I just opened the console and cleaned the port and memory cartridges and it still won’t read.
I reckon the hardware is getting too old.
However, I prefer the original hardware without any fancy upgrades like a new operating system.
Pieces are also chipping off inside and I just had my Dad fix the power cable port by gluing a piece back on there to fix the power cable usage.
Thoughts?
Yes.
Like separately? I've put alcohol on the contacts of the card and then inserted and removed into the system , over and over, to get the oxidization off. I have to do that with my n64 from time to time.
If I can get at the connector I prefer to de-tarnish it with Flitz, then after a bath in contact cleaner I'll goop it up with dielectric grease, which ensures I will not have to do it again any time soon.
You can realign the leaf contacts carefully with a dental pick or, if that doesn't come to hand, a pin with a short 90 degree bend in it. You can also truly realign the pins in specific connectors if the fancy strikes you; my front loader NES will now happily (and easily!) play cartridges without having to push them down.
That's hot