The UberNES Modification Log

[Epicenter]

Here is a log to the progress of my modifications to the US model 1 NES for anyone interested..

Entry 1, 10/30/03
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Got the machine disassembled, cut hole in the lid for the window. Thx to a friend of mine for his m4d dr3m3ling skillz. Will install blue LEDs and acrylic window once parts arrive.

Entry 2, 11/01/03
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Was able to push the main CPU from the stock 1.79 MHz setting to approx. 2.35 MHz using a clock feed from a new oscillator. Will try higher speeds tomorrow, and wire up most stable accelerated clock, along with standard, to a 2-position switch. Testing this thing is a total bitch, though, since I am using an old, worn-out 72-pin connector .. new one is in the mail from ebay, though.

Plans for the machine: Overclock to highest speed possible, add switch w/ 1.79 MHz and highest stable speed, disable lockout chip, paint case blue and black, add acrylic window to lid, install 3 ultra-bright blue LEDs to illuminate case, install new 72-pin connector, alter or remove cartridge loader to make more of PCB visible through window, replace power/status LED with a blue version, mount switch in front of case.

Wish me luck.. photos coming soon once I borrow my friend's camera. :)

[1bigmig]

Did you get a gold plated connector or a regular one? Well, regardless of which one could you let me know if it holds the game like a vice? Interesting project, keep the updates frequent. :)

[jonjandran]

Hurry up with the photos you big tease..... :P

[Epicenter]

It's a non-gold 72-pinner, but the same kind I use in my other nes, which does hold it like a vice. You need insane force to pull the cartridge out. as for photos .. will post some today if I can find a camera. I'm off on that quest now..

[1bigmig]

It's a non-gold 72-pinner, but the same kind I use in my other nes, which does hold it like a vice. You need insane force to pull the cartridge out. as for photos .. will post some today if I can find a camera. I'm off on that quest now..

I normally wouldnt hassle someone over what connector they chose, but you did call this the UBER NES project and I have to wonder why you didnt shell out a few bucks more for the gold?

Actually, I bought three of the vice ones - non-gold - a while back and really am just curious if the others are just vices with a gold plating or if they are better overall?

[Epicenter]

Well, I'm strapped for cash after getting all the other parts and tools I need, ironically. But, I've never had ANY problem with a standard one.

[Epicenter]

Entry #3, 11/01/03:
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Preliminary tests at 2.35 MHz show a near-complete eradication of lag in 'Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers'. gameplay is smoother and controls react faster. the normal 0.3 second approx. lag time is removed. game still shows 50% of its normal lag when Zipper is onscreen (invincibility power), will see if this lag remains at 2.5/3.0 MHz, or if the machine can even handle that kind of abuse. Photos in the works.

[Epicenter]

11/01/03 Photos:
(sorry for the horrible quality, I am using my quickcam right now..)

http://host.xen-tech.com/epicgaming/ubernes/11-01-03_1.jpg
The machine running 'rescue rangers' at 2.35 MHz.

http://host.xen-tech.com/epicgaming/ubernes/11-01-03_2.jpg
Daughterboard with oscillator sitting on top of the cartridge, this is wired up to the CPU.

http://host.xen-tech.com/epicgaming/ubernes/11-01-03_3.jpg
The lid, cut, but no acylic or lighting yet. Also needs paint.


http://host.xen-tech.com/epicgaming/ubernes/11-01-03_4.jpg
The actual game running. No glitching at all.

[Balloon Fight]

A couple of questions for anyone, since i am pretty retarded when it comes to the insides of stuff. What is the lockout chip, and why disable it? Also, how do you disable it.

And one more question... Does anyone know of a site to repair NES's? At the flea some dude has a crapload of them for $1. I would like to know how to repair them so i can actually have one that works. :)
And maybe make a profit in the meantime. ;)

[Flack]

A lockout chip prevents you from playing media in one region on a machine in another region. This is common with video games and DVDs.

[Balloon Fight]

A lockout chip prevents you from playing media in one region on a machine in another region. This is common with video games and DVDs.

Like Pal and NTSC games right? So if you disable it, you can play Pal games?

[1bigmig]

At the flea some dude has a crapload of them for $1. I would like to know how to repair them so i can actually have one that works. :)
And maybe make a profit in the meantime. ;)

Ask what's wrong with them. If they just blink, just slap in a new 72 pin and good as new.

[Balloon Fight]

At the flea some dude has a crapload of them for $1. I would like to know how to repair them so i can actually have one that works. :)
And maybe make a profit in the meantime. ;)

Ask what's wrong with them. If they just blink, just slap in a new 72 pin and good as new.

Will do. Im going tomorrow, so i will probably get around 5-10. :)

[omnedon]

Does anyone know of a site to repair NES's?

