EDIT: I noticed that it is only the GMP Famicom systems got a VCI (the Japanese FCC) rating sicker, and perhaps GMP is 'Government Mandated Product'. :)
Nintendo Co, Ltd. always used English words for product codes. HVC = Home Video Computer, or HFC-VCN (Video Computer Network) for the Network Adapter, or example. If you liik at the logic board on late-model Famicoms, the logic board is part number HVC-CPU-GMP, but unlike most of their product codes, the GMP designation doesn't seem to mean anything sensible. The G probably means Graphics, due to the hardwired RF-modulator, but that's just a guess. if so, then Graphics what? Graphics Modulator PCB?
Does anybody know what this code translates into? The serial code is HCxxxxxxx for the GMP version versus the Hxxxxxxx serial on the original design.
Also, does anybody have a rev 1 of this board (HVC-CPU-GMP-01), (G-=r or any FC board with a revision lower than? I thought I had a HVC-CP-03 or -04, but I can't find it now and I could be mistaken... I'll need to dig out my SB FC and see what number it has on it.
I can tell you that the square-button FC isn't the only model to have a smooth bottom! There is a transition period between the square and round buttons that has the Rev 05 logic board and a smooth bottom casing with round-button controllers. Mine has a serial number around H3000000. it's impossible tot ell if it was converted over though,but i expect that NCLstill had smooth bottom cases leftover when they transitioned to the round-button controllers. (There's probably a treasure trove with 2+ million sets of the original square-button joypads in a landfill somewhere, just begging to be excavated!).
In any case, I'll check the exact number on my list and edit this later. NCL used true sequential serial numbers on their products, so it makes it easy to date them with an external visual inspection. This means that at least 3,000,000 units were made with a smooth bottom, and I have Rev 07 units with serials as high as H9000000, so the transition to the GMP version took place around the 10-Million unit mark, which would make the GMP-02 version the most plentiful of all. The rough bottom transition happened around serial H3500000, if you're curious.
What are the lowest and highest serial numbers that anybody owns of each version (H and HC)?
I'm trying to create a serial number 'cheat-sheet' for identifying what'.s inside a FC and FDS by the number. I already have a good chart for the FDS, including which controller and what power board to expect without opening it, and now I'm going this on the FC. I have another 60 or so units on the way to me to examine, so I'll track my findings, but I'm wondering if there is a h serial over 10-Million,, what the lowest HC serial that anybody has is, and if there is anything in-between (HB or HA). Then again, the HC designation may be for (H)VC-C)ost-reduced or something like that.
So, let me know if you have an H-serial FC lower than 3,000,000 or higher than 9,999,999 and if you have an HC system below 3,000,000 or above 5,000,000. Those are the ranges of the systems that I have handy. :) If you have a H-serial that starts with a zero, I'd be very curious what logic board revision is inside it!
-Xious
Here's a handful of Famicom serial numbers:
http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=4638.0 (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=4638.0)
Mine are:
HC1216498
H13545264
H15109351
I don't think that HVC-CPU-03, HVC-CPU-04 and HVC-CPU-GPM-01 really were for sale, they maybe rot somewhere in development office... (correct me with photos if mistaken!) EDIT: they exist! Read ahead...
And don't forget that there is still that issue of changing PCB in repairs shop, so your famicom could have other PCB when new-in-box than it has today. So joining serial numbers with PCB revisions is not 100%.
Also check the other topic for my S/N.
And GMPGPM? Good Manufacturing Practice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_manufacturing_practice)? Meh, it could be, because this revision is an improvement over all others, added more capacitors (cleaning signals), redesigned traces, RF box not separated, video output circuit changed and much more, in company I used to work, the good manufacturing praxis used to mean improving the process of our work through new better ideas so...
...all right, probably not, but...
Well, it's possible, but I doubt it. The code always has to do with the product, not the process. Heck, it could mean Great Magical powers, for all I know. This is all pure speculation, after all. I think it is something along the lines of 'Graphics Modulator PCB', or 'Graphics Modulator Permanent' but I'm open to further suggestions, or actual data if anybody knows. It's be cool to track down some of the old NCL staff to field questions lime this, if they'd be willing to participate. :)
Anyhow, here are the serials that I have for a numbers spreads. I know that some repaired systems may have swapped boards, but this is not standard practice, and most systems have their original PCBs (from what I've seen). In any event, swaps dome by NCL were always for later rev boards, and I think they marked the systems with a repair service sticker (can somebody confirm this?).
