The Un-Official Fix Your Console thread (Check the OP first)

[Squirrel]

NES

The NES is one of the most successful systems to exist. Unfortunately, Nintendo didn't plan to have people still play the NES for this long. I'm here to tell you how to clean the games, get rid of that dreaded blinking screen, and how to clean your controller on the inside so it has the perfect response that it used to have.

You dusted off your NES, hooked it up, ready to play Contra, turn it on, and you get the dreaded blinking red/blue/greee/whatever color screen, depending on your model. You try blowing into the cartridge, you tried your special, ok lets stick it barely in so it rubs when it closes and see if that works trick, and nothing works anymore. Don't fret, I'm here to the rescue.

The dreaded blinking screen is due to 3 things. Dirty cartridge, corroded cartridge slot, and the lockout chip.

Cleaning the Cartridge, and I don't mean blowing in it:

Its really easy, and its 100x better than blowing, in which I will explain in fixing the cartridge slot.

There's two ways to do it, don't do number 2 until you refurbish your cartridge slot, and the game still doesn't work.

1. You need rubbing alcohol and Q-tips. Soak a q-tip with rubbing alcohol, sqeeze it so its not dripping wet. Rub onto both sides of the NES cartridge end, repeat with different q-tips until you get zero dirt on the q-tip. Let dry, test. If it works, you're set, if not, then go to Refurbishing the Cartridge Slot, before going to number 2.

2. You need, 800 grit sandpaper, and a card of some type. Your way overcharged credit card will do. Take the sandpaper, fold it over the long end of the credit card. Take the corner, hold the sandpaper and the card, and polish the contacts until they are shiny, once you're done, it'll be in the same condition that you got it when you bought it in the 80's.

Now, you cleaned the cartridge, and you still get the dreaded blinking screen. Well, I know just the thing to fix your NES. Don't worry, there's no way to ruin it, its already broke, right?

Refurbishing the Cartridge Slot:

First off: You can go on ebay and get a replacement NES cartridge slot, but the games are very hard to get in and out. If you would like to go this route, buy the cartridge, follow the directions below to open the NES, and when you remove the cartridge slot, just slide the new one in and put it together.

Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, credit/debit/best buy/eb games/whatever card, fine sandpaper, don't matter the grit, last resort, jewer's flathead screwdriver.

This will literally take longer to open the NES than to fix it. You need to unscrew all the screws on the bottom of the NES, 6 in all. Get a cup, there's a lot of screws, and put them in it. Once the screws are out, flip it over, and take the top off. Next, unscrew all the screws for the rf shielding, the piece of metal blocking everything. Once that is removed, remove all the screws connecting the black tray to the motherboard and the cartridge slot, and remove all the screws connecting the motherboard to the case. Don't forget, there are two screws by the rf box in the upper right corner. Once all the screws are out, slide out the black tray that you slide the game in.

Now, remove the cartridge slot. Its rough to slide out, so don't be afraid to break anything, you can't, unless you snap the motherboard in half. Once the cartridge slot is out, its easy to handle. Take your sandpaper, fold it in half. Now, you are going to sand the contacts that the nes cart goes into, but you are not going to sand it left and right. You're going to sand it, in and out. If the sandpaper goes in and out easy, then fold the sandpaper in half, wrap it around the credit card, and sand it that way. You're going to sand every inch of the inside of the nes slot, several times, in and out, by the skinny end of the credit card. Basically, Nintendo used cheap metal, thinking that people would never still be playing the NES. The metal corrodes in time, by the humidity. You're sanding away the corrosion that is preventing the contact of the NES cartridge.

Now, put it all back together the same way you tore it apart. When you slide the black tray back into the NES, make sure the bottom lip slides underneath the NES board, or else when you screw it in, its going to be crooked, and the games won't stay down.

If the games *still* don't work, then your pins got pushed down too far. This is what the jeweler's screwdriver is for. You are going to bend every cartridge pin up very slightly. Due to the NES looking like a VCR to get the whole entertainment center feel, like an old vcr, due to the video game crash, than up and down inserting like the Atari, intellivison, etc, the pins get bent down. Go from one end to the other, bend out the pins on the top part of the connector. This is needed to be done to those people who always used the Game Genie, as the cart thickness is much thicker than the standard NES PCB.