I did one!

http://www.cgcc.ca/articles/projects/nespin.php

[Epicenter]

Entry 4 - 11/01/03
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At 2.35 MHz, Kirby still shows lag, esp. when using fire ability. While shooting fire, enemies move at 40% proper speed or lower. will see how this goes at 2.5 or higher.

[Balloon Fight]

Does anyone know of a site to repair NES's?

I did one!

http://www.cgcc.ca/articles/projects/nespin.php

Thanks a ton omnedon! Very much appreciated! :)

[Epicenter]

Entry 5 - 11/02/03
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Going to try out some other speeds ASAP, approx. 2.5 and 3.0 MHz. Cannot find my other oscillators right now, but they oughta turn up sometime today. Will post further updates later on today after I try them out.

[Epicenter]

Entry 5 - 11/02/03
--------------------------

Going to try out some other speeds ASAP, approx. 2.5 and 3.0 MHz. Cannot find my other oscillators right now, but they oughta turn up sometime today. Will post further updates later on today after I try them out.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Like Pal and NTSC games right? So if you disable it, you can play Pal games?

Yes, but some will be still screw up in some places. Look here :

http://simplynes.emucamp.com/nesuni.html

[Sylentwulf]

I normally wouldnt hassle someone over what connector they chose, but you did call this the UBER NES project and I have to wonder why you didnt shell out a few bucks more for the gold?


Because the gold ones are cheap, and the "gold" flakes off as you use it, making a mess, and decreasing it's life span.

[Jorpho]

While I am impressed that you actually succeeded in overclocking an NES with noticeable results, I would think that the number of games that run better will be offset by the number of broken games that depend on the CPU's original clock speed for vital timing functions.

Er, I guess that's why you're installing a switch, then.

[Epicenter]

Actually, most games are tolerant of increased CPU speed, and do not rely on very strict timing. this procedure just makes rest of the hardware not need to 'wait on the CPU' to finish its work, thereby reducing the lag that shouldn't be there in he first place. -.- I suppose Nintendo found it too expensive to get a higher-rated CPU for the Famicom/NES. Dumb decision; most games experience mild to moderate lag, some of them serious..

[§ Gideon §]

I normally wouldnt hassle someone over what connector they chose, but you did call this the UBER NES project and I have to wonder why you didnt shell out a few bucks more for the gold?


Because the gold ones are cheap, and the "gold" flakes off as you use it, making a mess, and decreasing it's life span.

But, why even buy a new set when you can just repair (http://www.classicgaming.com/features/articles/nesrepair/) it?

[jonjandran]

But, why even buy a new set when you can just repair (http://www.classicgaming.com/features/articles/nesrepair/) it?

LOL LOL LOL
Good luck getting that to work. Sorry but it's not that simple. Most of the time it's corrosion and not bent pins.
And even then the cleaning usually helps for a short while anyway.
Even a new 72 pin will only last so long. It's a design flaw. Just buy a toploader. 8-)

[§ Gideon §]

But, why even buy a new set when you can just repair (http://www.classicgaming.com/features/articles/nesrepair/) it?
Most of the time it's corrosion and not bent pins.

I'm no big-time dealer in NES equipment, but I'm a bit skeptical about that statement. Why would corrosion be more likely to happen, as opposed to bent pins--which occur simply by putting games in?

[jonjandran]

I'm no big-time dealer in NES equipment, but I'm a bit skeptical about that statement. Why would corrosion be more likely to happen, as opposed to bent pins--which occur simply by putting games in?

Look at the game cart contacts and what do you see ? Green and black corossion. That is what gets all over the pins in the NES and cause the lack of good contact.
Plus the fact that I've put in dozens of new super tight 72 pins and if you put in a couple of dirty carts , the blinking starts again.

[Epicenter]

I've never seen ANY Corroded pins or contacts in a NES. Ever.

[jonjandran]

I've never seen ANY Corroded pins or contacts in a NES. Ever.

x_x :roll: x_x :roll:
Yea Okay , Thanks , Come again.

[Epicenter]

Maybe you just don't take good care of your NES. ;)

[jonjandran]

Maybe you just don't take good care of your NES. ;)

I buy , sell , repair , modify, etc. So I have gone through a lot of NES systems. I'm just reporting on what I've learned from experience and there are a lot of others that have found out the same thing.
But I'm not trying to call you a liar. If you haven't seen corossion, then you haven't. But it is the cause of a lot of the problems in a NES.

[Bratwurst]

I've never seen ANY Corroded pins or contacts in a NES. Ever.


Maybe you just don't take good care of your NES. ;)

Cram that attitude Meister Keister. Jonjandran has probably gone through more NES decks than times you've ever said McSmoogleBoogles in your life.

This (http://www.angelfire.com/apes/madmeat/toaster1.html) is how you mod a toaster mang. Elegant and unobtrusive. And it forgoes the whole nonsense of the original pin connector which will eventually fail and will sooner than any card edge connector in TEH PLANET-O.

