N64 problems :*(

[RCBH928]

A friend of mine lent me some games. So far I tested Duke Nukem 64 and Doom 64.

1) The 64 won't go display anything. You switch the button "ON" , I get the red light, but nothing shows on the screen. So I try to switch to other cartridges(sometimes works and sometimes other cartridges won't work) , then I re-insert the original cartridge I want to play and after some few switches ON and OFF . The game would work. In earlier times I might get this but after 2 -3 times it will work. Now it takes like 7-10.

2) When Doom 64 worked it gave me the "CLICK START TO MANAGE PAK" but when I finished first round it said to use the left or right yellow buttons to save. I tried it but nothing happened. I clicked everything button the joystick . No save. If you click start you continue your game, but with out a save. I switched the memory pak, so when I chose "START NEW GAME" it actually offered to make a new NOTE for Doom 64. Not sure if it recognized or did not recognized the first memory pan. Was it the pan, or the game cartridge not working well. Dunno....

3) For some odd reason while I was playing Doom 64 the screen turned dark grey. Thats it. It looks like as if the TV has no signal, but I can actually tell there was a very dark grey signal(if you shut down the 64 the screen turns black, noticeable ). It happend like twice. And one time I was trying to get something , I stepped on the joystick connector when it was plug into the 64. It did NOT unplug , it was a very light step, but the screen turned gray too. So I though this game cartridge is beat up, it doesnt work well. I started playing Duke Nukem 64 and while in the Intro , I got the dark grey signal AGAIN! This used to NEVER happen to me before. I played many 64 games include Mario and Zelda all went well.

Please help, 64 is my favorite console. All cartridges are throughly cleaned , and their metal tips are shiny . Is it time to get a new one?

[AppleQueso]

Try re-seating the jumper pack. It's the black looking thing under the lid in front of the cartridge slot. If it's not making a good connection, it can cause bad problems. It can be a bit hard to remove, but what I do is wedge that lid under the lip of the pack facing the cart side and pivot it out that way.

It may or may not fix things for you, but it can't hurt.

The doom thing sounds like it simply didn't recognized the first memory pak you put in.

[cookie monster]

Tr cleaning the system itself cut a piece of cardboard about the size of your pin set take a piece of old white t shirt wrap around cardboard and insert it in the pin slot do this a few times and see if any dirt comes out. are you useing a rf or a av on the system if you have a spare set try switching them to see if that fixes the issue. As a last resort if you have to get another n64 console i can help you i have 13 systems in my house looking for new homes.

[AppleQueso]

are you useing a rf or a av on the system if you have a spare set try switching them to see if that fixes the issue.

Why this can't hurt either, I can't see how it would cause the problems he's describing.

The cart slot might be dirty though, that's very true. It's wroth a cleaning.

You might try cleaning the pins of the jumper pak too.

[RCBH928]

I will try to clean the system pins, shall I use alcohol?

@applequeso

I have the expansion RAM jumper pak . Do you think this is what causing the problem for Doom?

cookie monster, do you ship international?

[AppleQueso]

I will try to clean the system pins, shall I use alcohol?

@applequeso

I have the expansion RAM jumper pak . Do you think this is what causing the problem for Doom?

cookie monster, do you ship international?

The fact that it's the expansion pak shouldn't cause any problems at all. Doom 64 works fine in my n64, and I have an expansion pak.

Either way, my suggestion of re-seating it still applies.

[RCBH928]

is there any possibility that the cartridges are faulty? I know those cartridges didnt have the best treatment or storage over the years.

I took out the jumper pak , its seems that it was placed well, not out of place.

I tried to clean the pins, dont seem they are that dirty.

[AppleQueso]

It's not unheard of, but it's not super likely either. If it was just Doom 64 giving you trouble, maybe, but if you're having problems with multiple games it could just be the system.

Would there be any way you could obtain a second system to test your games out on?

[shmuk]

Try cleaning all of the contact points and maybe getting a new expansion pak instead of your jumper pack.

[RCBH928]

I will do some more testing and report back. the problem is, you cant tell when the game will crash/stop . It just happens. So it might go on ok for a couple of levels then die again.

I'll cross my fingers.