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Gentlegamer
12-07-2006, 11:20 AM
I found my original NES in my mother's attic a few months ago. It still works just like before - BLINKIES!

I want to restore it to complete working condition. I have tried cleaning the contacts (with metal polish), changing the 72-pin connector, cleaning more, and nothing works! The only game that it will semi-reliably load is Castlevania (all the others take ages of repositioning the carts to get the right angle of contact).

I've heard there is a lock-out chip that can go bad and cause the blinkies in addition to dirty contacts. Does anyone have more info?
Snake2715
12-07-2006, 11:25 AM
wow of the 10 or so I have fixed the 72 pin did the trick good luck.
Gentlegamer
12-07-2006, 11:30 AM
wow of the 10 or so I have fixed the 72 pin did the trick good luck.All the testimonials about a new 72-pin adapter convinced me to get one. It is very frustrating that it didn't work.
GuilewasNK
12-07-2006, 11:35 AM
Do you have a Game Genie?

Starting a game while attached to a Game Genie helps for me some of the time.

Also, you should try rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to clean cartridge contacts. I never heard of anyone using metal polish before.
Gentlegamer
12-07-2006, 11:45 AM
Do you have a Game Genie?

Starting a game while attached to a Game Genie helps for me some of the time.

Also, you should try rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to clean cartridge contacts. I never heard of anyone using metal polish before.There was another thread here that recommended metal polish. It seemed to be doing the job - tons and tons of disgusting filthy black stuff was coming off seeming clean contacts, just as was reported, but still the blinkies persist.
GuilewasNK
12-07-2006, 11:48 AM
There was another thread here that recommended metal polish. It seemed to be doing the job - tons and tons of disgusting filthy black stuff was coming off seeming clean contacts, just as was reported, but still the blinkies persist.

Well, this topic got me interested in checking out my NES again so if I find something that works for me I'll pass the info along.
Snake2715
12-07-2006, 11:57 AM
There was another thread here that recommended metal polish. It seemed to be doing the job - tons and tons of disgusting filthy black stuff was coming off seeming clean contacts, just as was reported, but still the blinkies persist.

Yeah metal polish on a dremel bufing end seemed to be the popular choice to get right in there without taking the cartridge apart.
snotnose_colossal
12-07-2006, 04:12 PM
heres how to disable the lock out if youre interested.

http://www.retronintendo.com/?q=node/800
Puffa469
12-07-2006, 05:11 PM
I know this is a dumb question, but did you also clean the contacts on the games themselves?
bmulligan
12-08-2006, 02:19 AM
Your games arent clean. I used to use just iso and a q-tip to clean games. Now I use 000 steel wool and a popsickle stick with a gentle rubbing. After that, a q-tip with WD-40 to really get the corrosion out. The WD also leaves a protective coating to prevent more corrosion. Every game works flawlessly, every time, most even on machines without a new 72 pin connector installed.
Gentlegamer
12-08-2006, 11:49 AM
Every game has been cleaned extensively. I'm having some luck bending the pins up to make better contact, but still not 100%.
AngstOverlord
12-09-2006, 10:07 AM
Sometimes, too, you will get a faulty pin connector. Seriously. For whatever reason, when I got a new one it didn't work. Exchanging it wasn't an issue and I was told at least 30% of them failed to work right.

If it's possible to exchange the connector for another one, do so.
RegalSin2020
12-09-2006, 11:14 AM
Well the lock out chip is not really a big concern since it is only one wire to cut.

For my NES my father had to fix a problem with the Reset switch. He wented on telling me he could make my NES and SNES better then before. He worked with the wires at the front side. that is tied down together. Also have you ever tried opening your NES andf pushing the pins forward? Before I play any games on my NES I push them forward in order for the games to work. There is a bit of electric current running threw the pins.

Also unrelated you can make your SNES speed up a bit more then before by cutting a wire then burning it to another. I forget where that info is.

A bigger question is how to make the NES link to a Famicom disk system.