Hey guys. This is probably a stupid question with an obvious answer but I just want to know, what does a bad PPU look like on the screen? Solid gray, some pixels? What about a bad 373? My system is showing repeated graphics. Top part of the screen is duplicated but cut off on the bottom. I'll post a picture soon. Happens with every game. I've swapped out the 72 pin, replaced the voltage regulator but haven't touched the caps. I don't think those are the problem. Cleaned all my games with brasso and 70% IPA, they work fine in my two functioning systems. I used a multimeter to test voltage of the 373 and PPU, both read at 5V. I hope the PPU is not the issue, those are not easy to find. Thanks.
Here's what it was displaying before and after I replaced the 373. I'm not sure what else the problem could be. Any ideas?
If you can do some soldering you could get a damaged NES and swap the PPU, but maybe you can look a bit on ebay and find a cheap working unit and just plug the new 72-pin connector.
I think it'd be unlikely the PPU itself is damaged. Have you really tested a wide array of games? More pictures wouldn't hurt. It's possible by seeing enough examples of what is on screen that the problem can be narrowed down. I think a bad connection somewhere is more likely. Either with the connector or a damaged trace somewhere.
I gave up on it. The NES was tiring me. I sold it with another broken one and made my money back...sort of. Picked up two working systems for a decent price. Cleaning them, modding one, keeping the other original. Its just fun playing around with them. I dont plan on profiting. Just selling to people who want to relive classics. Thanks for the tips. How do you fix bad tracers?
