<font color=deepskyblue>I'm talking about the old-timey original Nintendo System, designed to give the Mario Bros their own private electronic playground. My wife bought the system from a friend whose kids have outgrown and we also got 4 games with it.

We brought it home and I just finished connecting it to the TV...but it isn't working. I have the TV cable run through the cable adaptor box on the back of the game system and I've got both control hooked up, but I get NOTHING on the TV screen. I tried changing channels and when I reached Channel 3 (the normal "default" channel setting for running any auxillary hardware on the TV), all I got was screens changing colors. Blue, orange, green, etc. The entire screen would turn this color, then fade out and the next color would come up. I also tried switching game cartridges - same result

So - what have I overlooked or what have I done wrong? Or is the game system just shot?</font>

Do you have a GameStop or EB Games store in your area?

Anyways there are inumerable possible solutions to your problem none of which are guarenteed. My bro actually has two NES systems at his appartment. One works perfectly, the other is our original and he took it apart to see if he could find out how to fix it. One way is to try cleaning the contacts with an alcohol solution (I know they say not to, but it worked for my bro). another idea has to do with sticking another cartridge in on top of the other cartridge holding the spring loading down causing the needed contact.

Hey Cerek,

I work for one of the aformention companies and I work with those NES systems.

On the back of the system is a small switch that allows you to choose between channel 3 and 4...check to see if this is set to the channel you are using.

Get out a vacumn with a hose attachment and vacumn the inside of the system where you insert games.

If you have long q-tips and rubbing alcohol you can also swab the connecters where the game cartridge connects inside the system. Careful-Unplug system and use a flashlight to see the inside. Also swab the game cartridges with rubbing alcohol where they connect to the system.

Double check all attached wires, if you have a spare RFU adapter, try that to see if the one you are using has gone bad.

NES systems are notorius for being stubborn with regards to working, for example repeatedly loading and ejecting a cartridge until it works is not an uncommon method. This typically become unneccessary after a good cleaning, but not totally. My old Zelda only works by doing this several times, but Tetris worked just fine after a cleaning.

If all else fails take it to a local Gamestop, particualrly if you have one in a strip mall rather than an enclosed mall. The strip mall stores typically carry more older-system used stuff.

If all else fails you can sell it to Gamestop for 15-20 dollars (iirc) thats half the price of a SNES (supernintendo) which is far more reliable. Of course you can also get a Nintendo-64 for $20-$30 as well. That is another great system that is lightyears ahead of the NES and the step up from the SNES.

Good luck! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-08-2003, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

<font color=deepskyblue>I've cleaned all the contacts and checked all the connections with only partial success. I can now get a couple of the game screens to actually come up on the TV, but the TV screen still keeps "blinking" and the game keeps re-setting itself. The screens flash constantly, so the game never has a chance to progress past the opening screen before it resets.

I did NOT vacuum out the catridge compartment in the game system. I'll give that a try next. In the meantime, I would greatly appreciate any new suggestions on what could be causing this new-found "blink/reset" problem.</font>

I had a system with a similar set of symptoms (I also got a godawful noise with the changing colors). I have a feeling it won't work, but try putting the game in the system, and continuing to press down on the cartrage after you push it down, and then while still pressing down turn the system on.

<font color=deepskyblue>Thanks for the tip, <font color=white>Seraph</font>. That worked!!! Now we've managed to get all 4 games working. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] </font>

Yeah the good old NES,it was the first console i had and it was the one to get me started in gaming.
Btw I bet you cant beat this; I started playing NES at 4 years of age [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well it seems pretty obvious to me that if it blinks then it's a bad contact. Ok so pushing down on the cartridge works because you're creating better contact between the cartridge pins and the port on the console. Get some of that contact-spray (can't remember what it's called) - you can get it at electronics stores and it improves electrical contacts by covering them in a conductive material. Spray the cartridge and console port.

I had a problem like that with my ps1.
Are you using an RFU switch or an A/V jack?
If you are using an RFU sometimes the part that connects to the back of the tv is loose and it slides thusly making you lose connection with the tv. So the system can still turn on but you lose connection with the tv. This might be the problem. If you are using an A/V jack though I have no idea what the problem may be.

Cloud, you're young so I don't know if you are familiar with th old "antique" NES system. A pleasant little 8-bit gaming system. People who judge games solely on graphics would hate the system now. I still love it. Anyways NES systems are notorious for losing connector receptivity over time. That and all the games with a savegame function are powered by a battery with a four year lifespan. For those of us who want to replay those older games it kinda screws things up.

<font color=gold>
And that's the reason why emu's and roms are so great: if you own the game you can play the rom on your PC without having any difficulty whatsoever..... and offcourse there's the nifty save and load state :D
</font>

Whats the point? Nintendo wrote off NES awhile ago. I still have mine, but i definetly use roms. But you cant beat the original. So many memories. Mario jumping on Koppa Troopers, and contra, and Duck Hunt, and..... *heads to closet holding NES*

They haven't completely written it off. I found one site explaining they had shut down their rom section because Nintendo threatened them with legal actions. The old NES systems barely work and they aren't exactly making money off of the old titles. Why do they still care? They don't exactly make more money from the sales of the pre-owned games.

