Conference rusure::nintendo

    Re .0:
    
    I've had that happen, but only with brand new games.
    
    The problem is probably the contacts between the cartridge and the
    system.  There is a lot of information flowing through those pieces of
    metal, so they are fairly sensitive.
    
    What can you do about it?  Treat the games nicely.  You do not have to
    put them in the system ultra-carefully, but don't slam them in.  When
    you have a problem, take the time to put the cartridge in carefully and
    ensure it is firmly seated.  You might try cleaning the contacts.  A
    common way to do this is with a pencil eraser (clean, not used).  Rub
    it gently along the contacts.  (You just want to wipe them a bit, not
    leave grit behind like erasing on paper does.)  I don't know if
    normal-sized erasers will fit in the space, so you may have to work at
    this a bit.
    
    
    				-- edp 

    I had this happening to me after having the game about 2 months.
    I would put in mario bros. and it would scramble.  I would remove
    the cartridge and put it in carefully, putting a little extra push
    on how far back I pushed it, and then when I popped it down into
    the game, I would push it down as far as it would go and hold it
    there for about 2 or 3 seconds.  this seemed to stop the scrambling
    and then about 2 weeks later it just stopped happening, So I no
    longer have to do this.
    
    Ron M
    
    

    Same thing happened to me.  We called Nintendo and they recommended
    the following:
    
    	- Blow hair dryer (hot) into unit for about 10-15 seconds.
    	- Put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on metal contacts on
   	  game cartridge, then gently push in and out of game unit a
   	  few times.
    
    Seems as though NES is very sensitive to dust, etc. Above should
    clean out whatever's causing the problem.
    
    P.S.- For what its worth, this is not a permanent cure.  My NES
    is now in the shop for repairs. Contacts probably need replacement.

    re: .0
    
    	One thing that hasn't been mentioned, is static electricity.
    Out here in Colorado the humidity remains consistatly low, 
    therefore we have had problems with stereo tuners and compact
    disks players, but never with our Nintendo System.
    	We do what we can to keep them off the carpet, bacause out
    here vacuum cleaners can be the worst culpret (sp?).
    	All the other replies have very good suggestions, I am a little
    concerned about the blow hair dryer (hot) idea.
    
    Good luck with any future game paks,
    Glenn      522-4088      NEXUS::G_GEIGER

    As a former Field SERVANT I would NOT (repeat NOT) use a pencil
    eraser to clean the gold contacts on the cartridge. Alcohol also
    leaves a residue which will muck up the works as well.
    
    The folks that make TEX-WIPES put out a product (I forget the
    name) but it is specifically for the purpose of cleaning gold
    contact fingers. I find that it works wonders with my games. I'll
    bet that any of you that have a Field Circus outfit nearby can
    get your hands on a few of those pads.
    
    			Happy cleaning... jcf
    
 

    re: .0
    
    We had a problem with "Rygar", in that the graphics got a little
    scrambled near  the end of the game.
    
    We took it back to Kay-Bee (where we bought it) and they told us
    there has been a bad batch, and they exchanegd it for another "Rygar"
    (but offered to exchnage for another game if that was our preference).
        
    I tend to think if the basic unit works ok with one game, it should
    work well with all games. If it doesn't work, take it back to where
    you got it (if you can).
    
    Bob

    fwiw - a friend opened up the NES box, and the connector isn't
    really a ZIF connector, instead it is connector with a larger than
    normal opening that sits at an angle.
    
    When you insert the cartridge, it goes in at that same angle.  Pushing
    the cartridge down, angles it in the connector so that contact is
    made.  So it would appear that neither the cartridge fingers
    nor the connector contacts ever get much rubbing contact to clean
    off whatever builds up on them.  My guess is that cleaing will
    be required from time to time.
    
    		Joe

    Believe it or not, my 3 yr old dump a whole can of diet coke on top
    of our NES.  I took it apart and cleaned it up with whatever I could
    lay my hands on quick (e.g. kid, kid's clothes, etc... :-)).
    It survived and still seems to be ok.  Depending on what vent the 
    liquid dumps into, and what angle the NES is sitting at, controls
    how much lands onto the boards themselves.
    
    

    My son had a problem appear which I haven't seen described here,
    yet.  He had just saved his Zelda session (power down while holding
    reset) and inserted a Metroid cart.  When he powered up, the
    screen blinked slowly between no display and a solid light-colored
    display.  Nothing else happens, and no cartridge seems to work.
    
    I called Nintendo, and they said that it sounds like the anti-pirate
    circuit was triggered.  We haven't had a chance to try his carts
    in other machines, or other kids carts in his machine (the
    neighborhood kids won't let us jeapordize their systems.)
    
    Nintendo gave us a Return Authorization Number, and we'll ship
    it back this week.  The machine was purchased 2/20 at a Crazy
    Eddie in NYC, and was part of the recent batch with no SMB.
    

    
    re .11
    
    
    I think if you read note 74, you will be able to cure this
    problem yourself (if you don't have any warranty of course).
    You don't have to push reset and power off to save zelda!!
    just save it and power it off must be enough.
    
    
                            jan.

    My unit has experienced the same problem and has gone back for the
    third (and last) time.  They agreed to send me a new unit as they
    have spent more money fixing the old one than it's worth.  They
    do a super public relations job shipping stuff back FEDX, Ijust
    got a defective one.

        
>    You don't have to push reset and power off to save zelda!!
>    just save it and power it off must be enough.
        
        
        On some systems if the reset button is not held in when
        powering off you take a chance of losing what has been
        saved.  This is a known problem and Nintendo's fix is
        to hold in the reset button whenever powering off.
        
        Ken

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 89.0                       Nintendo Problem                      No replies
SALEM::PAGLIARULO                                    10 lines   6-APR-1988 12:52
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    I've got a problem with my Nintendo game and wonder if someone can
    help.  When I turn it on it flashes off and on.  This happens with
    all cartridges and isn't affected by pushing the reset button. 
    It's an intermittant problem where sometimes the game is fine. 
    Anyone else experience this problem?  Any idea what I can do short
    of sending back for repair?  It's no longer in warranty.
    
    Thanks
    
    George

    re -1
    
    I too have had this problem from time to time.  What I noticed was
    that ny wall outlet plug was loose and every once in awhile the
    power pack would begin to work its way out.  I found that if the
    power pack wasn't all the way in to the outlet the Nintendo unit
    would act flaky.
    
    So you might want to check this if you haven't done so already.
    
    mark

    I had the same problem.  It's the comtacts on the cartridges and
    the NES. Read the previous notes for various solutions.  Unfortunately,
    all solutions are temporary and you will probably have to send it
    in for repair ($35 flat fee).
    
    PS I mis-spoke in note 62.4  Use a WARM hairdryer
                                 

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 129.0                          Heeeeeelp                         No replies
VIDEO::TASSINARI "Bob"                                9 lines  13-SEP-1988 13:33
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      Help! Has anyone had any problems with their Nintendo system?
    My son has a problem with his in that you put a cartridge in and
    nothing comes on the screen, it just flashes solid blue. If it is
    jiggles, the games comes on. Are there 'known' problems with this
    and is it big bucks to get it fixed?
    
