72 Pin Connectors and do they work?

[80sGamer]

I have seen these and was wondering if they really do help get rid of the flashing screen on the NES? Can anyone tell me more about them, and also what I can do to get my NES working like new again. One more thing is I'd like to get my Atari 7800 working like new too, so if you have a suggestion on how to clean it or whatever, it will be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[ghsqb]

Hey there 80sGamer.
Welcome to DP.
I can see you're relatively new around these parts, so if you haven't seen it yet, I'd like to point out the Technical and Restoration Forum.

The guys there are wizards with all things repair, and there are specific threads about the two topics you are interested in.

Try this link in that forum, its a great place to start.


Clicky (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6366&highlight=nes)


EDIT: Forgot to mention, being a new member to DP, I'd be remiss not to invite you to visit the DP Official introduce yourself thread.
Let us know who you are and what you're about.
You can find that thread Here (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11)

[Chuplayer]

Yes, new NES 72 pin connectors do work. I installed one about four years ago, and it's still working perfectly.

[jcalder8]

I might just be a moron but I installed a new one that I bought off e-bay and it still doesn't work so I went out and bought a toploader... can't wait till it arrives. In the mean time I have heard that some on e-bay are total garbage and ordering from a reliable site is better.

[johno590]

Well, it really depends... I bought one off ebay and installed it in a NES that I sold on ebay... it does work better, but for how long, I don't know.

The problem with the ones on eBay is that the carts stick in there, and are very hard to get out. Your best bet is to buy a original NES 72-pin. I believe someone on DP was selling them, they cost more money than the cheap ones off ebay, but they are Nintendo replacement, so work much better.

Another thing you could try is actually cleaning the 72-pin that was already in your NES. Alcohol and a toothbrush, and try to scrub all of the grime off of the pins. Usually works very well.

[Mr.collection]

The main thing is you clean it first. Which I've hadmy NES since birth and have only cleaned it 2 times. I buy NESs and clean them and sell them and make money. I have no idea why you would replace the connector, unless the pins were messed up.

[jdchess]

Well, it really depends... I bought one off ebay and installed it in a NES that I sold on ebay... it does work better, but for how long, I don't know.

The problem with the ones on eBay is that the carts stick in there, and are very hard to get out. Your best bet is to buy a original NES 72-pin. I believe someone on DP was selling them, they cost more money than the cheap ones off ebay, but they are Nintendo replacement, so work much better.

Another thing you could try is actually cleaning the 72-pin that was already in your NES. Alcohol and a toothbrush, and try to scrub all of the grime off of the pins. Usually works very well.

I do still have some OEM NES connectors left for sale. They are from an old authorized Nintendo repair center that I bought out, and they work amazingly well. I have used several and have had no problems so far at all. The best thing about them is that they are ZIF (zero-insertion-force). Carts will slide in and out just like when your NES was new.

There are two main problems with the connectors you get off of eBay (they are usually MCM brand). First, they have an unusually high fail rate. Second, and possibly worse, they grip carts so tight that you need the jaws of life to change games. I know this from personal experience. :/ I think you can find a post in the Technical and Restoration Forum about the fail rate.

Cleaning does work sometimes if the connector isn't worn too bad.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in the OEM replacement connectors, just PM me about it. 8-)

[InsaneDavid]

I'd like to point out the Technical and Restoration Forum.

The guys there are wizards with all things repair, and there are specific threads about the two topics you are interested in.

Yes, make a detailed post over there and myself and the other Technical & Restoration Society regulars will best help you with things like this.


Another thing you could try is actually cleaning the 72-pin that was already in your NES. Alcohol and a toothbrush, and try to scrub all of the grime off of the pins. Usually works very well.

That's what you should do. Disassemble the NES, take it out, and soak and scrub that baby in alcohol. Check to see if any of the pins are bent and get them back to being uniform. Replacement is stupid unless there is heavy physical damage to your ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector. The only time I've had to chuck one is when rust inside was so heavy it ate away at three of the connectors, removing a quarter inch or so of them.


so I went out and bought a toploader... can't wait till it arrives.

Just don't get your hopes up too much, the vertical display lines that show up coupled with the grabby connector make them far from perfect. Although it will play all the unlicensed NES games without the usual override BS.

[kainemaxwell]

Buy an OEM connector or two, they're worth it. Don't buy them from MCM electronics though.

[The Manimal]

Well, it really depends... I bought one off ebay and installed it in a NES that I sold on ebay... it does work better, but for how long, I don't know.

The problem with the ones on eBay is that the carts stick in there, and are very hard to get out. Your best bet is to buy a original NES 72-pin. I believe someone on DP was selling them, they cost more money than the cheap ones off ebay, but they are Nintendo replacement, so work much better.

Another thing you could try is actually cleaning the 72-pin that was already in your NES. Alcohol and a toothbrush, and try to scrub all of the grime off of the pins. Usually works very well.

I do still have some OEM NES connectors left for sale. They are from an old authorized Nintendo repair center that I bought out, and they work amazingly well. I have used several and have had no problems so far at all. The best thing about them is that they are ZIF (zero-insertion-force). Carts will slide in and out just like when your NES was new.

There are two main problems with the connectors you get off of eBay (they are usually MCM brand). First, they have an unusually high fail rate. Second, and possibly worse, they grip carts so tight that you need the jaws of life to change games. I know this from personal experience. :/ I think you can find a post in the Technical and Restoration Forum about the fail rate.

Cleaning does work sometimes if the connector isn't worn too bad.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in the OEM replacement connectors, just PM me about it. 8-)

i am interested in these OEM replacements. I have 3 systems that need these (meaning all 3), and 1 of which i ripped a few pins out trying to 'refurbish' it. private message with details? i'm interested in probably 1 for each, possibly 2, if that's not asking too much.