Therefore, this is just a guideline, not a rule, but lower numbered systems will usually have older boards. That's why I'd like to know what's in the systems with serials under 1.5 Million: I'm pretty sure that NCL shipped either the Rev 03 or Rev 04 boards on very early models, which is why I was asking if anybody has a serial staring with H0; I see that there is an H11 serial out there, which I'd like to confirm with a photo, and if so, there are at least 11-Million units made before the GMP revision.
Here are the serials and revisions on three example units:
H2747892 - Smooth bottom, round buttons, Rev 05
H3509804 - Rough bottom, round buttons, Rev 06
H3558622 - Rough bottom, round buttons, Rev 07
H9874667 - Rough bottom, round buttons, Rev 07
Thus, NCL switched from Rev 06 to Rev 07 somewhere between unit number 3,509804 and 3,558,622; That's a gap of around 57,000 units, so it's important to find out the earliest known Rev 06 unit's serial number in order to get a fix on how many Rev 06 systems NLC made, as well as how many Rev 05 systems were made.
If anybody has a H1 or H0 serial, please let me know the revision of the PCB. You can check just by removing the bottom case, as the Rev number is marked in the corner of the bottom (solder-dide) of the PCB-. It.s a small two-digit number near the front of the console, with the front facing you, on the left, meaning that you don't have to remove the CB to check the revision number, only the red bottom-case. You'll see 07, 06 or 05 there normally. if you see 04, 03, 02 or 01, please tell me and take a photo!
I'm trying to document as much as I can about Nintendo part numbers, and revisions along with precise dating and production numbers for Jerry Griner's book. :) I can always ensure that you are credited as a contributor if you wish.
Hi all... I've been out of it lately, but I wanted to put an UPDATE here, for those intereted:
I found my Rev 04 Famicom (HVC-CPU-04), which is one of my square-button units. The serial number is just over 1,000,000 (H10xxxxx), and I have some others in this range that I'll check.
I still think that there are Rev 03 or mayybe even 02 boards out there as well, for I recall seeing one in the past.
I am making a catalogue of the serial numbers and the oards inside and I'll upload photos of my rev 04 board ASAP for the doubters.
I also discovered another serial designation:
HV0000000 format. This is a GMP-02 board , like the HC0000000 serial format, but *without* shielding on the 60-pin cart port. I have some theories about the deaignations that I'll post in my write-up sometime in late Oct or early Nov..
If anybody has a FC with a serial starting with a leading zero (e.g. H0012345), I'd like to know what is inside (or even to buy it for my museum).
That's all for now. When I get a chance to photograph and catalogue all the serials and revisions, I'll update this again.
Great update, looking forward to the photos!
My research, while incomplete, points to this: The second-wave FC, with the RF board on the mainboard, has two distinct additional features: additional shielding, and a VCCI sticker. With the discovery of a FC unit using this board having a serial number starting with HV instead of HC, I believe that the designation is due to new VCCI regulations, and stands for...da da ta da:
Government Mandated Process / Government Mandated Procedure. I believe that the VCCI cnaged their standards for shielding on RF devices, and this required additional shielding on the Famicom RF modulator, and that in the process of adding it, NCL decided to redesign the entire video system to improve it and make it meet the new spec at the same time. The resulting Government Mandated Procedure board became designated 'GMP'.
I have yet to discover a GMP-01 board, but if they exist, I suspect they are HV serials, which I believe to predate the HC designation serials. HV serials may mean HVC VCCI, where HC may simply mean HVC Cost-Reduced: I need to compare the two to ee if I can find any differences.[/s]. My findings are therefore part speculation, and part empirical, so I will continue to research it, and hope for a reply from NCL to my inquiry.
I'm really going senile. The PCB code is GPM, not GMP. It could be 'Government Procedure Modification', but I think I'll wait for an official answer, rather than speculating any further. I've been wasting my time on the wrong acronym, from bad memory. Sigh...
Wow that's an interesting find! I mean, it's really possible.. ok 99% possible :) ...but you must admit that my guess wasn't far away from your discovery :P
EDIT: AHH GMP / GPM. I was using GMP too, on my site and everywhere, even in my signature. ....damn it.
