I just started an n64p yesterday (and fried it today). I just have a few questions before I order my second N64...
I have no idea how it broke; it was working fine until I tested it after soldering the controller to the first port. It acually switched on and I put in the game and expansion pak and tried it. The red light merely flashed. I tried everything and nothing could revive the pitiful piece of crap. Oh noes! I was wondering if the problem was running the thing on cardboard? And are there any other ways to prevent killing the system again?
Ah... I'll get it. This site is rich enough with facts and tutorials to help me survive the LONG road to finishing one of these things...
Working on cardboard is fine, doesn't matter what, as long as it isn't conductive or able to generate static (eg clothes or linen (if washed in a washing machine) or carpet). Work on a bare wooden surface, or as I do, a wooden desk (I made it) covered with self-adhesive floor tiles - plastic, non conductive).
Yes, look at the many threads on this forum, I spent many hours reading ALL the threads as research, as well as Googling topics, before I did anything on my project - by then I was aware of issues I would encounter, and also had some pinouts which were useful. Have a look at my make-it-the-easy-way guide WIP; if you ignore the current bits I am working on (ie the GBA stuff), you will have a fully working system which just needs a case to put it in...
Hmm. I'm actually not quite sure that it is dead yet. Every so often if I plug the system in, the light goes on for about five seconds. So, I guess I'll try the things listed in the troubleshooting sticky. Thanks for the tips, guys!
Hmm. I'm actually not quite sure that it is dead yet. Every so often if I plug the system in, the light goes on for about five seconds. So, I guess I'll try the things listed in the troubleshooting sticky. Thanks for the tips, guys!
I personally think whether a board fries or not is luck. See, I haven't fried a single board in my project, and I haven't been that gentle. But my board has been doing just fine, alive and kicking.
I think some boards are better than others, and it's just luck if you get a good one or a bad one.
- Juice
PS: Good luck on your N64p. It'll be hard, but not quite as hard as they say. Just take your time and be cautious, and you'll do great!
timmeh87 - You were right. I desoldered the controller from the console and it worked again. Every time I try to solder the the controller, the system doesn't turn on. I thought I lost it twice... Now I just like the opening music of Zelda OoT to reassure me that it is still working.
Any ideas on how to successfully attach the controller? I think I might have to break open my other controller. You know, I used the crappy controller first because I was almost sure I would wreck it. At least the controllers aren't held together with Nintendo screws of hell.
EDIT: Ugh... Never mind. Just being stupid. Soldered the two opposite wires wrong to the controller port. (read my diagram upside down)
Man do I feel like an idiot. If I manage to keep my drawings right side up for long enough, I'll start a new progress thread. Thanks for all the warm welcoming guys!!
With controllers, you have two options - official one and unofficial ones. With the official one, you can reduce the mobo size if you need to but have to use the Nintendo joystick as it uses those petometers; if you use an unofficial controller you can either use smaller joysticks (eg GameCube ones) if you want, or better joysticks. The SuperPad controller I use have a mechanical joystick, but it is so much better and made of higher quality than the official one. Entirely down to choice.
When using the buttons, you can 1) use the official part of the board, relocate it, and wire it up to the controller 2) make your own buttons (see my post), 3) use tact switches.
If you don't like the official buttons, or need them flat (the official ones have angled shaped buttons as their controller case is angled), you can make your own from anything.
For the D-pad, you can 1) use the D-pad from the controller, relocate it 2) use one from a NES controller, (or any other type you like).
Wires - use single thread ones from an IDE cable (not a ribbon cable); or from the NES controller wire; or anything you have with very flexible cables; preferably many colours!!
johnbjuice wrote:I personally think whether a board fries or not is luck. See, I haven't fried a single board in my project, and I haven't been that gentle. But my board has been doing just fine, alive and kicking.
I think some boards are better than others, and it's just luck if you get a good one or a bad one.
- Juice
PS: Good luck on your N64p. It'll be hard, but not quite as hard as they say. Just take your time and be cautious, and you'll do great!
you've been working on anti-static work benches! and with $200 soldering irons! how is that not gentle?
and bacteria, you can use a third party controller in conjunction with the official controllers buttons, as a third option(makes it look less cheesy, and you still get to use the game cube joystick )
and using wires from a NES controller is a great idea!(I use SNES controller wires, but thats because I had like 4 extra... )
Master of Portables wrote:
you've been working on anti-static work benches! and with $200 soldering irons! how is that not gentle?
Actually, my 'anti-static workbench' is just some bubble wrap really. But it does the trick. What do you do with your N64, throw it at the wall? I think we have slightly different definitions of gentle...
Anyways, good luck on the portable, and be gentle/cautious. It helps.
Master of Portables wrote:
you've been working on anti-static work benches! and with $200 soldering irons! how is that not gentle?
Actually, my 'anti-static workbench' is just some bubble wrap really. But it does the trick. What do you do with your N64, throw it at the wall? I think we have slightly different definitions of gentle...
Anyways, good luck on the portable, and be gentle/cautious. It helps.
- Juice
I only threw my fried one at the wall... Seriously though... I use a crappy wood table with a mouse pad on it to keep the mother board from scratching, but I haven't really taken any anti static precautions. I guess I got the better N64 (as in the one before they removed all the protective stuff...)
and a tip, always check what your wiring to see if it's correct before doing it. and before putting any power through it, check for shorts and stuff. always helps keep the N64 alive
At least the controllers aren't held together with Nintendo screws of hell.
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