Nintendo Entertainment System
A game console released in North America by the Nintendo Company in 1985, called the Nintendo Entertainment System, model NES-001.
Installing Nintendo Entertainment System 72-PIN Connector
User-Contributed Guide
An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.
Replace the worn out 72-PIN connector so that the game cartridge will register.
- Author: nicholasweiser
- Time required: 20 to 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
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The 72-PIN connector is a piece of hardware inside of the game console. It has 72 metal pins, which come into contact with the metal spokes inside of the game cartridge to register the game. The pins on the connector bend out of place over time, and the game console can no longer register your games. This guide will show you how to locate and remove your worn out 72-PIN connector.
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Step 1
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Game Cartridge Tray
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Remove the six 13.25mm Phillips screws on the bottom of the game console with a #2.5 flathead screwdriver.
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The screws are recessed about 40 mm.
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Flip the game console right side up and take off the top by pulling it up and away from the rest of the device with your hands.
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Step 3
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Remove the two silver 17.45mm Phillips screws from the cartridge tray using a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
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Remove the two bronze 13.25mm Phillips screws from the cartridge tray using a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
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Slide the cartridge tray toward you, away from the 72-PIN connector and off the motherboard assembly with your hands.
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Step 4
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Motherboard
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Remove the three 13.25mm Phillips screws that secure the motherboard to the lower case with a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
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Pull the motherboard assembly straight up and out of the plastic case with your hands.
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Turn the motherboard assembly over so the metal cover is facing you.
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Step 5
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Disconnect the wire harnesses from the motherboard assembly:
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Player 1
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Player 2
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Power
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Make sure you remember where player 1 and player 2 cables are plugged in; do not mix them up. A good technique would be to write each title on a piece of tape and wrap them around the appropriate wire.
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Step 7
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72-PIN Connector
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Pull the 72-Pin connector straight back and, with a little force, it should easily slide off of the motherboard assembly.
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Be careful where you place your fingers on the motherboard assembly so that you don't accidentally break off a capacitor, which are located on the opposite side of the motherboard shown in the picture. We suggest you hold the 72-PIN connector with one hand and hold the motherboard assembly along one of the edges or corners with the other.
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