So I'm finally a happy owner (thanks senseiman!) of a Square Button Famicom! And right from the start, I was amazed from the board revision, or should I say missing revision number. My board has only HVC-CPU and nothing more, could this be THE first board release?
Check the board photos here https://picasaweb.google.com/104600295437428529732/SquareButton?authkey=Gv1sRgCKnWhd_GhrKDhAE
BTW serial number on the smooth-bottom is H1346565
Any ideas? :bub:
The date codes on the chips date back to June-July 1983 so it looks like you've got a launch system! Nice score!
I wonder if those components soldered on the bottom side are some sort of fix for the alleged problems the launch systems had. ::)
For those who are interested:
I have made a mistake in identifying the revision of my latest aquisition - the square button Famicom (2 posts before this one) - I blindly overlooked the small number in the
corner of the PCB, which clearly states
revision no. 3Check this picture, it's the white "03" written there, (left of the I. controler connector):
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QgaL15wEqvI/ToMQYzv-k0I/AAAAAAAABsw/GN6k4VsMcM0/03.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z4vL61dRkDa9Zozk1AnFgZ9Wzb3so6z4oKzpGtBODho?feat=directlink)
and if you check Xious' thread here
http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=5346.0
he is clearly talking about and showing us his board revision 04, which number is also visible in the corner as "04".
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wi2klZ3XhhU/ToMQYsG7bOI/AAAAAAAABss/F8PW1UY7ybc/04.jpg) (http://atariusa.com/FamicomWorld/Square_Button_Famicom/Rev_04_Logic_Board_Controller_Internals_and_RF_Modulator/IMG_7381.JPG)
Xious wrote there "
Rev-04 logic board (from what I can tell, it's the real first release)".
Since mine is revision 3, it predates Xious' board and thus far
is the oldest confirmed board revision!
[EDIT - read ahead]
Quote from: 133MHz on September 03, 2011, 09:09:37 pm
I wonder if those components soldered on the bottom side are some sort of fix for the alleged problems the launch systems had. ::)
I have added some close-up pictures of the added components, check the album link in my previous post.
Nice find. If you ever want to part with it send me a note, as I don't remember if i have an 03 unit, though I recall having one that was earlier than that boxed 04. These (pre-05) PCBs are the ones with the famous PPU problem; the Rev-05 and onward have no hardware/graphics problems of note.
There should still be rev-01 and rev-2 units out there somewhere as well. Versioning on these starts with 01, as I've said over and over; The question I have is at what point in the serial-number chain rev 01, 02 and 03 occur. I seem to recall someone selling a Rev-01 some time back, but he didn't show photos of it internally, so it's hard to say if it was legitimate. :bomb:
Quote from: Xious on October 12, 2011, 05:33:25 am
I seem to recall someone selling a Rev-01 some time back, but he didn't show photos of it internally, so it's hard to say if it was legitimate. :bomb:
This Rev.01 was probably a mistake, as I have seen such sales countless times, the seller just states it's version 1 because it's HVC-001 (Nintendo code for Famicom console and not board revision number). Even better, when someone is selling "HVC-002", because this number is written on the bottom sticker which is in Japanese, and says "..use only Famicom AC adapter (part number HVC-002)..." :D
I have right now in front of me this one:
HVC-CPU-04
H1182681
Smooth bottom
Round buttons
I'm planning on doing an AV mod on it. :bub:
Everything's possible, but most probably the controllers were just exchanged on your machine... 04 is definately square button, but since the controllers were so easily destroyed, repair shops just changed them for a new round pair.
Those boards are pretty rare, so please be gentle when doing the mod... if you really need it to be done.
Thats cool.
But I guess getting a pair of square button controllers is nearly impossible so I think I'll go on with the mod. Without the original controllers I don't find much value in the machine itself.
Wrong, Da Bear; as reproductions do exist and they look exactly the same as real ones. Keep an eye on eBay. I wouldn't ruin that rare Famicom if I were you.
Really? I didn't know that. I will keep my eyes open.
How much do they sell for?
I thought mentioning senseiman's article about revisions would be worth linking here cause it's on topic, informative and also caught some nice attention!
