... what power connector? You need a new one. It is generally easier to replace the back bracket if you want to retain the SNES's power connection back there. Alternatively, you could change the plug type and just desolder and remove the broken power jack.
4: Remove the electrical tape from the switches, desolder the connections, clean it up, put heat shrink on the wiring, solder it back up, clean up your flux, move the tubing into place, test, and then shrink the tubing.

Alternatively...hawk it to someone here on the board and buy another unit with slightly more professional mod work.

Hopefully the guts of that sound module are OK.

 

My bet is his CPU is fried. The rev A CPU is crap. Get one with a B.

 

Remind me to hire you to fix it when I have some extra cash handy. Feel free to quote me a price.