How reliable are dex drives?

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How reliable are dex drives?
Topic Started: Jul 19 2009, 08:49 PM (236 Views)
Marktheshark	Jul 19 2009, 08:49 PM Post #1
Member Posts: 18 Group: Member Member #208 Joined: April 20, 2009	Since I'm worried that the data in my 2 controller paks could be all wiped off eventually, I'm thinking about getting a Nintendo 64 Dex Drive. How reliable are they though? Is it a good idea to use a dex drive? Also, how long do the batteries in controller paks typically last? I have a 3rd party Performance controller pak & an official Nintendo controller pak.



Robond	Jul 19 2009, 09:47 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Posts: 81 Group: Member Member #197 Joined: February 25, 2009	I just bought a Dex Drive for N64 and another for PSX since I don't want to lose all my saves eventually, I think they are reliable but I just start using it so I'm not the right person to answer that question for you. The batteries in controller paks last for 3 years in average in my experience and BTW I only use official controller paks since I´ve had too many problems with Performance brand ones.
	+ 59 games + 7 Wii Ware + 28 VC! + 85 games! + 38 games! + 32 games + 9 GBA games! PS2 Slim + 35 games! PS1 + 15 games!


alxbly	Jul 20 2009, 01:11 PM Post #3
Alxblymus Primus Posts: 8,722 Group: Admin Member #168 Joined: October 18, 2008	I've got official controller paks that have lasted for over five years without problems. I've never tried the dex drive so I dunno how reliable it is.
	Xbox Live: alxbly \| PSN: alxbly \| Wii friend code: 2326 4589 7536 6941


Mop_it_up	Jul 20 2009, 03:56 PM Post #4
Dark Birdo Posts: 5,144 Group: Admin Member #24 Joined: August 8, 2006	I have a DexDrive but I haven't been able to use it because it requires a COM/Serial port and every computer since, like, 2001 has used USB. You'll need to get a COM/Serial to USB adapter in order to use it. Plus the software comes on floppies, though I think you can download it from somewhere. If you can get it connected to your computer then I don't see how it would cause problems.
	===MISQUOTE OF THE MONTH=== ""I vomited eleven times today, what's your excuse?" -dataDyne


Chaos66	Jul 20 2009, 07:41 PM Post #5
Advanced Member Posts: 73 Group: Restricted Member #198 Joined: March 3, 2009	My nintendo controller pak has lasted like 8 years. I wouldn't use anything that isn't made by nintendo



Franklint	Jul 26 2009, 05:34 PM Post #6
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Apparently, getting the DexDrive to work with modern computers can be a bit annoying, because you'll need to get hold of a serial-port-to-USB converter, and then download some special drivers to enable it to work with said converter. The software, as well as some third-party equivalents, can all be obtained from the Internet. I imagine DexDrives would be incredibly accurate, with a low fail rate. They seemed to sell well, and I get the feeling the designers knew what they were doing. If you want to test it, get a new, empty Controller Pak, copy the saves off your active Pak, copy them back onto the blank Pak, and try to load them from a controller. If a few of the games load their save files properly, you can assume that the files copied properly. I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while, but unfortunately I only have $350 in the bank, and I'm saving up for something worthwhile. Although I could save on Amazon shipping if I combined it with The Joe Schmo Show season 1 and The Game by Neil Strauss. Oh wait, no I couldn't, because Amazon itself doesn't stock any DexDrives. Maybe I should hit eBay instead. No! I need a car or a house! Not a god damn DexDrive! ...But it calls me... Gah! Cheers, Franklint Edited by Franklint, Oct 8 2009, 05:47 AM.
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


Mop_it_up	Aug 16 2009, 02:12 AM Post #7
Dark Birdo Posts: 5,144 Group: Admin Member #24 Joined: August 8, 2006	Franklint, have I ever told you that I think you should post more?
	===MISQUOTE OF THE MONTH=== ""I vomited eleven times today, what's your excuse?" -dataDyne


