NES problems.

[Karakasa-Obake]

So I just recently got a new NES, right? It seemed like it was working fine at first, but then it shit out on me. The only game I got to work flawlessly was Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt, and that was on my 3rd try. Now I can barely get it to register games. Usually a grey or other colored screen will come up, then graphical garbage. When it actually does register a game, it usually only stays for a couple minutes. I thought maybe it was my games, but I tested those out on a Famiclone and they worked fine. What the butt is going on?

[17daysolderthannes]

clean the damn games. Nintendo pin connectors are shit, plain and simple, famiclones are more reliable and can make a connection through crap the NES connector can't. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to replace it with a 3rd party one, though remember those work in the "up" position. Rubbing alcohol and q-tips (you'll need more than one per game, if they come up light with one, you aren't pushing hard enough) should be all you need, but allegedly Deox-It is an option as well. Anything advertised as a sensitive electronic cleaner that explicitly says it won't harm plastic would work as well.

[Ghaleon]

If that still doesn't work, you'll have to replace [the 72 pin connector] with a 3rd party one, though remember those work in the "up" position.

I don't think all of those are intended to be used in that way--the brand we always bought worked more like the originals. Is there still more than one company making these?

[kool kitty89]

There're more options before getting a replacement connector too. First clean the connector (alcohol on a thin cloth wrapped over a cridit card or similar, or an actaul cleaning cart). Still won't work? Then you can resort to polishing the pins with fine sandpaper (remove the connector first to avoid getting metal particals on the board). While the connector is removed you should clean the board contacts for the connector and the conector's contacts for that end as well. (dirt and oxidation/corrosion and build up internally there too)

Also you could bend up the pins in the cart connector (again you'll have to remove it for this), this can imporve the connection and make it tighter, but be careful not to ben them too much or it'll be too tight, just bend them very slightly (not much more than a mm past the current position), of course you could make them as tight as some aftermarket ones but definitely dont go past that. (even then it can possibly be problematic in the up position with carts -like the Game Genie, which fit tighter as they're designed to fit in the "up" position)

While you have the system apart I suggest disabling the lockout chip too, very simple (involving disconnecting a single pin on a chip), and pretty much foolproof as long as you avoid static discharge (from your body, alwayd a concern when handling circuit board -avoid touching pins on the board) and make sure you've got the right chip. (it's pretty distinctibve though, a 16-pin DIP marked 3193A on the US models, pin 4 bing the one to cut)

[Baloo]

I already disabled the lockout chip for him before I sent it out.

[Jesse813]

how do you disable that damn lockout chip anyway?

[Baloo]

Just take a screwdriver and pry it off.

[nathanallan]

Just take a screwdriver and pry it off.

I wouldn't do that. Cut the pin according to the picture and you should be all set.

I do this to all of my NES's. Some say ground the pin, but it's not necessary.

[Baloo]

whoops, that's what I did...

[kool kitty89]

I used a tiny flat bladed screwdriver to (carefully) pry the pin off mine.

[tz101]

The key to cleaning the 72 pin connectors and game cart connectors is 91% isopropyl alcohol, not that 70% stuff sold at Wal Mart. Go to a pharmacy for the 91% stuff.

Then, it is highly recommended to have a NES cleaning cartridge to get to the contacts way down in there. Otherwise, you have to disassemble the plastic case along with the metal interference-prevention covers inside the system.

Next, use a cotton swab to liberally apply the 91% alcohol to the vinyl covered insert portion of the cleaner cartridge. Then, insert the cleaner cartridge and run it in and out a few times. Remove the cleaner cartridge and swipe the vinyl covered insert portion with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab. The swab should have black grime afterward. Repeat these steps until the swabs no longer show black grime.

For NES game cartridges, the first step should always be very fine grit sandpaper. Use the 1000 grit or finer like is used for auto body finishing work. Using light pressure, swipe the sandpaper over both sides of the cartridge connector pins a few times in a back-and-forth manner. Using a magnifying glass, you should now be able to see that the gold colored connectors are shiny and no longer dull in appearance. Finally, soak a cotton swab in 91% isopropyl alcohol and run it along both sides of the polished connector pins. The swab should show black to green residue afterwards.

Anyone who ever had slot-car race tracks as a kid has probably polished and cleaned the track rails and under-car contacts in similar fashion more than once.

Finally, allow the contacts to dry completely, which does not take long with alcohol. Plug in the game cart and enjoy.

[Speedle]

I wouldn't do that. Cut the pin according to the picture and you should be all set.

I do this to all of my NES's. Some say ground the pin, but it's not necessary.

so thats where my nail clippers went!!!