Nintendo 64 Doctor V64 problem

Hi,

I have a Doctor V64 backup unit for the Nintendo 64 that was working just fine for the last two weeks or so (after extended storage). Unfortunately it stopped working after I moved it (without dropping or even bumping it, just took out the power plug, moved it, and plugged it back in). When I power it on now, I hear a continuous clicking sound, and the unit doesn't respond to any buttons - not even the "open CD drive" button.

I'm not very tech-savvy other than putting together a PC from loose parts, but I opened up the unit, disconnected the CD drive, and tried again, but the problem is the same. I don't see any moving parts on the board, and even with the unit open it's hard to make out exactly where the clicking is coming from.

So my n00b questions:

-- Does this sound like a more generic issue that could happen to any electronic device, or is it specific to the V64 unit?
-- Has anyone encountered this problem before (with the V64 or with any device)?
-- What would be the most likely fix here?

BTW the unit has a power supply that connects through a 4-pin plug (same layout as S-Video). When I take the plug out of the unit and use a multimeter to check the power output, it does give 5V on one pin and 12V on the other. I know the V64 power supply is (in)famous for breaking down, but does this measurement prove that in this case, the PSU is not to blame here?

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated!

Regards, ZeusEQ / Patrick

 

I'd look into replacing the power supply. The clicking noise could be relay switches on the motherboard receiving intermittent power. I had to custom make my power supply from some random 12V 5V power supply and an s-video solder connector.

 

open it, post pics..

 

Sounds like the relay.

 

You can buy those power supplies (though wiring may vary?)

I tend to buy them and cut off the lead as need different connections

 

Thanks all for your input! I rigged up a power supply using an old ATX PSU and connecting it to a cut-off S-Video cable (probably peanuts for you guys, but quite a feat for me ). While not the most convenient, the unit worked just fine with this setup, so it is indeed the power supply that is the culprit here!

Thanks for helping me get to the bottom of this.

Regards, Patrick