    
       Thanks

    
    	I've had this problem only a couple times with my set, but it
    seemed to be only certain game packs that this happened to.  What
    I started to double check before powering the NES up  was  ensure
    that the game pack was in the slot nice and tight and not in just
    enough  to  cause this type of problem.  Haven't had any problems
    since.  
    
    Matt :^)
    

    
      Well......it was as a prvious note said: Game contacts needed
    cleaning. I looked at then and they didn't appear like they needed
    cleaning.....but it works fine now.
    
       Thanks

    re: .15, .16, etc
    	Had to fix same problem as previous notes on my son's nintendo
    this past weekend. The PROBLEM IS THE CONTACTS IN THE NINTENDO ITSELF!
    
    Cleaning cartridge was only temporary and finally the thing quit
    and
    I had to go in and fix it.
    
    Take a small knife as used in models and bend the contacts upward
    inside the nintendo itself. Only about 18-20 small screws to remove
    the cover/shield/cartridge track and your down to bare system and
    can fix connector pins. About 1 hours time...

    I bought my son Nintendo in September, about 2 days after Xmas
    it started getting double vision.  I tried the Hairdryer, I tried
    the plug, and the eraser.  I tried calling the 800 phone number
    which nobody has answered yet.  I even tryed taking it back to the
    store, and they are all sold out.  Whats left besides taking it
    apart.  I don't want to ruin this by playing inside this where I
    don't know what I am doing.
    
    Any suggestions?
    

        Hard to  say  without  seeing the problem, or getting a clearer
        description of it.  A couple of things come to mind though - if
        the problem looks like  double  imaging  on  the  TV screen, it
        doesn't sound like the contacts  or  the  game pack;  it's more
        likely to be on the RF  side, so there are a couple more things
        to try.  First, I assume that  your  TV works OK when not using
        the game - if so, could the selected  channel  be  off  tune or
        mis-selected?  From memory, you can choose channel 3  or  4  on
        the box and then select the corresponding channel on the  TV  -
        take a look in this area first.  If that checks  out  OK,  then
        another  way of isolating the problem might be to use the video
        out  jack  on  the side of the Nintendo - plug it directly into
        the  video  input  to  a  TV or VCR (if available) and see what
        happens. Let's know what happens,
        
        Andy
        

    re: .23   
    	I tried the channel selector, that was right.  My son's TV isnt
    	hooked with the audio plug, it hooks from the box to the antenna
    	on the TV, and that seemed fine also.  What happens is the TV
    	(only with nintendo), is split in half, it has one picture at
    	the top of the screen and duplicated at the bottom.  Its not
    	like you can still play, it is also blurred and you cannot really
    	see what you are doing.  So, the game doesn't get played at
    	all anymore.  I will bring it back to the store and exhange
    	it when the stores get new ones in, but that might take some
    	time.			Thanks for the suggestions, anyway.
    					jane

        Jane,
        
        From your  description,  it does sound like the unit is bad, so
        it's good that  it's new enough to be able to get it exchanged.

        Andy
        

    I just wish I could find a store that sells them.  My son just got
    6 new cartridges for xmas and can't wait to play them.  Thats like
    having a brand new car without wheels.  
   

        If it's  not  too  far  out  of  your way, there are still some
        around in Manchester,  NH  -  Toys  R  Us definitely had some a
        couple of days ago,  Video Biz in the Bedford Mall had some, so
        it might be worth a couple of phone calls.....
        
        Andy
        

    I went to Toys R Us in Manchester this week-end and exchanged my
    nintendo game.  The new one works great!
    
    	Thanks for the help!				Jane
    

    		<Poorly Designed Connector For Game Cartridge>
    
    I have become involved with a "broken" Nintendo Master Unit.The
    problem stems from "IN MY OPINION" a poorly designed connector that
    mates with the cartridge.Since I am in Field Service,I did not
    hesitate to dismantle,and remove the connector assembly from the
    Master Unit.The pins are so weakened,from the kids inserting/removing
    game cartridges that there is no tension on the pins at all.The
    unit is about 18 months old,and the "friendly" people at Nintendo
    "WILL NOT" sell parts for the unit.But for 30 bucks they will be
    happy to issue you a RA number to return the unit for repair.
    The connector probably costs Nintendo a couple of dollars to buy
    from their manufacturer,and are willing to sell it for a "MERE 30
    Dollars",with a turn around time of approximately 30 days.It would
    only take about 45 minutes maximum for even the most "unknowledgeable
    individual" to replace this connector.
    In my opinion Nintendo has all of us over the barrel,and you people
    who have had problems with games initializing,and scrambled screens
    will be shortly contributing to Nintendo's Profits,as these are
    signs of a worn connector in the NES box.
    While I was on the phone the operator who handles the calls was
    nice enough to "REGISTER" my complaint of not selling this part
    to the public.She took my name,address,and phone number and informed
    me that a supervisor generally follows up on all "complaints"
    registered.If anyone calls me back I'll add feedback to this note,
    but I don't expect anthing earth shattering to occur.
    
    So if yours is not broken yet,you have the dubious distinction to
    look forward to paying 30 dollars(plus tax) for the honor of having
    a DESIGN FLAW repaired on you.
    
    The owner of 2 kids who wanted this Monster......Ray K.
    
    P.S. I will refamiliarize my kids with my old game...Reading a book.
    
    

    Re .29:
    
    The lack of tension may be due to the "zero force" feature.  I believe
    it was added to later units, since credit for that feature appeared on
    the packaging of a friend's unit but not on mine (an early model).  It
    is quite possible that Nintendo found that using pins with less tension
    resulted in fewer problems than people breaking the system by using
    excessive force.  It might also be that selling replacement parts would
    cause more problems than it would solve.
    
    
    				-- edp

    Well for what its worth I have been able to reform tension on the
    cartridge connector,and the NES box has been working again.You can
    also "feel" a more positive grip when the crtridge is now inserted.
    
    Re .30
    If your friends unit featured a newer connector,perhaps sending
    the unit back to Nintendo for repair,I'll assume that the new style
    connector be installed during the repair process.However,you know
    what kind of trouble "ASSUME" can get one into.By the way 30 dollars
    is still too much money to pay for a connector,and if I was in business
    if someone wanted to buy a part for a product I manufactured,and
    they were making payment up front it wouldn't concern me who
    I sold it to.(Lets not get into selling to the Russians,etc)
    The other point is if I knew I produced a product that had this
    "FLAW" and someone else in the world recognized it,I would be more
    than willing to sell them at least the "weakest link" so that I
    could regain my products confidence in that consumer.
    
    

	I'm having another problem with my Legend of Zelda game.
	I say another because I sent the first one back after 2 weeks
	of playing it.  They replaced it with a new one, and now, after
	about 4 hours of playing the new one, it's gone bad too.

