Before I left for home, I ordered a new 72 pin connector for my NES (I will explain what this is). I got home yesterday, and today I replaced the old part with the new one. Today, I am going to show you how to become a NES brain surgeon. You won't actually need to modify the motherboard, but you will be taking off the preverbial skull of the thing...
About the NES
The NES was released in the mid 1980s as Nintendos first home console in the USA. It featured 8-bit games and eventually, around 600+ titles were released for the system. Classics such as Mario, Zelda, and Metriod made their debut here. The Japanese equivalent is the Famicom (Family Computer).
Legal
Open at your own risk. I am not responsible for what you do to your NES, or the results of your actions. You know the deal... don't sue me.
Opening Your NES
I don't have pictures at the moment, and likely I will come back and add them. You will need a phillips head screwdriver, and something to put all the screws in. I used a plate because it was all that I had at the time. Flip your NES over- you will see six screw holes and two screws near where the controllers plug in. You will not have to mess with those two stubby screws- leave them alone. Unscrew all six screws and set them aside. Carefully (grab the NES like a sammich) flip the NES over and lift the top of the plastic closure.
Before you gawk in amazement, we have not gotten to the belly of the beast yet. This large clunk of sheet metal is an RF Shield. To my technical knowledge (someone correct me if I am wrong), it prevents interference coming in or going out. I choose to always screw this guy back in at the end. You will need to locate all of the screws holding this guy down, and lift him up carefully.
Now we are in the belly of the beast. You will see an assortment of wires, electrical components, and other things. Let's get to the elephant in the room- that black tray allows the cartridge to slide into something known as the 72 pin connector. We'll just call him "the connector" for now. When you insert an NES cartridge into this sled, it makes an electrical connection with the connector, which is connected to the motherboard. The motherboard processes the load's information, and voila, you have a game.
NES games are very picky. If they are not cleaned regularly, they will cause connection problems, resulting in the infamous blinking red light. As to what flickers on your screen- that varies from NES to NES. I get a puke green screen. These pin connectors, after 5 years of frequent use, will need repair or replacing. I opted to replace mine, but there are guides out there that show you how to fix them. I didn't want to bother this time around. The last time I opened my NES, I fixed the connectors, and got a good 1-2 years of normal operation.
Unscrew the screws holding down the sled. Remember that, at the connection of the pin connector and the sled are two unique screws that are not like the other ones you have been pulling out. Set them aside with that in mind. At this point, if you are crafty, you can slide the sled right off. For the sake of completion, unscrew any remaining screws keeping the motherboard down and place them aside.
Wiggling the Pin Connector
The Pin connector has a very tight fit to the motherboard. They did this on purpose. To get it off, you need to patiently, and gently, but firmly, wiggle it off. I like to seesaw it- push it up on one side, then up on the other. Eventually that guy will come off. This is the part that connects the video game and the motherboard (i.e., the most critical part of the NES).
If you have a new connector piece, put it on the opposite way you took the old one off. But first, if you have never opened this NES before, or cleaned it, go grab some rubbing alcohol and q-tips. Dab the Q-tip in the solution (not too damp) and clean the motherboard connection, where the pin connector will fit over. If you see black dirt coming up on your q-tips, this is good, and your NES is on its way to being happy and healthy. Clean that up, let it dry for five minutes, and then slide your new connector on.
From here, putting the sled back on is like balancing on a pogo stick with one foot. Try and slide it in there (which is why I had you loosen the motherboard) and make sure the fit is snug. Secure the motherboard (screw screws back in), secure the sled, then the RF sheild. Sammich the NES back together, and insert the six screws from the beginning. Voila!
For a detailed cleaning, you can wash the PLASTIC PARTS and make sure they are FULLY DRY before inserting again. The plastic enclosure can also be cleaned, then reassembled. I have not tested my NES yet, but I am sure I will enjoy a few years of hassle free classic gaming (no more puke green!).
If you are the creative, floaty kind, you can find a seperate enclosure and modify it to take NES games, drilling holes for inputs and outputs (like the A/V stereo plugs, etc). Heck, if you know the voltage rating of the power LED, you can replace the color. For authenticity, I like to keep it the same color, if preferable. Many people have gutted their plastic enclosures and made nintoasters. I am not brave enough to attempt it. As for the old shell... people have turned NES shells into DVD players, SNES consoles, alarm clocks, and many other neat gadgets. I'll keep my NES intact, thanks.
From here, putting the sled back on is like balancing on a pogo stick with one foot. Try and slide it in there (which is why I had you loosen the motherboard) and make sure the fit is snug. Secure the motherboard (screw screws back in), secure the sled, then the RF sheild. Sammich the NES back together, and insert the six screws from the beginning. Voila!
For a detailed cleaning, you can wash the PLASTIC PARTS and make sure they are FULLY DRY before inserting again. The plastic enclosure can also be cleaned, then reassembled. I have not tested my NES yet, but I am sure I will enjoy a few years of hassle free classic gaming (no more puke green!).
If you are the creative, floaty kind, you can find a seperate enclosure and modify it to take NES games, drilling holes for inputs and outputs (like the A/V stereo plugs, etc). Heck, if you know the voltage rating of the power LED, you can replace the color. For authenticity, I like to keep it the same color, if preferable. Many people have gutted their plastic enclosures and made nintoasters. I am not brave enough to attempt it. As for the old shell... people have turned NES shells into DVD players, SNES consoles, alarm clocks, and many other neat gadgets. I'll keep my NES intact, thanks.
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