How do you hook up an NES system?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

I have the classic NES system and I can't figure out how to hook up the RF switch. Can anyone help me?

[Dragon Turtle]

1. The NES, Super NES, Sega Master System and Genesis

All hook up to a TV in the same way:

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/supernes/hook_sns.jsp

[Starbucks Anarchist]

2. It doesn't work.

I hooked the TV end of the RF switch to the TV, the line from my cable box to the ANT part of the RF switch, and the other line on the RF switch to the system itself, plus the AC adapter to where it's supposed to go.

The system turns on, but I'm not getting any image on screen. What am I missing?

[BulletproofLandshark]

3. Is your TV on channel 3 or 4?

It probably has to be.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

4. Channel 3.

I also set it to channel 3 on the system itself. When it was set to channel 4, I'm getting the gray fuzzy screen, but when I set the system to channel 3, it's just a black screen, so it still doesn't work.

Also, I hooked up the yellow and red cables into the system (no white input is on it), and the other yellow/red/white cables are hooked up into the back of the TV.

I don't know if that helps, but the thing still isn't working.

[Dragon Turtle]

5. Not sure of what might be the problem

Sometimes the cartridges and/or inside the console collect dust and need to be cleaned.

It could also be your something wrong with rf switch. I had one where the wire that sticks out was bent and had to get a new rf switch.

I have a problem with my NES with the spring of NES catridge bay of my console. I sometimes have to wedge another cartridge in just to hold the catridge I want to play to hold it down in position to get the cartridge to work.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

6. Here's an update:

I tested out several different games and am finally getting an image on screen. However, the image is VERY choppy and mainly made up of multi-colored squares. The sound does work, though.

Sorry to keep bothering you with this, but I have a feeling we're almost there.

[Dragon Turtle]

7. You could try

rubbing alcohol and q-tips cotton swabs to clean the cartridges and the console.

http://www.nesplayer.com/technical/blinkingscreen/blinkpt2.htm

[NuttyFluffers]

8. that's what i'd say, clean it.

do you have a spare system to do a control test?

sounds like you are pretty knowledgeable about connections, so i doubt that there was an oversight there. but my friends and i have made more than our share of simple screw ups and we are veteran dweebs.

just go down the list of troubleshooting as you seem to have been doing, it'll eventually work out.

ps: usually to test whether a machine works i find it best to lower the variables. basically i've seen people get lost by trying to involve the cable box, vcr, dvd, sound system master control, etc. and eventually confuse themselves. KISS it. TV + console + RF cable + power + working game = guaranteed test to figure out whether the system is working or not. when in doubt, subtract variables, aka. simplify.