Trying to fix my NES

[FinalSmash]

Okay, so I brought home my mom's old NES from my grandparent's on Friday, but it doesn't work; you know, the flashing power LED and the blinking blue or white screen? Yeah. I cleaned the 72 pin connecter by boiling it in water(yeah I know weird right?), but it still doesn't work. I'm cleaning the motherboard right now, so does anyone have any tips/tricks that will help? They'd be greatly appreciated.

[Kriven]

There's a pin on one of the chips--you'll have to go find a better tutorial--that was designed to prevent illicit carts from bing played. If you disconnect that pin (again, find a tutorial that isn't a year separated from this process) there's a chance it might work.You might also have to replace the connectors as they can get quite bent out of shape and damaged. It's probably a better idea to buy a RetroDuo Twin or some equivalent device if you're set on using the original carts.

[FinalSmash]

Well I have a SNES, so I'm going to get the SNES to NES adapter. But I'd like to be able to play them the way they were meant to. And the sound and colors are slightly off when you use the adapter.

[Sevenstitch]

most likely it is simply your pin set

you may have cleaned it, but the wear may be too severe; As the pins age, they get bent out of place never seem to stay in their original position, no matter how many times you pull them back out

As long as the motherboard looks sound and there doesn't seem to be any warning signs of damage, i'm willing to bet it is your pin set

A replacement is relatively cheap, here is the cheapest from Ebay, $9 free shipping

A little more hunting may yield a cheaper price


I am not a Nintendo Certified Technician, so please don't hold me liable for any potential waste of money in the event that replacing the pin set doesn't solve your issue

[FinalSmash]

Okay so I got it to work, partially. The game has to be in juuuusst the right position, or it won't work. It had to be touching the pins the least amount possible. And I don't have the correct AC adapter, so I have to use a 12V. So, when I've been playing for like 5 minutes and I turn it off to play something else, it doesn't work.

[Kosheh]

I cleaned the 72 pin connecter by boiling it in water(yeah I know weird right?), but it still doesn't work.

I...don't think you're supposed to clean the innards of electronics with water
I would have used (isopropyl 70%) rubbing alcohol as it dries faster :/

edit: oh. that last reply.
nice. :V

(i'd try replacing the pin set, especially if they've gotten old or rusted out)

you might want to try cleaning the games you're inserting into the system, too because keep in mind they're also ancient as well (i usually give any used game cartridge i purchase a good cleaning with rubbing alcohol for good measure, and then they work like brand new

i hear you can also use compressed air to blow out the cartridge but ehhhh
you're better off swabbing the contacts with rubbing alcohol)

[FinalSmash]

I cleaned them with steel wool, but that just gets the top layer off. I'm convinced the pin connecter needs replacing, and I need the correct AC adapter; right now I'm using a 12V DC.

[Maxpphire]

HOLY SHIT NEVER USE WATER OR STEEL WOOL TO CLEAN COMPUTER PARTS

Sorry as someone who works with computers, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


Use rubbing alcohol on everything but plastic pieces, and a q-tip or cotton ball.