	The problems are different.  The first game printed Xs and Os
	where the forests are, and the sub screen/main screen overlap
	(where your life count is displayed) was scrambled.  I called
	Nintendo who had me send in the game.  They replaced it with
	a new one.  It took about 4 weeks.

	This time, after a mere 4 hours (3 nights use) the game is 
	getting tons of short (1/2 inch) horizontal lines all over the
	screen.  The longer you play, the more lines show up.  

	I only have a few other games, but they all play okay.  Has
	anybody seen this problem?  I've tried blowing on the contacts,
	reinserting the game, unplugging the game, no luck.  I'm going
	to call Nintendo again, since I believe this game is still
	under warranty.  (I received the new game April 1st, but the
	original game was bought as a Xmas present.)	

	I waited so long to get the game back too!  For what it's worth,
	I was at the same point in the game the last time the cartridge
	went bonkers.  Level 5 labyrinth ... I'm still dying to know what
	magical wonders the whistle will do!  (Maybe it will clear up the
	scrambled game?)

	-- Jim

    I would definetly call Nintendo - we had some similar problems with
    our Zelda tape, but it seemed to clear up.  Then we added Link to
    our "LIBRARY", after reaching Palace four guess what - my console
    blew out.  Nintendo had us send both tapes Zelda and Link and our
    console with the adaptor back to them.  They promised to fix it
    and send it back with our Zelda tape re-disced and a brand new-not
  on the market yet Link.
    
    It has now been three weeks (we sent it overnight Fed'l Exp) since
    we have had our console or Link.  Will be glad to receive them back.
    
    Good luck and again please call Nintendo before something similar
    happens to your console.

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 264.0                 Nintendo System Problem!?!?                 3 replies
MAKROL::OLSON "C. JOHN OLSON DTN: 297-5344"          47 lines  25-APR-1989 12:04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since we got Nintendo last Christmas, some game cartridges don't
    work like they do at other people's homes.
    
    For instance, I bought "Top Gun" by Konami a few days after Xmas
    and it started to flash on the screen after the take off sequence.
    I returned the game to the store that I bought it from and they
    said that several people had done the same and it was not the System
    Box causing the problem.  The replaced it with a comparable Cartridge.
    
    We rented the "Super Mario II" from the local Video store and had
    a similar problem with that game.  When you got to the Water Fall
    it started to Flash in the same manner as Top Gun.  When I brought
    it back to the Video store, I told them of the problem and they
    immediately tried it in their Nintendo System right there.  It did
    not exhibit any of the symptoms as we did at home.
    
    I have not noticed any problems with the original Super Mario/Duck
    Hunt or Life Force cartridges.  My son borrowed a Rygar cartridge
    from a friend last night and the screen that shows the selections
    for weapons and other accessory tools only showed blanks spaces
    when the instructions showed that three of them should show all
    the time.
    

    
    My questions are:
    
    	1.  Is it a simple chip re-seat problem??
    
    	2.  Is it a bad main Processor??
    
    	3.  Where can I get a replacement part if one is bad??
    
    	4.  If I can't fix it, where can it be done and how much would
    	    this potentially cost??

    	5.  Are there any Warranties that go with the system and/or if 
    	    it is opened will it break a warranty seal?? 
    
    
    
    Any help will be greatly appreciated.
    
    
    
    	Thanks in advance,
    			   C. John
================================================================================
Note 264.1                 Nintendo System Problem!?!?                    1 of 3
SCOVAX::MONOCCHI                                      6 lines  25-APR-1989 12:15
                         -< Nintendo the best source >-
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    Do you get the Nintendo power magazine? If not, find someone who does.
    There is a "hotline" number you can call and I suspect they can answer
    all your questions. From what I heard, they are very helpful.
    
    mike m.
    
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Note 264.2                 Nintendo System Problem!?!?                    2 of 3
CSSE::MILLER "Normal Insanity"                        4 lines  25-APR-1989 12:49
                               -< See note 62!! >-
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Read note 62 and all replies, that may put a little light on your problems!

Ron (who_finially_had_to_clean_his_contacts_this_weekend) M.

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Note 264.3                 Nintendo System Problem!?!?                    3 of 3
DEMON::CHALMERS "Ski or die..."                      20 lines  25-APR-1989 13:11
                                  -< My $.02 >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I've had 'flashing' problems a couple of times, but it was flashing a
    solid color and *not* a game screen. Hitting the reset button or
    reloading the game always cleared up the problem for me.
    
    As far as warranties go, most manufacturers' warranties are
    automatically voided if the owner attempts to open up or otherwise
    tamper with the product. I don't imagine Nintendo is any different.
    
    I don't recall the length of Nintendo's warranty, but even if it has
    expired (assuming a 60-90 day warranty), you could plead your case to
    Nintendo's customer service department for a free repair/replacement.
    From what you've written, you noticed the problem fairly early and
    sought help and advice at the store (assumes an 'Authorized Dealer'...).  
    Remember, like any other 'computer' company, Nintendo makes a bigger
    profit on 'software' than on hardware; and a customer with a 'dead'
    $100 system won't be out buying many $40-$50 cartridges...
    
    Worst case should be that you're stuck with shipping costs on a repair.
    Good luck!
    

    This is the followup to .32, 

	Well, I sent the tape and game back a month after calling Nintendo
	and getting an authorization number.  I was a little worried because
	I didn't get around to it fo so long.  Plus, without notifying them
	I sent in the power adapter pack (whatever it's called that you plug
	in), because when I went to pull it out of the wall the cover came
	off and it smelled "funny".  

	Well, 3 weeks later it came back, all covered under warrantee.

	I was delighted it was all repaired/replaced for free, but a
	little disappointed that it gave no indication of what the problem
	was.  

	Like I said, I *used to* leave the power plugged in all the time,
	because it was so convenient.  I don't do that any more, because
	I don't know if that caused problems.  It might have been static
	electricity, because in the winter our house is so dry.  Who knows?
	I wish they had included some sheet saying "dirty" or "burnt" or
	"unknown problem, unit replaced", etc.

	But all in all, I'm thrilled to get the unit back! (and free to boot!)
	-- Jim

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 293.0                      Not busted but...                        1 reply
BMT::MONDROW                                         13 lines  10-JUL-1989 13:39
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    I have had a problem with my console for quite some time now.  I
    have ignored it although now it has become a problem.  The problem
    is as follows:
    My console normally get connected to the TV vi the phono Jacks
    directly into the TV bypassing the antenna jack completely.  When I
    hook the nintendo up via the antenna jack, the picture becomes
    extremely fuzzy ( as in poor reception).  Until recently, the
    console was hooked up to a TV with direct input, but now this is no
    longer the case.  Does anyone know if there is some sort of RF
    modulation adjustment within the console that could be fine tuned?
    Any other suggestions would be of help!  I could send it back but
    I'd rather not!
    
