Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin

Meat Plow writes:

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Go to google.come and search using nintendo repair as key words.

Clean the cartridge connector.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

And check/replace any near-by electrolytic caps..IIRC,the big one near
the regulator would dry up from the heat and cause issues.
I think I read something about another small cap in there too,near the
RF modulator,not entirely sure..it's been a few years. ;-)


Sam Goldwasser wrote:
Meat Plow writes:

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Go to google.come and search using nintendo repair as key words.

Clean the cartridge connector.


--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Clean the cartridge connector.

Both cartridge connector and slot, i had trouble with that even
when that type of console was 6 months old.

Cheetah

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin


Replace the cartridge connector, this is a *very* common problem, I've been
through at least 3 connectors in the decades since I got my NES.

Kevin Dooks wrote:
Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin

Replace the 72-pin connector. Easy, and a sure-fire
cure for the blinking light problem. Available on eBay.
Look for a kit that includes a cleaner and a tool for
dismantling the game carts, otherwise all the crap on
the game connectors will transfer to the new part.

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .


Kevin

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .


Kevin


Just replace the connector, trust us, you can't test it like that, the
problem is poor contact between it and the game cartridge. I've never once
seen this problem that wasn't caused by a bad connector.

"James Sweet" writes:

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .

Just replace the connector, trust us, you can't test it like that, the
problem is poor contact between it and the game cartridge. I've never once
seen this problem that wasn't caused by a bad connector.

If it was working and then put into storage, the connector didn't go bad
sitting around. It still could be dirty contacts inside.

Also clean the contacts on the game cartridges.

Or, as suggested, just replace it.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

On 12 Sep 2007 23:28:45 -0400, Sam Goldwasser
wrote:

"James Sweet" writes:

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .

Just replace the connector, trust us, you can't test it like that, the
problem is poor contact between it and the game cartridge. I've never once
seen this problem that wasn't caused by a bad connector.

If it was working and then put into storage, the connector didn't go bad
sitting around. It still could be dirty contacts inside.

Also clean the contacts on the game cartridges.

Or, as suggested, just replace it.

Mmm, Ok, I will replace the cart. connector but it (the cart.
connector) is NOT ATTACHED TO THE PCB and I still get the flashing
video output/power LED.

Sorry if I seem to be a bit slow.

Kevin


--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Kevin Dooks writes:

On 12 Sep 2007 23:28:45 -0400, Sam Goldwasser
wrote:

"James Sweet" writes:

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .

Just replace the connector, trust us, you can't test it like that, the
problem is poor contact between it and the game cartridge. I've never once
seen this problem that wasn't caused by a bad connector.

If it was working and then put into storage, the connector didn't go bad
sitting around. It still could be dirty contacts inside.

Also clean the contacts on the game cartridges.

Or, as suggested, just replace it.

Mmm, Ok, I will replace the cart. connector but it (the cart.
connector) is NOT ATTACHED TO THE PCB and I still get the flashing
video output/power LED.

The flashing just means it cant boot the game. So, if almost any of the
pins isn't making good contact, you get the flashing. With the connector
removed, well, duh.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

On 13 Sep 2007 09:13:00 -0400, Sam Goldwasser
wrote:

Kevin Dooks writes:

On 12 Sep 2007 23:28:45 -0400, Sam Goldwasser
wrote:

"James Sweet" writes:

"Kevin Dooks" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:48:45 -0300, Kevin Dooks
wrote:

Hi, I have alongside me an original Nintendo system that has a
problem. It hasn't been used in several years and when fired up today
just sits there with the power LED blinking and the video output
flashing in time with the LED. I have checked the 7805 and it's
producing 5.05 V. Now before I dig deeper into this thing does anyone
have any pointers as where to start looking.

I know these are cheap and easy to come by but there are sentimental
reasons for fixing this particular unit.

Needless to say any/all assistance will be greatly appreciated.



Kevin
Ok, some more info. The PCB is out of the case, the cartridge
connector is unplugged from the board, the 2200u/25V cap has been
replaced along with the 2 smaller electrolytics in the PS. All the
'dry' plate-thrus have been soldered and the gum label on the board by
the cart. connector has been removed, (I have had problems with the
glue becoming conductive over time in the past) .

All of the conductors on the cart. connector have 0 ohms end to end
and a resistance between adjacent conductors of 30 meg.

Still have the blinking display/power LED.

Am I missing something REALLY obvious (Can't see the forrest 'cuse of
all these darn trees !) or am I just a bit dim .

Just replace the connector, trust us, you can't test it like that, the
problem is poor contact between it and the game cartridge. I've never once
seen this problem that wasn't caused by a bad connector.

If it was working and then put into storage, the connector didn't go bad
sitting around. It still could be dirty contacts inside.

Also clean the contacts on the game cartridges.

Or, as suggested, just replace it.

Mmm, Ok, I will replace the cart. connector but it (the cart.
connector) is NOT ATTACHED TO THE PCB and I still get the flashing
video output/power LED.

The flashing just means it cant boot the game. So, if almost any of the
pins isn't making good contact, you get the flashing. With the connector
removed, well, duh.


Ok, sorry for being dim, I thought you would just get a blank raster
with no cartridge installed. Today I learned something new.

Thanks.

Kevin

Mmm, Ok, I will replace the cart. connector but it (the cart.
connector) is NOT ATTACHED TO THE PCB and I still get the flashing
video output/power LED.



That's expected behavior, the LED will flash whenever it cannot boot.