Yes i am it was my first system i still play it somtimes and if you think my advice is bad you can shove it somwhere where the sun dont shine.
Oh and also if you think i judge game soley on graphics look at my thread in misc. game page 2 i believe I am totally against the whole graphics thing its all about gameplay too me.

[ 11-12-2003, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: cloud ff7 38 ]

Ah, the memories of fiddling with the NES to get it to work. The aren't so fond -- glad I ditched mine. If you like Nintendo, the N64 is the best thing they did -- and has the best controller ever made for a system.

Cloud, you're starting to develop the problem I used to have. You're taking everything as a personal assault on yourself. I'm sorry you felt my post was an attack, but that is no reason to try and flame me.

yes i am aware of that problem thats why I try to talk as little as possible in life but i am sorry for the flame I just hate being referred to as young even though i am...

Wow... all that NES nostalgia :'( It's all so familiar :D

<font color=gold>
Sometimes I wake up bathed in sweet, having nightmares about having to jump ON the evil toads and koopa's and OVER the spiked turta's, constantly hearing that neurotic mario 1 tune :(
</font>

<font color=steelblue>FYI>>>Certain events in this thread have not gone unnoticed. ;) </font>

Yes i am it was my first system i still play it somtimes and if you think my advice is bad you can shove it somwhere where the sun dont shine.
Oh and also if you think i judge game soley on graphics look at my thread in misc. game page 2 i believe I am totally against the whole graphics thing its all about gameplay too me. </font>[/QUOTE]I thought you got the message when we told you NO flaming and no personal attacks, cloud ff7 38. This is over the line and I'd wager you've earned a little vacation to cool off and think about things.

Cerek, this means the system is dirty, a simple cleaning, that sould work, if not, there is one other option I do. it is simply blowing in the game cartridge, it may take a few times, but I find that it does work, and there is always the slightly hitting it, not hard enough to damage it, but it also works, lol, I know sounds like I am joking, but I am not, it does work, I have the nes, super nes, and the 64, and sometimes, the simplest things are often not thought of, sometimes it is dust in the carteridge, somtimes in the circuts, and other times, it is something that is blocking a wire in there, try that, a few times, it sould work

The connectors, on the old system especially, were always a pain. Never seemed to connect right; everything from dust to just plugging the cartridge in wrong would cause it not to work. All of the things listed (pushing down, cleaning out the dust, rattling/hitting the machine, etc.) all worked. I remember having to fight something furious with some of my cartridges to get them to work.

I always hated the battery save feature. I always wished that they would have a plug in card of some sort that I could save the game on, or at least a way to change the battery. Once the battery died, the game is essentially useless unless you either finish the game in one sitting or play as much as you can and start over each time.

All of this talk about that old Nintendo system has me in the mood to play the old Legend of Zelda (the first one, with the top down view). I think I have my old system out in the garage somewhere...

I don't care what some people might think, but if you take graphics/sound out of the equation, many of those older games were very entertaining. I went back and played some of those older games (actually dusted off the old Atari 2600 and played Space Invaders and Adventure) and had a blast.

I have heard of emulators, but they are not legal, are they? Are the companies putting out their own emulators for the PC (hey, it would be a way to make money off of those old games still, if only a few bucks)?

Thay are very much legal, IF you already own the game

edit:so you could dl zelda and it would be legal [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-13-2003, 02:06 AM: Message edited by: Svaerdhelgon ]

My personal opinion? Nintendo isn't making anymore money off of the old systems like NES or SNES. They should let Roms be distributed as freeware to those who still want them. Most of todays generation would balk at the games I used to play.(They're addicted to the graphics qualities of today) I'm not condoning piracy mind you. As long as the Roms are still illegal I'll stay out of em. Doesn't change my opinion though. The redistribution of pre-owned games doesn't net the gaming companies anything. The money goes to the owners of the games and the companies who buy the games off of the citizenry. I do think it's rather stupid that they have N64, PS, etc. in Roms now. Those should definately remain contraban for now.

[ 11-13-2003, 02:23 AM: Message edited by: Firestormalpha ]

Actually Nintendo still profits some from NES/SNES games. Take for instance the iQue Player that has been designed for the piracy-laden Chinese market.

Also, iirc, they have recently re-released (in japan) a special anniversary model of the SNES, or SuperFamicom as it is know in Japan.

They may not profit NOW from the American/European market with regards to the old systems but they have a vested interest elsewhere and for the future to curb piracy and grey areas like unofficial emulators.

Best game ever on the NES is definitely Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. I played that game sooo much!

Me too! It was the best! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yes i am it was my first system i still play it somtimes and if you think my advice is bad you can shove it somwhere where the sun dont shine.
Oh and also if you think i judge game soley on graphics look at my thread in misc. game page 2 i believe I am totally against the whole graphics thing its all about gameplay too me. </font>[/QUOTE]Cloud, unfortunately you're going to be taking a break from Ironworks for a couple of weeks. You've been warned enough times by Cloudy - you're obviously not learning, mate. [img]smile.gif[/img]

While you're away could I ask you to use the time to think about the way you interact with people who may disagree with you, and think about how you can react to them in a more gracious manner and not lose your temper and tell them to "shove things up wherever"?

