Expert: Octane - 12/23/2008

Question
My daughter has nds and has trouble with some games, not loading, game not inserted. When u look at the game itself the bronze chips do appear dirty or scratched. Can i clean them some how. Now i have bought another new ds lite they stil wont work. Is there any chance the old ds can scratch the ds games. on the console can the pins be checked, can they scratch the games etc. How can i check if so.

thanks shirley uk

Answer
Gday Shirley,

I would not worry too much about the scratches unless they are really deep.  The Pins on the cartridge will eventually get scratched which is a side effect of console cartridge technology.  (Eventually the cartridge pins will wear out but we are talking probably a million inserts of the game or something you will not experience in your life time.  LOL)

I would clean the pins of the cartridge with a cleaning fluid, cleaning alcohol or even nail polish remover with a q-tip.  If it is really gunked up you can also use a old tooth brush and more of your chosen cleaner.  you really not going to make it worse on the things that aren't working.

The best way to clean the pins on the console is either use a cleaning kit or clean one chip.  Then insert and remove it from the console.  Then repeat cleaning the chip and putting it in the console a few times.

Hope this helps

Octane