TO OUR NINTENDO CUSTOMERS....  The following is a bit of information to help you keep
your Nintendo game operating at its' best. It was written by the technician that repairs
our equipment:

     The most common failure of the Nintendo game system is the internal 72 pin
connector. It becomes contaminated when a cartridge is plugged in with residue from soda
pop, dirt and who-knows-what. The symptoms can be anything from a flashing power light
(indicating that no cartridge is plugged in) to intermittant operation of one or more
games, or just a blank screen. Sometimes tapping lightly on the case while the game
program is running will make the screen freeze or get scrambled. All are indications of
intermittant contact between the cartridge edge-connector and the 72 pin connector in
the game.
     The cartridges are easy to clean. You can use a Q-tip dipped in isopropyl (rubbing)
alcohol to wipe the contacts of the edge connector at the back of the cartridge. The
Q-tip should just be moist, not wet. NEVER pour anything onto the cartridge or immerse
it in water. Don't use cleaning solvents... they will attack the plastic case. With the
moistened Q-tip, gently wipe along both sides of the connector, back and forth several
times, and then let it dry for 15 minutes! Rubbing alcohol has water in it, so it needs
time to dry. After cleaning, make sure you have not left any cotton fibers from the
Q-tip in the cartridge... they'll get stuck in the game connector!
     There may be a warning on the cartridge not to use rubbing alcohol or other
solvents for cleaning, but when the connector in the cart is contaminated with a sugary
substance, alcohol with water is the best cleaner... it leaves no residue and will not
attack the plastic case. When clean, the copper "fingers" should shine. If the connector
looks black or is obviously contaminated with goo, it must be cleaned before it is
inserted in the Nintendo box, or it too will be contaminated. You should check any
borrowed or rented cartridge before using it, just to be safe. Little kids will spill
soda on them and not tell anyone. Now is a good time to check all of your own carts and
clean them if necessary.
     There is no practical way for you to clean the inside of the game box. It requires
disassembly of the PC board components. The 72 pin connector contacts can be easily bent
and destroyed by improper cleaning attempts. If worn or damaged, it must be replaced.
NEVER spray any cleaners or solvents into the game connector. It spreads the
contaminants further and may attack the plastic parts. At best, the "repair" would only
last a while and usually ruins the connector.
     The game accessories may become intermittant after a lot of use. The wires inside
the cords on the paddles eventually break because they are constantly being flexed
during play. The power transformer and antenna switch box wires can become intermittant
or open (wires break inside) as well, if they are flexed repeatedly. When you are
disconnecting plugs, alway grasp the solid part of the plug, not the wire! Liquid spills
onto the paddles cause one or more buttons to stick or fail to function. Although rather
time-consuming, the inside of the paddle can be cleaned with alcohol and Q-tips. Leave
that for the technician or just replace it if you know it's bad... replacement costs for
accessories are about the same as labor to repair them.
     One last note: When you bring in your Nintendo for service, please include ALL of
the accessories and at least one game. I like to make sure everything works properly.
Include any information about symptoms or problems... it saves me time and you money.
Thank You!