================================================================================
Note 293.1                      Not busted but...                         1 of 1
BMT::MONDROW                                          7 lines  10-JUL-1989 13:42
                         -< I have tried the obvious >-
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    PS before anyone suggests the obvious:
     o I have checked both channel 3 and four with the switch on the
       console in the appropriate position
    
     o I have tried on several TV's with the same result
    
	Now can someone assist me?

    
    
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Note 330.0                         Broken Game                        No replies
CRONIC::HOOVER "DEBBIE"                               5 lines  29-SEP-1989 08:22
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    I had this happen to my Legend of Zelda and I had to send it back to 
    Nintendo.  Fortunately, it was still under warrenty.  Call the number
    in the back of your instruction book and they can tell you what to do.
    
    Deb H

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 342.0                   An annoying problem...                   No replies
PELKEY::PELKEY "Life aint for the squeamish"         22 lines   6-NOV-1989 10:35
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Greetings,

I've been having this annoying problem with our game deck.

When inserting a game cartridge, we randomly, (sometimes more then
others) have a problem where the game simply will not start.

Screen goes a shade of gray, and no game or sometimes, the screen
flashes between gray and black, no game, then there are other times
where the gmae starts, but the graphics are all skewed, can't really
distinguish whats whats......  We take the game out, gently wipe
the contact points on the cartridge with a clean, dry cloth.

Sometimes this works,, sometimes we have to blow into the game deck a few times,
eventually, it'll start up,, but sometimes, it takes us about 5 minutes, and
many tries to get it goin.  Could it need a cleaning, or perhaps some
servicing, or is it just dust and there's noting one can do other than use some
electronic  spray cleaners,..  I do beleive it's the control Deck cuz
the problem is not isolated to one game cartidge.

Any hints, ideas, noters with a similar problem ?
 

    
    I also have that same problem. Only solution, turn machine off
    release cartridge and insert again. If its not pushed down 
    enough you'll run into that problem alot.

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 386.0         Why does picture "freeze" with Zelda game?         No replies
AISG::VAN_CLEAVE                                     38 lines   3-JAN-1990 09:53
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    Does anyone know why the Zelda game would "freeze" so that I couldn't
    move Link or go to the subscreen?  This happened three times with three
    different Zelda cartridges and at different locations.
    
    First time: The green dragon is defeated in the first labyrinth and Link 
    is going into the last room to get the first triforce segment.  Only
    the Link character is caught between rooms and the last room won't come
    onto the screen. Nothing can be done to make Link go back into the
    current room.  It's like the picture is stuck.  Calls to Nintendo's
    game counselers didn't help.
    
    Second time:  The Zelda cartridge was exchanged.  This time the first
    labyrinth was completed and the Link character was in the far right
    side of the "Outerworld" when Link was caught between frames again. 
    This time, Link was caught in the lower left side.  He could throw his 
    sword and boomerang into the new area that he was walking to, but the
    area would not move view.  And Link could not move back into the
    current frame.
    
    Third time: Another new Zelda cartridge.  This time the picture froze
    early in the game and Link was in the bottom center of the picture. No
    combination of button pushing would free up the picture.   And no real
    solution from Nintendo.
    
    I asked about power surges and they didn't think that was a problem. I
    have the Nintendo system sitting on top of a VCR on the lower shelf of
    a wooden cart.  The TV set is on the top shelf, a foot above the Nintendo 
    system.  Both the Nintendo and the TV are plugged into an extension
    cord that travels under the rug about 3 feet to a wall outlet.
    
    Did I get some bum cartridges or is there some problem in the way I
    have it hooked up, which is freezing the action?  The Nintendo system
    is new - got it for Christmas and had about 10 hours play.
    
    Thanks for any suggestions.
    
    
     

          <<< MOMAX1::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]NINTENDO.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< Nintendo Entertainment System >-
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Note 386.1         Why does picture "freeze" with Zelda game?             1 of 1
CARTUN::VALENTINE                                     5 lines   3-JAN-1990 18:09
                          -< It happened to me..... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    It happens when you reverse direction too quickly when you are just
    going through a wall.  It's like a never-never land.  I had to shut the
    controller off and I lost whatever progress I had made that session.
    
    In other words, it's not the game: It's YOUR fault!!

	This happened to me when I killed Gannon in the first quest.
I went into the princess room after getting the triforce from gannon.
I killed the fire and walked up to Zelda. It said something like Thank you
link and then hung. The solution to this is to turn off the NES then turn it
back on. I did this, killed Gannon again, saved the princess, and I got the
final scene.(New Zelda players, Don't look forward to this, its not much.)
Then it put me in the second quest. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Other games do
this sometimes.

                                               	Joey Doucette

    when shutting any game that saves names and characters hold down
    reset and press power.
    
    jon(son of hy)
    

    I too have a problem with my control deck. I've had the system about 6
    months. Recently I borrowed TOP GUN from a friend . When I got to the
    part where the plane takes off, the screen on the TV would split in
    half! I tried everything and brought the game back to my friend
    thinking I would have to replace it because I broke it. He placed the
    game in his deck - no problems. 
    
    I also recently bought Dragon Warrior and after a while when I would
    issue a spell, the whole screen would flicker like the virtical hold
    was going out. This doesn't happen everytime, but most of the time.
    
    I think it has something to do with the RF switch in the deck.
    
    Any comments/help/advice ??
    
    Thanks
    
    Jim

    Has anyone experienced any problems with games that contain memory? 
    About a year ago, my brand new Legend of Zelda was completely "zapped". 
    What I mean is that it did not work at all.  I turned it on and there
    was nothing but a blank green screen.  But all my other games (SMB 2,
    Blades of Steel, Excitebike) worked fine.  No problem, the NES Service
    Center sent me a brand new one.  The only reasonable explanation of the
    problem seemed to be that either my wife or kids did not follow the
    correct power up/down sequence (I don't play!).  So, they were taught
    the proper way to handle the game followed by a rigorous final exam. :-)
    
    Months pass with lots of problem-free playing time on Zelda (as well as
    other games).  Then it happens again, sometime in December, with the
    same exact symptom- blank green screen.  I call up NES and explain that
    it's the same as what happened about a year earlier.  Only thing they
    can do is to fix it for a flat fee of $10.  I'm really suspicious of
    this problem, and hesitant, but, what the heck, $10 is not that bad.....
    
    Then, we buy Zelda II for Christmas.  A week and ~20 hours playing time
    later, ZAP!, Zelda II's gone.  Same blank green screen........
    
    When Zelda II croaked, I still hadn't sent Zelda I to NES for repair. 
    Zelda II I'm not worried about since it's still under warranty.  But
    now I'm really puzzled and even more hesitant to throw the $10 down the
    drain to get Zelda I fixed only to probably get ZAP!ed again.  I even
    interrogate wife and kids and get nothing but claims of innocence!
    
    So, what is causing these games to die, I ask?  My other simpler,
    non-memory-type games still work fine.  The only thing I can possibly
    think of is, could it be static wiping them out?  It's the only thing
    that makes sense that my non-technical brain can figure.  When I got
    Zelda I back from NES, it was early spring- a little warmer weather and
    less dry, moisture robbing heat being put into the air by my forced hot
    water heating system.  It continues to work all through the summer and
    into the fall when, lo and behold, extreme cold weather hits in
    December, the heating system kicks-in full time, and the static's back.
    