In Search of the Square Button Famicom Revisions (http://famicomblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-search-of-square-button-famicom.html)
Quote from: jpx72 on October 17, 2011, 02:11:23 am
Quote from: Xious on October 12, 2011, 05:33:25 am
I seem to recall someone selling a Rev-01 some time back, but he didn't show photos of it internally, so it's hard to say if it was legitimate. :bomb:
This Rev.01 was probably a mistake, as I have seen such sales countless times, the seller just states it's version 1 because it's HVC-001 (Nintendo code for Famicom console and not board revision number). Even better, when someone is selling "HVC-002", because this number is written on the bottom sticker which is in Japanese, and says "..use only Famicom AC adapter (part number HVC-002)..." :D
It wasn't a mistake, but it also wasn't on eBay. He claimed it was a Rev-01, but I don't remember if he had logic board photos.
I'd still be interested in that Rev-03 if you feel like selling or trading it.
To the guy with the Rev-04: I've seen the controllers for around US$30 per controller in the past, but they're not a commonly sold commodity. If you end up with a set that has button problems, I can restore them to perfect working order. I would also advise modifying a different unit: You can always modulate the RF signal on a standard CRT or buy a TV from Japan if you want to use it without modification.
I do not have spare SBFC controllers, though I've pondered reproducing them in whole. I'm doing repro buttons first, in any case. The equipment needed to reproduce the shells is pretty costly, and having them done by a plastics firm is even more so. I have never seen reproduction SBFC controllers for sale anywhere. If someone has a link, please send it to me as evidence. :bomb:
Some Additional DatumThe plastic shift (from smooth to textured) happened in 1986, probably in November or December, or maybe January 1987. This coincides with the texture change on the FDS and the NES in North America.
The Famicom had round-button controllers through Rev-05. Many Rev-05 units originally had square button controllers, but were swapped by NCL (at no cost) for the round-button type. Some Rev-05 units were also made with round-button controllers. I have a guess at the serial range at which this shift in manufacturing happened, but no positive proof. I'd need to find some NOS Rev-05 round button systems as evidence of the change prior to Rev-06.
The Rev-06 Famicom is very rare, and the shift from Rev-05 to Rev-06 to Re-07 happened in a matter of a few months. I have a serial number range in my books for the Rev-06 as well.
The controllers weren't changed by 'repair shoppes', but by NCL directly as part of a voluntary exchange programme that lasted through 2003, or maybe 2005. I need some direct confirmation (from NCL) on some of the dates. Systems with pre-Rev-05 logic boards were automatically swapped for Rev-05 by NCL if they were ever serviced for any reason, including having the controllers swapped. This accounts for many low-serial Rev-05 units.
I have Rev-05 units with serials lower than or int he same range as my Rev-04: These were changed from Rev-?? to Rev05 by NCL. When the Rev-07 was released, NCL began using the -07 logic board for these swaps, so it is possible to have an extremely low serial number unit with a Rev-07 PCB that was never user-serviced.
The reason Rev-01 through Rev-04 PCBs are rare is because NCL swapped them as a recall programme, not because of low production quantities. For this reason, it is both impossible to know the revision by the serial (except for Rev-07 and above), and to pin down the exact range of Rev-05 units, though it is possible to guess with decent accuracy based on known Rev-04 and Rev-06 units.
The famous recall on the logic board was on Rev-01 to Rev-04 units; Rev-05 was the normal replacement part. The controllers were not recalled, but a replacement was offered when NCL designed the round button controllers as a free upgrade, and NCL never made more square-button controllers. It may have been possible to order old-stock SBFC controllers at one point; it is unclear if NCL still has any in stock or warehoused somewhere, and the fate of the controllers taken as exchanges as well as replacement button parts that NCL may have had is unknown at this time.
I think I.ve said this all before, many times, but here it is again for those curious. I also have similar information on dating the FDS revisions, the FDS RAM-Adapter, and other Nintendo revision sets and parts lists. I need a part number for the square button pads (bot Nintendo and Sharp), but I have numbers for the some of Sharp round-button parts.
The Sharp C1 controllers also have the same square buttons as the original FC controllers, as they were released in 1983, before the round-button pads were released. I place the round button controller release in 1984, probably mid-year. The C1 and its controllers were made in red, white and silver-ish colours.
Sharp also used the FC round-button controller shell and button design for their X1/X68000-series systems; these are externally identical to the controllers used on their AN-500 series systems, but internally are incompatible with the FC. The X1/X68000 controllers (part No. CZ-8NJ1) are black and grey, and may--by some collectors--be seen as an extension item for a complete FC controller collection.
