My NES... is a zombie! (Advice request)

[Kitsune Sniper]

Well, I just realized I still have my Christmas 1988 NES lying around. I decided to fish it out and try to hook it up, but I get the infamous flashy screen. So, I plan to open it and fix the cart connectors inside. I just have a question...

Will I get shocked if I open the box or something? I seem to recall that many electronic devices tell you to NOT open them for risk of shock... I don't plan to open it while it's plugged in, but you know. :)

[insinion]

No you won't get shocked :p

[Kitsune Sniper]

I already figured that out. :P

I opened up the system and bent the 72 pin connectors. I'm about to reassemble my system, hope it works...

[Cirrus]

Good luck! I bet that'll do the trick. Otherwise, you can always buy another 72 pin connector for cheap.

Edit: The most important thing that I can remember NOT to touch while unplugged is a monitor or TV on the inside, the anode/cathode. Pretty sure that's an insta-kill, in a lot of cases.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Well, it didn't work. Still getting flashy flashes. :(

Guess my NES finally died. I did clean the carts I tested, though. The only one that kinda wanted to work was Back to the Future 2 + 3, and it only showed a purple screen with some garbling for three seconds. ;_;

[CastNoShadow]

You should really consider just buying a new 72 pin and replacing your old one. 99% of the time that will do the trick. A new 72 pin will run you less than $10 shipped on eBay.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I only wanted to test -one game-. That Piano thing I'm selling, nothing more. I don't play or have any NES games either way. :\

[currie64]

Try an emory board (the kind a woman uses on her nails) to sand the crud and dust off of the games and it will work 9 times out of ten. Remember sand til it works. Blowing on them or using rubbing alcohol is a short term fix and it will still corrode. Im not saying grind it to dust im saying sand them lightly and you will see all of the crud come off on the emory board.....works great.

[Push Upstairs]

The only one that kinda wanted to work was Back to the Future 2 + 3, and it only showed a purple screen with some garbling for three seconds. ;_;


I think thats better than the actual game. LOL

Honestly, getting an NES to work takes a lot of praying, a lot of cleaning, a lot of testing, and a lot more cleaning.

You might try the game and if you get flashy screens you probably should reset the system a few times to see if you can get it to load the game, that has worked for me on numerous occasions.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I did that, no go. :\ The pins are not in bad shape, either. I thought they'd be rusted and dirty but they're pretty much fine...

[Gapporin]

http://www.digitpress.com/livefaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=77&id=16&artlang=en

Everything you wanted to know about refurbshing an NES connector (but were too afraid to ask).

Seriously, though, I did this procedure on my glitchy NES and now every game works on the first try. It will change your life!*

* = results may vary.

[kaedesdisciple]

Just buy a replacement connector, grab a screwdriver, ground your bad self and replace it. If you're not going to use it then replacing the connector will certainly raise the re-selling price if you're thinking about dumping it on ebay anyways. Your ~$9 investment will be worth it.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Mmm.

Maybe.

I don't have the cash to spare for a new connector. :(

[Push Upstairs]

I think you just lack the "Nintendo Touch".

[FABombjoy]

You don't want a new connector anyway. Just refurb the old one.

[wallydawg]

I pulled up the pins and disabled the lockout chip on mine, works 100x better.

[dcescott]

Deoxit works great. It's a gold contact lubricant, makes a better connection.
If you had the security bit, you could open up the game and clean it with a white eraser and isopropyl alcohol. That also helps get a better contact.
I work on nes's all the time. A combination of cleaning and wiggling it works, the game needs to set right in there in the right spot, very finicky. Deoxit is at Radio Shack, the pen eraser and isopropyl alcohol is at your local drug store.

The new 72 pin is an easy last resort, but that would cut out all the cleaning crap.
Daniel