    What do you think?  Is it static that's zapping my games?  If so, what
    can I do to prevent this?  Do I have to lock up these games during the
    winter months?  Or, what else can it be?
    
    Thanks,
    John
    

    Re: .45

    My experience with memory games is that if you forget to press RESET
    when you power down you may clear the saved games.  It should NOT
    kill the whole cartridge.  In fact I have sometimes gotten away without
    RESET with no problem  On Link it once trashed the last character of
    my name and replaced it with some graphics!

    I would guess there is some other problem.  Static is posible but can
    be avoided if you just keep your hands away from the connector on the 
    back of the cartridge.  Another remote possibility is that there is 
    something funky with your NES deck, this is pretty unlikely though 
    since it happens so infrequently.

    Make sure no one mistreats the cartridges in any other way.  Like
    freezing them solid or thowing 'em across the room, which I was tempted
    to do with LINK at one point ;-). 

                                            - Dave

    
        A bad place to leave the control unit, is on the floor or carpet.
      Static and dust can cause havoc.  My unit is elevated and in a cabinet
      that is closed most of the time.  The only problems I've had were
      with a faulty Link game.  Zelda and Link also have a battery
      that is suppose to last 5 years.  Maybe dead batteries are causing
      the problem?

    
    -rick

    I've received mail from someone experiencing the exact same
    problem/symptom.  This person claims that the cause is simply dust in
    either the gamepack or the control unit, or both.  The suggested remedy
    is to blow into the openings.  I'll give it a try tonight and report
    back.  If it works, I'm going to buy this person a beer!  :-)
    
    re: dead batteries
    
    I doubt it.  Zelda I is not quite a year old and Zelda II is only a
    couple months.  But thanks anyway, for the input!
    
    John

    I had a simular, if not the same problem, with mine.  I corrected
    it by cleaning both the cartridge fingers and the unit's connectors.
    There were some fingers near the edge that were carboned up from
    poor contact.  They may be the fingers that carry voltage(s) to
    charge the nikad battery inside the cartridge.  You may need a very
    bright flashlight to see the contamination.
    
    Hope this will help you!
    

    Well, I tried the "blow hard" method, and it failed me.......
    
    Thanks for the tip on cleaning the dirty contacts.  I'll give that a
    try next, along with trying-out the gamepacks on another control deck.  
    
    The NES Servicecenter is not getting my $10 for nothing, if I can help
    it!
    
    Thanks for all the tips so far.
    
    John

    We're having a problem with our Zelda I game.  We purchased a used
    Zelda I game from a friend.  We hve been playing this game for about
    2 months now.  Last weekend, my husband went put the game in and
    we got a red screen, no game!!!  We were told that there is a batter
    in this game.  My husband unscrewed the game and took out the board
    to get a look at the battery.  There is a rather large round battery
    that looks like it might be replaceable.  Has anyone ever had to
    replace this battery?  Could there be another reason for this???
    
    Thanks for any info,  Melissa

You might try blowing in the nintendo. This works for me when I rent video 
games t{at don't work on the first try

 						Joey Doucette

    Well, I tried cleaning the connector inside the control deck as well as
    cleaning the gold fingers of my Zelda I & II gamepacks, and they still
    don't work.  I even went as far as taking the outer cover off the
    control deck and the metal shield under it to completely expose the
    connector so I could thoroughly clean it, which I did.
    
    Besides trying the gamepacks on another system, I really don't know
    what else to do besides call the NES Servicecenter......
    
    John

I have a problem with my NES becomming bogged down in various screens while 
playing METROID. This problem was also talked about by someone in the METROID 
note (9.*), but I thought I'd make an entry in this note.

I played during the weekend on my nephews NES with only minor slowdown. Then
last night on my NES, at certain points it would get so bogged down, that 
as long as I kept shooting the gun, almost nothing would move! The NES 
couldn't even keep up with updating the energy and missle count in the upper 
left corner of the screen!

This was happening in areas where there was really not all that many bodies
moving around. (I'd hate to see what will happen when I get to the mother
brain!) I've played WIZZARDS AND WARRIORS before, which had many more bodies
buzzing around, and have never experienced any slowdown. 

Any ideas? Anyone else see these problems on other games? Maybe the NES clock 
cicuit is running slow or something? Could it be that some of these games are 
not programmed as efficiently as others and can't keep up with all the action? 

Any ideas appreciated!

Bob

    	re: -.1
    
    	Bob,
    
    	Similar things have happened to me.  On occasion a game goes
    	into "slow-motion".  I didn't happen to be shooting or any-
    	thing, there just seemed to be a lot of activity on the screen
    	at the time.  As soon as a few additional characters left the
    	screen, the game-play speed returned to normal.  Your theory
    	about an inefficiently written program sounds like a good
    	guess to me.  Also, I'm sure more CPU power wouldn't hurt.
    
    								  Mike
    

    HI
    
    Last night I tried setting up my new Nintendo. PROBLEMS....
    
    After everything is set up my TV screen is still blank.
    
    I am using the RF Switch. I have a VCR hooked up to my TV, so I
    have the VHF out on the VCR connected to the RF switch and than
    the switch cable to the TV.
    
    The Game Pak is in right and the power switch is on. I tried turning
    off the power and back on and than hitting the reset. but still
    blank screen.
    
    Connected to my TV is a VCR and Cable descrambler and cable Box.
    
    
    helpppppppppppppppppppppppp
    
    Does any body have any hints?????
    
    thanks
    Gary

    Tell you what you "should" do.
    
    Go to Radio Shack and get a multi-port switch. It has three ports
    just for what you have. One port for the VCR, one for the Cable
    and one for the NES. When you want to play NES, you push the button
    that the NES is connected. From the multi-port you have a single
    connection where your cable is connected now. You can even play
    NES and tape a show at the same time.....cost: $6.95. Some stores
    are selling them for $.88 on sale.   Good Luck ...
    
    Ken

  DONT GO ANYWHERE!    before you dish out any more cash...
  first of all look at the back of your T.V. and see if it is
  cable ready...if yes (it will have a coaxial plug) now look in
  your box that the Nintendo system came in you should find a cable
  with a box attached to it and on one side of the box there should
  be a coaxial plug and on the other end there should be a little cable
  with a coaxial plug... now unhook your cable line going into your
  T.V. screw in the Nintendo cable I just described...now screw in your
  cable line into the coaxial plug on the Nintendo cable (one with the
  box) now when you turn on your Nintendo no matter what channel you
  have your T.V. on in should play Nintendo....does any of this make
  sense to you?  Thats how I hook up mine to various T.V.'s in my house
  and it works everytime.....Tim
  

    HI
    
    I hooked up the nintendo just as note .58 says and I still have
    a blank screen... my tv is cable ready.  when I shut the power off
    on the nintendo the Tv comes on like it should.??????? but when
    I put the sytem on I get just a blank screen....
    I am going to borrow another game and see if that works.
    