Sharp also produced two NES-style controllers: The Famicomstation controller in grey, which is identical to the NES controller, with a shorter cord and a Sharp logo, and the NES-TV controller in black with the words 'Game Television' in place of a logo. :bomb:
AWESOME NEWS!!!
:fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire:
FAMICOM BOARD REVISION 1 CONFIRMED
:fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire:
http://offgao.blog112.fc2.com/blog-entry-24.html
-I have found this Japanese blog with board pictures of HVC-CPU-01 !!! We can all go dig ourselves underground with our modern revisions because of this info! :D
This one started it all, this is the most first :crazy: revision of them all!
Also, HVC-CPU-08 confirmed too:
http://offgao.blog112.fc2.com/blog-entry-22.html
So confirmed are:
HVC-CPU-01
(no 02 picture so far)
HVC-CPU-03
HVC-CPU-04
HVC-CPU-05
HVC-CPU-06
HVC-CPU-07
HVC-CPU-08
HVC-CPU-GPM-01 (http://retrogame-db.com/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/)
HVC-CPU-GPM-02
I've been telling people forever that Rev-01 exists. I am only shocked at the Rev-08, especially due to the copyright date, as I would have expected 1985/6. I may need to re-date the VCCI versions because of this... I suspect it may even be a prototype or internal-only PCB, as I have dozens of Rev-07 units in the 13+Million serial range, so I can't imagine where this falls, if it was designed in 1984.
If someone could contact the author of that blog to inquire as to the serial number for the Rev-01 and Rev-08 units (explaining that we are keeping a catalogue of serials versus PCB revisions, that'd be nice. The Rev-01 is for an upper limit serial, and the Rev-08 for a lower-threshold serial.
I also fully expect a GPM-01 to exist. it's only logical, and was probably a very short run. :bomb:
Quote from: Xious on November 23, 2011, 10:50:42 pm
If someone could contact the author of that blog to inquire as to the serial number for the Rev-01 and Rev-08 units (explaining that we are keeping a catalogue of serials versus PCB revisions, that'd be nice. The Rev-01 is for an upper limit serial, and the Rev-08 for a lower-threshold serial.
Yes, contacting him would be fantastic, and aslo asking him for photos of the HVC-CPU-02 and HVC-CPU-GPM-01. I have read on his blog something like: "finally I have all the revisions!"
Quote from: Xious on November 23, 2011, 10:50:42 pm
I also fully expect a GPM-01 to exist. it's only logical, and was probably a very short run. :bomb:
-when you check the videos in that (http://retrogame-db.com/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%88) link, altough there is no board photo evidence, there is GPM-01 tested about some sound issues.
Great job finding that blog :)
HVC-CPU-07 (c) Nintendo 1984 chipset rev. E
HVC-CPU-GPM-01 (c)1988 unshielded chipset rev. H
HVC-CPU-GPM-02 (c)1989 shielded chipset rev. H added C37 560pF and shifted FC2
What is the source of this? I'm also curious if the Rev-01 VCCI model has sub-revisions, akin to the Rev-02x sub-revisions.
I would also be interested in seeing how the unit is 'unshielded' and if it retains the same methodology for connection the video board (e.g. hard-bridged) or if it is cabled. For all I know, I have both VCCI-Rev-01x and Rev-08 units: I haven't opened every single unit in my stocks, as I did not expect there yo be anything past Rev-07 that was not a VCCI model, and I don't presume that any of my VCCI models are early enough (in terms of serial range) to be before Rev 02/02A. :bomb:
Today I received a famicom with the serial nr
HV1208431
It has board revision HVC-CPU-GPM-02
Is this something unusual? Haven't seen HV before.
Okay I just searched and found Xious post http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=5242.msg84707#msg84707
But still curious for more information, if anyone has.
I thought before that the HV serial designation happened between H and HC. I can't confirm that, and until I know the serial numbers from at least two or more GPM-01 systems I won't be able to place it, as it could also be after HC. I would like to see photos of this revision, as it sounds unusual. :bomb:
I didn't quite understand, would you like photos of my HVC-CPU-GPM-02?
Could you perhaps put the information about HV in the first post, since I saw you made another post about your theory of HV revision. It takes time to have to look through all the posts for information.
I would like there to be a FAQ of about this , maybe it could be made a sticky topic.
