This was another article that I wrote for Pineconeattack back on 02.10.2013. While replacing the 72 pin connector is pretty drastic, I never had any issues with the aftermarket parts being too tight. I guess you miles may vary. One of these days I'll get around to doing a walk-through for the Blinking Light Win apparatus. I
hope this article will still be useful to those in need of repairing your NES. I will keep it up here for archival purpose.
--Nathan
The Nintendo Entertainment System, easily one of the most iconic and
leading gaming console from the 80’s selling into the millions across
America, capturing the imaginations of children while firmly grasping at
the wallets of parents. For every coin collected, every duck shot, and for every Princess
saved, the Nintendo Entertainment System has filled me with great
memories including strange gaming rituals like blowing into the
cartridges, clicking up and down and hitting power and reset. Wonky
rituals that I do just so I can play the damn thing. As popular as the
NES was, Nintendo really cheaped out on the one main component that
actually have the console work: the 72-pin connector.
So what is the 72-pin connector?
The 72-pin connector is what makes contact to the game cart and the
main motherboard. The pins over time will begin to separate and the
cartridge doesn’t make a tight connection and that’s when the video will
glitch out or you just get that blue screen. Lucky for you, it’s really
an easy cheap fix to make your NES work better than before. Just
replace the 72-pin connector.
And here is how to do just that, but before that he's the standard warning:
WARNING:
Attempt at your own risk!
DO NOT ATTEMPT unless you have some technical skills and can follow
instructions. This walkthrough is as simplified as I can make it so if
none of my instructions makes any sense then please DO NOT ATTEMPT.
This project will void your warranty.
[Pineconeattack (Outdated References) will not take any responsibility if you kill your NES.]
