My PAR2 is on the fritz

[BigBossman]

I can't stand it. I was attempting to find some more codes for Chavez when the switch on my PAR2 went out on me. While I can still hack with it, I can't activate the codes to test them out. There is a loose connection some where. With the switch in the "up" position, if I press the switch down, but not enough to make it go down & press it toward the device, it'll briefly activate the code for a second or two.

I went ahead & placed an order for another one on Ebay. This one will be coming from Germany. The only good thing about this is this one that I'm ordering is about $10.00 cheaper than the one that broke on me. It also comes with the box. I just hope the switch isn't messed up. If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't mind attempting to do a modification to the messed up PAR, by adding a 3-position Game Genie style switch & removing the the old metal toggle switch. The thing is I don't have a soldering iron, solder, or even know how to solder. To make it worse, I don't even know where I would get one of those switches from, how to remove the old switch without breaking it even more, or to add the new one.

In any case, I won't be putting out anymore SNES PAR codes until I get my new PAR2 in. I'm hoping it'll get here witin the next 2 weeks. I'll start putting more out once I'm up & running again. In the mean time, I'll have to go back to using the GG.

[dlevere]

That sucks. I try to pick up cheat devices whenever I see them in the store. I even managed to buy a version 1.5 Pro Action Replay (PSX)

[rimsky82]

For this hobby, soldering is a very handy and useful skill, and is definitely worth learning for exactly these types of situations. I highly recommend learning how to do it. It's not that hard, especially if you have a steady hand.

[Helder]

you could send me it bigbossman, I'll fix it free of charge just send return postage.

[JLukas]

The switch failure is common on the SNES PARs. After enough use, the solder where it connects to the PCB begins to weaken and eventually the switch breaks free.

[rimsky82]

you could send me it bigbossman, I'll fix it free of charge just send return postage.

Give a man a fish...

[Helder]

since that man doesnt have a personal pc.....

[rimsky82]

since that man doesnt have a personal pc.....

I'm certainly not against you helping him out, it's very generous of you. I'd just like to encourage him to learn how to solder. I know he goes to the library to get on the internet, perhaps he could find a book there to help him learn.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Give a man a fish...

This may sound stupid but what does that expression mean?

[rimsky82]

This may sound stupid but what does that expression mean?

The entire saying is something like "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime."

[OldSchoolGamer]

ah i see

[BigBossman]

Rimsky's right for the most part. But I wasn't asking for any handouts. I appreciate Helder's offer, but I've been wanting to learn to solder. At some point in time, I want to get some solder & a soldering iron. I was considering getting that to do a modification on my Sega Genesis to install the Japanese / American switch. I bought a 2nd 1st Generation Genesis console to expirement with. When I got the PAR2 for it, that sort of put it to rest since it can play Japanese versions of games (Streets of Rage 1 & 2, Gouls 'N' Ghosts, Mercs, Etc).

I went ahead & ordered a new PAR2. I'm planning to keep the old one. I opened the PAR2 & didn't notice any breaks on the metal. I think the switch just has a connection problem (inside the plastic casing of the switch). If were a boken metal connection, soldering it would be a snap (I think). I'd still like to see about installing a different style switch on the PAR. Primarily, one that would create less stress on the metal connections. There is an electronics shop in town, I might just check it out to see if there are any switches that I could get that would fit the device. The old PAR2 will be my "guinea pig" model.

[Helder]

if you have time youtube has many video on the subject but if you want a seasoned solderers opinion (mine lol) go to radio shack and buy a soldering iron that has multi setting temp switch its generally 15w and 30w, stick with the lower temp till you get the hang of it and dont buy that thick solder buy the thinner solder. And it maybe the switch itself being bad but you will have to resolder a new one on so the skill is useful to learn. You could use just about any switch although it would be best to get something in similar fashion.

[BigBossman]

I got my PAR2 up & running again. I went by an electronics shop (Spectronics) & the guy soldered my device. It only took a minute or two for the iron to warm up, then it only took a few seconds to solder. AWESOME!

I am definietely on a mission to get me a soldering iron.

[rimsky82]

Good! Im sure he made it look very easy, and in a lot of cases, it is. However, I'd still suggest getting a book or two, and doing lots of practicing before you start hacking things up that are of value.