You're better than this, mate. See you in a couple of weeks - and I hope you'll have learned by then. Cheers. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-13-2003, 04:24 AM: Message edited by: Memnoch ]

<font color=deepskyblue>WOW!!!! [img]graemlins/wow.gif[/img] I never thought this thread would be THIS popular. Looks like I've fostered a lot of nostalgia for some of our members.

As for the all the advice, I sincerely appreciate it. The system seems to work OK now. I DID clean the system as thoroughly as I could (using alcohol on the connections and a Keyboard Air Cleaner to clean out the dust. While I still have some problems getting the system to work, I've found the easiest way to get it running is to just let the kids have at it. I spent almost 20 minutes yesterday morning trying to get Super Mario Bros working (never did get it to work right). I was gonna use it to wake the boys up. I finally gave up and went to shave and brush my teeth. By the time I got back, my oldest was awake and playing Super Mario. :eek: So I just leave it to them to get it running.

Duck Hunter is MY favorite game. I made it to Level 13 and scored over 200,000 pts my second try. Thought I was hot stuff...then my 5 yr old also made it to Level 13 [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] (although my score was still higher). ;)

Also, I have made arrangements to aquire an N64 system - thanks to the help of one of our own members. (Thanks again, <font color=orange>Chewbacca</font>) [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] </font>

<font color=gold>
How bout Zelda 2? Or turtles 1? Those were great as well! Nice longevity did those games have. But maybe only because we were more in awe whenever we played a game. Nowadays it's more like:"O interesting game, great graphics, but I'm too bored too play...". I still have them as roms!!
</font>

okay bye bye. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Zelda 2, wasn't nearly as good as the first one IMO. Gargoyles Quest 2 was cool. Pipedream was an imensely adictive game. Willow was the only halfway decent movie based game they put out on the system. Snake Rattle 'n' Roll will always be among the best. :D I have a lot of favorites for that system.

Oh yeah, concerning the advice to blow into the cartridge. I usually put my shirt over opening before doing so. You don't really want spit getting onto the contacts.

My list of favorite NES games:
</font>

• Zelda</font>
• Kirby's Adventure</font>
• Mario 2</font>
• Mario 3</font>
• Duck Hunt</font>
• Snake Rattle 'n' Roll</font>
• Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers</font>
• Pipedream</font>
• Final Fantasy</font>
• Willow</font>
• Double Dragon (all of em)</font>
• etc.</font>

[ 11-13-2003, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Firestormalpha ]

But,but...
Zelda 2 has this really cool leveling thingy and the cartridge was in GOLD...
A lot better than the first

Strange. I have Zelda 2 and it came in the standard grey case. Zelda 1 however came in a gold case :D

Cerek, you owe it to yourself, once you get the N64, to get the following "must have" games:
Mario 64 -- a revolutionary game, so fun fun fun -- I got all 120 stars - twice
Bond Goldeneye
Mario Kart 64 (awesome multiplayer)
Rogue Squadron ("farmboy" cheat to fly mellinium falcon)
Wave Racer
KI Gold
Perfect Dark

I liked the N64 better than any system I've ever had. I'm really missing it these days, and I'm thinking about repossessing it from my sister.

Pilot Wings for N64 was ALOT of fun and offered a variety of flying methods! The FPSs Shadows of the Empire and Goldeneye were two of the best I ever played! Also if your kids like wrestling games, WCW (before they joined with WWF) is really nice, does not have any cursing, and features the perfect Ric Flair... Woooo!

[ 11-13-2003, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

<font color=deepskyblue>Thanks for all the suggestions <font color=tan>Timber</font> and <font color=dodgerblue>Ronn</font>. The game I purchased with the system is <font color=yellow>Pokemon Stadium</font>. My oldest boy loves Pokemon and especially loves having "Pokemon Battles". He is going to go absolutely NUTS when he sees the new system.

Of course, he is hooked pretty hard on the NES right now, so I might just save the N64 for his birthday - which happens to be just two days before Christmas.

He and his brother are playing Super Mario non-stop for now and loving it, but I know that Mario will be quickly forgotten once the N64 shows up.

Anyway, I do appreciate the ideas for games that DADDY might like to play. Guess I'll be browsing eBay over the next couple of weeks. I especially like the thought of the WCW game with the NAY-CHA BOY, Ric Flair - WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Sounds like my kinda game. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] ;) </font>

Dude, Cerek, no way!! [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] My B-day is the 22nd!! Coolness. :D
So what are you getting me? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Yes, I love the N64, too. Got that right by the TV right now (it calling to me right now; maybe I'll play some tonight before I study...).

So I guess from the responses that the emulators are illegal. Oh well, I know the battery in Zelda is long gone, so that kind of puts a damper on things. That's life!