NES won't work after replacing 72 pin connector

[johnsilver00]

So, I have an old front load NES and my games were getting more and more difficult to get playing, so I decided it couldn't hurt to replace the 72 pin connector and clean all the connections. So I ordered a 72 pin connector and a cleaning kit from an online retailer (i forget where exactly right now, but I can find out if that's important info), replaced the connector, cleaned the connections inside the system, and cleaned the connections on one game to start with. However, when I put everything back together and tried to play the game, the system would turn on, but nothing was displaying on the tv. I tried another game that had been working reliably lately (without cleaning it) and it still did not work. So I took it apart again and put the old 72 pin connector back in, but alas, nothing works still. The system turns on, but nothing happens.

I'm not inexperienced at making repairs, but I'm far from an expert. I'm wondering if there may have been a common mistake I made that I need to correct, or ruined the system. Another thing I realized afterwards, was that the screwdriver I was using had a magnetic tip. I wouldn't think that's a strong enough magnet to cause any damage, but like I said, I'm not an expert so I wanted to ask someone else.

Any info or thoughts are appreciated.

[Hobie-wan]

Did you get the power/reset and controller ports plugged back into the board? Maybe you dropped the board in and forgot about those. Maybe you didn't get a shield in the right place and are shorting something? A magnetic screwdriver shouldn't have caused any issues.

[johnsilver00]

i got the plugs back in. I did forget them the first time and had to disassemble it again to put the plugs back. i'm pretty sure i have the shields in the right spot, but i'll have to double check that in the morning.

but thank you, i wasn't completely sure if the magnetic screwdriver might've done something and i wanted to hear that from someone else

[Mechblue]

have you tried both video output options? RF adapter and composite cables on the side of the system?

[Ziggy]

I know you're not suppose to use magnetic screwdrivers with electronics, and I know why, but I always have and never had a problem. The important thing is to make sure all power has been drained before working on electronics. After you unplug the NES, or any console, it's a good idea to turn the power ON and leave it on while you start to take it apart. Doing this will drain any stored up electric in capacitors.

If you're sure it was put back together 100% correctly, then let's start looking at what else you did. What cleaning kit did you use? A link to the exact item would be useful. When you removed the old pin connector, do you mean that you cleaned those pins on the motherboard before installing the new pin connector? From experience, when you use electronic cleaning solutions on old connection, you end up making them worse before they get better. A lot of time the solution will "lift" any dirt, grim, corrosion, etc, but then you just swirl it around and it dries back on the connection. Multiple passes are required to actually remove everything. This goes for the male pins on the NES motherboard as well as the carts.

[Hobie-wan]

Well ok. I guess it depends on whether it's a screwdriver that's magnetized to the point of pulling screws from across the room or one that will just barely hold small screws that would be difficult to align with your fingers as opposed to stuck on the end of your screwdriver.

[Ziggy]

FWIW, usually it's just the tip that's magnetized and not the whole shaft. At least, I've never seen one where more than just the tip was magnetized. And the magnet usually is pretty weak. You're certainly not gonna wipe a HDD with it.

The one I have, for a while it was my go-to #2 Phillips. Mostly because of the size of it and shape of the handle, it was just a nice screwdriver to use. The Phillips bit is worn though, so I've been using it less and less, it's all but retired. I wont be replacing it, mostly because I've found that it rarely helps. I guess I've had enough practice handling screws that I can finagle them without the need of a magnet. The most useful it has been is from being able to lift screws out from recessed holes or tight areas (like around heatsinks or shields), which only sometimes works since the magnet isn't THAT strong. I can do with out that small benefit, gravity and small needle nose pliers work just as well. But yeah, I've used this screwdriver on countless PCs and electronics, never had an issue from it.

Interestingly, the writer in this article claims to have destroyed a PC motherboard from using a magnetic screwdriver. He doesn't explain how though, so I'm doubtful. In the replies, one guy mentioned that he wiped some floppies from a bit driver (screwdriver handle that holds bits - the magnet in these are usually pretty strong so that the bit wont fall out). I can see that, given how strong the magnet is and how weak floppies are. But the rest of the replies are filled with people claiming to have used magnetic screwdrivers for X amount of time without problems.

Am I rambling again?

/rant