I was asking for photos of the 1988 GPM-01 that 80sFREAK owns... It sounds like a halfway point from the Rev-7/8 and the GPM-02, and we could use the photos in any event for documentation, as well as the serial number on his unit.
Do you know the full mainboard revision for your HV model (and where to locate it)? There is a small number in the corner, lower-left if I remember rightly, such as 02C, 02A, 02G. This is the full revision number, and will be useful in placing the system in a timeline.
I know that when I discovered my HV unit, I had hopes of it being a -01 revision, but it also was not, so I can now compare two units. Unfortunately, this does not help with low/highserial placements, etc.. I'll need to compare it to other units again to see if it is a much later PCB. :bomb:
02H
Here are my latest
H13131983
HC5407277
HC5191105
H3732811
Taiwanese Famicom, HVC-001(TPE)
HT175911
Rough textured bottom, round buttons
Still has warranty sticker on screw hole, so board revision unknown (box has copyright of 1988)
I just got my square button Famicom and the board says 'Nintendo 1983 HVC-CPU' which is revision 1. It looks exactly like this picture here:
(http://blog-imgs-38.fc2.com/o/f/f/offgao/IMG_0353_.jpg)
Also the rubber square buttons are still intact and not broken at all. The console is white and the smooth bottom barely has any scratches. The controller's gold plates do have some wear though.
"Nintendo 1983 HVC-CPU" doesn't say the revision number though. I think the revision number is in one corner of the other side of the board like here http://famicomblog.blogspot.se/2011/10/in-search-of-square-button-famicom.html.
But if it looks like the one in the picture I guess chances are that it is indeed a 01.
Also does it work?
I couldn't test it with RF, but maybe I could jump some wires to an AV mod board to temporarily test it. Would anyone here be interested in this console? It includes the box, manual, RF unit, and AC adapter.
What does the revision number say?
Quote from: P on June 27, 2015, 11:31:56 am
What does the revision number say?
I just opened the Famicom and looked at the corner where the revision number is supposed to be. There is no printed number at all! What does that mean? And like the picture above, the PPU has that grey rubbery part around the chip. So this must be revision 1 right?
See how this picture has '01' in the bottom right corner of the board? Mine doesn't.
(http://blog-imgs-38.fc2.com/o/f/f/offgao/IMG_0356_.jpg)
Mine also has a resistor in black heat-shrink tubing connected between 2 points on the underside.
And on the other side near the controller connector?
Anyway I am always interested in such old revisions, although I doubt that you will sell it cheaply...
Quote from: jpx72 on June 27, 2015, 01:49:39 pm
And on the other side near the controller connector?
Anyway I am always interested in such old revisions, although I doubt that you will sell it cheaply...
The item will be listed today on ebay and I'm looking to get at least US$150 for it.
Quote from: zmaster18 on June 27, 2015, 01:10:23 pm
Quote from: P on June 27, 2015, 11:31:56 am
What does the revision number say?
I just opened the Famicom and looked at the corner where the revision number is supposed to be. There is no printed number at all! What does that mean? And like the picture above, the PPU has that grey rubbery part around the chip. So this must be revision 1 right?
See how this picture has '01' in the bottom right corner of the board? Mine doesn't.
(http://blog-imgs-38.fc2.com/o/f/f/offgao/IMG_0356_.jpg)
Mine also has a resistor in black heat-shrink tubing connected between 2 points on the underside.
No revision number?
You can check the CPU (RP2A03) and PPU (RP2C02) revision letters. The 01 from that Japanese blog had an original unrevised CPU and PPU revision A.
It sounds like your board has been modded/repaired. I wonder if it has the original RF-board or if it's one of those Makko boards (usually says Makko Toys on them).
Here it is, listed on ebay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Square-Button-Nintendo-Famicom-Early-Revision-Version-CIB-box-manual-untested-/121689753174?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
And here's pictures of the board:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/5tEAAOSwjVVVjxp9/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/pw8AAOSwLVZVjxpv/$_57.JPG)
I can see the revision number on your board, it's either 02 or 03. From components side, near controller I connector.
I have a
H1167930 and it is HVC-CPU-03
Something to think about and a small advertisement for me ;) :
Two different boards with the same revision number 05:
http://jpx72web.blogspot.sk/2015/09/two-different-rev05-famicom-revisions.html
H2218170, smooth bottom, HVC-CPU-06
Maybe the PCB was replaced. The controllers were replaced to round buttons. but it came in its original box (pretty sure), that is of a square button with manual.
