NES Toploader "Vertical Line" Problem Help! [Archive]

Djpst

11-25-2003, 02:52 PM

Can someone help me figure out how to eliminate the "vertical lines" that appear on the TV screen on light colored backgrounds when playing games on the Top-Loader NES? I've seen several unclear suggestions such as soldering parts in or converting to RCA outputs - but no solid awnsers / instructions. Please Help!
Thanks,
Dave

WiseSalesman

11-25-2003, 03:06 PM

This has been mentioned here in many previous threads. check the restoration society forum.

jonjandran

11-25-2003, 05:32 PM

There is no fix.

People have tried RCA and S-Video mods and the lines are still there.

Someone was trying to add a cap to filter out the lines. He had no luck with this, and if he couldn't do it I don't think it can be done.

The theory is that it is actually a RF interference problem If you take the Metal shielding out of a Regular Toaster Nes you get the same lines.

I've tried to put shielding on the top-loader and it doesn't help.

But , and I may be wrong abou this, I think it's been mentioned that the Jap Top-Loader doesn't have this problem.Maybe someone can buy one , take it apart and figure out what the difference is.

omnedon

11-25-2003, 06:42 PM

It's beyond my abilities. FABombjoy? jsoper?

WiseSalesman

11-25-2003, 09:36 PM

If it's beyond omnedon's abilities, I'd wager a guess it can't be done in one's home workshop.

omnedon

11-25-2003, 11:08 PM

Just because I post a lot, does not mean I know it all. I appreciate the vote of confidence, but some guys around here , like jsoper and FABombjoy have some proper training (which I do not). I have the utmost respect for their inputs.

I'm just a post whore. LOL

ApolloBoy

11-25-2003, 11:29 PM

Odd, I don't get any vertical lines like that on my top-loader.

WiseSalesman

11-25-2003, 11:40 PM

Odd, I don't get any vertical lines like that on my top-loader.

:hmm:

FABombjoy

11-26-2003, 08:08 AM

This is just one of those things that a lot of people have tried a lot of band-aid solutions on, but nobody has found the cure. I've heard the whole 'put a cap on the board where it's missing a cap' fix, but I've also heard that it only works with PAL models. I may try a few things on my toploader once my backlog of stuff-to-do is cleared up.

ddockery

11-26-2003, 10:08 AM

If anybody does figure this out I'd be extremely interested. I've actually considered parting with mine a few times because I always avoid using for this very reason!

Bratwurst

11-26-2003, 10:18 AM

Anyone ever consider swapping the video box from a toaster with the one in a top loader? Again, I've never seen the innards of a top loader but can attest the video box in the old style NES is shielded like a tank.

jonjandran

11-26-2003, 10:20 AM

Anyone ever consider swapping the video box from a toaster with the one in a top loader? Again, I've never seen the innards of a top loader but can attest the video box in the old style NES is shielded like a tank.

I'll take a look and get back with you in a few.

FABombjoy

11-26-2003, 10:23 AM

Has anybody done the A/V mod, and do the lines still appear in that?

jonjandran

11-26-2003, 10:24 AM

Has anybody done the A/V mod, and do the lines still appear in that?

I've talked to several people who have and they say the lines are still there.

Of course this guy claims different.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3060884600&category=3617

jonjandran

11-26-2003, 10:30 AM

Anyone ever consider swapping the video box from a toaster with the one in a top loader? Again, I've never seen the innards of a top loader but can attest the video box in the old style NES is shielded like a tank.

I'll take a look and get back with you in a few.

No dice . :o
The one in the Toaster is 5 times the size and includes the rca parts.

Bratwurst

11-26-2003, 10:54 AM

Of course this guy claims different.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3060884600&category=3617

He would make that claim, being the seller, wouldn't he? ;)

No dice . :o
The one in the Toaster is 5 times the size and includes the rca parts.

Thanks for confirming a long suspicion of mine, anyway.

The Manimal

12-09-2003, 09:31 PM

Has anyone considering modding so that the ORIGINAL NES has the cartridge slot of the REDESIGN NES? So it would be a sideways TOP LOADER..

Bratwurst

12-09-2003, 09:38 PM

Has anyone considering modding so that the ORIGINAL NES has the cartridge slot of the REDESIGN NES? So it would be a sideways TOP LOADER..

Been there, done that. 8-)

http://www.angelfire.com/apes/madmeat/toaster1.html

pango

12-09-2003, 09:41 PM

when i design the best ever in the universe pirate nes/famicom extravaganza (which i have many plans for in the future) i'll keep that in mind

The Manimal

12-10-2003, 12:13 AM

Has anyone considering modding so that the ORIGINAL NES has the cartridge slot of the REDESIGN NES? So it would be a sideways TOP LOADER..

Been there, done that. 8-)

http://www.angelfire.com/apes/madmeat/toaster1.html

how did you do this? do you have it stabilized so the thing doesn't wobble around? i don't know if I'd personally want the cartridge slot being THAT far out (having the cart poke out way far past the console), but you have the right idea (of what I was talking about).

jonjandran

12-10-2003, 01:01 AM

The cart has to stick out that far. It's the only possible way if you're going to use the same Motherboard.

Bratwurst

12-10-2003, 09:54 AM

Indeed, you could make a U shaped adaptor to replace the original ZIF connector so the cart stays inside, but it's still going to 'hang' out in space and there's the issue of making the internal adaptor as steady as possible.

In this early thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8667) I contemplated some sketches of this.

What I ended up doing was flip the motherboard upside down and suspend it to the inside of the Nintendo's top half. Soldering a direct connection to the motherboard makes it sturdy as a rock, there's no wobbling because the bottom of the cart is also resting on the inside edge of the toaster's mouth, for lack of a better term.

In my opinion it's safer to remove and insert carts this way because there's no risk of label damage, nothing is gliding over it like that metal stability bar inside.

The Manimal

12-10-2003, 04:10 PM

do you have a tutorial on how to do this mod? I'd like to try it, since I guess the pins on the top loader or the genesis, super nes, or any of that variety don't break very often if at all if not abused. I've never had any problems with any connectors other than NES ones.