You should have a working NES by now. But, those controllers are working like crap. Doesn't jump when you want it to, buttons feel sticky, etc. Here's how you fix that.

Refurbishing your Controller:

Tools needed: Jeweler's phillips screwdriver, rubbing alcohol, q-tips, old toothbrush.

Open up the controller with the jeweler's screwdriver. You're now going to basically scrub everything down, the rubber pads, the holes that the d-pads go in, buttons, the internal pads where they make the connections, scrub everything with rubbing alcohol. Let dry, put together. That's it.

You now have a refurbished NES. Enjoy your old school games again!
_________________

[Squirrel]

NES

The NES is one of the most successful systems to exist. Unfortunately, Nintendo didn't plan to have people still play the NES for this long. I'm here to tell you how to clean the games, get rid of that dreaded blinking screen, and how to clean your controller on the inside so it has the perfect response that it used to have.

You dusted off your NES, hooked it up, ready to play Contra, turn it on, and you get the dreaded blinking red/blue/greee/whatever color screen, depending on your model. You try blowing into the cartridge, you tried your special, ok lets stick it barely in so it rubs when it closes and see if that works trick, and nothing works anymore. Don't fret, I'm here to the rescue.

The dreaded blinking screen is due to 3 things. Dirty cartridge, corroded cartridge slot, and the lockout chip.

Cleaning the Cartridge, and I don't mean blowing in it:

Its really easy, and its 100x better than blowing, in which I will explain in fixing the cartridge slot.

There's two ways to do it, don't do number 2 until you refurbish your cartridge slot, and the game still doesn't work.

1. You need rubbing alcohol and Q-tips. Soak a q-tip with rubbing alcohol, sqeeze it so its not dripping wet. Rub onto both sides of the NES cartridge end, repeat with different q-tips until you get zero dirt on the q-tip. Let dry, test. If it works, you're set, if not, then go to Refurbishing the Cartridge Slot, before going to number 2.

2. You need, 800 grit sandpaper, and a card of some type. Your way overcharged credit card will do. Take the sandpaper, fold it over the long end of the credit card. Take the corner, hold the sandpaper and the card, and polish the contacts until they are shiny, once you're done, it'll be in the same condition that you got it when you bought it in the 80's.

Now, you cleaned the cartridge, and you still get the dreaded blinking screen. Well, I know just the thing to fix your NES. Don't worry, there's no way to ruin it, its already broke, right?

Refurbishing the Cartridge Slot:

First off: You can go on ebay and get a replacement NES cartridge slot, but the games are very hard to get in and out. If you would like to go this route, buy the cartridge, follow the directions below to open the NES, and when you remove the cartridge slot, just slide the new one in and put it together.

Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, credit/debit/best buy/eb games/whatever card, fine sandpaper, don't matter the grit, last resort, jewer's flathead screwdriver.

This will literally take longer to open the NES than to fix it. You need to unscrew all the screws on the bottom of the NES, 6 in all. Get a cup, there's a lot of screws, and put them in it. Once the screws are out, flip it over, and take the top off. Next, unscrew all the screws for the rf shielding, the piece of metal blocking everything. Once that is removed, remove all the screws connecting the black tray to the motherboard and the cartridge slot, and remove all the screws connecting the motherboard to the case. Don't forget, there are two screws by the rf box in the upper right corner. Once all the screws are out, slide out the black tray that you slide the game in.

Now, remove the cartridge slot. Its rough to slide out, so don't be afraid to break anything, you can't, unless you snap the motherboard in half. Once the cartridge slot is out, its easy to handle. Take your sandpaper, fold it in half. Now, you are going to sand the contacts that the nes cart goes into, but you are not going to sand it left and right. You're going to sand it, in and out. If the sandpaper goes in and out easy, then fold the sandpaper in half, wrap it around the credit card, and sand it that way. You're going to sand every inch of the inside of the nes slot, several times, in and out, by the skinny end of the credit card. Basically, Nintendo used cheap metal, thinking that people would never still be playing the NES. The metal corrodes in time, by the humidity. You're sanding away the corrosion that is preventing the contact of the NES cartridge.

