N64 "Resetting" Problem
I hope ths is a small and quick fix but I'm just not sure. I picked up an N64 about a week ago from the goodwill. It played well the 1st day but since has come up with a kinda "glitch". The console will reset itself after about 15-30 minutes of gameplay. Every time it does that the next reset will come sooner and sooner. I have heard the issue could be that its dirty (which is a strong possibility) or to remove the expansion pack or that the ac plug is no good anymore. Should I open the console and clean it well or just go ahead and purchase a new ac power box? Or is the console damaged? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
Comments
If it is overheating, what would be the fix/solution?
Turn it on, then throw it in a bathtub full of water. Make sure you are standing in the water otherwise it will not be successful.
In all seriousness, there probably isn't much you could do without opening it up. Even then, n64 are very finicky and easy to fry. It may sound silly, but I would probably stick it in my freezer while playing and see if it doesn't reset, or at least extends the amount of time before it resets.
If it is overheating, what would be the fix/solution?
n64 are very finicky
I have never had an issue with an N64 but supposedly the hardware is just iffy. Not XBOX 360 quality, but not the greatest. Ben Heck was quoted as saying its too troublesome to work with due to its unreliability so.....being that he is the modder of all modders when it comes to consoles, I would have to take his word for it.
Check if the adapter's connector, and the console's connector are firm. If they aren't, I guess that's the problem. I can get you a pic of my "fix" if you want.
not too fancy, but it gets the job done.
Ah well good to see this fix still works if the.situation arises.
About overheating, one can install a fan inside, the N64 has a +12v source on the AC adapter.
Check caps.
See if any chips get hotter than normal.
Try to determine if the whole system goes down, or just one chip.
Originally posted by: 3GenGames
Some things to try:
Check caps.
See if any chips get hotter than normal.
Try to determine if the whole system goes down, or just one chip.
Guys this thread was bumped by me. Read my post.
Originally posted by: WhatULive4
Originally posted by: dodgerdanny
If it is overheating, what would be the fix/solution?
Turn it on, then throw it in a bathtub full of water. Make sure you are standing in the water otherwise it will not be successful.
He said how to fix the overheating problem, not how to fix the n64 is working problem
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/q77/s720x720/1505023_10102911629193785_672454664_n.jpg
With that being said...if a game resets with a clean reset button, that tells me the pins on the board has corrosion. Which can be cleaned with a wire brush.
I hope ths is a small and quick fix but I'm just not sure. I picked up an N64 about a week ago from the goodwill. It played well the 1st day but since has come up with a kinda "glitch". The console will reset itself after about 15-30 minutes of gameplay. Every time it does that the next reset will come sooner and sooner. I have heard the issue could be that its dirty (which is a strong possibility) or to remove the expansion pack or that the ac plug is no good anymore. Should I open the console and clean it well or just go ahead and purchase a new ac power box? Or is the console damaged? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
Replace the power supply. Occasionally the OEM power supply can go bad. The console resetting itself is a sign of a dying PSU because the CPU is not getting proper voltage on the 3.3V output. The N64 console should still be fine once you give it a new PSU brick.
One of my old N64s started doing this. I checked the controller port with a multimeter while running Banjo Kazooie as a stress test. The voltage is supposed to be 3.3v but it started at 3.11v at boot and slowly dropped from there the longer the console stayed running. Around the time it dropped to 2.92v, the console spontaneously reset itself and would continue to do so until I powered it off.
I bought a used OEM power supply from GameXChange and that fixed the console. 3.34v steady with the secondhand oem supply. I haven't tried the new replacement supplies but they offer 3rd party new replacements as well. As long as they output stable 12v and 3.3v signals, they should be good.
Always best to test 3rd party supplies with a meter first to make sure it's not putting out too much juice. I've seen "9v" Yobo NES/SNES bricks putting out a whopping 15v out of the box. Yikes!
EDIT: Holy shit this thread is old. Still though, check the voltage at the controller port (1st and third pin) while running if you have access to a multimeter. If it's well below 3.3v, it's probably a bad supply. Never heard of fixing the console with paper shims or tape and stuff. The solutions you guys come up with is grand.
I hope ths is a small and quick fix but I'm just not sure. I picked up an N64 about a week ago from the goodwill. It played well the 1st day but since has come up with a kinda "glitch". The console will reset itself after about 15-30 minutes of gameplay. Every time it does that the next reset will come sooner and sooner. I have heard the issue could be that its dirty (which is a strong possibility) or to remove the expansion pack or that the ac plug is no good anymore. Should I open the console and clean it well or just go ahead and purchase a new ac power box? Or is the console damaged? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
Replace the power supply. Occasionally the OEM power supply can go bad. The console resetting itself is a sign of a dying PSU because the CPU is not getting proper voltage on the 3.3V output. The N64 console should still be fine once you give it a new PSU brick.
One of my old N64s started doing this. I checked the controller port with a multimeter while running Banjo Kazooie as a stress test. The voltage is supposed to be 3.3v but it started at 3.11v at boot and slowly dropped from there the longer the console stayed running. Around the time it dropped to 2.92v, the console spontaneously reset itself and would continue to do so until I powered it off.
I bought a used OEM power supply from GameXChange and that fixed the console. 3.34v steady with the secondhand oem supply. I haven't tried the new replacement supplies but they offer 3rd party new replacements as well. As long as they output stable 12v and 3.3v signals, they should be good.
Always best to test 3rd party supplies with a meter first to make sure it's not putting out too much juice. I've seen "9v" Yobo NES/SNES bricks putting out a whopping 15v out of the box. Yikes!
EDIT: Holy shit this thread is old. Still though, check the voltage at the controller port (1st and third pin) while running if you have access to a multimeter. If it's well below 3.3v, it's probably a bad supply. Never heard of fixing the console with paper shims or tape and stuff. The solutions you guys come up with is grand.
Excellent information Kosmic! I think my psu has this issue. Didn't even think of checking the voltages through the controller ports under load. You think replacing the caps is all that's needed on these psu's that no longer have enough juice?