NES and Genesis Model 2 Video Problems

[JordanPlayer]

Lately I was inspired to bust my really old consoles out of the closet since I had kept them packed up for a while. From what I remember I thought that my NES and Genesis had stopped working, wasn't really sure about my SNES. Well, good thing is that my SNES worked perfectly along with all the games I had for it. However, neither my NES nor my Genesis worked. I tested all these systems on the same standard definition TV so HDTV wouldn't be the problem.

NES (using RF cable): Without cleaning a single thing I popped a game into the system, turned the power on and got the flashing red light with a black/white static screen (was different from powered off though) . I read online this is most likely caused by the 72-pin connector. I cleaned the game cartridge and tried again, still happening. I opened the system up, took out the 72-pin connector and cleaned the contacts on the motherboard. After I put it back together I used an NES cleaning kit (luckily I actually kept these things since I was a kid) and inserted it the normal 5-10 times. Whenever I put a game in now I get the audio (no distortions) however the picture is reaaallly messed up. It is black and white with static, lines, distortions, etc all thrown in. I can tell the game is playing but the picture is really out of whack. I just wanted to confirm whether or not this is a 72-pin connector before I buy a part to replace it with.

Sega Genesis Model 2 (using RF cable): Without cleaning anything I popped in a game and got a static/wavy black and white screen (red power light stayed solid). I had a Sega Genesis cleaning kit so I stuck the cleaning cartridge in about 5-10 times. I also used a very clean game (has been in the box I bought it in nearly all of the time) and now I get the correct audio but with a messed up picture (similar to the NES but a little better). I also tested with other cartridges that I haven't cleaned and still get the same type of picture. It is black and white with quite a few wavy/line distortions and some static but I can see the picture a little bit better than on my NES. I was wondering what part is bad for this system (I'm guessing the slot where the cartridges are inserted). I couldn't really find any help topics on taking apart the Genesis so I didn't really want to mess with it.

To me it seems like both of these systems have the same problem (ironic). I don't believe it's the cables because I used the SNES R/F cable on the same TV and it played fine. Any help in getting these systems working again would be appreciated

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Both systems were fine (Until you messed with the NES), what you have are dirty cartridges not dirty cartridge ports.

Use a Q-Tip moistened with 70% By Volume Rubbing alcohol (available at any store or supermarket) and scrub the cartridge's contacts (Genesis, NES and SNES to ensure they keep working like new.) until they shine.

What happened with the NES is that you either out the 72 pin connector back in incorrectly, or your cartridges are just really dirty.

Also blowing into your cartridges won't clean them, but will actually cause them to oxidize from your breath's moisture unlike the Rubbing Alcohol which is metal safe.

[Overload]

If your blinking problem persists after you clean everything, you may want to try disabling the lockout chip.

[superlarz]

Sounds like your stuff is really dirty. As far as the NES, you can find if your RF out is busted by hooking it up with AV cables.

[JordanPlayer]

Well, I already knew how to clean cartridges before... had to do it with some used N64 games. I also know that these systems/games have gone through a lot, considering I got them when I was in elementary school I'm probably a dummy or somethin but the R/F for Genesis has a switch (one is Channel 3, one is Channel 4)... so I just flipped it opposite of what it was and the Genesis works like it always used to I don't know how it got changed over the years but it was an easy fix that I didn't even think about. I went ahead and cleaned/tested my old Genesis games to get them back into shape after a long period of abuse/non-use. Genesis = Working

Well, I posted a big thing about the NES still not working correctly but I had an idea spring into my mind along the lines of the Genesis solution right as I was about to give up and head to bed for the night. From my experience I always thought the channel was supposed to be set on 3 so that video games would come in properly through cable. Well the Genesis switch WAS on 4 before I switched it to 3 to fix the video problems. The NES problems were almost exactly the same as the Genesis, so I figured what the hell I'll switch the TV from channel 3 to channel 4 (since the Nintendo R/F cables don't have a Channel switch). And what do ya know... picture coming in crystal clear LOL I would like to say that all the cleaning inside the unit didn't go to waste because now I can insert my cartridges straight in normally, or the old push down slide method and I don't get the blinking light error

This is probably one of those face-palm moments (except I think the NES might still have given me troubles with the blinking light had I not cleaned it). Thanks for giving me input though to push me in the right direction of cleaning and trying the different methods at my disposal before trying to purchase a replacement part or something. It was great getting these systems back up and running again in all their glory. I honestly had a big flashback moment to my childhood of how great a time I had with these systems and games. Sometime I'll have to post a few pics of the small collection I have. Thanks for the help!

[MrPopo]

Yes, I can confirm that the blinking was a result of not having a good contact between the game and the pins. So your cleaning didn't go to waste on that front.

[Dub5279]

The NES does have a channel switch actually. It is located on the back of the control deck between the RF Out and the AC adaptor.