The overclocking seems to be coming along pretty cool though. Props to that.

[Chunky]

i don't know what it is but about a couple of dozen of the ones that i went through had corrosion. i think it might be the world blowing into them, spitting on them(inside the toaster or carts),and it rusting.

[Epicenter]

OK, I've just never seen any corrosion myself. I'm sure it happens, but I wouldn't say it's a more common cause of failure than the pins themselves bending. But, let's end htis massive 72-pin connector discussion here, can we? *tries to fire back-on-topic cannon and shoots himself in the face with it* .... ow.

[chadtower]

I've seen a lot of games that I bought used that had corrosion. A lot of them. A few months ago I bought a new connector and installed it. The connector went 5 minutes before it started blinking again with clean games. Talk about frustrating.

[Epicenter]

Can we move this to the new 72-pin topic I just made. plz? :)

[Epicenter]

Entry 6 - 11/06/03 -
Still trying to find my oscillators. ;) Once they turn up I will try higher speeds.. tested Super mario bros 1, all lag removed, no glitching. Same result in Duck Tales and Kung Fu.

[Jorpho]

SMB1 had lag? (I'm starting to wonder if this is some sort of psychological thing.)

[RetroYoungen]

I always saw it as a bit weird that people wouldn't mod their systems like people do with their computers, when you could make a kick-ass setup with a customized NES, or PS-X (no, I don't count those funny little paint or layover picture things).

Good to see people doing something like that, rock on!

[Balloon Fight]

I always saw it as a bit weird that people wouldn't mod their systems like people do with their computers, when you could make a kick-ass setup with a customized NES, or PS-X (no, I don't count those funny little paint or layover picture things).

Good to see people doing something like that, rock on!

After Epicenter mods his NES, then i to will try to do the same to mine. I just need to read some more FAQ's about NES crap, then i shall start the process.
BTW retroyoungen sick avatar!

[Epicenter]

>> SMB1 had lag? (I'm starting to wonder if this is some sort of psychological thing.)

Yes, it does. Most NES games do. Try getting 4 of the winged bouncing turtles, some coins, and a goomba, plus animating blocks (palette switching ones), and then throw a couple fireballs. Enemies slow down, sprites may flicker .. time seems to slow down, basically. Framerate stays OK, so it's not like pc game lag .. it's just a complete slowdown of operations while the CPU tries to catch up.

Another (Easier) way to see lag-- boot up Kirby and grab the fire abilty. Get 2 or more enemies onscreen. Start breathing fire in a random direction, not hitting any enemies. A good place to try this is (I think) the first stage in the game. (Look for 2 or more bouncing dudes, the ones that carry bombs.) Anyway, as long as you are breathing fire .. enemy movement drops to approx. 1/3 proper speed. the whole game is slowing down, but that is the most noticable indicator.

Overclocking the CPU prevents this problem, as the other parts no longer need to wait on it.

[Epicenter]

Entry #8 - 11/07/03
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I think I know where the oscillators are, now.. even if they do not turn up right away, I am going to paint the case, install the window, mount the LEDs and wire them up to the machine this weekend. Will also have access to a 4.0 MP digital camera, I'll post high-resolution photographs. Might be able to mount the switch this weekend.. I'll need to see if my friend, who has a drill I'd need, can help me out.

By the way, to anyone who wants to try something like this themselves, I will be putting together a step-by-step, extremely detailed writeup on my site, Epic Gaming (see my sig) .. with diagrams and high-res photographs. I'll also do some vdieo capture as soon as I find someone with a capture card .. and put up some clips of the games running at the different speeds.

Any chance someone can hook me up with a Sticky on this topic, plz? :)

[Epicenter]

hm? hm? :)

[Balloon Fight]

Entry #8 - 11/07/03
By the way, to anyone who wants to try something like this themselves, I will be putting together a step-by-step, extremely detailed writeup on my site, Epic Gaming (see my sig) .. with diagrams and high-res photographs. I'll also do some vdieo capture as soon as I find someone with a capture card .. and put up some clips of the games running at the different speeds.

I cant wait to see the guide, because i want to have a pimp-looking NES also. :)
One of the mods *may* be gracious enough in letting there be a sticky attached. ;)

[JJNova]

What the hell? Is this done and over with? Whatever happened?

3.0 would have been nice to know, or if the system rejected the overclocking. Inform a brotha!

[Ed Oscuro]

What the hell? Is this done and over with? Whatever happened?
*Makes noise of Pac-Man being hit by a ghost and the remnants beaten to a pulp by a lead pipe*

Still waiting on a refund or some such myself; I'm not sure what's going on as I haven't chatted up Epicenter in a few months.

Dang, I could use $150!