Trying to repair SNES

prib · Post by **prib** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:56 am

Hi,

I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong place, so here goes.

I got a SNES (1st version) about 2 or 3 months ago and had it shipped to my house whilst I was away at school. My brothers set it up and it worked fine. After a couple days, however, it quit working. The light on the front will turn on, but nothing is output except for an initial flicker on the screen. This behavior is the same for the ~10 or so games I have. I tried both the RF switch and the A/V connector and still it does not work. I found another SNES and it's on the way, but I'd still like to fix this one if possible so I can mod it to be a front loader with proper A/V outputs on the back (RGB, S-Video, Composite, L/R audio), smaller connectors for the controllers and a more compact case. Eventually it will be semi-portable and I'll add a PSone screen, but for now I just want to make it sleek.

First, though, I need to get it working. I have tried to replace the 62-pin connector but my old one wasn't that bad to begin with (games still fit tight) and it still doesn't work. I am an electrical engineer by trade and have downloaded schematics and know generally how the whole thing works. If anyone has experienced a similar problem before, I'd appreciate advice.

I'm pretty sure that once I get it up and running the mods will be pretty straightforward. With any luck, I'll be posting my progress as it happens. Thanks to all for your input.

Jonathan Pribble

extremesonic · Post by **extremesonic** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:58 pm

I don't have any advice, I'm just saying I have the same problem with my first gen SNES(external sound card), so any info here I greatly apreciated, I opened it up(custom screw driver made by my dad), but nothing seemed odd or out of place(of course I'm not a super tech guy), so again any help would be great. funny i was gonna make this topic today, but you beat me to it.

SNESguy · Post by **SNESguy** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:24 pm

I am very familiar with the model 1 SNES.
Most of the early ones (1990-1994) have a replaceable cart slot.
Just unscrew the two screws holding it down and it pops off.
Of course, you'll have to find a gamebit to open the stupid Nintendo screws holding the case together.

You said you're an electrical engineer, so I assume you are familiar with connection cleaner. Sometimes corrosion or goop(kids put anything in those slots to get them to work) gets in between the slot and its mating plug on the mainboard. Take a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol or electrical cleaner and wipe the socket clean.
I use De-Oxit. Its one of the best cleaners for electrical contacts.

I had a SNES that had this problem, and this procedure fixed it.
Good Luck.

Post by **gannon** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:30 pm

Maybe you could help me with my snes rev. 3 problem then

Basically the same stated problem that others are having. Powers on but no output.

I guess I could clean the connector, too bad I can't remove it (easilly aty least.
Sorry if the poste is getting illegible but my 3 year olld cousin refusees to move off of my lap so I can see the monitor

SNESguy · Post by **SNESguy** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:35 pm

I think the rev 3's have a permanent (soldered) connector. In that case you can buy a replacement off eBay and solder on a new one. If you're building a portable, take advantage of it and relocate the cart slot. This is what was wrong with my SNESp Fusion's mainboard, so I just put the slot horizontal.

Post by **gannon** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:47 pm

yeah, I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to desolder that connector (although it's a perfect excuse to make a snesp

)