Introduction
Cleaning the cartridge slot will fix most of the problems with the Nintendo 64.
What you need
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Open the slot with your finger. Blow along the length of the cartridge slot with the air duster.
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Moist a q-tip with rubbing alcohol. Rub it along the length of the cartridge slot.
I never knew about this step, up until now i was just doing step one
Alcohol is not going to "shine up" the pin. The secret will take 10 seconds!!!!. A worn out paper fingernail file .. I have never had a console brought back in 2 yrs
What type brand of fingernail file?
Bresee -
Nice idea-- i was wondering what would fit in there between the contacts and not be too stiff so as to break anything but still offer just enough resistance and abrasion. I will surely give this a try.
Kevin K -
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If cleaning the cartridge slot worked, you should be able to insert a game and play normally. If the game still does not boot normally, check to make sure the pins are not damaged, and that the cartridge does not need cleaning.
If cleaning the cartridge slot worked, you should be able to insert a game and play normally. If the game still does not boot normally, check to make sure the pins are not damaged, and that the cartridge does not need cleaning.
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Team
Cal Poly, Team 5-4, Regan Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 5-4, Regan Fall 2009
CPSU-REGAN-F09S5G4
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11 Comments
Oh, my God! I really didn't think the alcohol thing would work (actually, I thought it was going to scr#w my nintendo), but it did! Thank u so much!
I'm a Iittle skeptic to use rubbing alcohol on my N64 system and games are you 100% sure it works and won't give me any problems downs the road.
You should use isopropyl alcohol, it’s 90% alcohol and drys very quickly. I usually dunk a q-tip in, tap it against the bottle to remove any excess, then clean the surface. As long as your not pouring the alcohol directly onto your electronics you’ll be fine.
Adam -
This works because water and other liquids contain minerals that are conductive, thus, by having it on a running electronic device, it will cause a malfunction/short, whatever you call it, HOWEVER, if the device is off, no electricity is flowing, thus the rubbing alcohol does what you want it to, and removes all the dirt and grime preventing your games from playing..
Bloxy -
This was great!
Alcohol will not remove the tarnish on the brass pins in the console. A paper fingernail file
Up & down back & forth 1 time. Have 500 consoles in store. 8 1/2 years never had a cartridge system ever come back toy store. Takes 5 seconds & cost a nickel.
Can you please explain how you do it? What materials are you using. Sorry but english is not my native language.
Wow, this tip just saved my n64! Thank you
Micheal,
I really like your comment, “Alcohol will not remove the tarnish on the brass pins in the console. A paper fingernail file Up & down back & forth 1 time. Have 500 consoles in store. 8 1/2 years never had a cartridge system ever come back toy store. Takes 5 seconds & cost a nickel.” I would like to buy a paper fingernail file, is there one on amazon you could recommend?
What if I don't have an air compressor?
