I think my NES just died!

D

Do The Mario

Unconfirmed Member
I was in a Super Mario Bros 3 mood Today so I plug in my NES, whacked in my SMB3 cart and got the grey flashing screen O doom, I try again and just got the grey screen of doom!

OH the noes!

I am going to try cleaning the connectors with alcohol but I did that a few months ago!


Dam you Nintendo for making such B grade products!

sad8.gif
 
Sounds like it might be time for a new 72-pin connector... either that, or pay a King's ransom for a top-loader.
 
I can tell you buying a new connector is the better idea. I sprung for a toploader on eBay, which ran me about $120. Then I went home to CT for Christmas and my brother had bought some new connectors, which he was able to install in about five minutes into one of the ten or so old NES systems we have kicking around the house. Worked perfectly.

However, this still doesn't address the real issue at hand, which is the fact that Do The Mario might have bipolar disorder.
 
Just curious, did the NES flash a gray screen even when it was first released, or was it just like that as it got older? I have a used one that I got after the SNES, I was wondering if it had always been like that.
 
Kobun Heat said:
I can tell you buying a new connector is the better idea. I sprung for a toploader on eBay, which ran me about $120. Then I went home to CT for Christmas and my brother had bought some new connectors, which he was able to install in about five minutes into one of the ten or so old NES systems we have kicking around the house. Worked perfectly.
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That's kinda what I figured... plus you don't get the snazzy RCA jacks to use for A/V input, either (with a top-loader, that is)... RF connectivity is teh suck.
 
This is what you get for doubting Nintendo earlier :D

But seriously, just slap another cart on top of the cart you're playing like us old schoolers used to. NES's never die, they just get really sleepy sometimes.
 
TheTurtleTitan said:
Just curious, did the NES flash a gray screen even when it was first released, or was it just like that as it got older? I have a used one that I got after the SNES, I was wondering if it had always been like that.
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This is by no means gospel, but I believe that it's a common symptom with all side-loading NES consoles. When all of the pins on the cartridge aren't read by the connector inside, you get the flash, IIRC.
 
This thread makes me miss my NES... but it's not really worth trying to start a collection anymore since retailers have abandoned reselling the carts.
 
Kobun Heat said:
I think maybe you're bipolar?
Click to expand...

What makes you think that? It’s just a pretty Harsh comment.

I am a big skeptic on most mental illness; I am not saying they don’t exist but I think they are also used to justify people’s behavior far too often.
 
Does anyone know exactly why the NES is so bad trying to play older games? I know that it's old but while there have been problems, there isn't NEAR as much trouble with the SNES, or the N64, or even the old GameBoy for that matter.
 
Synbios459 said:
Does anyone know exactly why the NES is so bad trying to play older games? I know that it's old but while there have been problems, there isn't NEAR as much trouble with the SNES, or the N64, or even the old GameBoy for that matter.
Click to expand...

My guess lies with the way the side-loadking NES systems were built. Sliding in the cart, then pushing down and locking it in place doesn't always guarantee a perfect 72-pin connection every time. That might be why Nintendo decided to go with a top-loading model later on in the NES lifespan (although you could argue that Nintendo also wanted to "lock out" the Game Genie, too, since the cartridge slot was adjusted). My understanding is that, when the 72-pin connector doesn't read all of the pins, you get blinky-NES.

It's only my theory, though... I know a lot of hardware-savvy folks peruse GAF, so, I'd love to hear other explanations.
 
Do The Mario said:
What makes you think that? It’s just a pretty Harsh comment.
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Well.
There is a frickin 2D Mario Platformer coming out!! 2D gaming can’t get much better then that!
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I am very sad that Mario is just a shadow of his former NES/SNES glory days
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I am willing to suck Nintendo’s dick after the Australian DS price was released!
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So everybody can realize what a whore Mario was become and throw up before SM128 is shown?
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I will let Nintendo piss all over me next gen for that price!
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Dam you Nintendo for making such B grade products!
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Wow it worked!!