    I am dying to try Nintendo.... hopefully tonight. If nothing works
    I will call the 800 number.
    Gary

re: .58

>  now when you turn on your Nintendo no matter what channel you
>  have your T.V. on in should play Nintendo....
  
How do you figure ?? That's how I have my Nintendo and TV hooked up 
and I still have to put the TV on Channel 3 to play Nintendo. The Coax 
input goes into the TV Tuner and the tuner has to be on the proper 
channel to display the Nintendo output. Now I can hook up the audio 
and video cables straight from the Nintendo box to the A/V inputs on 
the TV, then the TV has to be in Video Input mode to display Nintendo, 
and it doesn't care what channel it's on.....


Re: .56

Make sure you have the TV on the right channel for the way the 
Nintendo is set up (mine outputs on channel 3). Also, with my TV (a 
26" new JVC), the Nintendo must be on BEFORE I turn the TV to channel 3 
or the TV doesn't lock in on the signal.... ie: if I turn the TV to 
channel 3, THEN turn on Nintendo, I get a blank screen. If I turn on 
Nintendo, THEN set the TVon channel 3, it works fine.

Arlan

    Re .56:
    
    Make sure the RF switch is oriented in the correct direction -- the
    cable from the VCR goes into the receptacle on the switch, and the
    cable permanently connected to the switch goes to the television.
    
    
    				-- edp

    
    There is a little switch on the back of the nes between the power
    cord and the other cord, this switch sets the channel that the nes
    plays on the tv.  Make sure the tv is on channel 3 or 4, which ever
    the nes is set for, or else the tv will not come in  properly.
    
    		Ben
    

  re:.60
  Well let me explain....I do not have my cable box hooked up directly
  to my T.V. rather it goes directly into my V.C.R. (coaxial hook up)
  out of my V.C.R. into my T.V.....so I am breaking the signal after
  the vcr not after the cable box. But you are correct about the T.V.
  being on channel 3 as it has been so long since I switched my T.V.
  from channel 3 I forgot it was even on that channel (all switching
  being done through cable box) so you were correct.....sorry :-<  
  Tim

I know there's several notes in here on cleaning the carts and the 
Nintendo itself, but I'm not sure if that's my problem. I mentioned in 
a reply in the SMBIII note that I recently bought SMBIII. I noticed 
that I get some "noise" on the screen occasstionally, usually when I 
get to the final part of a section. But often as things are scrolling 
in from the right-hand side of the screen (like a cloud), they start 
off as green, and change to white once they're fully visable. 

Well, this morning I popped the original SMB I back in for old times 
sake, and noticed that many things are not the same color as I 
remebered them. The underground areas that used to be blue, are green, 
and other things simply don't look right (although the game plays 
fine). 

Could this be related to dirty contacts on the Nintendo and/or 
cartridges, or does it sound like I have a problem with the box ??

Thanks

Arlan

    
    
    I have noticed a number of different problems with 
    purchased games, rent games, and the gambit of 
    manufacturers. This may sound silly, but my son's
    friend recommends simply blowing on the cartridge
    connector and darn if it don't work.
    
    But how do you clean the soclet inside the game ?
    Or is that the questions here ?
    
    Rikc A

    re: -1
    
    I am in the process of investigating a company that manufactures
    a cleaning device made specifically for the Nintendo Game system and
    the cartridges.  This system cleans the inside connections with the
    use of a tool that slides in much like the game cartridge itself.
    
    I will post more info in this conference after I receive the info in
    the mail.
    
    
    mark
    

Re: .21		- problem contacts

  My son's Nintendo was suffering a bad case of the flaky's, games that wouldn't
start or did strange things things at start-up.  I suspected dirty contacts and
started the job of cleaning them.  That didn't work, but I did eventually find
the problem.

  The lock-down assembly that holds the cartridge in the 'down' position is held
in place by a tiny wire latch pin.  Over two years of use, this latch pin had
gotten bent and so did not hold the cartridge down far enough to make good
contact on the pins in the rear.  By straightening this pin, I was able to
restore normal functions.

  Here are the details for those who may be interested.

[REPAIR RECIPE]

1.  Unplug power and RF cables
2.  Remove the top cover by undoing the 6 screws on the bottom of the unit
3.  Remove the RF shield (the metal shroud) by removing the 7 screws.
4.  The lock-down is held by 6 screws holding the black square plastic 'case'
    Carefully note that the screws are not all the same size when you remove 
    them.
5.  To remove the assembly from the edge connector, slide it fully forward
    (There is a lip underneath which holds it underneath the circuit board,
     when slid forward ALL the way, it will disengage).
6.  Inspect the latch mechanism to see if a bent pin is evident.  
    Notice how far down the latch mechanism retains the locked position.  It
    might be very evident that it doesn't retain its 'down' position to the
    fullest extent that you might expect.  If so, remove 
    the pin assembly by pinching the two white retainers to release the pin
    assembly and sliding it out.
7.  Straigthen out the pin and return the pin assembly.  Now you should see 
    that the down position is really DOWN.
8.  This is a good opportunity to clean the contacts if you wish.
9.  Now put everything back together in the reverse order to disassembly.
    Take careful note that in putting the latch mechanism back in that you
    position it, then slide it FULLY FORWARD so that the bottom 'clip'
    fits under the circuit board when you slide it BACK to its proper position.
    If done incorrectly, it will seem that the latch sits higher than it should.

This all sounds scary, right?  But I didn't really experience all that much
difficulty, and I had no instructions.  If you have any reservations about 
doing this, better leave it to an expert, but really all of this has little
to do with electronics and is just an excercise in repairing a minor mechanical
problem.

Has anybody seen this happening with their nintendo after a couple of hours ?
The screen seems to skew a little so if you were looking at a box as large
as the screen you get:

        +-----------+
         .           .
          .           .
          .           .
          .           .
          +-----------+

The "drawing" exaggerates the effect as its only the top 20% of the screen
or so.  I'm don't think its a problem with the tv since I can immediately
pop a tape in the vcr and things look ok...

Thanks.
Scott :)

   Re.68

   The problem you describe is probably not with the fingers since that is on
   the digital side of the Nintendo.  It would seem to me that it is on the 
   RF side.  That is to say that it is a problem with the signal output to
   your monitor.  You might try checking the connections from the Nintendo to 
   your TV.  If it is the Nintendo there's not much you'll be able to do
   about it unless you're a budding TV repairman.  Fixing it would cost more
   than replacing it.

                                          - Dave

Has anybody had an experience where after playing it for an hour or so, the 
screen shakes around?

    
    I just obtained a used system, with two cartridges. One cartridge works
    fine, but the Batman cartridge causes the 'on' light to cycle on and
    off, and doesn't provide the right picture.
    
    Any suggestions?
    
    
                                                     ...Jim
    

    If the ON light blinks, the cartridge isn't seated right.  Pull it out
    all the way and try again.
    
