Hi! I’m Kip Hakes, I’m a 44-year-old Blogger, Vlogger and Designer. I’m married to Vicki and I’ve got two children, and a Cavachon called Duggee. We live in the Essex countryside just outside of Colchester.
I’ve blogged since 2008, and my blogging subjects include – Parenting, Technology, Reviews, Photography, Rants and Raves and more. I’m Designer of stuff by day, and a total nerd at night.

Kip Hakes
Blog
What will Alton Towers do with the World of David Walliams? Project Horizon might help
Alton Towers finds itself facing a complicated problem — and it’s not just about rides [...]
Read MoreWhy the Alton Towers Content Creator Programme Failed
This episode marks the launch of a brand-new podcast — one that won’t be tied [...]
Read MoreI need your help..
So a few people have suggested I try and make a podcast. Which to be [...]
Read MoreI’m not okay.. but now I know why!
So many of you read this post the other month – if you haven’t read [...]
Read MoreI’m not okay…
I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a while now, and I been putting [...]
Read MoreBehind The Scenes Tour of Tomb Blaster at Chessington
I’ll be completely honest with you, I wasn’t planning on visiting any Merlin-owned theme parks [...]
Read MorePaultons Park – The UK’s BEST Theme Park
I suppose I have to start this post off by calling it an advert, because [...]
Read MoreAlton Towers CBeebies Land Rollercoaster to open in 2026 – Project Sunshine is GO!
Alton Towers Resort have JUST announced that the have submitted a planning application for a [...]
Read MoreWhy was Hex at Alton Towers closed for 19 months? There’s a dramatic twist in this tale..
On the 30th of March 2023, I went to Alton Towers Resort for the first [...]
Read MoreThorpe Park Fright Nights 2024 – Everything you need to know!
In just a few days, Thorpe Park Resort will be welcoming guests for Thorpe Park [...]
Read MoreThis is BIG news!
You might have seen, if you’re subscribed to my YouTube Channel, or follow me on [...]
Read MoreDo I STILL need surgery on my back? How the NHS has failed me
Something very interesting happened before Christmas.. I got a text from the NHS telling me [...]
Read MoreYouTubeVisit my Channel
Recipes
Mushroom Pie
This Mushroom Pie is AMAZING! It’s fantastic for veggies and packed full of flavour, carnivores [...]
Read MoreVegetarian Chicken Tikka Masala with Coriander and Lime Rice
This is a favourite of mine, it’s got a bit of a kick to it, [...]
Read MoreSuper Simple Katsu Curry
This super simple Katsu Curry is a regular on the Hakes family meal roster. With [...]
Read MorePaneer, Tomato and Spinach Curry
This is a great curry. I really do love Paneer, and I’ve tried a few [...]
Read MoreAlleppy Quorn Curry – Vegan Friendly
This started life as an Alleppy Prawn Curry, and it looked amazing. I pondered how [...]
Read MoreCreamy Cheese and Pea Pasta with Vivera Veggie Bacon Pieces
As a vegetarian, something I get asked a lot is.. “Do you miss bacon?”. The [...]
Read MoreReviews
Review – Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress
You might remember, early last year I wrote this review of my Simba Hybrid Luxe [...]
Read MoreReview – Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress
You might remember, we’ve been happy Simba Hybrid mattress customers for while now. However, when [...]
Read MoreTesting out SmartBuyGlasses.co.uk
Smartbuyglasses.co.uk Ease of Use Product Selection 5 Summary I got the sunglasses I wanted, at [...]
Read MoreReview – Glamp at The Priory
As an adult, I’ve never been a fan of camping – why stay in a [...]
Read MoreReview – Tulleys Christmas Experience 2019
Tulleys Christmas Experience Overall 5 Summary I cannot recommend Tulleys Christmas Experience enough. We had [...]
Read MoreReview – Chessington Howl’o’ween 2019
Chessington Howl'o'ween 2019 Atmosphere Mazes 5 Summary I was utterly charmed by Chessington Howl’o’ween 2019. [...]
Read MoreTravel
8 Best New York Bars to Visit this Summer
No matter your reason for visiting New York City this summer, you are sure to [...]
Read MoreThe Best Family-Friendly Heritage Sites in York-shire
Planning a family staycation? Many families have discovered the many benefits of a staycation and [...]
Read MoreTop Unique Holiday Ideas Travelers Will Love
Everyone wants to go on holiday every once in a while. When they do, they [...]
Read More5 Beginners Tips For Adventure Travel
If you’re the type of person who gazes in awe and wonder at Instagram pictures [...]
Read MoreHow to Run an Eco-friendly Caravan Park
From reducing carbon footprints to actively supporting local ecosystems, it’s fantastic that caravan park owners [...]
Read MoreReview – Glamp at The Priory
As an adult, I’ve never been a fan of camping – why stay in a [...]
Read More



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01/03/2026 00:00:00 PST - 07/03/2026 23:59:59 PSTPicked up for less than £10 on eBay and sold as “faulty”, this Sega Mega Drive 2 powers on — but refuses to load games. A quick look inside the cartridge slot reveals the likely culprit: damaged pins on the connector.In this Fix It Friday episode (sponsored by AliExpress), I strip the console down, inspect the board under the microscope, and assess whether the original slot can be salvaged — or if a full replacement is the smarter long-term solution. With a budget replacement part costing just a couple of pounds, this could turn into a very cost-effective repair.Along the way:
-We check power and video output using an OSSC
-Compare temporary pin adjustment vs proper replacement
-Desolder and remove the original connector
-Drill out factory rivets
-Install and solder a brand new cartridge slot
-Tackle an unexpected power button issue
-Reassemble and put everything to the testIf you’ve got a faulty Mega Drive 1 or 2 with cartridge reading issues, this repair is well within reach for a beginner with basic soldering tools.Will this budget console earn its place in the collection — or was it cheap for a reason?If you enjoy retro console repairs, modifications, and restoration projects, consider subscribing — there’s plenty more Mega Drive content already on the channel, with more to come.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Drop a comment below!Join or Support my Channel here - https://kiphak.es/supportJoin the Instagram Channel for exclusive updates and BTS stuff.. it's FREE! https://kiphak.es/IGChannelVPN powered by NordVPN - https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=612&aff_id=137391&url_id=14830
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TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@kiphakes00:00 Introduction & Faulty £10 Mega Drive 2
00:30 Inspecting the Damaged Cartridge Slot
01:31 Replacement Slot Ordered (AliExpress)
02:30 Power Test & Video Signal Check (OSSC)
03:29 Opening Up the Mega Drive 2
04:20 Removing Shielding & Inspecting the Board
05:40 Assessing the Crushed Pins
07:53 Quick Cartridge Test
08:55 Preparing for Desoldering
10:01 Adding Fresh Solder & Flux
11:33 Desoldering the Cartridge Connector
13:12 Drilling Out the Rivets
13:46 Removing the Old Cartridge Slot
14:53 Installing the Replacement Slot
16:04 Cleaning, Trimming & Inspecting the Work
16:48 Broken Power Button Discovery
18:21 Reassembly
18:54 First Power-On After Repair
19:22 Game Test](https://www.kiphakes.com/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)





