NES pin connector on PAL and NTSC console the same?...

[elmagicochrisg]

Need to replace the pin connector on a PAL NES. The US sellers seem to be the cheapest. Is it safe for me to order one from them?... I asked one of those sellers (the cheapest one) if the picture on his auction was the correct one because it didn't look exactly like my connector. He replied that this is a connector for US consoles and will not fit my PAL console. I say he's full of shit, but please do correct me if I'm wrong...

Probably looks a little different because it's a generic one. Right?...

[CFFJR]

I just checked out a video of a PAL nes having the connector replaced, and it looks identical to mine, which I just had open last night.

I think they're the same and he's full of it, and if this guy's looks different its probably because its a knockoff, like you said.

Having said that though, I wouldn't buy it if it looks different. The racketboy store carries them for the record, though I don't know if racket ships international.

[Hobie-wan]

It is be the same. PAL carts are 72 pin just like US ones and I can plug my PAL copy of Over Horizon right into my Generation NEX (since it's region free as opposed to a real NES) and play it no problems. The pin connector is just a female to female adapter more or less in the shape of a U.

[CRTGAMER]

The local Retro store owner here does repairs on NES consoles. He mentioned the replacement contacts are not as durable, perhaps the metal contacts are a thinner or inferior material? He prefers to tweaking the original contact pins to working condition over a replacement when possible. I think it has some merit considering the extra work involved over a simple replacement.

[elmagicochrisg]

Thanks for the input guys...

As for tweaking the original contact pins. Yup, I prefer this over a new connector also. But this one just won't budge no matter what I do. I cleaned all the contacts and adjusted both the top and bottom row. Still no go...

Guess I'll just have to suck it up and buy that new connector...

Weird how you mention the new connectors being less durable. I read the opposite yesterday on a Youtube video. The guy could even play his games without having to push the cartridge down with his new pin connector...

[Hobie-wan]

Weird how you mention the new connectors being less durable. I read the opposite yesterday on a Youtube video. The guy could even play his games without having to push the cartridge down with his new pin connector...

The new ones usually have the pins set where they're closer together, so really tight when new so you don't have to pop it down. This is separate from being 'durable'. I think the metal is cheaper and more likely to bend, so they might need more maintenance and rebending in future.

[flamepanther]

The durability probably depends on the source, too. Mine has been working for years now, and I can still play games without pushing them down.

[elmagicochrisg]

It's unbelievable how such a simple piece can cause so much trouble. As mentioned before, it simply transfers the signal from the NES cartridge port to the NES printboard. What possibly could go wrong?... I didn't want to give up just yet, so I went as far as I could to repair the damned thing. I tried bending the pins to give them more grip. I tried cleaning all the pins with alcohol and a toothbrush. I tried sanding paper. I even tried retinning all the contacts, both on the printboard and on the connector. Still the $%µ#! refused duty. Unbelievable!...

I then took my Dremel and Dremeled the shit out of that connector just to make sure I never get tempted to try and make it work again. Cough...

[CFFJR]

I then took my Dremel and Dremeled the shit out of that connector just to make sure I never get tempted to try and make it work again. Cough...

I'm really sorry, I know you're pissed and I shouldn't be laughing, but that's just hilarious.

I've got the image in my head now, and its not going away.

Were you laughing maniacally during this mutilation?

[elmagicochrisg]

Were you laughing maniacally during this mutilation?

Nope, but I am now...