    -Brian

    Sounds like the problem I had.  See note .67

    Well, about 25 replies and 6 months ago, I had problems with my Zelda I
    & II games going blank.  I've read that several others have had the
    same problem and apparantly, the NES service department has even
    replaced these games free of charge.  Since my Zelda II was still under
    warranty, I sent it in for a replacement free of charge, but Zelda I
    is gathering dust all this time.  Zelda II, btw, is still working.
    
    Anyway, in the last month or so, all of our games are showing fuzzy or
    noisy on the screen.  The best way I can describe this is like when you
    move the tuner on your tv either way and the picture starts getting
    snowy.  During my consultation with a Nintendo service person about my
    Zelda games, dirty contacts was brought up several times, with a
    recommendation of buying the cleaning cartridge.  Well, I finally broke
    down and spent the $10 because of this latest problem, but that did
    absolutely no good.  I'm almost ready to send in the deck along with my
    dead Zelda I, but I'm afraid they may charge me in full ($30 for the
    deck, $10 for Zelda).......
    
    Has anyone experienced the problem of the out-of-focus/snowy screen and
    know what may be causing this?  Could it possibly even be the power
    Xformer causing this "noise"?  (Just thinking of all possibilities!)
    
    Thanks for the help,
    John

    that "noise" sounds more like your RF signal is getting screwed up. 
    
    If you haven't already done so, wiggle the wires, checking all the
    connections... and if you can, remove the deck from this TV and
    try it on another, see if you get the same problem...
    
    I'd agree that your power supply could be suspect, but check everything
    "easy" first...
    
    dunno if this helps, but what the heck, it's free advice.
    
    jack

    Thanks Jack, for the free advice!  :-)
    
    I'll try the wiggle wires test tonight and hopefully isolate the
    problem area with the help of a neighbor's NES.  I have tried the tv
    swap method and the symptoms were still there.  I dunno why, but
    something in me says it's the power supply.  We'll see......
    
    More later.
    
    John

    The problew could be with your Cable TV (if you have it) or with the tv
    it self  it could be the fine tune and your TV could be going so you
    might want to check that out.
    
    Pete
    

    Well, some interesting discoveries in the last couple days.......
    
    First, over the weekend, the deck became intermittent when inserting a
    game.  I noticed that pushing that game further down, after the
    "click", it worked.  Re-inserting a game would work about 1 in 3 or 4
    tries.  So, I took the deck apart and sprayed a contact cleaner on
    every contacting surface, and that seemed to help.  It still was
    intermittent, but it worked more often than not.......
    
    The interesting part was after I screwed the deck back together and
    hooked-up power, after inserting a game and powering-up, the picture
    was crystal clear (remember, I was complaining about an out-of-focus &
    fuzzy picture) and only a little bit jittery.  Then, when I plugged in
    a control pad, the picture got all fuzzy again!  Unplug- clear!  Plug
    other pad in- fuzzy.  Unplug- clear!  Plug into other connector- fuzzy
    again.  Unplug- clear!  (Keep in mind that when the picture is clear,
    it is still a bit jittery).
    
    So, I call the Nintendo 800 number.  Before I get halfway through
    explaining the symptoms, the guy asks where I live, then proceeds to
    rattle off the Nintendo stores that can completely test my system to
    help isolate the problem.  The one closest was in the Burlington Mall,
    and sure enough, they had a tester to test every single component of
    the entire system.  
    
    What kills me, is that my NES had the "nothing wrong syndrome", you
    know, like when you bring your car to the dealer to fix a problem, and
    the car somehow runs perfectly........  The deck with one of my games
    had an absolutely perfect picture, not even jittery, and even with both
    controllers plugged in.  This threw me for a loop and I decided to have
    them send it to the NES Service Center anyway.  The cost is the same as
    if I'd send it, and it'll be shipped back directly to my home.
    
    But, I still wonder what the problem is here.  Could it actually be the
    outlet/voltage?  This outlet is in my living room.  Although the NES
    and the tv I use are one 1 outlet, I'm sure that "line" is being used
    by everything else- main tv, vcr, stereo system, etc.  But why now, and
    not within the last 2 years?
    
    Sorry to be so long-winded!  And, thanks for any more comments.....
    
    John

    re: .79
    
>    fuzzy picture) and only a little bit jittery.  Then, when I plugged in
>    a control pad, the picture got all fuzzy again!  Unplug- clear!  Plug
>    other pad in- fuzzy.  Unplug- clear!  Plug into other connector- fuzzy
>    again.  Unplug- clear!  (Keep in mind that when the picture is clear,
>    it is still a bit jittery).


    
     Is the controller cord anywhere near the video cord?  If so, when
    the power is sent through it, it can cause interferance in the signal.
    
    				Tony
    
    P.S. I learned this lesson a long time ago when hooking up speaker wires
    next to the power line in my car (lots of interferance)

    Nope!  The power cord and controller cords are nowhere near each other. 
    Thanks for the suggestion, however!
    
    If I get a chance tonight, I'm going to measure the line voltage at the
    outlet and also check the wires/connections at the outlet for any signs
    of corrosion (increased resistance?).
    
    John

    
    
          I used to get a real fuzzy picture too on and off.I run thru
    a video switchbox that swiches the RF thru two TV's,two VCR's,a
    PC and the nintendo.I found that the switching contacts would app-
    arently become poor only on the nintendo.Racking the switch back
    and forth would usually clear it up at first but it got progressively
    worse.I switched from Ch 3 out to Ch 4 on the nintendo nad it,s
    been clear for the past year.
                                                         John Grabowski
    

    This weekend I rented SMB3.  I couldn't get the thing to work.  It
    was all scrambled.  I took Q-tips and dampened them with alcohol and 
    cleaned the game.  The Q-tip was black when I was finished.  Put the
    game in and it worked beautifully.
    
    Now, I know on the games that they say not to use alcohol to clean
    them.   .4 in this note said that Nintendo recommended using alcohol
    when he called them about a problem.
    
    Sooo, is it ok to clean the games and system with alcohol or not?
    
    Thanks, Pam

    Actually, Pam, I think that it is okay to clean the contacts with
    alcohol. (it's probably less environment-damaging than other solvents.)
    
    That disclaimer/warning about not using alcohol is usually because
    some solvents (including alcohol) may damage the finish of the
    plastic game cartridge or entertainment system console. The
    part that you're cleaning with a cotton swab and alcohol, though,
    is fiberglass and gold plate, and can't be damaged with alcohol.
    
    jack
    (who isn't responsible for damage caused by following above advice :-)

    
    To add....
    
    Also, the NES cleaning kits suggest using alcohol as a cleaner...
    
    Ron.

    Great, because it sure did the trick.
    
    Thanks for the info.
    