Now, put it all back together the same way you tore it apart. When you slide the black tray back into the NES, make sure the bottom lip slides underneath the NES board, or else when you screw it in, its going to be crooked, and the games won't stay down.

If the games *still* don't work, then your pins got pushed down too far. This is what the jeweler's screwdriver is for. You are going to bend every cartridge pin up very slightly. Due to the NES looking like a VCR to get the whole entertainment center feel, like an old vcr, due to the video game crash, than up and down inserting like the Atari, intellivison, etc, the pins get bent down. Go from one end to the other, bend out the pins on the top part of the connector. This is needed to be done to those people who always used the Game Genie, as the cart thickness is much thicker than the standard NES PCB.

You should have a working NES by now. But, those controllers are working like crap. Doesn't jump when you want it to, buttons feel sticky, etc. Here's how you fix that.

Refurbishing your Controller:

Tools needed: Jeweler's phillips screwdriver, rubbing alcohol, q-tips, old toothbrush.

Open up the controller with the jeweler's screwdriver. You're now going to basically scrub everything down, the rubber pads, the holes that the d-pads go in, buttons, the internal pads where they make the connections, scrub everything with rubbing alcohol. Let dry, put together. That's it.

You now have a refurbished NES. Enjoy your old school games again!
_________________

[daevlol]

Needs moar pictures of my beloved top loader.

Also, i'll send the child support check next week, im strapped for cash right now.
_________________

[daevlol]

Needs moar pictures of my beloved top loader.

Also, i'll send the child support check next week, im strapped for cash right now.
_________________

[riyunoa]

Awesome thread, I'm sure it'll help out the people with NES/Ataris, unfortunately I wasn't gaming back then. Though, I never thought there was a better trick than blowing into cartridges. >_>
_________________

[riyunoa]

Awesome thread, I'm sure it'll help out the people with NES/Ataris, unfortunately I wasn't gaming back then. Though, I never thought there was a better trick than blowing into cartridges. >_>
_________________

[Squirrel]

[Squirrel]

[Squirrel]

[Squirrel]

[daevlol]

Seeing the picture of our beautiful child all cleaned up brings tears to my eyes.

You have made my day, now I'm thinking of sending the check sooner then expected.


He really deserves it.
_________________

[daevlol]

Seeing the picture of our beautiful child all cleaned up brings tears to my eyes.

You have made my day, now I'm thinking of sending the check sooner then expected.


He really deserves it.
_________________

[dspoonrt]

[dspoonrt]

[Squirrel]

PS2

If you are reading this, 99% of the time, its for the famous disc read error. Here's several ways to fix it. Cleaning your discs, cleaning your laser, and finally, adjusting your laser. I will be focusing on the SCPH-30001 model as this is the model I have personally worked on. The 8 screw version is just the same to adjust, just a lot tougher to get to the laser from what I hear, I never have worked on one.

1. Cleaning your disc

There are several ways to clean your disc, the easiest/most effective is to get a disc doctor, or take it to your local GameCrazy, give them a few bucks, and they'll resurface it.

2. Cleaning your lens

Once again, easiest way is a *lot* better, and is only needed, compared to ripping it apart and using rubbing alcohol and a q-tip on the laser. However it *is* the way to clean the laser, if you do have a slim ps2.

3. Adjusting the laser voltage

Finally, what you all have been looking forward to. This WILL void your warranty. As I said this is only for the SCPH-30001 model, and in any case, all warranties for that model have expired by now.

Tools you need: Jewelers phillips screwdriver, phillips screwdriver.

First, you are flipping the ps2 on its top, so the bottom is facing up. Pop off all of the small screw covers with a flathead screwdriver, then unscrew all of the bolts. Next off, take a knife or something and cut the warranty off, or slit it along the seams. You need it off so you can take off the bottom. Now, take off the bottom of the ps2. Make sure to lift it directly up and off, as the case can snag on a cable.