Franklint	Oct 8 2009, 05:45 AM Post #8
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Quote: Franklint, have I ever told you that I think you should post more? Haha, no, you have not, my friend. I'm glad to hear it. I am aiming to increase my activity eventually, although next year is going to be my hardcore academic year to prepare for medical school. If you're still around the year after, you can be sure I'll increase my post rate. This seems like as gooder opportunity as ever to ask about the reliability of Controller Paks themselves. Here's the scenario: 1. I buy a PAL Toy Story 2 cart off eBay, listed as untested. 2. I play through. All is well until I face the Evil Emperor Zurg. 3. If I try to save the game after completing the Zurg level, or any of the later ones, the game freezes just after the save screen appears. 4. I assume it is because the cartridge was untested. Because I was planning to get a CIB copy anyway, I rebuy the game with box and manual. 5. I load up my game off the same Controller Pak, and the same issue happens as happened before. I can't save on Zurg or any later level. 6. I am annoyed, and turn the system off in disgust. As I see it, there are three possibilities, and two methods I can use to test for these possibilities. Possibilities: a) Because it was created on a faulty cartridge, my save game is corrupt, meaning that saving to it causes a freeze, even if the cartridge used is functional. b) All PAL releases of the game have the same bug. c) My Controller Pak is faulty. Methods: a) Start a new game on the new cart and get up to the same point I was up to previously. Would test for a) above. May prove fruitless, and be a waste of my time. b) Get someone else to tell me their experiences with this game and saving, so I can see if you had the same problem. Would test for b) and c) above. If any of you from a PAL region have finished the game, or beaten Zurg, please let me know. Also offer advice or suggestions if you deem either to be necessary. Haven't got hold of a DexDrive yet, but the bank account is climbing :). Peace, Franklint
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


Mop_it_up	Oct 11 2009, 11:41 AM Post #9
Dark Birdo Posts: 5,144 Group: Admin Member #24 Joined: August 8, 2006	Franklint Oct 8 2009, 05:45 AM Quote: Franklint, have I ever told you that I think you should post more? Haha, no, you have not, my friend. Really? I could have sworn I have. Well I'm saying it right now, you should post more. As for your problem, my guess is it is a bug with the PAL conversion. I don't think that it would be a problem with the save itself, as I've never heard of bugs like that occurring. And I don't think a faulty Controller Pak would cause a freeze-up like that, especially one which always happens at the exact spot in the game. Is that the only Controller Pak that you have? What brand is it? I can say that the bug isn't present in the NTSC version as I have completed that game myself. And I've not even touched some of the games people consider to be the best on the system. What is wrong with me?
	===MISQUOTE OF THE MONTH=== ""I vomited eleven times today, what's your excuse?" -dataDyne


Franklint	Oct 12 2009, 05:18 AM Post #10
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Quote: Really? I could have sworn I have. Well I'm saying it right now, you should post more. Heh, nice. I'll do my best. Thanks heaps for your helpful post. I thought it may have been to do with the conversion to PAL also. Good to hear that you've never heard of a save corruption, nor Controller Pak-induced freezing (it's an official Nintendo one, and the only one I own). This helps to narrow down the problem. I was pretty sure no one else in the world played the game at all. Good to hear you've completed it. It's pretty much the greatest Disney game of all time, and a sound platformer. I have your problem. Barely started Majora's Mask, Ocarina of Time, Banjo-Tooie. Haven't played Conker's Bad Fur Day except for multiplayer one time, and yet I've nearly finished Glover . At least this means my original Toy Story 2 cartridge isn't faulty, so I can give it away to some friends in the Northern Territory. Cheers, Franklint
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


alxbly	Oct 12 2009, 12:57 PM Post #11
Alxblymus Primus Posts: 8,722 Group: Admin Member #168 Joined: October 18, 2008	I could probably test this for comparison. Any idea how long it would take to get to Zurg so that I can test it out? I don't own Toy Story 2 but I don't mind getting one from ebay.
	Xbox Live: alxbly \| PSN: alxbly \| Wii friend code: 2326 4589 7536 6941


Mop_it_up	Oct 12 2009, 02:40 PM Post #12
Dark Birdo Posts: 5,144 Group: Admin Member #24 Joined: August 8, 2006	I can't claim Toy Story 2 to be the best Disney game as I haven't played very many of them. But it most certainly isn't just some crappy license game; it doesn't have any glaring flaws like poor controls, and some of the level designs are pretty clever. Of course, with the amount of legendary platformers on the Nintendo 64 it didn't stand a chance, but it is by no means a bad game. Now Glover, on the other hand, is pretty good. If it had the production values of Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie then I'd say it could be right up there with them. Even as it is, it's pretty close to such games, and it's a shame it was overshadowed by all of the more recognizable games out there.
	===MISQUOTE OF THE MONTH=== ""I vomited eleven times today, what's your excuse?" -dataDyne


