In Hardware

If you install a new 72 pin connector into your toster NES does that mean it wont ever die again or does that just mean its fixed for now and you'll have to do it again in a few years?

that depends, some "new" connectors are just cleaned up old ones, some actually are new, but are of no better quality than the original, and some real;y are new, and better. so it all depends where you get them from.

I just put a new one in today and I am very pleased with the results. Every game loads correctly every time. The amount of time your new connector lasts depends on how careful you are to never put uncleaned games inside your NES. If you can prevent friends from blowing into games and the system, and you are very careful about what goes into your system, it should last many years.

You should of course try cleaning the connector you already have. Sometimes that is all that has to be done. Often this results in better performance than a new one off eBay would give you.

E:f,b.

Yes, Luke is very correct here. I was lucky and the one I just got off eBay is definitely a new one. Not even broken in yet.

Also, don't use a Game Genie after replacing the connector, the thicker cart edge will just bend the pins back down.

I also want a new 72 pin, but I don't trust myself to open my NES. If my NES breacks, I won't be able to get another one for a year maybe.

I knew nothing about the working of a NES until about a week ago and I have opened my NES about 5 times already. Not hard at all. Ive deassembled everything and put it back again. I suggest a phillipd w/ a magnetic tip on the end (life saver for when u drop screws in the nes) or try to put back hard to reach screws. And i always have baggies i put my screws in them while im opening it and label the bags so i dont forget how what screws go where and how many there were.

there are two different types of screw in the NES, and they're all the same thread, though the two that hold the 72-pin down are a little longer, ALL of the other screws can go back any place you wish. and the RF shielding can be tossed in the trash, eliminating the need for a bunch of screws.

can you tell me how to clean the games/pin connector? I heard you use rubing alcohol but I dunno.

games, rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip usually does it, the connector I'd suggest taking a "Windex wipe" or something similar, and folding it over a credit card or piece of card stock, and inserting and removing it a bunch of times until it stops picking stuff up.

if that doesn't do it, you could lightly sand the pins on the connector with some fine grit sandpaper, then do the windex wipe thing again.

A good way to stop the bending of the NES's pins is to never push the game downwards. As long as it's inserted, it should work.

Also, keeping your NES and your games well maintained will help.

The NES and it's games are a good 20 years old now. Maintaining it yourself comes as part of the deal