Super NES Repair Question

[Moviefan2k4]

About two weeks ago, my first-model Super NES suddenly stopped displaying color in the gameplay. Everything's in monochrome now, and I've tried multiple AV cables on separate TV sets. The website I bought it from said they don't know how to fix it, and some have suggested a "color chip" may have gone out. I have zero skill in fixing this kind of thing, but I thought some of you might. Any ideas?

[irvgotti452]

About two weeks ago, my first-model Super NES suddenly stopped displaying color in the gameplay. Everything's in monochrome now, and I've tried multiple AV cables on separate TV sets. The website I bought it from said they don't know how to fix it, and some have suggested a "color chip" may have gone out. I have zero skill in fixing this kind of thing, but I thought some of you might. Any ideas?

off the top of my head it sounds like one of the capacitors by the encoder chip may have gone. Might be it, since you can still see an image.

[Moviefan2k4]

Let me clarify: I have neither the knowledge nor the tools to fix this problem. If someone here is willing, I will gladly pay for shipping both ways to any U.S. address for repair.

[Blumpkin]

Let me clarify: I have neither the knowledge nor the tools to fix this problem. If someone here is willing, I will gladly pay for shipping both ways to any U.S. address for repair.

For a portion of the cost of shipping you could probably buy the tools and fix it yourself. Tools are dirt cheap from eBay sellers, and Youtube is full of how to repair stuff videos.

[Moviefan2k4]

I looked on YouTube before starting this post; no luck. I also don't trust Ebay.

[irvgotti452]

Let me clarify: I have neither the knowledge nor the tools to fix this problem. If someone here is willing, I will gladly pay for shipping both ways to any U.S. address for repair.

it would cost less to just buy a replacement.  If you know a handy person let em work off that suggestion.  

[Moviefan2k4]

Another refurbished SNES would cost me at least $50; I highly doubt round-trip shipping for the console itself would be that much.

[quickfingers818]

I'm pretty sure that if you scour your local flea markets and thrift stores you could score a pretty good deal on just the console alone. And if you keep your eyes out on Craigslist you probably can find it there as well. Unless the snes you currently have has unlimited sentimental value, I wouldn't go through the hassle of trying to fix it

[Moviefan2k4]

Unless the system's plugged in for display purposes, there's no way to know it works until after purchase. That's why I buy refurbished consoles, because the odds are better of getting a quality product. My existing SNES worked for 2 years straight until the color quit, and spending another $50 or more is a pain if the system can be fixed for less.

[Moviefan2k4]

OK, so a freaky thing just happened, which I have no natural explanation for...

...the color is back on my SNES gameplay.

Like I said earlier, I have no knowledge of circuitry, so all I did was open the case and take some of the screws out to look at the motherboard. I didn't unplug anything except a silver box at the top right, and re-plugged it straight after. At one point I dropped it by accident, onto the dining room floor from about 4 feet up. There was a small hairball in the case, which I removed...but that's it.

I gave myself a headache with that pesky Eject spring, but short of a miracle, I honestly don't know how it was fixed. All I know to say is "glory to God", and leave it at that.

[quickfingers818]

OK, so a freaky thing just happened, which I have no natural explanation for...

...the color is back on my SNES gameplay.

Like I said earlier, I have no knowledge of circuitry, so all I did was open the case and take some of the screws out to look at the motherboard. I didn't unplug anything except a silver box at the top right, and re-plugged it straight after. At one point I dropped it by accident, onto the dining room floor from about 4 feet up. There was a small hairball in the case, which I removed...but that's it.

I gave myself a headache with that pesky Eject spring, but short of a miracle, I honestly don't know how it was fixed. All I know to say is "glory to God", and leave it at that.

Lucky you. Unfortunately, chances are if it acted up once its bound to start acting up again. I would probably minimize the amount of movement on the console and just let it sit stationary for as long as you can. you may have smacked something into place for it to start working.

[bluedogrulez]

bit of a reach, but I'll ask anyway:  did you unplug the power cord and then reinsert it? 

I ask b/c that simple act allowed my N64 console to work after it went dead on me.  Unfortunately, it did no rise from the dead (due to this simple trick) until after I bought a replacement console.

[Moviefan2k4]

Every time I took it apart (it kept pitching a fit), I unplugged the power and AV cable so I wouldn't get zapped. The color's back, but the sound is now glitching every few minutes. I found a website based in Pennsylvania that will run a multi-point check and fix the system for $40.

[e_brugal]

Don't you think that for those $40 + shipping you could buy a new one (just the console) and keep the old one for parts?

[Moviefan2k4]

Since I know nothing about repair, keeping the old one would be pointless.