Yobo RAM expansion pack ruins two N64's

[dbeamer407]

My sons birthday is coming up and I got him a copy of Majora's Mask which requires a RAM expansion pack. So today I purchased a brand new Yobo RAM expansion pack for a N64 from our local game store. I disconnected the unit so I could work with it and removed the jumper pack. I then installed the expansion pack and reconnected everything.

Nothing.

No video, no sound, nothing. I tried different games and still nothing. I put the jumper pack back in and still nothing.

So I connected our spare N64 to the power source and video/sound output and fired up a game no problem. That ruled out any connection problems between the unit and TV (separated by a multi selector). I then disconnected the N64 and removed the jumper pack and installed the RAM expansion pack (very stupid in hindsight). The same thing. Nothing.

I thought maybe it had to be activated in some way (like hold down start and L button when booting or something). So I went online and I find that a number of other people have had their consoles ruined by this same exact product. The first 3 google results for "Yobo RAM expansion pack" describe their experiences.

I would strongly advise people to be wary of this product and steer clear of it. Does anyone know what is likely to be "blown" by the RAM expansion? Maybe it's a simple resistor to be replaced like in the Dreamcast controller port problem (probably wishful thinking). I hope this post can save other people from ruining their N64's.

[MrPopo]

Well, my advice to you would be to open up the N64 and look for any damaged or scorched electronics. If you find one, depending on what it is, you might be able to replace it and get the N64 back up and running.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, that's what I would do too.

[miked]

This is apparently a problem. I have read many reviews saying the same thing, so I spent the extra cash and got the official pak. I hope you fix your consoles though, especially with your sons b-day coming up.

If you can't fix them send me a PM and I will send you one at the cost of shipping. I have an extra and a sad kid on his b-day is just lame.

[BigTinz]

This is apparently a problem. I have read many reviews saying the same thing, so I spent the extra cash and got the official pak. I hope you fix your consoles though, especially with your sons b-day coming up.

If you can't fix them send me a PM and I will send you one at the cost of shipping. I have an extra and a sad kid on his b-day is just lame.

What a cool bro...if I had a cookie you'd get one.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

This is why I only go with official parts on my older machines.

Anyhow, I hope your son gets his N64 on time!

[dbeamer407]

If you can't fix them send me a PM and I will send you one at the cost of shipping. I have an extra and a sad kid on his b-day is just lame.

Thanks so much for the extremely kind offer miked, I really appreciate it. The people on this board are so kind and helpful, this is really a great place.

However I took the RAM expander back to the store I purchased it at yesterday and they tested it on one of their N64's. It didn't boot but when they took it out and replaced the original jumper pack it did boot. They tried it a second time with the Yobo expansion pack and the console was fried. They then got another N64 and opened a new Yobo and it worked fine. They then opened a second new Yobo (third one if you count the one I bought yesterday) and it fried the console first try. After that they pulled all the Yobo's off the shelf and gave me two N64's to replace the broken ones. They also refunded my money for the Yobo RAM expansion pack. They are really great people running the store and that place is like going to heaven for my son. I obviously don't need to worry about replacing a N64 console now but I am back to my original dilemma. We have already purchased a copy of Majora's Mask for my son's birthday (1 week from today) but need an expansion pack for him to be able to play it. Does anyone have one they are willing to sell or know of a place with original Nintendo expansion packs for sale?

[gtmtnbiker]

Does anyone have one they are willing to sell or know of a place with original Nintendo expansion packs for sale?

Ebay is probably your best bet. There are a bunch of Yobos so steer clear of them and focus on the listings with the official pack.

I guess I'm fortunate that the two N64s I have both came with expansion packs. I assumed that everyone got one by default.

[lisalover1]

That's odd. I have a Yobo RAM pack for the N64, and I haven't had any problems. Then again, the last time I tried turning on the system, I got no video... hmm. I think I'll have to do a quick investigation.

[MrPopo]

If you can't fix them send me a PM and I will send you one at the cost of shipping. I have an extra and a sad kid on his b-day is just lame.

Thanks so much for the extremely kind offer miked, I really appreciate it. The people on this board are so kind and helpful, this is really a great place.

However I took the RAM expander back to the store I purchased it at yesterday and they tested it on one of their N64's. It didn't boot but when they took it out and replaced the original jumper pack it did boot. They tried it a second time with the Yobo expansion pack and the console was fried. They then got another N64 and opened a new Yobo and it worked fine. They then opened a second new Yobo (third one if you count the one I bought yesterday) and it fried the console first try. After that they pulled all the Yobo's off the shelf and gave me two N64's to replace the broken ones. They also refunded my money for the Yobo RAM expansion pack. They are really great people running the store and that place is like going to heaven for my son. I obviously don't need to worry about replacing a N64 console now but I am back to my original dilemma. We have already purchased a copy of Majora's Mask for my son's birthday (1 week from today) but need an expansion pack for him to be able to play it. Does anyone have one they are willing to sell or know of a place with original Nintendo expansion packs for sale?

You might also check Amazon.

Also, holy shit, best video game store ever. Though it makes me a little sad that we now have 4 N64's that have bitten the dust.