"How to Scan your Carts" Tutorial


It's actually quite simple to get your carts apart and scanned once you have the proper tools. So, I'm just gonna show you what I use, and maybe give you a few tips on scanning.

First off, you'll need a tool to get the cart apart with. Nintendo uses a rare security screw to try and keep the masses out of their goods. But this is easily gotten around. The easiest way is of course to buy the proper bit from a retail location. I've used MCM Electronics in the past, but apparentley others have had trouble with them lately. You could just make your own bit though, which is actually a lot easier than you would think. All you need is a cheap 6-8 standard screwdiver bit. What you need to do is cut out the tip of the bit in a shape of a "U". When making my tool, I used a file to get a groove started, and then switched to a hacksaw to take out the majority of the bit. Then went back to a file for the final work. I just kept filing away until the bit fit over the cart's security screw. I would say it took me about 15 minutes. You will often be able to loosen the screw using just your homemade bit and a short extension, but the screws can sometimes be a pain, and require a little more leverage. Check out the pic below to see the full tool I use.
Once you've got the actual case apart, you'll be confronted with a metal casing held down by two philips screws, which will simply require an ordinary philips screwdriver. Although you'll probably have the most luck if you use a smaller tip.

A close-up of the security bit used by the big N

An example of the "proper" bit that usually runs around $3.95

My hacked bit, which has worked quite nicely so far

Alrighty, you've gotten the cart apart, and have taken the metal casing off. What you are confronted with is acutally the most important part of the cart, and the scan we're most interested in. When I'm going to scan the front of a pcb board, I put the screws back in just to hold the board in place. When you're done with that side, you can just flip the board over and scan the back. It's easiest to scan the back without the case attached, it's just easier to align the board. Make sure you've removed the black plastic protector piece before you scan either side, so that the paths can be seen. If you've already scanned the front and back of the cart, then you're done, and can put everything back together the same way you took it apart.

A few notes on scanning and submitting

-The front of the pcb board is the most important scan there is, and extra time should be taken to make sure it's clear. It would be very helpful if you would right down the carts "stats" before you submit it, as the numbers can often be hard to read on a scan. Just send us the information to fill in the boxes used on the other cart pages along with your scans, and everything will go much more smoothly. It is much easier to tell what a chip says when you have it right in front of you. Scroll down a bit, and see the info we'd like submitted, just cut and paste this into a text file, and fill in the info. Thank you very much =)
-Remember to remove the black protector piece before scanning, it's easy to forget about. It's just as easy to forget to put it back when assembling the cart, so double check that too.
-If you don't feel like cropping and straightening the scan, don't worry about it, just send it in, and I'll take care of it.
-You will be properly credited for your scanning work, so submit without worry.
-The best way to submit the files is over irc, as dcc is perfect for larger file transfers. If that doesn't work for ya, contact us at the e-mail addresses over on your left, and we can work something else out. I'm not sure what the file size limits are, so I don't know if e-mail is a trustworthy method to submit with.

game : _______________

game pak (front) : _______________

game pak (back) : _______________

rom chip : _______________

cic chip: _______________

pcb label : _______________

save chip : _______________

other chips : _______________

other features : _______________

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