    Pam

    Has anyone noticed any problems with cartridges they purchased within
    the last year or so. I purchased a SMBIII cartridge Feb. of 89 and
    the gold contacts on it are pitted corroded to the point where the
    game is almost unusable. I noticed this same thing on a couple of other
    cartridges also purchased within the last year, Teenage Mutant Ninja
    Turtles and Metroid, yet other cartridges I have had for over three
    years or so are fine. They are all stored in the same place, a box made
    by Nintendo for storing cartridges and all get the same amount of use.
    I also purchased a new NES this month to replace the 4 year old unit I
    had, and I had to bring it back twice and return it for a new one
    because of the screen going blank, blinking power light, etc.. even 
    though the cartridges were clean. The Nes I have now has to be cleaned
    every week, or it gives me trouble. I called Nintendo, and they
    recommend cleaning the unit after every use!!!! They also said they
    would replace/repair the SMBIII for $10.00 but not the Turtle cartridge
    because its made by Ultra, which really bugs me because I thought
    Nintendo made all the cartridges anyway, and companies like Ultra just
    wrote the software..
    
    
    
    mike

    re. -1
    
    I goofed on the purchase date of SMBIII. It was Feb of 90, not 89.
    
    
    mike

    
    	I recently bought a game that doesn't work right on my deck. I
    brought the game to another deck and tried it and it worked fine so I
    know the problem is with my deck. I tried using the Nintendo cleaner
    (without alcahol) and that didn't solve the problem. the problem is
    with Dr. Mario. One of the setup options won't work. Instead of getting
    the cursor to select the different types of music, you don't see
    anything but some gibberish off to the far side of the menu. It looks
    almost like it's accessing the wrong part of memory or something. Any
    ideas? I don't have any problems with other games that I have seen.
    Thanks in advance.
    
    
    						Dana
    

    Call Nintendo. Could be your deck is an older model and has some bugs.
    
    I had a similar problem with a different game (Silent Service) and
    after talking to the Nintendo staff, they ended up sending me a new
    control deck, paying the frieght both ways. It's worth a call to see.
    
    See replies to the Silent Service note (somewhere in the middle) for
    details on my problem.
    
    John D. 

    I bought a TMNT game (used) through this notes file a few months ago.
    I played it a few days when I first bought it and it worked fine.  I
    hadn't touched it since and I went to play it and now it doesn't
    work.  The title screen just flashes off and on.  If you press start,
    it briefly flashes the beginning of the game and music, and then goes
    right back to the flashing title screen.  I does the same exact thing
    on my sisters set.  I tried cleaning it with alcohol but it didn't
    help.  All other games work fine.
    
    Does Nintendo only fix games that they make?  If so, am I just out of
    luck?
    
    Thanks, Pam

    
    I bought a few games through the clasified ads in this notesfile, and
    naturally I was charged $1 each for the postage for the games.  What I
    did not get however, were the instructions and the box.  I was told
    that the person will go and try to locate them.  Of course in the
    beginning, one of the first things I asked was "Do you have the
    box, sleeve, and the instructions?"  I was told that "Yes, I think I
    have all of them."  After waiting for a reply for a few weeks, I sent
    mail inquiring what became of the box and instructions?
    
    Naturally, I haven't heard from the person again.
    
    The least the person could have done was to look for the stupid box and
    instructions, and if nothing was found, send a reply back saying that
    they were sorry, and nothing was found.  Some nice folks even offer to
    discount the games for the cost of obtaining the instructions and
    reduce the price by $2.00.  Then ofcourse, there the other kinds of
    folks.  This is why I disagree with sending the money first.  The buyer
    has no way of knowing what he's getting and fall victim to false
    advertising.  Don't let this happen to you.
    
    
    							Justin

   The problem of who sends what first in a sale by mail is tough.  Whoever
   sends first, the money or the game, has made themselves vulnerable to
   getting ripped off if the other party is unscruplous.  So you might as 
   well trust the other person and put your package in the mail once the
   deal is agreed to.

   I may have been lucky but I've never had a problem exchanging or buying 
   games through the mail.

   If you want to get the person's attention, why don't you create a 
   batch job that mails him or her a "friendly reminder" every day until
   you get results.  That should annoy him enough to at least get a response
   out of him. ;-}

                                                - dave

    reply .*
    
    Ripped off?  I think that you are accepting what you don't have to.
    If your dissatisfied with the transaction, then tell them that you want 
    your money/game back...
    
    If someone doesn't come through with what they promised, then you are
    entitled to your money back...Also the Mail messages should act as
    the contract...
    
    Don't take it! 
    
    Ron.

    re: .94  "Use a batch job to annoy them until you get satisfaction"
    
    Careful about how you implement this advice.  If you go too far, you
    may find yourself at the wrong end of a harassment investigation -
    which can potentially get someone fired.  Digital is *not* kindly
    disposed towards those that use the power of the company computers to
    settle personal disputes, particularly when another employee is
    involved.
    
    I'm not saying that you shouldn't stand up for your rights if you've
    been ripped off.  But getting your game fixed up by using the wrong
    tactics, and looking for a new job as a result, seems a poor trade.
    
    - Chris
    

  Is there anything that I can do to see the whole screen ?

  I use my NES on a 27" JVC Stereo TV.

  I don't get the top or bottom parts of the screen with most games.

  Any help would be appreciated.

  Much thanx.

					-=> Jim <=-

    	Well, the problem is probably in the TV and not the Nintendo.  All
    TVs "overscan" to some degree.  However some do it more than others. 
    This can be adjusted.  However, depending on the TV it may or may not
    be a simple process.  If you have a laserdisc player buy "A Video
    Standard" which will help you adjust your overscan as well as the color
    and other things.
    
    							Ned

    For surgery in fixing your connector see 499.4
    
    RE: somone else in this note did the same thing but 499.4 gives
        more details.
    
    RE: Also someone in DEC FS said $30.00 is very high. By todays standards
        it's a bargain. He/She is frustrated that he could not get the part
        himself to fix it (I know how you feel). Just think of how much
        DIGITAL charges for your time. $100.00 hr?
    
        $10.00 For connect or block (maybe better than original?)
        $10.00 For tech to open it up replace and test (dirt cheap)
        $10.00 For shipping and handling FEDX (dirt cheap)
    
    RE: The unit is also build quite well in my opinion. Ours which has not
    broken yet had dropped from the TV a couple times. Others have cleaned
    coke out of them. Just think how quikly all the other toys in the house
    keep breaking. And look how well this most complex toy keeps on
    ticking.
    
    One gripe I have is. NINTENDO had fixed the unit in 499.4 in the past.
    They used a power screw gun and sripped the head off a screw. I had to
    drill the head off grrrrrrrrh.
    
    

    I think I have the same problem as mentioned in this note several
    times.
    The power light flashes on and off all the time.When a game is inserted
    and the power is switched on ity still flashes on ans off with the
    "starting" picture of the game showing in flashes when the power light
    comes on.
    The question I have is does the power light flash normally when a game
    is not inserted - I have someone looking at it for me and they want to
    know this.
    
    
    			cheers.
    
    					stuart
    

    The power light will flash if you turn on the system without first
    putting in a game.