Conference rusure::nintendo

    Out controller has been getting more and more intermittant.
    I just took it apart and blew the (3 years worth) of dust, dog hair
    and carpet lint out (& who knows what else).  I suspected that
    oxides & other stuff has been building up on the contact fingers.
    I attempted to clean them by scrubbing with a piece of paper with
    the edges folded up.  After several tries, and a jury-rigging a
    cardboard replacment for the cartridge receiver I got it to work!
    
    I'll try to find a more suitable tool to clean the fingers.  Not too
    abrasive, and small enough to fit without bending the fingers.  I'm
    still not sure if it's contamination or tension, or a combination.
    David tells me he saw an ad for a Nintendo Cleaning Kit, we'll look
    for that, unless someone out there knows where they're sold.
    
    Any other experience???............................MWR
    

    Thanks for the suggestions...
    
    We've tried taking the controllers apart and scrubbing them with
    alcohol, and even "sanding" them down to remove the oxides...but
    nothing has helped them so far...they are still intermitent...
    
    If you get any info on the Nintendo Cleaning Kits, please enter
    it here...I'd buy one in a second if I thought it would help.
    
    Also, do you know if replacement controllers are available?  All
    we seem to see are the infrared ones, and I'd really like to replace
    mine with original style...
    
    Regards,
      BW
    

    
    I have the same problem...but I attributed it to wear, and not that
    they needed a cleaning.
    
    I was going to buy new ones (15$ apiece new)  or post a want for
    those people who like the MAX or ADVANTAGE, and never used the 
    original controllers...
    
    Ron.

    I though you were referring to the processor, now I realize you mean
    the control!  So .1 refers to the fingers which mate with the game
    cartridge in the processor box.  I was able to maintain good contact
    by leaving the top off and weighing down the cartridge with paperback
    books until the game worked.  I did get quite a bit of 'grey powder'
    off the fingers by scrubbing with paper.  I'll try to clean it more
    this weekend....Anyway, the kid is impressed.......mwr
    

    re: .3
    
    Hadn't though about it being wear instead of dirt build-up...
    
    Maybe that's it...they HAVE had an awesome amount of use...
    
    You mentioned that there are replacements for the originals, but
    the Toys-R-Us store by me sells only the fancy ones, like the advantage
    and the infrared ones...no original models...
    
    Are there any chain stores you know that carry the original replacement
    controllers?  I'd be willing to pay $15 each as long as they work!
    
    Regards,
      BW
    

    Call Nintendo to get the original controllers. My understanding
    is that NO ONE but the big N sells the controllers. I called their
    toll free number (found it in the unit box somewhere) and ordered
    two on my VISA ($15 each). They will also "refirb" old controllers
    for the same price. What I can't understand is why anybody would
    go for a "refirb" instead of new stuff when the price is the same.
    I assume any type of component or repair can be done via this number.
    They even have a number (not toll free) for game question.
    
    Now that I have nice new controllers, I'm trying hard not to smash
    them against the wall like I did my other two.....
    
    							Lou
    

    re: .6
    
    Thanks, Lou.  I'll give the Big N a call.  I want a couple of new
    controllers not refurbs, and I too can't understand why someone
    would pay the same amount for a refurb as they would for a brand
    new unit!?!?!
    
    I've got the Big N phone number somewhere around the house, and
    the $15 (times 2) will be well spent.  I haven't smashed mine against
    the wall as yet but I've thought about crushing them under the wheels
    of my car, or submerging them in acid, or filling them full of lye,
    or...well, you get the picture.
    
    I'll let you know how the new ones work out.
    
    Regards,
      BW
    

     Kits can be found at most "World of Nintendo Displays" in popular
    Toy Stores.
    
    
    					-eric
    

    re:cleaning contacts.....I've worked on quite a few arcade games and
    carry an eraser stick to use on the contacts to remove both abrasive
    dirt and the oxidization that is a more frequent problem.
    	DO NOT USE THE KIND OF ERASER FOR PEN OR INK!!! It is too much
    and abrasive. Only use the pink or very soft eraser materials. Also
    make sure you have the contact surface well supported so you don't
    bend or mis-align the contacts. remember it takes a very light pressure
    to remove the oxidization!! As an arcade game repairman, as they say on
    the tv.....I never leave home without it!!
    
    
    					Ken =:)
    

    Even the soft pink erasers can be too abrasive.  DEC Field Severvice is
    no longer allowed to use erasers to clean contacts in any DEC
    equipment.  The group I used to work in did a study showing that a
    significant amount of gold is removed when an eraser is used to clean
    contacts.

    
      I just bought a used NES from someone here in DEC. One suggestion
    I have is once you buy the unit take it to a local NEW dealer and have
    them perform the FREE Nintendo test on the unit. This test checks the
    game box, controllers, gun, powersupply, and RF modulator. The test
    again is free. The only problem I had was the contacts were verrrry
    dirty, and I bought the NES cleaning kit to clean it ( $15.00 ).
    
      

    
      I just bought a used NES from someone here in DEC. One suggestion
    I have is once you buy the unit take it to a local NES dealer and have
    them perform the FREE Nintendo test on the unit. This test checks the
    game box, controllers, gun, powersupply, and RF modulator. The test
    again is free. The only problem I had was the contacts were verrrry
    dirty, and I bought the NES cleaning kit to clean it ( $15.00 ).