Nooo, my Mega Drive is dying!

[destrukt]

Okay, a couple of months ago games would suit fine but I purchased a couple of games some weeks ago (Earth Worm Jim, Paper Boy, Aladdin, etc and not to mention all the other games I've slowly being buying, I have a lot of old favourites I want to play through ) and I hadn't had much time to play them so I had nothing much yesterday and I found out it's more or less impossible to get into the games. :/

What usually happens
1) Blow dust out of cartridge and cartridge slot - I don't know if this is actually useful, just an old habit
2) Put the cartridge in giving it a firm but loving push to make sure it's in correctly
3) Turn it on, this where the trouble it beings: a) Black screen, nothing happens (85% of the time) b) Some small white text, something about Sega being licensed (10% of the time) c) Game starts after white text (5% of the time)

So, what choices do I have aside from trying to buy another Mega Drive ? Are there any home fixes I can try and who normally repairs Mega Drives (And remember, I'm in Australia so if it's obscure in the US it's probably 100x worse here ).

Edit: This is my Mega Drive (Photo from Wikipedia), a Mega Drive II Pal version.

 

[KagePrototype]

Buy a PC gamepad and use an emulator?

 

[-Psy-]

My Mega-Drive is hidden in the attic somewhere.

I last played it about 3 years ago and it was the same version as yours. I'm quite sure there are some specialist who fix retro consoles. Try using Google to find them.

 

[Warbie]

Buy a PC gamepad and use an emulator?

ergh!


I think you'll have to look around for another one, destrukt. My snes died last year and i've been looking for a replacement for a while, so I know your pain. So far ebay seems to be the place to look. You might be able to find a new or next to new model floating around if you're lucky.

There's something very special about old consoles in pristine condition.

 

[StardogChampion]

Buy a PC gamepad and use an emulator?

Agreed. And plus, you can save your game anywhere you want

 

[ríomhaire]

I tried to get my Mega Drive to work a few months ago. I only got static on my TV

Emulators FTW!

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Emulators all the way!

Hook your computer up to your TV as well.

 

[hool10]

I have the Genesis 2 and it works brand new and plays like brand new. What I recommend doing is this: http://www.gaminggraveyard.com/classic_gaming/articles/nes_console_repair.php
While that is the NES, they all operate on that pin connection. Hope that helps! Did for my old SNES anyways.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Can't be too difficult replacing a component in something that old, just get your soldering kit out.

 

[hool10]

Can't be too difficult replacing a component in something that old, just get your soldering kit out.

All you need is some Q-tips, alcohol, eraser, and a wire brush.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Megadrive Transistors bring back memories

 

[destrukt]

Buy a PC gamepad and use an emulator?

Never! It's just not the same having to blow the cartridge before putting it in and using the incredibly uncomfortable controllers.

I think you'll have to look around for another one, destrukt. My snes died last year and i've been looking for a replacement for a while, so I know your pain. So far ebay seems to be the place to look. You might be able to find a new or next to new model floating around if you're lucky.

There's something very special about old consoles in pristine condition.

eBay hasn't brought me much yet but I'm going to keep on checking it and checking all the other places retro console/games would turn up.

Anyway, I'm going to open it up and give it a clean and be oh-so-careful. I'm trying to pick up a SNES and even a NES but I'm having no luck finding one, or one for a decent price (There's a NES for over $100 (!) in a store near me where I buy my Mega Drive games).