N64 video problem

[CRTGAMER]

Okey dokey I'll get hold of some contact cleaner and try that. If it still doesnt work I guess its time to buy a gamebit.

Incidentally while playing around with this I noticed that the cart slot does seem loose, it doesnt grip the cart very well at all although wiggling the cart while its on doesnt seem to make the system crash or any difference to the video problem. Are all N64's like this?

The game carts wiggle front to back slightly, hitting the edges of the console slot. There is no side movement though. How do the contacts look, any metal prongs bent?

[mjmjr25]

Okey dokey I'll get hold of some contact cleaner and try that. If it still doesnt work I guess its time to buy a gamebit.

Incidentally while playing around with this I noticed that the cart slot does seem loose, it doesnt grip the cart very well at all although wiggling the cart while its on doesnt seem to make the system crash or any difference to the video problem. Are all N64's like this?

Yes, a bit of wiggle...after all the probs w/NES toasters...and the top loaders being "too tight", they had it right w/SNES, but they went very loose in the cart bay w/N64. With that said, you should be able to get a good fit and good pic w/all games.

SNES requires the least contact cleaning of the 3 cart based systems for nintendo - by far in my experience. But still, there is something wrong w/the system or the cables if all of your games are acting up. Either way you should purchase the security bit - if nothing else, replace crappy backs on good games w/good backs on shitty games. They can be had for like $3.

[Curlypaul]

Is it the same sized bit that fits te carts? it looks a bit bigger. I managed to get some of them out with a melted biro case, but I ran out of pens before I could get them all gone.

The slot looks fine from what I can see, all the pins are bright and shiny and they all look like they are in line. Atm I'm thinking its a blown cap or a dry solder joint on the AV socket. Just need to get that damn case of so that I can have a look.

I've never understood these security bits - it slows down the general public from opening them, but its not us that is a threat to their business its competitors who want to reverse engineer the console and they wouldnt blink at buying a special screwdriver to get inside.

[mjmjr25]

The bits are different for the consoles and the carts.

Per experience...and this seller's listing as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/Security-Game-Bit-3 ... 561wt_1139

4.5mm bit will open:
Nintendo 64 System
Nintendo GameBoy Player System for GameCube
Nintendo GameCube System
Sega 32X carts
Sega Genesis carts
Sega systems with * shape screw
SFC/SNES System
Turbo Duo System & Accessories
TurboGrafx-16 System
Virtual Boy System

3.8mm bit opens
Nintendo NES carts (a lot of US carts i've had were standard phillips head screws)
Nintendo 64 carts
Nintendo GameBoy carts (some)
Sega Game Gear carts
SFC/SNES carts
Virtual Boy carts

Some bits are made better than others. If you have a local game or electronics store, see if you can look at them in person. I've had a few of each - the 4.5 bits are fairly durable, but i've had a few 3.8 bits that eroded quickly. They are a great investment not only to repair and get into your systems/games, but I use them all the time to switch out good backs/bad games w/good games/bad backs - etc.

[Curlypaul]

Thats cool, thanks for all your help. Its about time I got some anyway, got a few carts with batteries that need changing and a GG that needs the caps replacing as well as this N64