Have two Famicoms, both HVC-CPU-07 ones.
H7150181
H9624235
I just bought a BRAND NEW square button famicom on eBay. Completely untouched with the serial number starting with H216xxxx. Since it's new I refuse to open it up to check the revision, but judging from the serial number, does anyone know what board revision it might be?
You should open it and check it because there is no possible way to tell that from the serial number.
https://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10262
Here is a link of someone who has a famicom with Rev 06 with the serial number H2219259. Mine is 100,000 units older than his so I assume it has to be at least Rev 05 which is to my knowledge the 1st revision that didn't have freezing problems.
I really can't bring myself to open it. It's new and still has its twisty ties around the controller cords and all. It's the 1st time I've ever seen a new one on eBay so I jumped all over it
Quote from: Salduchi on November 11, 2017, 05:32:05 am
https://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10262
Here is a link of someone who has a famicom with Rev 06 with the serial number H2219259. Mine is 100,000 units older than his so I assume it has to be at least Rev 05 which is to my knowledge the 1st revision that didn't have freezing problems.
I really can't bring myself to open it. It's new and still has its twisty ties around the controller cords and all. It's the 1st time I've ever seen a new one on eBay so I jumped all over it
You still can't go by serial number, Nintendo used to swap boards for repairs. Got a link to the eBay auction?
I understand. So mine would prove what revision a brand new Famicom with this serial number would have. Since it's new, it's original.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Family-Computer-Famicom-Squared-Buttons-1ST-Edition-Nintendo-Famicom-Japan-NEW/232497161264?hash=item3621e92430:g:Zz0AAOSwYkBZxMQi
Jesus, that much?
Yeah man. Had to pull the trigger. I've never seen one in over 5 years searching.
I recently have been getting into famicoms trying to find earliest version possible (I already have 131st NES built) so my search finally netted me a famicom Serial # H1096XXX which had the glossy smooth dust flap (I'd read that it might not exist but can confirm) and player 1 controller rd button player 2 square. Latest chip in it is 27th week of 83 & board CPU-1983 no revision but has the number 3 in corner of board by controller port. Rubber under PPU & since it's the oldest I found I decided to make it my player. Upon hooking it up RF there was tons of radio interference on channel 96 and 97 and game image was just messed up badly. I took board out of machine and bottom of the board had 2 resistors with clear heat shrink (I tested and they are 1000 ohms give or take a little) and 2 of those small brown ceramic caps. I thought someone had fiddled with it trying to do a repair possibly for Japanese RF so I desoldered those & thought of taking a picture beforehand but foolishly didn't. When I tested it I could get no image but radio station galore. I played with the trimmer capacitor to no avail. All I could get was blue, light gray, and purple screen & every so often a hint of a game screen but very little graphically. I decided to use da bears composite video mod which don't require lifting ppu leg. I wanted to keep system as original as possible board wise & still getting same results as before minus the radio stations of course. After seeing the pics here I now realize the components on the bottom (2 caps, 2 resistors bundled up in clear shrink tube) must have been done by techs when this early famicom was sent back in. Now I want to add the components back or at least their equivalent parts but don't know where to put them on the board 3. If anyone could be kind enough who has a board 3 to show me the bottom with good pics that has these components added I'd greatly appreciate it. I think the picture of the earlier board here has the same resistors and cap soldered to possibly same place but I'm thinking other cap was lower on board but I can't remember for sure. I also see the earlier board has other caps and resistors that mine didn't so I'm very curious to what these achieved to have a better understanding of how they might make it function.
