NES problems (Possible pin connector)

[Apollo]

I've been having problems with my NES for a while now. From what I've been experiencing, it just seems like I would need a new pin connector. Games are having trouble starting up, clarity problems, and more. However, on the rare ocassion that games actually do run, they only run for about 10 minutes or so before the system automatically restarts. It restarts once, and then resumes as normal from the beginning. Do you guys think this is only due to the pin connector, or could something more serious be the issue at hand?


Tl;Dr Version: NES is old, and shows symptoms of needing a new pin connector. However, games reset about every ten minutes while playing them. Do I need more than a new pin connector?

[ApolloBoy]

Clean your games first before getting a new connector.

[Apollo]

Clean your games first before getting a new connector.

Already did that.

[ApolloBoy]

Already did that.

In that case, I'd try repairing the pin connector before getting a new one. Just take a small flathead screwdriver and use it to bend the lower pins up so they're nice and tight.

[Terminusvitae]

Ah, here's the thread. I'm trying to recondition the pins in an NES instead of springing for a new connector. Flat-head screwdriver, huh? This should be easy enough.

[izarate]

Yeah, just do this:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3217/img4858rl7.jpghttp://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4264/img4862yh1.jpghttp://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1089/img4864sj7.jpg

[skaar]

Great pics!

[Joe West]

the best thing to do is spring for a nes toploader, and you wont have that problem......
good luck with the spring bending

[Terminusvitae]

That was very helpful, izarate! For some reason, I never could find an actual photo of the screwdriver technique and always got it all wrong. Now I've managed to save four pin connectors in the space of an hour. Thanks!