what kind of screwdrivers do i need to open a snes cartridge

Our hackmasters Will O'Brien and Ben Heckendorn weren't satisfied with their one-slot-per-week How-To gig, so nosotros had to come up with a new fashion for them to become the word out well-nigh some simpler hacks and projects. Enter the Mini How-to.

Mission: Possible.

We've all seen them before, the weird inverse Torx styled Nintendo security screws. Sure yous can -- gasp -- SPEND Coin buying a special bit for them on eBay only it's pretty easy to hack your own tool for the task. In this mini how-to we'll evidence y'all a couple of ways to do it. Today'southward the 24-hour interval many a Nintendo fan has been waiting for. Many of yous are probably waiting in line for your Wii right now -- so let'south crack these Nintendos open up!

I of the same "screws of doom" on the lesser of a Super Nintendo. If y'all had no concerns what people thought of bad puns you could call information technology the "Locked SNES Monster" Oh crap we only typed that didn't we?

The tool(s) we're about to create will open most modern Nintendo consoles, from the SNES, SNES 2 (mini-SNES), Nintendo 64, Gamecube, to -- we presume -- the Wii. To open the cartridges themselves you'll need to create a slightly smaller tool than the sizes mentioned. The theory is by making a "fork" to grab onto either side of the spiral nosotros tin can twist it out. Here'south a summit-down and profile drawing of the spiral caput that explains the basic idea:

Nosotros'll cover 2 ways of making a Nintendo-busting spiral...

Screwdriver version - Tools Required:

• A Dremel tool with a cutting-off disc. The reinforced kind with the checkerboard texture works best. They usually include a few with a Dremel so unless you've busted them all trying to, I dunno, cut diamonds or leftover Malt O' Repast off bowls, you should have one laying effectually.

• A flat-caput screwdriver you don't intendance virtually. I used one with a tip width just slightly smaller than a pencil. As long as it fits inside the device's screw well yous should be adept. The verbal width of the terminate of the screwdriver I used was .225 inches.
  

What to do:

1. Clamp the screwdriver to your demote or otherwise secure it.
2. Using the Dremel tool, begin cutting a notch in the finish of the screwdriver. Equally y'all can see in the photograph we're cutting on the right side of the bike -- this causes the sparks to fly downwards away from your eyes. Of form this shouldn't be a concern if you're wearing safety goggles but if yous're like me you probably sluff off in that section.
3. Create a notch that looks like the following photograph. The gap is nigh three CDs broad or 0.16-inches.
   

The notched screwdriver. Looks like a metal version of 1 of those KFC "sporks", doesn't it? Great, now I'thou hungry for some greasy deals.

Using your screwdriver:

1. If it isn't already, scrap the commuter beyond an old magnet to magnetize it. Speakers work well, cabinet magnets, really hefty ones on your refrigerator...
   
2. Slide the screwdriver into the screw well. (Pretty obvious, but I'thou contractually obligated to say the obvious.)
3. Eye the shaft in the well and fit in the teeth. If you latch around the screw properly you should experience it - the screwdriver won't slip.
4. If y'all can't get a good grip endeavor etching out a fleck more of the hole. Also you might want to grind on the flat edge of the screwdriver to make the teeth a little sharper.
5. Make certain you become a good grip earlier applying any major force - otherwise you might strip the screw. Pressing downwardly on the screw hard before / while turning volition help.
6. Once you've found buy you should be able to twist out the spiral. The biggest role is coaxing it loose - once you do that the rest is like shooting fish in a barrel.
   

The screwdriver belongings a spiral. Annotation how the caput of the screw fits into the slot we carved.

Pen version - Tools Required:

• A pen - the articulate plastic blazon work best. Since well-nigh 50% of the pens in the average household don't work anyhow you should be able to find one to sacrifice.
• Some sort of flame source, lighters, matches, gas stove. Sigh -- kids, ask your parents to help with this part.

This pen is about to exercise a far, far better thing than information technology has always done. Writing? Whatever. The hack is mighter than the sword.

What to do:

1. Have your Nintendo system ready and close at hand, screw wells exposed and up.
   
2. Remove any plastic caps and and then low-cal the end of the pen. It should burn quite well. Don't let any gunk baste onto yourself, it'll probably injure. Worse than solder. Information technology volition also stink, and so open a window if possible.
   
3. Once it'southward burned for a few seconds and the plastic has kind of melted shut the hollow opening, cram it downward into the screw well and onto the screw.
4. Don't motility - permit it absurd for well-nigh xv seconds. The plastic is forming to the shape of the screw.

Advisedly pull the pen out - you should see the shape of the screw in the plastic.

Information technology's a bit blurry but you should go the point. (Auto-focus is my sworn enemy.)

Y'all can at present utilise this pen as a screwdriver -- simply stick it in and twist. Brand sure you feel the grooves latch into place, then press downwards difficult as you lot turn for all-time results. If the plastic bits strip out you tin can always relight the pen and brand another mold.

This SNES is as skilful as opened!

Conclusion

Well at that place you become -- now you can help yourself to the guts of mod Nintendo consoles. Remember, to open cartridges y'all just need to brand a slightly smaller tool. Regardless, the days of opening Nintendo systems with sledgehammers is over!

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Source: https://www.engadget.com/2006-11-18-mini-how-to-make-a-tool-to-breach-nintendos-security-screws.html