when I got home I plugged it in and found that it was inoperable... the power light was blinking on and off and it wouldn't play. If you've ever had this problem you know that it's a sad thing, but there's light at the end of the tunnel: it's reparable and a fairly easy fix.
Here's a list of things you'll need for the repair;
-Long(ish) Phillips head screw driver (it needs to be able to reach the screws in step 2)
-Small prying tool -or- new 72 pin connector (you can buy 72 pin connectors on Ebay for about 6-11 bucks--- it will save you time in the end and will last forever(?) in my opinion it's worth the extra cost)
-some rubbing alcohol
-a toothbrush -or- Q-tips -or- some fine clothe
-about 30 minutes of your day
here's the rundown---
1... you need to own an NES... don't snag one from a pawn shop... just buy it... if it doesn't work and gives you the red light of doom at the store pretend you don't know how to repair it and talk the price down... I got mine down to $2 at a goodwill... learn to haggle...
1.5. make sure your NES is unplugged... you don't want to be the sorry sap that gets zapped on the main line and sees pappy up in the clouds.
2. flip the NES over and remove the six screws holding the top cover on... make sure you don't mix these screws up with the screws from the following steps--- I suggest buying a little 8" tackle box and separating them in there.
3.Flip the NES back over and remove the top... you should see a metal heat shield. remove 7 screws from around the shield (with the cartridge loader facing you there will be 3 on the right side, 2 behind the shield, and 2 on the left side)
4. remove the heat shield, note that it gets hung up on the right... wiggle it around a bit and press down the rubber pins that are sticking and it should come out with little effort.
5. after the heat shield is off remove the cartridge holder by unscrewing six more screws--- the middle screws are longer than the rest so don't get them mixed up.
6.pull the cartridge holder forward and you should see your 72 pin connect ... this is your major problem. Over time the pins on the connector get depressed... such a sad Nintendo... these pins will be on the top of the connector where the game cartridge gets inserted.
7. wiggle the connector off of the circuit board by gently rocking it out (backwards away from the board) and up over the plastic post in the back.
8. make a note of where the connector joins to the circuit board... you will need to clean this later.
9. now you can either...
A. bend all the pins back up manually... this can take some time, but don't be forceful or you may ruin the connector.
B. Get your new 72 pin connector out and follow the next step.
10. after you have either sprung your springs back to life or got your new connector out of its packaging you will need to clean the parts where the connector joins the circuit board... this will increase the longevity of your connector and make for better play over time. so, get your rubbing alcohol out and your toothbrush, Q-tip, or clothe. soak your cleaning tool in the alcohol and gently rub it onto the place where the connector joins the board. This will clean off any debris that you may have gotten stuck in there when it was in your parents attic all those years, or those times when you forgot to blow on your cartridge... always blow... always. you can also take a soft tipped eraser and erase away the years of neglect...
11. Now you can reinsert/insert your 72 pin connector. The new one may feel stiff so be gentle and try not to crack the board.
12. Once you get the connector on put the cartridge holder back and test the system to make sure it works... try not to touch the board so that you can avoid a premature death...
13. If it works than you did a fine job, reassemble the beast and play Mario or Ghost busters II to your hearts content.
If it still doesn't work you either
A. tried to bend the pins back up but failed... suck it up and buy a new 72 pin connector... I know it's hard, but your NES will thank you... -or- you can try to bend them again... remember they don't need too much force to come back up to their original position, if they are bent too far they will probably not work and potentially damage any games you stick in them...
B. screwed up somewhere... go over the steps and make sure the connector is seated correctly.
14. clean your cartridges before you play them... this will increase the life of the game and the connector... you can do this with an eraser or Q-tips or toothbrush.... or all three...
Now you have successfully repaired your Nintendo Entertainment System... It's got to feel good... the new connector or freshly bent connector will feel stiff for a while, but don't worry over time the pins will loosen up... now you should go call your hombres and have a duck hunt party...
-Mike-
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