64 memory card

[RCBH928]

I need some help
I got a memory card/pak for my 64
and I played quake II up until about the level before last

but the controller/system won't read the card no more
It will tell me to try again or repair(which has a chance to delete the data)

This always happened, but I either pull it out and insert it again, blow on it...any way it works within 1 or 2 tries...This last time it just didn't

after trying for several times, won't happen, I chose repair and my save got deleted. Exactly the thing that makes me hate retro-memory card systems(psx,64, and others)

Thankfully Quake II has a password system and is a short game, I got the password for the level and just jumped pack. If I was playing another game this would be more than frustrating.

Can you please help on how to solve this issue?
I did clean it with isopropyl alcohol, What else?

[Bradtemple87]

Seems like bad contacts to me, try cleaning it out

[OmegaMaximum]

Seems like bad contacts to me, try cleaning it out

I agree, some of my controllers were doing that a while back and cleaning up both the controller and the memory card helped. Other than that, I would just recommend a new controller if cleaning it proves ineffective, N64 controllers aren't that bad, at most about $10-$15 USD.

[Dylan]

He already stated that he cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, so that might not be it.

One possibility is that the memory card is simply dying due to the battery failing. If cleaning the contacts in the controller and memory card doesn't work, that could be the case.

[RCBH928]

how can I clean the contacts?
Its very hardy to get to them

i tried use the credit card to clean it, its just hard to get to it

[Incognito D]

I suggest replacing the battery also

[Ziggy]

I suggest getting a new memory card. I'm willing to bet anything that the one you have now is third party? I recommend getting an official first party memory card, and as long as it's in good shape, I can guarantee you wont have a problem with it.

[BoringSupreez]

He already stated that he cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, so that might not be it.

One possibility is that the memory card is simply dying due to the battery failing. If cleaning the contacts in the controller and memory card doesn't work, that could be the case.

N64 memory paks have batteries? That's news to me.

[Ziggy]

Why, do you think they might be flash memory? Maybe both? I'm sure 3rd party cards are battery backed. I could open mine up (I have a first party and third party) and confirm. I think I will, I'm curious now.

edit: Just opened both my memory cards, and both are battery backed (CR2032).

[BoringSupreez]

Why, do you think they might be flash memory? Maybe both? I'm sure 3rd party cards are battery backed. I could open mine up (I have a first party and third party) and confirm. I think I will, I'm curious now.

edit: Just opened both my memory cards, and both are battery backed (CR2032).

Well, I just figured they weren't battery powered, because I've never heard of a card's battery dying. I figured they were whatever later N64 carts used to save, after they stopped using batteries.