ByteRot :: Nintendo Entertainment System Springs Not Properly Mounted on Cartridge Tray Replacement

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Nintendo Entertainment System Springs Not Properly Mounted on Cartridge Tray Replacement

Device	Nintendo Entertainment System
Difficulty	Easy
Time	15 - 20 minutes
Steps	5

This guide is by nicholasweiser 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 >>

If the springs work properly but are not properly mounted to the cartridge tray, follow these instructions.

Tools: Flathead 3/32" or 2.5 mm Screwdriver; Phillips #2 Screwdriver

Step 1

• Remove the six 13.25mm Phillips screws on the bottom of the game console with a #2.5 flathead screwdriver.
• NOTE: The screws are recessed about 40 mm.
• 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.

Step 2

• Remove the seven 13.25mm Phillips screws from the metal cover with a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
• Remove the metal cover by pulling it up and away from the rest of the console with your hands.

Step 3

• Remove the two silver 17.45mm Phillips screws from the cartridge tray using a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
• Remove the two bronze 13.25mm Phillips screws from the cartridge tray using a Phillips head #2 screwdriver.
• Slide the cartridge tray toward you, away from the 72-PIN connector, and off the motherboard assembly.

Step 4

• Note: Underneath the cartridge tray is a black trapezoid-shaped tab/lip (see marker). When properly assembled this tab/lip goes below the motherboard and shielding as seen here.
• CAUTION: During reassembly, make sure you orient this tab underneath the motherboard in addition to orienting the tray on top. Failure to do so will bow the cartridge tray and place stress on the component, causing the cartridge spring mechanism to bind.

Step 5

• Use your fingernail to squeeze down on one side of the spring and reposition the spring back on to the plastic nipple attached to the smaller part of the game cartridge frame.

Conclusion

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

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