There are two screws that hold a metal cover and the expansion bay down. Remove the screws and the metal cover and expansion bay. The expansion bay cannot be removed entirely because of another ribbon wire. Now, the fun part. While you're holding the expansion bay, you will see two small silver screws on a ribbon, on the drive. These are what you will be adjusting. One screw is the dvd screw, one is the cd screw. If you are facing the expansion bay, the left screw is the DVD screw. Adjust it slightly clockwise, I mean, very slightly. Say, 2mm slightly, clockwise. Put the expansion bay together (not screwing anything, just in case you have to readjust), set it inside of the plastic case, flip it over, turn it on, and test a disc. If it doesn't work, adjust it a tiny more. If you go more than a quarter turn and it is still not working, then you need your laser replaced, as it has been completely worn.



And that's it! Hopefully this will bring your ps2 back to life, and you'll be playing your favorite ps2 games again. If you have a newer 8 screw model on the bottom of the PS2, its basically the same tutorial, but its a bit harder to get to the laser. I don't exactly know how much harder, I have never worked on a non 10 screw ps2.

Also, munkeyzero added this bit. If you're not afraid to open the console and break the seal, you can just open so the top comes off, unscrew the tiny phillips bolts that holds the cd tray down, and access it that way also.

[Squirrel]

PS2

If you are reading this, 99% of the time, its for the famous disc read error. Here's several ways to fix it. Cleaning your discs, cleaning your laser, and finally, adjusting your laser. I will be focusing on the SCPH-30001 model as this is the model I have personally worked on. The 8 screw version is just the same to adjust, just a lot tougher to get to the laser from what I hear, I never have worked on one.

1. Cleaning your disc

There are several ways to clean your disc, the easiest/most effective is to get a disc doctor, or take it to your local GameCrazy, give them a few bucks, and they'll resurface it.

2. Cleaning your lens

Once again, easiest way is a *lot* better, and is only needed, compared to ripping it apart and using rubbing alcohol and a q-tip on the laser. However it *is* the way to clean the laser, if you do have a slim ps2.

3. Adjusting the laser voltage

Finally, what you all have been looking forward to. This WILL void your warranty. As I said this is only for the SCPH-30001 model, and in any case, all warranties for that model have expired by now.

Tools you need: Jewelers phillips screwdriver, phillips screwdriver.

First, you are flipping the ps2 on its top, so the bottom is facing up. Pop off all of the small screw covers with a flathead screwdriver, then unscrew all of the bolts. Next off, take a knife or something and cut the warranty off, or slit it along the seams. You need it off so you can take off the bottom. Now, take off the bottom of the ps2. Make sure to lift it directly up and off, as the case can snag on a cable.

There are two screws that hold a metal cover and the expansion bay down. Remove the screws and the metal cover and expansion bay. The expansion bay cannot be removed entirely because of another ribbon wire. Now, the fun part. While you're holding the expansion bay, you will see two small silver screws on a ribbon, on the drive. These are what you will be adjusting. One screw is the dvd screw, one is the cd screw. If you are facing the expansion bay, the left screw is the DVD screw. Adjust it slightly clockwise, I mean, very slightly. Say, 2mm slightly, clockwise. Put the expansion bay together (not screwing anything, just in case you have to readjust), set it inside of the plastic case, flip it over, turn it on, and test a disc. If it doesn't work, adjust it a tiny more. If you go more than a quarter turn and it is still not working, then you need your laser replaced, as it has been completely worn.



And that's it! Hopefully this will bring your ps2 back to life, and you'll be playing your favorite ps2 games again. If you have a newer 8 screw model on the bottom of the PS2, its basically the same tutorial, but its a bit harder to get to the laser. I don't exactly know how much harder, I have never worked on a non 10 screw ps2.

Also, munkeyzero added this bit. If you're not afraid to open the console and break the seal, you can just open so the top comes off, unscrew the tiny phillips bolts that holds the cd tray down, and access it that way also.

[Boomsars]

Question regarding the Ataris, early on it says "It is best to clean" and then it ends, no punctuation or anything. I'm not sure if this is intentional, but I'd figure I'd point it out just in case.

Also, thanks much.

