I just found my N64 in a box. It hadn't been used in about a decade but I set it up none the less. You can switch on and the red light comes on but that seems to be it.

Is there any way to see what componant is busted without buying replacements for each at random?

How likely is it that it's a cable issue rather than something inside console?

99% of the time it's because your cartridge is dirty. It can look clean, but probably isn't. Take a Q-tip, dab it in some rubbing alcohol, clean the cartridge with the Q-tip, try again.

Also keep in mind that if you don't have a game cartridge in, the N64 doesn't do anything.

I tried a few differenr carts but I didnt clean any. So just some rubbing alc on the green and gold connector bit?

That should work yeah.

Rub the N64 across your face. Be sure to take extra care to get all mashed into your eyeballs and mouth. Bonus points for rubbing it over any open wounds. If you do not contract a disease, than the console is likely broken and should be replaced.

I kind of kick mine and slap the top and it usually gets to working. Sometimes I will blow into the top slot to dust it and then go blind due to the dust not having anywhere to go but up..

N64s are pure Nintendium, so feel free to punch that S.O.B until games happen. (seriously, my old N64 went through hell and back and kept rolling like a champ... those things are STURDY.)

I think a solid red light means that the console is working so yeah, clean the cartridges with Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip. Then retest. If that still doesn't work, maybe try jiggling the video cable in different spots. If it's kinked, it might work if it finds the right position.

An update: I noticed the AV cables were slightly damaged so I ordered a replacement off Ebay but still nothing. I've cleaned my carts with metholated spirits. Any new ideas?

I also tried cleaning the cartridge connector bit, although it's tough to get a q-tip down in there

How is the memory pak in the front? Missing? Dirty?

I never got the expansion pak so it still has the "do not remove this" sticker on it

I've also been googling "n64 red light no video" and this guy says it might be an issue with newer TVs but i'm dubious

Follow these steps:

1. Put on a pair of steel toed boots
2. Set up a gopro
3. Grab your N64
4. Punting the device into a brick wall
5. Repeat until it is in a 1000 pieces
6. Post the video to Youtube
7. Go onto Ebay and buy a new n64 because they cost $25

Even though you've cleaned contacts etc and it doesn't seem to have helped, if the console was working when it was put away, I would think it was unlikely that something would have actually broken while it was packed away.

If you want to actually try and clean the cartridge slot, a way to deal with that would be to get something flat that can actually fit the slot, like a flat ruler or a plastic card, like credit card size and get some cloth wrapped tightly around that with metho or iso alcohol on the cloth. If you do try this, just try not to use cloth that is likely to leave fluff and fibres in the cartridge slot.

If you don't have an expansion pak, there is still a jumper than sits in that slot, right? Make sure that thing is firmly seated.

Other than that, I dunno. TV on the right input? :P I can't comment on N64s and HDTVs, I got rid of my N64 a long time ago. I guess you could try it if you still have a CRT anywhere? I doubt that is a problem though.

AHA! I have solved it. It's simple really, you just need to turn the console upside down so that it's always got pressure on the cart in it. Stupid as hell but hey, I'm not complaining..