I heard that hand-made adjustments like this may be done to certain boards at production time. So it may not be a mod or even done by official repairmen, but rather improvements or corrections that was discovered and done to boards before a new revision comes out.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tO06iFCLihzc2sFf2
Maybe this can help
Quote from: jpx72 on February 11, 2018, 06:28:24 am
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tO06iFCLihzc2sFf2
Maybe this can help
Yes, this was a life savior I had found them images of the 3 board like mine with same components added on bottom reading through the forums after posting & I appreciate you putting it up here too. It allowed me to get this old famicom up and running after doing Da Bears style AV mod. I actually saw earlier board like a 1 board that had a few extra components but the heat shrinked resistors & ceramic cap location the same. I had the other little ceramic cap (331 # with a b over number) in the location like on the 1 board (between 14 & 15 I think it was on cartridge slot bottom) but knew I had removed it from closer to front bottom of board but I soldered it at the board 1 spot and it all works. I got another little cap the same ( off NES board which the controller pins each have that same little cap on board for anyone who might need to know) & placed it right spot for my 3 board & actually ended up removing the cartridge slot 331 even though it worked fine with it I know it's not on the 3 board for a reason apparently. Now it works great with jailbars of course showing up mostly in light blue areas but it's not bad. I'm actually thinking of ordering some copper tape & putting it over the PPU and attempting to slide it under PPU but with the rubber pad not sure it's possible without removing the chip which no way I would because jailbars aren't bad anyways. I'm thinking of restoring it with white vinyl duplicolor spray which is $8 a can & ordering that $25 decal kit with the new silicon which has all the stickers for controllers and console ($20 for just the stickers if your silicon pads are good) but at any rate here's photo's of my revision 3 in action with the AV mod. Also, this unit has a slick dust flap which I've not seen before. I have another old unit on the way from Japan that the serial number is just a few thousand above this one & I could not tell from picture if it has smooth flap or not but I think it will because I saw pictures of a system with a little higher number than it that appeared to have a smooth flap but sometimes pictures are deceptive as we all know. I'm looking at a HV serial numbered console thinking of buying it because out of all the serial numbers I've looked at the HV don't seem to pop up too often. Out of probably looking at 500 famicom serial numbers only 5-10 have the HV prefix. I'm actually thinking at one point I might have seen a HM but if I did it was a while back otherwise I would have bought it because I've not seen another. Possibly it was even HB or something else but I'm pretty sure I saw something different than C or V on one but don't quote me on that because I've looked through so many numbers from various systems other than famicom. Last image shows the smooth flap & Da Bears clean style av mod. I soldered a mono audio jack out to the RF shielded box which provides a great ground & solid connector. Using the existing RF port for composite video is the best way to go with these AV mods I think. Desoldering RF components using the RF circuitry as a path I'm not so sure about since this my first av mod on famicom. I'm thinking next one I do if I ever do will be running video from the PPU pin 21 directly to the RF port. Not sure about desoldering the ppu leg though I think just snipping it with cutters and slightly bending it up is best way to go because I've read of people breaking the pin off & ruining the PPU by desoldering it. I don't see the need for heating it up and all that when it can simply be snipped.
https://scontent.flex1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/28056210_1933000853408911_306238289352162239_n.jpg?oh=433e6d4bb780ced4c8e86949c24bc921&oe=5B121774
https://scontent.flex1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/28168200_1933001033408893_1578468987307675341_n.jpg?oh=8fdee1e27a4211d1d168caeb273b26b1&oe=5B08E3F3
https://scontent.flex1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27973722_1926518217390508_5099097235761699552_n.jpg?oh=891bd1a428801b5358e71115c55cdb12&oe=5B0066E8
https://scontent.flex1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27858811_1926520580723605_6746810694840468898_n.jpg?oh=0d4114f5a0c22818fc3f79f7bab140c7&oe=5B162ED7
https://scontent.flex1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27972421_1922304311145232_878810323029905460_n.jpg?oh=6a885e7356d34d4d1346919eed583097&oe=5B06773D
Been a lurker here some time ago then moved on to early arcade Nintendo.
Anyway, I happen to also own one of these slick cover Famicoms
(the 2 other square buttons Famis in my collection don't have it, neither the HK version).
If I remember properly the serial is something 1076xxx and the board is rev.3.
I had opened it at that time hoping it was a rev.3 or 2, based on posts made by jpx72.
:o
I would make an hypothesis that the very early Famis have the slick bottom and the slick flap (and obviously the square buttons).
Then for some reason the slick flap was replaced early by the one with a rugged finish (too many scratch marks?).
And then of course the smooth back was replaced by the rugged back (same time as the end of the square buttons? Around SN 3xxxxxx?)
Question I've always asked myself : why is there no Fami with a SN# under 1xxxxxx?
Even this japanese guy who owns a Fami with a rev.1 board has a SN#10xxxxx...
Does the 1 stands not for the millionth unit but just for the first year of production (logical explanation)?
???