NES problem solving

WHITE SCREEN

If, when plugging in the console after inserting and stepping in the cartridge, you get a blank screen the problem is most likely in the cartridge slot which has the small clips that connect each pin of the cartridge to the console loose. Here are 2 solutions: buy a new slot and replace the old one (beware of the chinoiserie that sometimes come with the clips even folded!) Or remove the slot and with a pointed object (eg needle) pry the clips to give them back a little bit of "consistency" when inserting the cartridge; the PATIENT work must be done on every single pin of the slot!

In practice, the purpose is to "tighten" the space where the cartridge connector will fit, which has loosened over time (especially if you have left the console with a cartridge inside for years!).

FLASHING RED LIGHT

This problem appears to be due to a faulty CIC (Region Protection Chip); to solve it, the PIN4 of the CIC must be raised or cut (or other).

The problem could also be given by a damaged / worn connector as for the white screen problem (it depends on the pins that do not make good contact).

ADAPTERS FROM 72 to 60 PINs

In order to use Famicom cartridges (NES jappo) in the NES as we know it, an adapter is required; you can find an article about it HERE * copy article from https://www.reboot.ms/forum/threads/adattatori-72-60-pin-nes-famicom-attention.8806/*.

JOYPAD THAT STOPS WORKING

Does your joypad, perhaps kept for years in the garage, no longer work? Have you checked all the welds and checked the integrity of all the tracks but it still shows no signs of life? The problem is probably in the integrated “IC4201” which corresponds precisely to a Shift Register 4021 (alias MC14021B alias D4021BC alias HD14021BP alias BU4021B alias MN4021B alias HEF4021BP, etc. depending on the manufacturer)!

Buy it at low cost on Aliexpress, replace it with the original one and… MAGIC!