How do you test a Nintendo Famicom?

[super_mario]

Im new here and this is my first post. I recently got a Nintendo family computer for only $5 but without anything to test it with. Power adapter, rf switch, and game carts were not included. Before i go looking for power adapter, game carts, and rf switch, i would to like to know how to get started.

I have attached some pictures here for you to see. After opening up the bottom case i noticed several wire connections and Im not familiar with it. What are those for? im assuming it's been modified? Im not sure.

view the pictures here instead: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A25oqs3qP0dCs

[Frank_fjs]

Welcome to the forums.

Pictures aren't displaying for me.

To answer your questions, grab a Mega Drive 1 PSU or equivalent, any old RF cable (perhaps one from a NES/SNES etc if you have one laying around) and a game and you're set!

[super_mario]

oops sorry bout that looks an issue with icloud. visit this link instead: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A25oqs3qP0dCs

[Frank_fjs]

Definitely some mod work there, not sure what's been done though.

[133MHz]

That's the usual Makko Toys/Bung Hong Kong PAL conversion board. It converts the NTSC 3.58 color signal from the Famicom into PAL 4.43 color and also adds a mechanism to freeze the PPU in order to slow down the frame rate and produce a proper PAL 50 Hz picture. The switch on the back selects PAL60 or PAL50 operation, effectively turning a Japanese Famicom into a PAL machine capable of 50/60Hz operation, retaining compatibility with Japanese software.

If you live in a PAL country you should be able to get a picture through RF, otherwise you'll need to do an AV mod.
The AV mod is done in the same was as in a stock Famicom, if you take the video signal before it reaches the RF board it'll be standard NTSC. I suggest you leave those wires alone since if you remove them your Famicom will no longer work unless you replace a small ceramic capacitor near the PPU.

[famifan]

iirc
some roms (official and not) exist for testing the system

[super_mario]

That's the usual Makko Toys/Bung Hong Kong PAL conversion board. It converts the NTSC 3.58 color signal from the Famicom into PAL 4.43 color and also adds a mechanism to freeze the PPU in order to slow down the frame rate and produce a proper PAL 50 Hz picture. The switch on the back selects PAL60 or PAL50 operation, effectively turning a Japanese Famicom into a PAL machine capable of 50/60Hz operation, retaining compatibility with Japanese software.

If you live in a PAL country you should be able to get a picture through RF, otherwise you'll need to do an AV mod.
The AV mod is done in the same was as in a stock Famicom, if you take the video signal before it reaches the RF board it'll be standard NTSC. I suggest you leave those wires alone since if you remove them your Famicom will no longer work unless you replace a small ceramic capacitor near the PPU.

Oh, i thought the conversion was done by those wire connections alone. Does that mean the whole board on top was replaced? or just some parts of it?

Does it help if I have a TV with setting in which I can choose PAL or NTSC? I live here in the Philippines.

[P]

The whole upper board is replaced. You can tell by the Family Game logo on the board.

If you live in a PAL country you should be able to get a picture through RF

I live in a PAL country and have one of these and I can't get decent picture out from RF. In fact the picture I get from a normal Famicom is actually better (or less bad), still not good enough to play a game though. The Normal/Slow switch on the one I have doesn't seem to do anything at all. My TV can also force PAL or NTSC and such things.

I'm interested if it works for you though.

[super_mario]

That's the usual Makko Toys/Bung Hong Kong PAL conversion board. It converts the NTSC 3.58 color signal from the Famicom into PAL 4.43 color and also adds a mechanism to freeze the PPU in order to slow down the frame rate and produce a proper PAL 50 Hz picture. The switch on the back selects PAL60 or PAL50 operation, effectively turning a Japanese Famicom into a PAL machine capable of 50/60Hz operation, retaining compatibility with Japanese software.

If you live in a PAL country you should be able to get a picture through RF, otherwise you'll need to do an AV mod.
The AV mod is done in the same was as in a stock Famicom, if you take the video signal before it reaches the RF board it'll be standard NTSC. I suggest you leave those wires alone since if you remove them your Famicom will no longer work unless you replace a small ceramic capacitor near the PPU.

Just to update you guys that I've done an AV mod yesterday with my PAL modded famicom and it's working fine now. There are noticeable "jailbars" with the av mod while playing Super MARIO Bros. but not a big deal. I don't see any jailbars on some games like Galaga though.