ByteRot :: Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) Controller Motherboard Replacement

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Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) Controller Motherboard Replacement

Device	Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom)
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	20 minutes
Steps	4

This guide is by Trenton Saint on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

The controller motherboard is a critical component responsible for translating button presses into readable inputs for the game system. All controller components, including the motherboard, are subject to accidents, gunk buildup, and wear and tear. The controller motherboard, often built durably and protected within a case, will typically outlive the buttons and wire connections. Nonetheless, controller motherboards do need replacement from time to time.

Tools: Phillips #0 Screwdriver; Phillips #1 Screwdriver

Step 1

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six 13.5 mm screws that secure the lower case.
• Remove the lower case.

Step 2

• Carefully disconnect the faulty controller's connector from the motherboard port.
• CAUTION: Pull only on the connector; do not pull on the wires. The connector can be quite strenuous to remove. A pry tool or pliers may be helpful to disconnect the connector.

Step 3

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six 9.3 mm screws from the back side of the controller.
• Remove the back cover of the controller.

Step 4

• Remove the controller motherboard, noting its orientation.
• NOTE: The Player 1 and Player 2 controller motherboards are not identical and differ from one another.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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