Now I have a use for alpha mission!

Now I am up to world 2-2 with a swag of 17+ one up’s!

You guys can chose my path

1. Warp Whistle
2. Do all the Levels
 
I pick 2. By the way, just as a PSA here -- sticking another game in on top only exascerbates the problem in the long run, since it will further bend the connectors over time.

But uh, the thing's 20 years old anyway.
 
Kobun Heat said:
Well.
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To be honest those quotes are in response to very different topics.

1. Nintendo is whoring Mario way too much; they shouldn’t cheapen his image by putting him in every game.

2. The fact that Nintendo of Australia is showing signs of competence is very encouraging and I support that.

3. A Mario Platformer isn’t considered Whoring IMO Mario should be all about Platforming and not spin off’s.

4. That B grade product comment was a joke, as were many of those lines as apart of a larger response. The fact my NES has lasted for so long is a testament to Nintendo’s quality products.

5. I also acknowledge that my attitude towards Nintendo has changed drastically with NOAus announcement.
 
Yeah, I know, it's just hilarious over on this end. But still, there's no denying that when you're happy, you're insanely happy (PEE ON ME!) and when you're angry, you're super pissed off (BURN IN HELL!).
 
I hated those old days fooling around with those damn cartridges. I still have nightmares about those blinking screen. Now though, NesterDC provides me with all the NES lovin' I need.
 
xexex said:
did you try blowing on the carts and the nes itself?

BLOW BABY BLOW :lol
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That's not a good idea. Hot breath condensing on those connectors eventually does more harm in the long run.
 
I know a way you can get your NES working again.
1) Stick a sandle in it above the game to hold it down.
2) Attempt to start the game 347 times...otherwise its dead.
3) You already know the alcohol trick
4) Turn your NES upside down.
5) Slam the top of it till it works.

I'm sure theres more but if you can't get it to work... your NES aint ghetto enough.
 
NeoFamiSys1.jpg


a Neo Fami. A high quality grey market famiclone toploader that reads jp, pal and ntsc (with an included) adapter. Yeah I dont think that Nintendo approves, but I've heard from a few people that it was pretty good for a grey market unit. And the thing is as big as a cd player. Lik-Sang and Play-Asia are selling them. Dunno if they are really that good tho, but its always an option if you dont want to make some commercial collector rich off an used toploader he got from the Salvation army for 2$
 
Buy a new connector. They are easy as hell to install and most of the ones on Ebay are a lot stronger than the ones that shipped with the NES so they will probably last forever.

I woudn't get a top-loading NES. I thought about getting one myself until I read that on some games you can see these faint vertical bars on the screen (like when you are sailing in Wind Waker). That right there was reason enough for me to just go the cheap route and buy a $12 connector. And I'm not sure but I don't think the top-loading NES has all of the video outs that the regular NES has either.
 
yeah, the nes toploader isn't that great. no composite output, visible vertical lines in the picture, and even the connector tends to corrode eventually. i bought mine right when it came out, and still use it, but i wouldn't recommend paying exorbitant ebay prices. i've been thinking about buying an a/v famicom or one of those neofamis, which i'd be more comfortable with if they took standard nes controllers.
 
They don't, which is the the sad thing. They have a custom pinout o_O. I read on a site selling them that they are coming up with adapters soon enough
 
Well I am half way into world 7 now, only have 20 lives left but a ton of P-Wings if the shit hit’s the fan.

My 2D Platforming skills are a shade of what they used to be but dam I am hooked, I have only got the Big 3 star 5 up at the end of the level TWO TIMES! Yep I keep getting a mushroom and flower in there with my stars!

Dam it’s hurting, plus I only got lives from the line up game twice!
 
Real Mario Masters stomp Goombas in world 1-2 until they get 99 lives. :lol

I replayed The Lost Levels over Xmas break. My 2d skills are slightly rusty too. :D
 
Unison said:
Real Mario Masters stomp Goombas in world 1-2 until they get 99 lives. :lol

I replayed The Lost Levels over Xmas break. My 2d skills are slightly rusty too. :D
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Stomping goombas in world 1-2 is the epitome of weak sauce!