Franklint	Oct 13 2009, 05:51 AM Post #13
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Quote: I could probably test this for comparison. Any idea how long it would take to get to Zurg so that I can test it out? Thanks man, this would be mighty helpful for setting my mind at rest. When I played through, it probably took me a good one and a half to two hours to get to Zurg, but that's because I was getting every Pizza Planet Token as I went along. Getting through on the minimum requirements would probably only take you about half an hour, maybe 45 minutes. If you want to play this much of a half decent platformer, please be my guest :). Quote: I don't own Toy Story 2 but I don't mind getting one from ebay. You should, it's cool. Quote: But it most certainly isn't just some crappy license game; it doesn't have any glaring flaws like poor controls, and some of the level designs are pretty clever. Amen to that. When I think about it, the only other Disney games I've played are Tarzan (alright, but a rather slack 3D-on-rails effort) and Aladdin: Nasira's Revenge (only about ten minutes of this, it seemed kind of cool). Quote: Now Glover, on the other hand, is pretty good. Yes! My friends bash me for enjoying the game. It's just so unique and clever. How could you not love it? Thanks alxbly, please do let me know if you decide to test out a PAL version on one of your machines. Off-topically, Franklint
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


alxbly	Oct 13 2009, 11:27 AM Post #14
Alxblymus Primus Posts: 8,722 Group: Admin Member #168 Joined: October 18, 2008	Franklint Oct 13 2009, 05:51 AM Thanks alxbly, please do let me know if you decide to test out a PAL version on one of your machines. No problem, mate. I've bought the game from a seller on eBay so if it arrives in time then I should be able to test out the game at the weekend. I'll let you know if I can save past... whatever his name is...
	Xbox Live: alxbly \| PSN: alxbly \| Wii friend code: 2326 4589 7536 6941


Franklint	Nov 1 2009, 09:34 PM Post #15
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Hey man, Did you ever get around to testing out the saving? No worries, but just in case you had and had forgotten about this thread :). Cheers, Franklint
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


alxbly	Nov 2 2009, 03:09 PM Post #16
Alxblymus Primus Posts: 8,722 Group: Admin Member #168 Joined: October 18, 2008	Franklint Nov 1 2009, 09:34 PM Did you ever get around to testing out the saving? No worries, but just in case you had and had forgotten about this thread :). I've not forgot mate, I've just been distracted with other things. I'll go play some just now and let you know how I get on.
	Xbox Live: alxbly \| PSN: alxbly \| Wii friend code: 2326 4589 7536 6941


Franklint	Nov 2 2009, 08:22 PM Post #17
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Quote: I've not forgot mate, I've just been distracted with other things. I'll go play some just now and let you know how I get on. My bad dude. Apparently patience isn't my middle name. Didn't mean to rush you. Please take your time. Peace.
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


alxbly	Nov 3 2009, 04:25 PM Post #18
Alxblymus Primus Posts: 8,722 Group: Admin Member #168 Joined: October 18, 2008	Okay, I didn't get very far. I fought a robot in the attic of the house. Is he the first boss?
	Xbox Live: alxbly \| PSN: alxbly \| Wii friend code: 2326 4589 7536 6941


Franklint	Nov 3 2009, 06:14 PM Post #19
Paper Mario in disguise Posts: 125 Group: Member Member #56 Joined: January 8, 2007	Quote: Okay, I didn't get very far. I fought a robot in the attic of the house. Is he the first boss? Yep. Each level has one mini-boss. Beating the mini-boss rewards you with one Pizza Planet token. As you have no doubt figured out, each level has five possible tokens, and later levels require you to possess a certain number before you can enter the level. You can go back through and collect ones you missed later on. Thanks for trying this out for me pal. Cheers, Franklint
	My have/want/trade lists: http://www.franklint.co.nr/page1/page1.html


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