Is the N64 Self-Cleaning? (and misc faq problems)

[Opa Opa]

*Mods: If this needs to be moved to another board, please do so. I've had a hard time finding the right place for this thread and I think this is the right spot. I apologize up front if it has to be moved.*

I was browsing gamefaqs and somebody has a faq (link) on general system maintenance. Here is what it says:

2. CLEANING

Cleaning is one thing that you will NEVER have to do to the system.
NEVER!!! The N64 has a nifty little self-cleaning mechanism in it, so
don't bother buying an unlicensed N64 game/system cleaning kit, because:
A. Your system doesn't need it
B. If it hurts your system or games, tough cookies, you've just voided
your warranty.
So don't get one. If you're really in a fit about keeping your GAMES
clean though, go dig up an SNES game/system cleaner (one that has a
little cleaning wand that is somewhat like a Q-Tip, not something you
stick the game into) and use it on the GAME. DO NOT use the system
cleaner for your system. The game cleaner (assuming it is an Officially
Licensed one) will not void the system warranty.

Also, you should never do the following things to your games to get them
clean:
1. Blow on the contacts
2. Use a Q-tip, Kleenex, etc. etc. with any liquid or solvents
3. Dump them in a washing machine
But chances are that your games won't need cleaning near as much, if at
all, as the SNES (and the old NES, which had games that would get REALLY
dirty). Just keep them in a clean, relatively dust-free place. Some
protective covers would help too.

---
Okay... First thing... The "self-cleaning mechanism". Does this even exist? I really am perplexed because this makes no sense because I've never heard of this on any system. Granted I've not had to do a deep clean on an N64 yet but this kinda sounds fake. Anyone know if this is a lie?

Alrighty... Second thing... The cleaning methods that the author says you should not do to carts...
1. "Don't blow on the contacts."- Okay. Makes sense. Did it when I was younger but now I know that didn't help anything.
2. "Don't Use a Q-tip, Kleenex, etc. etc. with any liquid or solvents."- I agree with the Kleenex but a q-tip with rubbing alcohol or electrical contact cleaner is the way to clean corrosion.
3. "Don't put it in a washing machine."- While it may be a sarcastic remark by the author I do agree.
---
I'm seriously considering making my own faq to correct the mistakes the author has made. Some of the material is misleading, out of date, and doesn't help.

[Xonticus]

Seems like a big pile of steaming crap to me.

The last bit about keeping your stuff in a dust free place is good advice, but everything else is hogwash from my experience.

[RCBH928]

Maybe he was bored and was not serious, maybe he is only 9 years old

but up until now I really did thought that blowing on cartridges help
I thought dust or other stuff might be stopping the information flow from the cartridge
to the system

[ZeroAX]

Maybe he was bored and was not serious, maybe he is only 9 years old

but up until now I really did thought that blowing on cartridges help
I thought dust or other stuff might be stopping the information flow from the cartridge
to the system

I hardly think dust will stop electricity.
I remember reading for the first time in a manual NOT to blow in the cartridge cause it might hurt the game. I was like WTF then why is everyone doing it?

It says if the game doesn't start just remove it and put it in again until it works. I did that with all my GBA games and after almost a decade they all work fine and 99.999999% of the time boot up without a single problem. Other people's blown into cartridges actually need some blowing to start working so it seams the manual was right.

[CRTGAMER]

The "Self Cleaning" maybe because of the console contacts and cart pins from inserting a few times. Not really a good clean, but I can see where it might help a little.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

Only if it is self aware (not all have awaken)

[Hobie-wan]

Yeah, armed with some correct information and a heaping pile of bullshit. No blowing? that's good. No kleenex? Also good as you'd end up leaving a told of dust behind. Self cleaning? No q-tips? Crack. Also, when the heck was this written? N64 was probably on the way out of the market by the time Gamefaqs was around so voiding one's warranty wouldn't be a worry anymore.

[Opa Opa]

It says "Last Updated: 6/2/00".
A fairly useless FAQ if you ask me.

[Hobie-wan]

It says "Last Updated: 6/2/00".
A fairly useless FAQ if you ask me.

Hmm ok, I'll give some slack on the warranty voiding comment then. But not the rest.

[Ziggy]

I have opened up a N64 on at least one occasion and have visual confirmed that there is no self-cleaning mechanism inside. And frankly, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

I've actually been planning on making an extensive guide to cleaning carts and systems that would apply to all cart-based consoles. Just need to wait until I have the time (some time after the new year).