How is lost levels? I unlocked it on my Super Mario Bros DX cart but never got stuck in?
 
Another reason why I want Nintendo to start owning the other systems in the next console war, they make quality systems. Honestly, how many PS2 fanboys have heard of Gamecubes biting the dust with their original models or having defective lens readers.

Even back in the day, my NES and SNES controllers would be iron men. I must have gone through at least 4 Genesis controllers, the buttons at some point would always stick or the directional pad would be fucked up.

This goes with their handhelds as well, besides having a couple dead pixels on the screen (Somthing that happens to all LCD and HDTV products now) they stand the test of time.

Thats why I fear the launch systems now from anyone from Nintendo. I dont want to be playing online a couple years down the road and have my disc drive go to shit.
 
Do The Mario said:
How is lost levels? I unlocked it on my Super Mario Bros DX cart but never got stuck in?
Click to expand...

It's wonderful. It's like the devious version of SMB1. There are poison mushrooms that hurt you, warp pipes that move you back to the start of the stage, warp zones that take you back a world, and time limits that demand you find every secret RIGHT NOW!

Level 3-1 is my favorite!
 
Unison said:
It's wonderful. It's like the devious version of SMB1. There are poison mushrooms that hurt you, warp pipes that move you back to the start of the stage, warp zones that take you back a world, and time limits that demand you find every secret RIGHT NOW!

Level 3-1 is my favorite!
Click to expand...

Yeah I have played a few levels, I remember first time I got a poisonous mushroom I was like whoh that must be a cool power up.

Then it killed me :(
 
My friend and I stayed up all night once played through SMB3, with no warping. Not only did we never warp, we played every level, even when the map gives you a choice. We were trading off lives/levels, but bu world 8 or so he had to do it all for me. I'm weaksauce :(

To be fair though it was like 5AM by that point. I couldn't have caught a frisbee, let alone navigated the fucking darkworld levels.
 
Naked Shuriken said:
NeoFamiSys1.jpg


a Neo Fami. A high quality grey market famiclone toploader that reads jp, pal and ntsc (with an included) adapter. Yeah I dont think that Nintendo approves, but I've heard from a few people that it was pretty good for a grey market unit. And the thing is as big as a cd player. Lik-Sang and Play-Asia are selling them. Dunno if they are really that good tho, but its always an option if you dont want to make some commercial collector rich off an used toploader he got from the Salvation army for 2$
Click to expand...
You can find these in some mall used game shops now. They sell them rebranded under the Yobo label, and they usually include a cartridge adaptor. I need to pick one up sometime and try it out. It's a great idea, because it offers a viable alternative to keeping an old NES in working order for those just wanting to play some games, as well as a legit alternative to the famiclones-with-warez that have been going around lately.

And speaking of using different controllers with Neo Famis, I wonder if they'd accept Genesis pads, given that 9-pin controller port?
 
Getting a NeoFami+Family Converter is highly tempting, but now i need to find another copy of Guardian Legend.

edit: Is there even a semi-decent place to buy/browse Famicom games online? i search e-bay and get hundreds of GBA re-releases.
 
you can order these cleaning swab things from the nintendo store, they're basically plastic sticks with this weird uber abrasive cloth surface.

I used one on my games before i put them in my system and they almost always boot without fail.

alcohol is a bad idea, as it can corrode the connectors faster.
 
I would buy a new unit right away. I woulnt mind paying Nintendo up to 100$ for a new toploading unit. Or even better -- a legit toploading unit that can accept famicom and nes carts, with a few first gen games built in.

It would be easy to do, and it would cost little to Nintendo in r&d.
 
With the success of the Atari joysticks the last two Christmases, I still have no idea why Nintendo hasn't jumped on this. The idea of a new NES deck makes very little sense to me, but a controller with a few games inside, yes.
 
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