Gaming trouble with NTSC modded N64 & RGB Scart cable

[Pootle UK]

Was just in the process of whooping DK's ass and playing the winning shot in Flower Cup of Mario Tennis when all of a sudden it froze and all this crackly noise started booming out of the speakers - no matter what I pressed, nothing seemed to work

Can anyone shed any light onto this at all?

[davidleeroth]

Does it power up anymore?
Sounds like a short somewhere on the motherboard but first test your PSU with a multimeter to see if it outputs anything.

[Pootle UK]

Yes it powers up okay - the PSU is a PAL N64 one I picked up and has worked fine before.

[davidleeroth]

It could be anything; PSU, console or the game, although my guess is the console.
If you have a gamebit, I'd open the console up and check the RGB mod wires since there's nothing else that can come loose in a N64.

[gIzzE]

When using development carts they used to be quite tall and if you knocked them by mistake the N64 would do this, however turning the unit off and on again would sort it out again.

Try pushing your cart backwards or forwards or maybe just down a bit more, as it may be the cart slot that is knackered (dry joint).

[Pootle UK]

It seems that the Mario Tennis pins in the cart are slightly marked... after rubbing it a bit it seems to be okay.

With my other games it's fine.

Thanks for the advice gIzze.

On another note, I had the N64 RGB modded internally - when starting up from cold for the 1st 10mins or so I get black lines flickering across the screen before it seems to settle down - is this normal?

[gIzzE]

Thanks for the advice gIzze.

On another note, I had the N64 RGB modded internally - when starting up from cold for the 1st 10mins or so I get black lines flickering across the screen before it seems to settle down - is this normal?

No problem.

Regarding the flickering black lines, are they very noticable or are they noticeable in bright areas of single colour, i.e a sky etc. ??
Is it playable while these lines are there ??

[Pootle UK]

It's noticeable when playing a bright coloured game such as Mario Tennis - not just light areas such as sky. It's still playable but the black lines flicker across the screen.

I can't say I noticed it with Goldeneye - there were a few lines with Ridge Racer 64 - will have to check again.

[Weinberg]

I'm certainly not an expert so don't take what I say to heart...however has your N64 only been recently modded? Mine has, and there was flickering, only obvious on bright/colourful games. It wasn't really black lines, just very obvious flicker. Are you sure it 'settles down' after 10 mins, or do you just not notice it anymore?

Apparently modded N64s can't have a perfect signal, and the booster inside which brightens the picture for you, boosts imperfections too. To solve this I had to cut the booster wire-the picture's still a little too dark though even if I turn TV brightness up, so Saurian's modding my RGB cable to provide an external boost (which won't also boost imperfections of the signal).

DON'T go cutting wires though, I'm just saying what happened to me! Apparently it's quite common. (edit) What TV do you have btw? Is it a Phillips or JVC by any chance?

[Pootle UK]

Toshiba 32ZP38

Saur recently modded my N64 and the flicker does disappear after a time.

[Saurian]

It's noise interference from the machine's audio which is always present but the signal boost added makes it more aparent, I explained this side effect when I met you to return your machine.

[Pootle UK]

Hey Saur,

I remember what you told me - I was using the wrong cabling then till you pointed me in the right direction to get the RGB Scart - just the flickering appeared more apparent via the RGB Scart and made me think something was wrong.

Saurian's modding my RGB cable to provide an external boost (which won't also boost imperfections of the signal).

Will this help out more at all?

[Saurian]

I did tell you about the noise interference when I met you outside Tower to give the machine back, my machine is exactly the same so is every other one I have done.

You can use an external circuit to boost the signal instead but you'll lose clarity, or you can remove all amplification and have a dull, dark image - the N64's RGB output is only 0.7v which isnt enough to give a good image without amplification.

If you want bring the machine + your RGB cable with you when you come to collect your other bits and I'll use the other method - you will lose clarity tho.

[Pootle UK]

Thanks for the info Saur - Think I'll pass on the other method. I wasn't aware of the implications of losing clarity through an RGB cable mod.

[gIzzE]

Saurians method is definitely the best one to use for a nice vibrant image, and I can guarantee that it is still flickering after 10 mins but you just get used to it.
Some TV's show it up more than others, but I would, and have, stuck with this method rather than building an amp, go back to a machine that uses composite for 10 mins and I bet the slight flicker won't bother you after looking at that