Has anyone else replaced the 72 pin connectors of their NES with a new one?

[cojack16]

Because I did it and I read on the internet that you shouldn't even have to push the game down in the tray if you replace the old 72 pin connector piece with a new one. However, I can't get my games to work without pushing it down. It seems to help but I still seem to have to push the game down which is highly annoying and suspect. Has anyone else had this problem? I took it to a video game dealer after having problems installing it myself (I had this problem and was suspicious as to whether or not I did it right)  and he installed it for me but the same problem persists.

I'm worried I'll bend the pins on this connector fast having to push the tray down. Am I worried over nothing? What should I do?

[Lashek]

Technically, you don't need to replace the pin connector (and you never really should unless it's a last resort).

All you need is a little time and patience, and something really small to get behind the pins on the original 72-pin connector to push them closer to each other. I consider it off-cycle maintenance (IE: Every few years).

That being said, I did pickup a spare 72-pin connector and used it once for comparison. I still had to push the games down to recognize them. I switched it back to the original connector though, as I'd much prefer it as stock as I can keep it.

[Dreamcast99]

I myself have never heard of being able to keep it upwards and still play.(Insert Joke about keeping it up here). I have heard of problems arising when screwing it to tightly. The tray that moves up and down just wont click right.(Thats What _____ Said Here) Loosen the front screws slowly until it clicks down properly if thats the case.

[Quazimoto]

Yeah, you'll still have to push it down to play even after replacing the pin connector.

Now, if I remember correctly...  If you disable the lockout chip in the system, it will play games without needing to depress the cartridge.  I might be wrong about that though.  Just that I seem to recall some correlation between the two.

Of course, if you're worried about bending the pins over time and all - (though you really shouldn't as pins can be fairly easily bent back with a little patience and new connectors are easy to get - just make sure you get ones marked MADE IN TAIWAN, the Chinese made ones are really hit or miss) - You could always use a Game Genie as a pass through.  That would play games without depressing the cartridge.  I've heard some folks have even gone as to permanently attached a Game Genie to the pin connector (with glue or screws).  Not sure how well that would work though.

[palmer6strings]

I would TRY to stay with the original pins. Just clean them up and bend them back into place. Most aftermarket pin sets are made out of cheaper materials and can and most likely will start crapping out on you a lot quicker than just cleaning and bending the old pins.

[reklen]

I've replaced the connector on 6 Nintendos, they all originally worked better, but still have problems.  The four I had wouldn't even work before I replaced them.  Of the replacements, two quit working entirely, two work sometimes, and two work fine.  Four of these were completely refurbished.  I took two back and they got the second set of pin connectors, and they worked good for awhile.  On the other hand, I've had three Nintendos, with the original pins that worked fine.  It's hit and miss.  I didn't play a lot of Nintendo back in the day (I went from Atari To Genesis) so I didn't realize the enormous rate of malfunctions the Nintendo had.  My brother's original Nintendo from 1990 quit working last January, and has had two sets of new connectors.  It still doesn't function properly.  My ex-wifes Nintendo from 1988, quit working about the same time, and it too has issues, but works better than his.
     For example, today I was playing a non-alterted Nintendo, some games worked, some didn't, but when I was playing Ninja-GAiden, after about fifteen minutes, the screen rebooted, and started blinking.  I have never seen that before.

I also have a retron, and sometimes games won't run on that, so I don't always know if its the game, the system or both.

     On the other hand, I haven't had any problems with my other systems.

[Quazimoto]

Yeah, NES systems can be hit or miss in working properly.  If the game library wasn't so strong, most folks probably wouldn't bother with it because it can sometimes be a hassle.

I would reiterate that if you're going to replace a pin connector make absolutely sure that it's one marked "Made In Taiwan".  I replaced 23 pin connectors last year when I was creating and selling custom NES systems.  Tried the cheap ones are first and it was a total toss up as to weather they worked or not.  The "Made In Taiwan" ones were solid.  Of the 23 I replaced, I only receive one that gave me any issues after being replaced and I suspect that was more corrosion on the motherboard itself than it was the pin connector.

Also make sure to clean the contacts on your games.  Frankly, that's probably the most important aspect of getting a NES game to play and the first thing that should be checked if a game isn't working.  There's various methods that work well.  Isopropyl Alcohol, Q-Tips, and a pink eraser worked best for me.

[Azazell0]

I changed my 72 pin connector and it worked like a charm, the games seem to "click" in much more snugly and they work properly. If a game doesn't work for me it's 100% because of dirty connectors on the cart.

[sheep2001]

I switched mine out, and for some reason the cart no longer pushes down - like it's stuck in the up postition.  need to open it back up and see what's jamming it, but not got around to it.