[Boomsars]

Question regarding the Ataris, early on it says "It is best to clean" and then it ends, no punctuation or anything. I'm not sure if this is intentional, but I'd figure I'd point it out just in case.

Also, thanks much.

[Squirrel]

[Squirrel]

[TehBanStick]

All I need is an NES.
I have a squeaky clean N64, SNES, and PS1 right now, games and whatnot included.
_________________

Also known as Lord Zedd now
GH Customs | RB Customs | Youtube | Audition Mode Customs Guide

[TehBanStick]

All I need is an NES.
I have a squeaky clean N64, SNES, and PS1 right now, games and whatnot included.
_________________

Also known as Lord Zedd now
GH Customs | RB Customs | Youtube | Audition Mode Customs Guide

[Squirrel]

Sorry for no updates, been really busy.

I think next I am going to do a how to clean your cartridge and cd post, and how to clean your controllers post, and how to clean your easy to get to cartridge slot post. This should fix 99% of console problems.

I'm stuck on the Sega CD, I can't find my brick to power it

I'm currently revamping a Commodore 64, I have been logging my progress, and I will post the results once its completely done.

If anyone else wants to see a specific system typed up, let me know.
_________________

[Squirrel]

Sorry for no updates, been really busy.

I think next I am going to do a how to clean your cartridge and cd post, and how to clean your controllers post, and how to clean your easy to get to cartridge slot post. This should fix 99% of console problems.

I'm stuck on the Sega CD, I can't find my brick to power it

I'm currently revamping a Commodore 64, I have been logging my progress, and I will post the results once its completely done.

If anyone else wants to see a specific system typed up, let me know.
_________________

[Allanscotti]

A cleanup tut. for a Sega Master System (1, or 2) would be greatly appreciated. Mine's only loading Alex Kidd in Miracle World from its BIOS. Nothing else.

(Apparently it's rare if you have that in a European SMS2, but I wouldn't know)


These are great tutorials, keep up the great work!

[Allanscotti]

A cleanup tut. for a Sega Master System (1, or 2) would be greatly appreciated. Mine's only loading Alex Kidd in Miracle World from its BIOS. Nothing else.

(Apparently it's rare if you have that in a European SMS2, but I wouldn't know)


These are great tutorials, keep up the great work!

[shooter21198]

can someone post how to clean the inside of an n64 because i'm looking to get it working again because i recently found a goldmine of N64 nostalgia

[shooter21198]

can someone post how to clean the inside of an n64 because i'm looking to get it working again because i recently found a goldmine of N64 nostalgia

[Squirrel]

Sounds good! I just so happen to have both of those laying around so I can work on those next. Explain what do you need cleaned out with the N64? If you mean the whole inside, then you need to order yourself some Nintendo game bits. If you just need the cart slot cleaned, follow the same instructions as the NES cart slot cleaning directions, except you already have direct access to the cart slot itself. Oh and don't bend the pins.

Eventually I'll do every system that I own (which is a ton), including how to recalibrate your Vectrex monitor, how to refurbish your Atari 5200 controllers, and how to clean out your Intellivision. If you all are interested in some modifications too, I can type up some of those also. Nes controller to work on the Atari 2600 anyone?

Thank you for the kind words, and they will be just as good as the rest. I'm just a busy guy (I have my own work to do as well, currently modding a commodore 64 to work on a standard pc power supply), but I will get to them.
_________________

[Squirrel]

Sounds good! I just so happen to have both of those laying around so I can work on those next. Explain what do you need cleaned out with the N64? If you mean the whole inside, then you need to order yourself some Nintendo game bits. If you just need the cart slot cleaned, follow the same instructions as the NES cart slot cleaning directions, except you already have direct access to the cart slot itself. Oh and don't bend the pins.

Eventually I'll do every system that I own (which is a ton), including how to recalibrate your Vectrex monitor, how to refurbish your Atari 5200 controllers, and how to clean out your Intellivision. If you all are interested in some modifications too, I can type up some of those also. Nes controller to work on the Atari 2600 anyone?

Thank you for the kind words, and they will be just as good as the rest. I'm just a busy guy (I have my own work to do as well, currently modding a commodore 64 to work on a standard pc power supply), but I will get to them.
_________________