NES repair question - solid green screen

I recently (a few months ago) replaced the 72 pin connector in my NES. I haven't played it since then. I just plugged it in and I'm getting a solid green screen using several games that previously worked.

Not a lot of info on this problem online, but what I did see suggested replacing the connector, which I just did. Does anyone have any more perspective on what might be causing this? Do I need to replace the connector again, having perhaps gotten a bad one?

[quote name='retrothomas']I recently (a few months ago) replaced the 72 pin connector in my NES. I haven't played it since then. I just plugged it in and I'm getting a solid green screen using several games that previously worked.

Not a lot of info on this problem online, but what I did see suggested replacing the connector, which I just did. Does anyone have any more perspective on what might be causing this? Do I need to replace the connector again, having perhaps gotten a bad one?[/QUOTE]

Where did you buy your 72 pin connector?

I believe I got it from someone on ebay, but it was a while ago and I can't find a record of it.

I get games to work by putting them in tightly and sometimes I have to move them a little to one side. When I installed the connector I noticed I couldn't screw it down all the way, and the spring loader thing that you slide the cartridge into was very difficult to get back into position.

Based on all this, I'm thinking my connector is a piece of trash. While it works, it's not consistent. I'd be willing to try another one. Have you replaced one? Any recommendations on where best to order from? I was thinking of going with nintendorepairshop.com.

Just as I thought. You were probably ripped off.

For the most cheapest and common products, it is easy to get ripped off on ebay, amazon, craigslist and etc, especially with hardware. Your better off trying a retro game site.

try blowing into it

Arent there chinese knockoff systems you can get instead of trying to fix your NES? Not to argue with using a NES, but seems like it would be easier than trying to fix a 30 year old machine. I coulda sworn I saw play asia or something with one that read NES and SNES carts.

[quote name='tankass']Arent there chinese knockoff systems you can get instead of trying to fix your NES? Not to argue with using a NES, but seems like it would be easier than trying to fix a 30 year old machine. I coulda sworn I saw play asia or something with one that read NES and SNES carts.[/QUOTE]


There are several most of which are imperfect. I suppose it is worth investment but not if you have games you want to play that are incompatible. You would have track a compatibity list first, and no one wants to have to do that.

A better alternative might be an NES 2 (often referred to as the "top loader.") I have no experience with it but I hear that it is more compatible than the original model, meaning no flickering screen.

[quote name='MortalKombat2007']A better alternative might be an NES 2 (often referred to as the "top loader.") I have no experience with it but I hear that it is more compatible than the original model, meaning no flickering screen.[/QUOTE]

I lucked into a top loader for 5 bucks at a yard sale a few years back and adore it. You still get the occasional flicker, but it's far, far less than a standard system... I rarely have to fiddle to get things working. The one big downer is it's RF only.

A friend came over a few weeks ago, and we decided to play through Mario 3 since it was her favorite NES game, but I'd never beaten it (didn't have it growing up.) I was pulling out the controllers and she was going to put the game in. I turned from the controller drawers to find her looking dumbfounded at my shelves- she'd never seen a top loader, and as such couldn't figure out where my NES was. She was doubly shocked when I put the game in, turned it on, and it worked without flickering, blowing, or resetting.

I understand that moving the cartridge from horizontal to vertical is what makes it work so well.