EA Genesis Cart Security Bit/Driver
Can anyone point me in the direction of a security bit designed/used to open the EA Genesis carts? I recently picked up a copy of Starflight and only just got around to playing with it while on break at work. It wouldn't boot up, so I went to pull the screws from the back and hit the pins with an eraser (as I carry my NES/Genesis bits with me but not q-tips & cleaner) only to re-discover that the EA titles use a different security screw! It appears to be something akin to an inverse tri-wing, as the center is raised and there are 3 relatively shallow grooves set in a triangular configuration.
Poking around online, I've seen folks talk about using small flat tipped screwdrivers (something I vaguely recalled doing years and years ago once I saw ite mentioned), needle nose pliers, melted ballpoint pens, etc., but not one post showing or talking about an actual bit for these. I saw a random non-NA forum post where somebody referred to them as "tri-groove" screws, but the only hits I get on that lead me to security lug nuts for motorcycles and the security sockets that go along with them.
So, does anybody know if such a thing exists? There are apparently a lot of different kludges to go around, but I'd like to pick up the actual, intended solution, if possible, given the number of Genesis titles I own (and want) which are EA carts. Thanks for any light anyone can shed on this!
Poking around online, I've seen folks talk about using small flat tipped screwdrivers (something I vaguely recalled doing years and years ago once I saw ite mentioned), needle nose pliers, melted ballpoint pens, etc., but not one post showing or talking about an actual bit for these. I saw a random non-NA forum post where somebody referred to them as "tri-groove" screws, but the only hits I get on that lead me to security lug nuts for motorcycles and the security sockets that go along with them.
So, does anybody know if such a thing exists? There are apparently a lot of different kludges to go around, but I'd like to pick up the actual, intended solution, if possible, given the number of Genesis titles I own (and want) which are EA carts. Thanks for any light anyone can shed on this!
Comments
I can't find anything currently that is specifically for it, however something like this; http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Security-Bit-Set-33pce-Torq-set-Spanner-Tri-groove-Hex-Tamper-Proof-Star-Bits-/181064401249?hash=item2a28478161:m:m9cy2bHMXapSP5EhTF9_nMA has miltiple 2 prong bits that should od the job.
There is a page in instructables about it too; http://www.instructables.com/community/How-To-Unscrew-Three-Pronged-Screws-Without-a-Thre/
Digging through a few of the "sponsored" links that I ignored before, it looks like "Loss Prevention Fasteners" might actually have the screws and/or drivers available, as the design in the top row, third from the left (here) looks to be the correct one. It looks like I'm too late to get somebody on the phone now, but I'll shoot them an email and see what kind of response I get. Based on their business model, I'm guessing they may be unwilling to sell me a single driver since it looks like mainly do bulk business with security nuts/bolts/screws/etc.
I've got one of those bits at the game store I work at. It's like a sliver spiky kind of bit. I'll have to ask my boss where he got it from.
Awesome, thanks! I'm semi-hoping that it came as part of a kit so I'll have the excuse and motivation to finally go ahead and buy a full on security bit set versus picking up bits and drivers one or two at a time as I run into a need for them.
I've got one of those bits at the game store I work at. It's like a sliver spiky kind of bit. I'll have to ask my boss where he got it from.
Awesome, thanks! I'm semi-hoping that it came as part of a kit so I'll have the excuse and motivation to finally go ahead and buy a full on security bit set versus picking up bits and drivers one or two at a time as I run into a need for them.
Sad news, I asked my boss and he said:
"I don't know... it's been way over 20 years ago"....
Oh well. I'll keep an eye out for any information about it though.