Troubleshooting Your N64

[joevennix]

I don't really understand what happened, but somehow my N64 works again! I shorted the 12V and ground a while ago, and put it on the shelf. It didn't work today when I tried it, but I swapped out the expansion pak for a jumper pak and badabing it works fine! So if all else fails, try a different pak.

[ShockSlayer]

I think, the n64's main power goes through the jumper pack. SO if you mess it up you probably only mess up the jumper pack sometimes....


SS

[Metal Mario]

My Nintendo 64 for went to "sleep", but woke up later on by itself. I played it for a while, then it died. Wonder how that happened?

[ShockSlayer]

Was it out of case, and on any kind of fabric?

Also, dont run an n64 for more than a few secconds without the full stock n64 heatsink, or good replacements

SS

[Valgaz]

Hey guys!

My n64 wasn't fried. My N64 was murdered. An idiot friend of mine stuck a naked SNES cartridge into her slot and from that point on she never said anything again, so I think she's dead. The LED still lights, the screen flickers briefly with a greenish brownish color and then turns black. I guess that means one of the chips are gone. I opened her up and all three chips warm up but the coprocessor gets really hot, so I think that's what got sizzled. Anyone know what may have happened after that foreign cartridge was inserted into her slot?

lol

I'm still going to keep it because it hasn't lost its sentimental value yet. It may become a project in the future. I had some really nice case designs for it if I ever got it fixed. I wasn't going to portable-ize it but I was going to make a redesigned case with cooling to preserve it.

Monique how I miss you so! That software substitute can never emulate your lovin'.

[Nortier]

If the led doesnt light up are you screwed? And would step 3 work on a system that doesnt light up?

[eurddrue]

If the led doesnt light up are you screwed? And would step 3 work on a system that doesnt light up?

Possibly, but your probably screwed.

[XCVG]

Would putting 12V across the 3.3V line, even for a second, destroy an N64?

[marshallh]

Would putting 12V across the 3.3V line, even for a second, destroy an N64?

Yes.

If your RCP heats up within a few seconds of turning it on, you're toasted.

[um yea]

i get the same thing as Valgaz when i turn it on is it save able?

[Valgaz]

i get the same thing as Valgaz when i turn it on is it save able?

nope . it is the n64 chips that got fried.

[Oxzgen]

...

-Check for little specks of solder that could be shorting something on the board. If it's on one of the main chips, that could ruin the N64, but if it's on a smaller component, just remove or desolder it, and try again.

...

This really helped me. Don't give up on your N64 if you see solder on the main chips. The N64 is a lot more resilient than people on this forum give it credit for. My chip leads were plastered with solder splat in more than one area. You have to look really close; just a tiny amount can screw it up.

I had turned it on and off multiple times, and found the splats. After scraping the crap off, my N64 worked again!!! Make sure you use a wooden toothpick when messing with the leads, as a metal screwdriver or the likes will likely rip the leads apart. I started with the screwdriver and quickly saw how much damage it had the potential to cause. Good luck to all of ya!

BTW: My red LED still turned on, there just wasn't anything outputting on the screen.

[BumbleGrey64]

I'm still having trouble making it work again. I think I may have broke the LED, and I heard if the LED doesn't turn on, nor will the entire console.

(The console is naked)

EDIT: It's working now!

[marshallh]

The LED runs off the 3.3v rail, so if the LED doesn't light up, none of the rest of the system is getting power either.

Now if the LED comes on but the game doesn't boot, then you have a problem. It could be a soldering mistake, fried chips, unstable voltage, etc..

[blaze3927]

Just re-confirmed the rumors that the n64 does sleep, removing all power for an hour saw it run good,