Problem with my smartcard... (Page 1 of 2)

sounds like a faulty cart if you just plain can't save. might want to contact whoever you bought it from.

that, or just wait for kitsch...

I actually believe the problem is that your batteries are going dry. The EMS cartridge draws more current than other cartridges, so even though your Gameboy might work fine with a game cartridge, the EMS cartridge might fail for this reason.
My advice would be to change to fresh batteries and also to look for corrosion on the battery contacts. If they're clean and the problem persists even with fresh batteries, you might look into the possibility of a faulty cartridge.

Nitro's the boss, always take his word over mine.

If your battery contacts are dirty, you can clean them pretty well with a cotton swab and very careful application of some white vinegar—that will react with the corrosion and dissolve it on contact.

Last edited by Telerophon (Oct 7, 2012 3:39 pm)

I tried to put Super Mario Land on the cart now...It worked, but when I put it into my gameboy and started it, nothing happens. The logo won't show up and i don't hear that typical *beep*-nintendo  noise...

I really hope my cart isn't broken <.< I almost waited 3 weeks for it to arrive and i already put a different sticker on it...so i don't think i could send it back again.

Again, check what I asked you. Are your batteries fresh? Any corrosion on the battery contacts? That is, in the Gameboy, not the cartridge's battery.

did you check the battery to see if it was loose (the cartridge one)?

also, can you explain the ROM configuration on your cartridge, as in what ROMs are in menu 1 and which ones are in menu 2?

edit -- also, can't believe i forgot this:

if the PCB shifts during transit that could really be the issue, they are taped in place but if they are jolted can still move, look up into the cartridge and you'll see how the circuit board and a lip on the cartridge case align.  the circuit board's edges should align EXACTLY with this.  if it shifts left or right enough your pins will touch and your cart will behave exactly like this.  out of like..  100 carts a couple will arrive like this, just not aligned correctly.  you just open the case, pry the circuit board up gently (its double-sided-taped down), and reapply it precisely aligned with that little lip on the cartridge case.

just something else to check

edit -- pry it up with something non-conduction, it is a bit of electronics after all.  a disposable plastic knife would work well, something along this line of thinking.  and, do it gently trying not to bend/warp the pcb since its adhered with tape.

I'd recommend looking into the carts yourself and deciding based on what you're looking for specifically, and how much you're willing to pay. nitro2k01 made a nifty post about the pros and cons of various usb cartridges a few posts down over here;
http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/1277/ … o-request/

There's also Drag'n'Derp cartridges, which a lot of people are looking forward to, due to it's on board memory (no battery) but they're hard to come by at the moment and are fairly pricey. You can see more info from the creator here;
http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/4170/ … boy-carts/

I personally use a BleepBloop because I'd heard the EMS carts are fairly unreliable (as a whole). I haven't had any issues with the cart or the drivers yet, after about a year and a half of use.

EDIT: Of course though, try to fix your EMS cart with what everyone else had mentioned first, best of luck on that end.

Last edited by Kramlack (Oct 7, 2012 4:50 pm)