I wish NES's weren't so unreliable.

Been using an old NES toaster with a new 72-pin. Games are clean (although not opened up completely to clean, don't have the bit), and when I replaced the new pin every game worked like a charm.

Then after a few days of not playing it, I'd try and load up a game. Blinking screen or just gray screen. Clean the games, still problems and if I'm lucky it'll load up and then continue to work.

Dealt with that for a little while. Until recently, the system was working all right. And now, can't get a single game to work. Maybe one if I'm lucky.

Thankfully I had a spare 72-pin. Put it in, works like a charm.

Few days later, haven't played it, doing the same thing! Cleaned some games, and if I'm lucky, on the 3rd or 4th try, will get it to work and get most of the games to work. My games can't possibly get THAT dirty by sitting in a drawer with sleeves on them?

WHY!? Cheap replacement parts? Can even the tiniest bit of dirt/dust on a cart dirty the pin that much? I've tried new pins on different consoles as well, to the same effect. Do I need to just buy a top-loader? (please say no) Are top-loaders RF only? No AV?

This frustration is discouraging me from continuing my purchase of NES games. Super Nintendo, how you treat me so well. Any ideas/tips/suggestions?

Thanks!

Comments

  • maybe its how your connecting the 72 pin, you sure your doing it right? it might be a bit loose when you install it...
  • Lockout chip. Have you tried disabling it? Bad communication between the lockout chips can cause the system to not recognize carts even with a tiny amount of dirt/grime causing a less than optimal connection.
  • Id invest the $5 in a bit and crack those games open for a look.

    Chances are the games are just somewhat dirty.

    Lots of ebay sellers say they clean their games, but they usually only mean they clean the outside of them so they look more presentable.
  • This is why I say, just clean the system. Cleaning kits are cheap and plentiful, and the stock 72-pin works infinitely better than any shitty aftermarket connector. Disable the lockout and clean the system and it should work like a charm...mine has since I got it in '89 image
  • Originally posted by: cjkwon

    Been using an old NES toaster with a new 72-pin. Games are clean (although not opened up completely to clean, don't have the bit), and when I replaced the new pin every game worked like a charm.

    Then after a few days of not playing it, I'd try and load up a game. Blinking screen or just gray screen. Clean the games, still problems and if I'm lucky it'll load up and then continue to work.

    Dealt with that for a little while. Until recently, the system was working all right. And now, can't get a single game to work. Maybe one if I'm lucky.

    Thankfully I had a spare 72-pin. Put it in, works like a charm.

    Few days later, haven't played it, doing the same thing! Cleaned some games, and if I'm lucky, on the 3rd or 4th try, will get it to work and get most of the games to work. My games can't possibly get THAT dirty by sitting in a drawer with sleeves on them?

    WHY!? Cheap replacement parts? Can even the tiniest bit of dirt/dust on a cart dirty the pin that much? I've tried new pins on different consoles as well, to the same effect. Do I need to just buy a top-loader? (please say no) Are top-loaders RF only? No AV?

    This frustration is discouraging me from continuing my purchase of NES games. Super Nintendo, how you treat me so well. Any ideas/tips/suggestions?

    Thanks!

    ill make a quick vid for you
    ill post it in 10 mins

  • Originally posted by: the_wizard_666

    This is why I say, just clean the system. Cleaning kits are cheap and plentiful, and the stock 72-pin works infinitely better than any shitty aftermarket connector. Disable the lockout and clean the system and it should work like a charm...mine has since I got it in '89 image


    How would you recommend I clean the system? I've just tried wiping away all the dust that I could, but don't really know what to do much further than that...

    I will look into disabling the lockout chip. I remember watching a video on YouTube on how to do it, but didn't pay too much attention. Any other online tutorials available that you guys have used?
  • Lift or ground pin 4. All instructions on the web are the same. I've never had to clean my system, so one of these guys should be able to help you there.
  • Originally posted by: cjkwon

    Originally posted by: the_wizard_666

    This is why I say, just clean the system. Cleaning kits are cheap and plentiful, and the stock 72-pin works infinitely better than any shitty aftermarket connector. Disable the lockout and clean the system and it should work like a charm...mine has since I got it in '89 image


    How would you recommend I clean the system? I've just tried wiping away all the dust that I could, but don't really know what to do much further than that...

    I will look into disabling the lockout chip. I remember watching a video on YouTube on how to do it, but didn't pay too much attention. Any other online tutorials available that you guys have used?




    image

    Seriously, it's that easy.  Last I checked they could be had for around $10-20 new.

  • Originally posted by: cjkwon

    WHY!? Cheap replacement parts?

    yes


    Originally posted by: cjkwon

    Can even the tiniest bit of dirt/dust on a cart dirty the pin that much?

    well, technically yes, but that's not necessarily it


    Originally posted by: cjkwon

    Do I need to just buy a top-loader?

    no


    Originally posted by: cjkwon

    Are top-loaders RF only?

    rarely av ones do exist, but yes, you probably won't find an av one



    Originally posted by: the_wizard_666

    clean the system

    yes! (but it probably won't make a difference with a new pin)


    Originally posted by: the_wizard_666

    disable the lockout

    not really necessary, but you can if you want



    Your NES is probably fine. Aftermarket pins can crap out pretty quickly, if they aren't faulty to begin with. I'll occasionally open my NES up and go at it with an old toothbrush and some alcohol. I have never had a serious problem getting a (clean) game to work, same system since like 86 or so and original pin. My lockout is not disabled.

    Maybe you have the connector in too tight and now all the pins are bent after a few uses?
  • I suspect the NES I bought has a new PIN connector. It worked super great for the first month, then suddenly, no game was able to load. I hit it with my hand, and it worked again. Then, after two months or so, it stopped working again, and violence didn't solve the problem this time. I opened the NES, took out the RF shield and loading tray, and started experimenting with it. I noticed that the PIN conector had somewhat of a "movement window", it could move slightly back and forth. I pushed it all the way to the back, tightened the screws, and voila! It worked. I guess that taking out the cartridges slowly pulled forth the connector, explaining that it stopped working after a month. Maybe it's something similar.
  • When I first got my own NES like a year ago, it worked pretty well after I cleaned it up. But nowadays it's having more and more problems loading games. It basically doesn't work unless I blow on the cart (which I hear is bad for it). Maybe I'll do a full system re-clean? I've considered disabling the lockout chip, but I'm just not sure if it's necessary. I'll keep my eyes on this thread to see what other suggestions show up.
  • Once I find where they are and get some money to ship, I have a ton of stock connectors if anyone wants to replace their shitty new ones with working stock models that probably just need to be cleaned image
  • I have replaced my 72 pin in 2 or 3 Nintendo's and have not had any significant issues once I open up the games and really clean them. I also have disabled the lockout chip which really is the best thing you can do for these systems. No more blinking screens kicks so much ass...
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