N64 Game Save Backups

[AnotherMuggle]

OK, so the N64 is gradually becoming an old machine and the cartridges are at increased risk of flat batteries and failing EEPROMS.

Is there a current, effective method for backing up game save data from either (or both) the carts and the controller paks? I know there used to be the options such as a DexDrive or the Adaptoid but it seems that these are now extinct and none are floating about on eBay.

I'd be amazed to discover that there is no established method of transferring the game saves to PC, especially as the games are now starting to age.

I look forward to any suggestions, links or general discussions on the subject.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[AnotherMuggle]

Anybody?

 

[TrolleyDave]

As far as I know the only way to back up saves from a N64 cart is using a device like a CD64/v64. If I remember right it still doesn't give you a physical copy, it just takes them off and saves them onto a memory pak. I've never actually used one though so can't be 100% certain on how they work.

 

[radorn]

EEPROMs are not battery backed. They don't need them to retain data.
Once you write data, they may keep it for a good 10 years. And if you write data to it again, the count is reset, so you have 10 years of data retention from the last time you saved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEPROM

There are two limitations of stored information; endurance, and data retention.

During rewrites, the gate oxide in the floating-gate transistors gradually accumulates trapped electrons. The electric field of the trapped electrons adds to the electrons in the floating gate, lowering the window between threshold voltages for zeros vs ones. After sufficient number of rewrite cycles, the difference becomes too small to be recognizable, the cell is stuck in programmed state, and endurance failure occurs. The manufacturers usually specify minimal number of rewrites being 10.000.000 or more.

During storage, the electrons injected into the floating gate may drift through the insulator, especially at increased temperature, and cause charge loss, reverting the cell into erased state. The manufacturers usually guarantee data retention of 10 years or more.

The saves you have to worry about batteries dying are SRAM saves, as SRAM is the type of save that relies on batteries. Note that Controller Paks also use SRAM, and their batteries may d¡e.
Luckily there are not many SRAM N64 games out there, although many of them are among the important ones.

From Elitendo's FAQ:

QUOTEQ. What carts use SRAM for saving?
A. Virtual Pro Wrestling JAP was the first cart to use 32 Kilobyte SRAM for saving. The following USA games use 32 Kilobyte SRAM for saving:

1080º Snowboarding
F-Zero X
Harvest Moon 64
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The
Major League Baseball featuring Ken Griffey Jr.
Mario Golf
New Tetris, The
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
Resident Evil 2
Super Smash Bros.
WCW/NWO Revenge
WWF: Wrestlemania 2000

 

[DSAndi]

You can back up gamesaves with the CD64 to the controllerpack within the Gui and also play em back.
I remember there was also a tool (dos ) that was able to receive Gamesaves to PC.

For DocV64 i think there also was a DS256 Savecartrige wher u could put Gamesaves.
I bet ther was a programm for aving em to pc too.

 

[Argon]

If you were to open up one of the carts with SRAM saving (Since I have a few, I'd know), you will see an expiration on the battery.