Flashmasta/linkmasta broken?

[mic_]

Ever since yesterday I can't seem to get the linkmasta to detect the flashmasta correctly:



Even before this it was kinda finicky - it could take a couple of tries to get a working connection. But then it was usually only the ROM name that was wrong, while now even the flash chip IDs are messed up, and it's been like this for maybe 20-30 attempts.

If I try to flash a ROM to the cart it's writing the data without any complaints, but when I try to start up the NGPC with the flashmasta plugged in I'm just taken to the settings screen (date/time/alarm/whatnot), which I guess means that the NGPC doesn't think there's a valid cart plugged in.

I've tried a different USB cable, and a different USB port on my computer. Anything else that could be done? Getting something to clean the connectors with?
I don't have any original carts, so I can't see if the linkmasta is able to read other carts (i.e. whether the problem is with the flashmasta).

[Flavor]

Thanks for the screenshot. From what I see, this is a similar response to when a cart is not inserted or not making good contact.

First, though, are you using this on a laptop? If so, try it with the laptop plugged into main AC power. Usually things work fine when my laptop is running from battery, but I have seen odd things at times. I've never seen those odd sort of things when plugged into the wall power.

There are multiple things that could cause the cartridge to not be making good contact. Here are some things to look at.

1) Can the cartridge shift side to side? If the Linkmasta's socket is allowing the cartridge to go left or right (when looking at the cartridge's sticker), then it may not be making proper contact. Try inserting it all the way left and then all the way right to see if either helps.

2) Try pulling the cartridge up just a little bit. This should not matter, but if the cartridge is a little dirty, it could make better contact in a different spot.

3) Visually inspect each pin on the Linkmasta's cartridge socket. In very early versions of the Linkmasta, I used a different type of socket. They had weak pins, and after some use, they may bend/break. I have not seen this happen to any Linkmastas in the blue enclosures, but it's worth looking at. See if any pins look different than any others.

4) Clean the cartridge connector. I really doubt this is the problem, because it's so new, but who knows. To clean it, I would remove the cartridge PCB from it's case. You can use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts. If you see something obviously stuck on there, you could also use some isopropyl alcohol to clean it off.

5) If nothing else gives you different results, then you may want to remove the blue plastic enclosure and inspect the cartridge socket and where it is soldered to the board. I really doubt that you will find anything wrong here, but it's the last thing I can think of.

You (or any other reader) may wonder why I have only discussed the cartridge socket and cartridge edge connector. Well, from the screenshot, it's evident to me that the computer is talking to the Linkmasta via USB. That means that the USB connection is good. I've seen this sort of behavior when the main chip of the Linkmasta is unable to properly communicate with the Flashmasta. The most likely fault here is with the contact between the Linkmastas's PCB and the Flashmasta's PCB. That's where I believe the problem lies.

However:

Inside the Linkmasta, there are 3 chips between the main "brain" of the Linkmasta and the cartridge socket. There's a chance that one of these is at fault, but I think we'd get different results if that were the case. There is one of the 3 chips that I suppose theoretically could cause this type of behavior, but I think the case is highly unlikely.

Inside the cartridge, there are 2 flash chips. If one had died (which I've never seen happen) or come unsoldered (which I suppose would be my fault), then it should detect Chip #0 or Chip #1.

There is a third chip in the cartridge, and there's a very small chance that it could be a problem, but I think it's very unlikely. Also, there's not a great way to test this, so we need to eliminate every other possibility first.

[mic_]

4) Clean the cartridge connector. I really doubt this is the problem, because it's so new, but who knows. To clean it, I would remove the cartridge PCB from it's case. You can use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts. If you see something obviously stuck on there, you could also use some isopropyl alcohol to clean it off.

It works again after swiping the connectors with an eraser. There was quite a bit of black oxide/whatever, so I guess something was put on it during the manufactoring process (fluss? some kinda coating?), that caused bad connections after a while and had to be taken off.
Come to think about it, I had the exact same problem with a supposedly brand new Gameboy flash cart a couple of years ago, and the solution ended up being the same.

[Flavor]

I definitely use flux when soldering. I try to clean it off when I'm done, but it is possible that some was left on and maybe spread to the connector. I have not heard of others having this problem, but it is definitely possible.

I'm sorry that it caused a problem for you. Please let me know if it continues to be an issue.