NES repair

[BuckNutty]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but when I searched NES 72 pin and similar searches nothing came up so here goes.

I bought an NES from someone on Craigslist for $30 bucks. When he turned it on it came right on. I took it home and I had some blinking issues so I bought a new 72 pin adapter and I'm waiting for that to arrive. I'm hoping that will clear up the blinking issues from what I read.

Also when I try to take the games out, I really have to tug on them. I don't remember them being that tough to take out. Is this something else that deals with the 72 pin? Or when I take the system apart is there something else that I should be looking to fix?

[BetaWolf47]

That means the seller already replaced the 72-pin connector. Don't click your games down when you start them. Just start them as if you had a Game Genie in the system.

[BuckNutty]

That means the seller already replaced the 72-pin connector. Don't click your games down when you start them. Just start them as if you had a Game Genie in the system.

Really? so should I try to replace it again since there is still flashing issues. It took me about 15 tries to get it on but I was pushing the game down.

[BetaWolf47]

Really? so should I try to replace it again since there is still flashing issues.
No idea, I've never replaced a 72-pin connector. Not sure if you may have damaged the new one by pressing it down. Your games might need to be cleaned though.


It took me about 15 tries to get it on
Sounds to me like you should be taking Viagra then.

[BuckNutty]

No idea, I've never replaced a 72-pin connector. Not sure if you may have damaged the new one by pressing it down. Your games might need to be cleaned though.


Sounds to me like you should be taking Viagra then.

Crap. Thanks for the suggestions. He didn't mention anything about having replaced it. Maybe I'll shoot him an email. I wasn't aware that if you replaced the pin connector that you didn't press the games down. I wish I could multi-quote hahahaha.

Anyone else?

[Gameguy]

The replacement connector could be a crappy one, I've heard of people having to replace some new ones a few months after getting them. If I know that a system already had the connector replaced I avoid it.

Clean your games first, that might be all that's wrong.

[BuckNutty]

The replacement connector could be a crappy one, I've heard of people having to replace some new ones a few months after getting them. If I know that a system already had the connector replaced I avoid it.

Clean your games first, that might be all that's wrong.

Thanks! I'm still new at this. I paid $30 for a power pad, 2 working controllers, 1 broken, a zapper gun, tecmo wrestling, and a mario/duck hunt/track and field cart. He wanted $50, but I figured $30 for that was a good deal. I didn't even ask if he replaced the 72 pin.

Also I did a quick google search for cleaning games and people were actually taking the carts apart? Is that standard? Back in the day I would just get a q-tip and just clean the board that stuck out.

Thank you for the help

[Gameguy]

I just clean my carts with a Q-tip without opening them, I just use a few drops of water as it cleans well enough for me. I make sure to dry them properly rather than air drying them.

You got a good deal for $30 since it came with the power pad too, $50 would be too much IMO. I don't usually ask if the connector is replaced, so far I don't think I've actually come across a system with a replaced connector(I'm hoping I won't). I just meant if someone specifically said that the connector was replaced I would just avoid it. There's lots of cheap connectors and plenty of people don't know what they're doing so I'd rather not risk getting a system that I'd have to spend time repairing. I've heard of some connectors where people couldn't physically remove the cartridge once inserted and had to bring it to a store to fix. Of course if it was in a bulk lot and I wanted the games I would just get everything and hope the system was decent enough.

When I get spare systems I just use cleaning kits to clean the original connectors and they seem to work fine, I clean them thoroughly a few times and they usually start up right away. I make sure to clean my games before trying them out and they're good to go, I don't have to clean the system or games again for years.

[BetaWolf47]

Well, I do know your area pretty well, BuckNutty. Retro stuff is pretty common up in Cleveland. Heck, I've seen replacement 72-pin connectors at The Exchange stores before. So It's not surprising that the 72-pin connector was replaced. That's really the only explanation for the games being so difficult to remove. The new ones are known to hold games like crab pincers.

You can take the carts apart to clean them better. It gives you easier access to the connectors, so that you can use an eraser or powerful cleaning fluid on them. I'd use it as a last resort though. Erasers and certain cleaning fluids can clean them good enough to guarantee that the games will boot up as easily as they did when they were new, but they can take more time and elbow grease than just q-tips and rubbing alcohol.

[chrisballer]

Like others have said you have a new pin in there. If the sellers games worked and yours don't it is the game IMO. Me personally, I never use the q-tip approach it takes forever in my experience. Unless it is a color dreams cart and I don't want to take it apart, because on some you would have to ruin the label on back. If you plan on buying old NES games get yourself a 3.8mm bit it will make life a whole lot easier.

Now, what I use and personally think are the absolute greatest thing since sliced bread are the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I buy the extra strength ones. They are the single best non-abrasive way to clean a carts contacts that I have found to date, and it does not take more than a few wipes.

Hope this helps you out.

[BuckNutty]

Just hooked it back up and didnt push the game down and it came on first try! Hopefully this is good! Now just need to get some games for it since I broke all of my games when I was in fourth or fifth grade and my NES died. Shouldn't have done that :(

[Duke.Togo]

I wouldn't count on it being a new 72-pin in it. I always re-bend the pins on my original connectors and you will get that same tight fit condition. Also, Magic Erasers are actually a very mild abrasive. Kind of like a wet sand with a very fine sand paper. They work well, but scrub forever on the same spot as you can wear it down.

I agree with chrisballer that you should get a gamebit. If you get a decent library you will most certainly run across carts that need more cleaning than q-tips and alcohol can provide. That, and you can swap cartridge backs if you run into one with a ripped up sticker (put those stacks of Double Dribble carts to use).