Disabling #4 Pin Of Nes Lockout Chip

[wingzrow]

I'm considering doing this since i hear some of my games may run better if i do but are there any disadvantages to doing this? Have any of you heard of certain games not playing or any other dangers from doing this?

[dendawg]

You could always just clip the leg at the board and wire a switch between the board and what's left of the leg at the chip. This way, you can reactivate it whenever you want.

[MachineGex]

I have never heard of a disadvantage. I have mine disabled and have never had a problem. The only problem I see is if you screw up and cut the pin in the wrong place. Just be careful. Follow the instructions and get a nice clear picture of the board.

[omnedon]

Apparently if you plan to play a Nintendo World Championships cart (rare original, or repro) a disabled lockout chip makes the timing fail or something.


So, in essence, a disabled lockout chip does far more good than bad, but if NWC is a regular player in your machine, time to wire in a switch.

Or have two NES's.

IMO switch wiring is a bunch of work, with virtually zero benefit to 99.9% of end users. But for those who really care, this info should be handy.

[COUNT SMRIFNACK]

I just did this to one of my NES's today and WOW what a difference in succesfull game loading! No more blinking power light!! I have a Contra cart that was always a pain in the ass to get loaded, and sometimes after loading, it would start blinking during the first few minutes of gameplay and I'd have to start over. I cleaned the pins on the cart every way possible and it still didn't help. After popping pin 4...... it loads first try every time!\\^_^/

[omnedon]

All OSG repaired NES's work that way, lockout disabled or not. =P

Disabling the lockout essentially turns off four of the 72 contact points.