SNES Scrambled graphics

[Mudk112]

Hello, and thank you in advance to anyone reading this. 

I realise that I'm probably not the first person to ask this kind of question, but please bear with me

I bought a SNES from a local charity shop today, along with a copy of Super Mario World.
Upon powering it up however I got scrambled graphics, not only that, but the game behaves differently to a 'normal' copy of SMW.
Asides the aforementioned scrambled graphics, Mario seems to die on the title screen after the first enemy - something that doesn't happen if the game is functioning normally. When Mario die, it plays a sound that isnt the usual death sound. This leads me to believe that it may be the cartridge, but it could also be the console.

I'll include a link to a video that I recorded for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_GCn6gGSZI
Please excuse the commentary...

It's all very weird. Asides the problems I mentioned, sound is ok, and no picture interference.

I've opened up the machine to check the motherboard for any signs of damage (i.e Leaking acid from Capacitors, Exploded capacitors, burned chips, etc) there are no obvious signs of damage.

I also tried cleaning the cartridge with a rubber, (a technique that someone on Youtube shared) but to no avail.

Some additional info that may be useful:

-Playing on a LCD TV (though that shouldnt be a problem from what I understand)
-Using RF connection (I suspect that the RF modulator may be bad)
-Power supply used is the official Super NES Power supply
-Console is of PAL origin (playing it in England)

I am uncertain whether the said glitches are a fault of the cartridge, or fault of the console itself :\
Since SMW is the only cart I currently have, I'm going to order another cart just to check that.

Of course, what I'd like to know is:
-whether it's the cartridge or Console at fault (as mentioned above)
-If it's the console, any chance of a fix?
-Would I benefit from buying a Cable to fit the multi-out port if it's the RF connector?

If anyone has any ideas, please do share!

Thank you all for your time. 

[chowder]

Of course, what I'd like to know is:
-whether it's the cartridge or Console at fault (as mentioned above)
-If it's the console, any chance of a fix?
-Would I benefit from buying a Cable to fit the multi-out port if it's the RF connector?

Looking at that, I'd say the console is at fault, but another cartridge will confirm that.

You could try cleaning the cartridge connector in the console - soak some fabric (cloth/old t-shirt) in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or some other cleaner, wrap it around an old credit card or some stiff cardboard and work it in and out of the connector.  If I had to bet though, I'd say it was down to a faulty RAM chip or something though.  In that case, you're better off just getting a new console.  Maybe a less yellow one

The RF connection shouldn't cause issues like that, you would get better video quality out of the multi-out port though, assuming the console worked properly.

[Mudk112]

Thanks for the Speedy reply.

So I tried cleaning the 62-pin connector using the credit card trick you described, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol, so I used Surgical Spirit instead, which is apparently very similar. I also cleaned the cartridge again for good measure (but this time with the Surgical spirit)

After allowing to dry, I put everything back together and tested, but to no avail - still scrambled 

I've ordered another cartridge that should arrive tomorrow, just to check if it is just my copy of SMW, How many carts do you reckon I should test before calling it a day?

I've read somewhere that I could try replacing the connector, would that be worth a shot?

Another thing I've noticed with the SMW game is that when I play a certain level, the screen goes blank, I can still hear music, but the screen is blank and there's no control (i.e no sound when jump button pressed)

I know I sound a bit hopeful, but is there anything else I can try?
Not sure what the point is in me asking, the PPU's probably gone 

Thanks very much either way though

[chowder]

If you try another game and it has similar issues, I'd say that was proof enough that it's a console side problem - the odds that you end up with 2 faulty carts that exhibit the same issues would be very slim I think.

Does the connector physically look OK?  No obviously misaligned or bent pins?  If you have a soldering iron you could try re-flowing the solder on the underside of the motherboard.  Just touch the solder on each of the connector's pins to melt it and let it solidify again, that could help with any cracked/cold solder joints.

Video RAM problems on SNES/SFC consoles are not uncommon if you Google, and while it's possible to replace the chips, it's honestly not worth the time and effort given the relative low cost of a new unit.  I always want to fix everything too, but it's not always practical.  Let me know if you need help getting hold of a replacement SNES, give me a couple of weeks and I can probably sort you out.

Rob.

Thanks for the Speedy reply.

So I tried cleaning the 62-pin connector using the credit card trick you described, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol, so I used Surgical Spirit instead, which is apparently very similar. I also cleaned the cartridge again for good measure (but this time with the Surgical spirit)

After allowing to dry, I put everything back together and tested, but to no avail - still scrambled 

I've ordered another cartridge that should arrive tomorrow, just to check if it is just my copy of SMW, How many carts do you reckon I should test before calling it a day?

I've read somewhere that I could try replacing the connector, would that be worth a shot?

Another thing I've noticed with the SMW game is that when I play a certain level, the screen goes blank, I can still hear music, but the screen is blank and there's no control (i.e no sound when jump button pressed)

I know I sound a bit hopeful, but is there anything else I can try?
Not sure what the point is in me asking, the PPU's probably gone 

Thanks very much either way though

[Mudk112]

I've looked carefully in the connector when I removed it for cleaning, (My connector is the removable type) I didn't spot any obviously bent pins, though with that said, I wasn't particularly looking for bent pins, so I'll have a look at the connector tonight and determine that

I do have a soldering Iron, so I could probably try re-flowing the solder for the connector. I dismantled the console shortly before the first post, The solder didn't seem particularly cracked, but then again, just like with the bent connector pins, I wasn't particularly looking for that, So I'll have a look at that as well.

Hopefully the spare cartridge will arrive today or within the next few days (Received e-mail yesterday telling me it was dispatched )
Post Merge: October 17, 2015, 01:09:07 pm
Great news!

My spare cart arrived today, plugged it in and switched on, works fine!
Had to give it a quick blow when greeted with a black screen, but after that, was absolutely fine, no scrambling, no glitches!

Therefore, it seems to be my copy of Mario World, which is kind of a shame, but I may be able to fix that, maybe one of the connections to the rom is broken or somethin'... (Read about a similar problem some guy had with his Super Metroid cart on another forum)

Thank you very much for your help Chowder!

Now, I'd better find some hydrogen Peroxide to clear up that nasty yellowing

[chowder]

Glad to hear it was just the game, have fun!