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carts:nintendo:n64 [2022/09/21 22:34] – add instructions for opening carts cartridge_hermit | carts:nintendo:n64 [2023/02/14 19:53] – Improve retroblaster steps cartridge_hermit | ||
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===== Introduction ===== | ===== Introduction ===== | ||
{{wst> | {{wst> | ||
- | Dumping Nintendo 64 carts is pretty easy if you have one of the dedicated hardware solutions for it, but they can sometimes be hard to come by, or out of stock, or you have to build them yourself. | + | Dumping Nintendo 64 carts is pretty easy if you have one of the dedicated hardware solutions for it, but they can sometimes be hard to come by, or out of stock, or you have to build them yourself. |
**Note on Development Cartridges: | **Note on Development Cartridges: | ||
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- [[#Method 2 - Sanni Cart Reader|Sanni Cart Reader]] | - [[#Method 2 - Sanni Cart Reader|Sanni Cart Reader]] | ||
- [[#Method 3 - Retrode2 + N64 adapter|Retrode2 + N64 adapter]] | - [[#Method 3 - Retrode2 + N64 adapter|Retrode2 + N64 adapter]] | ||
- | - [[#Method 4 - INLretro|INLretro]] | + | - [[#Method 4 - RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter|RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter]] |
- | - [[#Method 5 - RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter|RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter]] | + | - [[# |
- | - [[# | + | |
- | - [[#Method 7 - Old copiers|Old copiers]] | + | |
==== Method 1 - 64drive + UltraSave ==== | ==== Method 1 - 64drive + UltraSave ==== | ||
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Note that the Retrode does not detect 12 MiB carts correctly, and will overdump them, so for those, make sure to set the dump size manually in the Retrode config, or trim the overdumped ROM to 12 MiB after the fact. | Note that the Retrode does not detect 12 MiB carts correctly, and will overdump them, so for those, make sure to set the dump size manually in the Retrode config, or trim the overdumped ROM to 12 MiB after the fact. | ||
- | ==== Method 4 - INLretro | + | ==== Method 4 - RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter |
- | [todo: | + | {{wst> |
+ | |||
+ | RetroBlaster 2.0 has a standard "N64 Adapter" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The RetroBlaster software currently only supports Windows and is available on the [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Make sure the ' | ||
+ | - Connect the N64 adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing. | ||
+ | - Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the label side facing the activity LED. | ||
+ | - Open the RetroBlaster software (click Run if you see a security warning about the publisher not being verified) and navigate to the N64 tab. | ||
+ | - Click "Dump ROM." | ||
+ | - The activity LED will turn on on the RetroBlaster board. A progress bar will indicate the status of the dump, and information will be displayed on the ' | ||
+ | - You can also dump the SRAM or EEPROM save data from this same tab, by clicking the appropriate button. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When swapping adapters, the official recommendation from RetroBlaster is to use the non-writing end of a pen or marker to slowly push the adapter out from either side, using the board for leverage, in order to avoid bending the pins. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Method 5 - INLretro ==== | ||
+ | todo: | ||
* look at [[https:// | * look at [[https:// | ||
* its sometimes possible to work out the ROM size by examining the overdump. maybe this could even be automated. | * its sometimes possible to work out the ROM size by examining the overdump. maybe this could even be automated. | ||
- | ] | ||
- Find the ROM size in kilobytes by looking at the text on the ROM chip and converting it or (may be inaccurate if dump isn't trusted) use the size of the existing dump in [[https:// | - Find the ROM size in kilobytes by looking at the text on the ROM chip and converting it or (may be inaccurate if dump isn't trusted) use the size of the existing dump in [[https:// | ||
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- Here's an example of the command I used to dump Lego Racers: < | - Here's an example of the command I used to dump Lego Racers: < | ||
- | ==== Method 5 - RetroBlaster 2.0 + N64 (Pro) adapter | + | ===== Not recommended/ |
- | Retroblaster 2.0 has a standard "N64 Adapter" | + | |
- | - Make sure the ' | + | ==== GameShark |
- | - Connect the appropriate adapter to the Retroblaster | + | |
- | - Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter | + | |
- | - Open the RetroBlaster software (available on the [[https:// | + | |
- | - Navigate to the ' | + | |
- | - A progress bar will indicate the status of the dump, and information will be displayed on the ' | + | |
- | - You can also dump the SRAM or EEPROM from this same tab, by clicking the appropriate button | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==== Method 6 - GameShark | + | |
Unreliable - not recommended. Produces corrupted dumps for some/all prototype carts. If you do have to use it, dump the cart multiple times, making sure all the dumps match and clean the contacts in-between each try. Follow the NES World [[http:// | Unreliable - not recommended. Produces corrupted dumps for some/all prototype carts. If you do have to use it, dump the cart multiple times, making sure all the dumps match and clean the contacts in-between each try. Follow the NES World [[http:// | ||
- | ==== Method 7 - Old copiers ==== | + | ==== Old copiers ==== |
- | + | ||
- | E.g. v64, v64jr, z64, cd64. Unreliable - not recommended. If you do have to use it, dump the cart multiple times, and clean the cart in-between each try. | + | |
- | ====== Documenting physical media ====== | + | Old hardware like v64, v64jr, z64, and cd64 are unreliable and not recommended. If you do have to use one, dump the cart multiple times, and clean the cart in-between each try. |
- | {{wst> | + | |
==== Opening carts ==== | ==== Opening carts ==== | ||
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Unscrew the back of the cartridge with a 3.5mm "game bit" or line screw driver, carefully separating the bottom half of the cart's shell. Then, remove the phillips screws on the metal shielding to expose the PCB. | Unscrew the back of the cartridge with a 3.5mm "game bit" or line screw driver, carefully separating the bottom half of the cart's shell. Then, remove the phillips screws on the metal shielding to expose the PCB. | ||
- | ==== Identifying Game Versions ==== | + | ==== For Reference: |
Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/ | Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/ | ||
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===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== | ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== | ||
+ | {{wst> | ||
- | See [[submission: |