Help! Original Nintendo has blinking lite.

[Soldier Blue]

I recently picked up a Nintendo in a console lot, but when I turn it on the system blinks and the TV screen will flash white.

It is not the video or ac adapter, I have already tested those on another system.

It MIGHT be the game. I only have one game (ducktales) and the contacts are questionable.

[CFFJR]

Its a common problem with the NES, and its because the pins aren't connecting properly.

Give your cartridges a good clean before anything else, and if that doesn't work you may need to open up the console and bend the pins on the cartridge connector to make them grip tighter.

Worst case scenario, you get a new cartridge connector and replace yours altogether. Its a very easy job if it becomes necessary, and new connectors are sold right here in the Racketboy Store.

[CRTGAMER]

If only the one game, don't sweat it. Take the cart apart and give the contacts a good scub with alcohol or electrical contact cleaner. Maybe even try an eraser.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

It's a sign of the End of Days!
Welcome to the awesome world of 8-bit Nintendo!!

Just as CFF JR says - try cleaning the cartridge first.

Take a Q-tip and give it a couple sprays of rubbing alcohol on one end. Slide the damp end of the Q-tip along both sides of the cart, (the part that goes into your NES system.) Use the dry end of the same Q-tip and do the same thing - you should notice a good amount of black grime being scraped off of the cartridge's connector's. Try the game now and see what happens. More than likely, you'll have to fidget with the cart two or three times, but nowhere near as much as before you cleaned the game.

If it still refuses to work and keeps blinking, then it's probably as CFF JR said - the inside connectors are bent from 25+ years of use.

[Hobie-wan]

Take a Q-tip and give it a couple sprays of Windex on one end.

NO

Do not use windex. It has coloring and perfume in it and ammonia is corrosive to metal. *sigh*

At the very least use some rubbing alcohol dampened q-tips, which is cheap and you probably already have around the house. Better to use 90% rubbing alcohol or actual contact cleaner.

[Soldier Blue]

I have it apart right now, was wondering how do I bend the pins? And which way to bend them?

The contacts on the game are clean, but it is missing some of the metal connectors.

[sevin0seven]

I have it apart right now, was wondering how do I bend the pins? And which way to bend them?

The contacts on the game are clean, but it is missing some of the metal connectors.

u need to buy a replacement 72-pin.



racket store has it.

and yes, like Hobie says DO NOT USE Windex on those poor pins.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Well damn! I learned something today.. I didn't know Windex would be bad for my games.. If I've only done this once on every cart, should I worry about any long-term damage?

[Ziggy]

I have it apart right now, was wondering how do I bend the pins? And which way to bend them?

The contacts on the game are clean, but it is missing some of the metal connectors.

By "missing some metal connectors" do you mean it's missing pins? Does it look like this?...

http://users.zoominternet.net/~sgazi/cl ... _cart1.jpg

That's normal.

Also, just because the pins might look clean doesn't mean they're making good electrical contact. Clean them anyway. Resist the urge to use something like Windex or any thing else. Use rubbing alcohol (can be bought any where for less than a dollar if you don't already have some) or electrical contact cleaner. Anything else is ill advised. Use something like a (clean) old cotton T-shirt. Just don't use something that will leave debris behind (like paper towels). I guess cotton swabs (Q-Tips) would work alright.

You might not have to bend the pins of the cart slot, you might just have to clean it. When you insert the cart into the NES, does it feel like it sticks in snug? When you go to remove it, does it slip right out with no resistance? If there's no resistance, than it's worn out and not making good contact. You can try bending the pins back, but honestly, just buy a new one. They only cost like $5.

[Ziggy]

Well damn! I learned something today.. I didn't know Windex would be bad for my games.. If I've only done this once on every cart, should I worry about any long-term damage?

Just don't use it anymore, clean the carts again with alcohol or contact cleaner if you're really worried.