repairing the NES

[RedBarron]

Now that I've found my old NES, i think it is time that I get the damned thing working in tip top condition.

Even when I was younger, I'd get the occasional blinking grey screen.

I've been browsing NES sites and it appears that all I need is a new 72 pin connecter.

Are these things pretty easy to install?


Anything else I should look for as far as repairing my console?

[Attezz]

The blinking screen is usually because the cartridge isn't situated "snuggly"

Whenever I have that problem I move the cartridge slightly and just keep hitting reset. I'd having the cartridge almost touching the front of the "slot" for it.

[TempoGL]

my trick is to not quite insert the cartridge all the way.  when you push it down, if it hits the plastic piece right in front of the "slot", and then goes in, it seems to fit a lot more "snugly"

[ultimate7]

my trick is to not quite insert the cartridge all the way.  when you push it down, if it hits the plastic piece right in front of the "slot", and then goes in, it seems to fit a lot more "snugly"

This is the way I do it too, and I've had good luck with a pretty old NES

[RedBarron]

Most games I can insert the cart in the manner you and attez suggest, however with my recent batch of games, it doesn't work too well.

I found a 72 pin connector and cleaning solution on ebay for $15.   It doesn't appear too difficult to install either.

[BeefMaster]

Let me know how that goes, Ryno - I've been meaning to do the same thing with my NES.

[broiler]

did you try the double stuff technique where you cram in another gme on top of rbi?

[nomaaa]

my friend's nes only works with a galoob game genie.
when my nes began to get sucky, i went out and got a game genie for $5. it's worked like a charm ever since. good thing, too, because it's been stuck in there since 2003.

[lara501375]

72 pin connectors arent a really big deal to install, i had to do mine and a friends a while back, i used this guide which i thought was really helpful.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/hjs137/nesrepair.html

i dont know how to make short links, im lame.

[redfanrod]

I purchased a 72-pin connector last month. It involves removing about 25 screws from the old NES but is not that difficult. The new connector makes the cartridge fit much tighter in the cartridge slot, but the machine boots up (no flashing screen) every time. The connector (about $8.00 after shipping costs on eBay) is worth the cost and time. I also cleaned all of my NES carts (Q-Tips and Windex do the trick) and that will keep that slot from getting gummed up so easily.

Good luck!

[BeefMaster]

my friend's nes only works with a galoob game genie.
when my nes began to get sucky, i went out and got a game genie for $5. it's worked like a charm ever since. good thing, too, because it's been stuck in there since 2003.

I had to use the Game Genie with my old NES at my parents' house, and even then it didn't work all the time.

[nomaaa]

i'm not saying it works every time, believe me. but it definately does work within a couple trys.

[TempoGL]

60% of the time, it works every time.