Advise on cooling the Gamecube.

[dfonda]

I am tired of freeze ups when my kid and I play the gamecube. Is any one using a cooling fan? Does it make any difference or is it buggy programming?

I've blown all the dust out of it with an air compressor(Set Low) It sits in the middle of the room and its 68F around it. Freezes every time in lego star wars 2. I think part 6 episode IV when your flying a ship and every things exploding all around you the graphics overheat it.


Found this one any others out there?
http://www.mod-chip.com/en/gamecube_cooling_fan.php

[FudgeNuggets]

By your description of it freezing always at that one point of the game, I doubt it's the cube. It's probably the game.

Is it just that game that freezes? I've never had my cube freeze and have not heard of any major issue with the cube. Is the cube sitting on carpet?If so, stick a book under it or something to get it off the carpet.

My advice is that if it's just the one game, then exchange the game. If it's multiple games, then stick a floor or desk fan right by the cube and if it still freezes then you know it's not the cube.

[dfonda]

I only have two games the other one Metroid Prime never froze.

The Lego Star Wars 2 game has frozen in other spots as well, but those levels only did it once and we were able to replay them(After a few curses). This graphically intense level is freezing up consistently. Not at the same point in the level but when the screen is enveloped in multiple exposions.

I'll dig out a fan but cosoles do have heat problems, I have found numerous threads on all the consoles freezing up. I just can't have a full size fan running it ruins the decor' LOL.

I thought maybe someone was using one and having luck with it.

When I get my hands on a WII I hope it will play Ok on that machine.

Don't have the receipt the game's pretty old and I don't remember where I got it. I mean this problem is only going to prevent us from getting 100% we have played through the story. Once I get going on something I just like to finish it.

Fudge Google "Gamecube freezing" and you'll see what I mean.

[blueswitch]

My cube has only messed up once, and it was isolated on a restart it played right through fine. It made a rather loud optical drive read noise right before though...so I assumed it was a read problem...it wasn't in any graphically intense scene at the time, so listen to see if it's doing that. I think Fudges floor fan idea was just to test the theory of it being a heat issue.

I don't want to thread jack but this brings up a question I've had about Wii. To fit it in my TV stand I can;t use the Wii stand, but the draw vent is on the bottom:confused: ...the stand has a hole cut in it..but the console has feet on that side so I assume it will be ok..probably not optimal though. If anyone has heard or think it maybe an issue please comment, otherwise ignore me, I might have to lay it down flat anyway to use GCN ports but it's not as sexy laying flat :(

[dfonda]

Blue the freeze ups lock the screen and what ever is on it at the time. then the machine emits a loud annoyning humm. it just keeps humming until i shut it off.

[blueswitch]

I'd try what Fudge said....point a fan at it...gamecube draws air from the sides...and ports it out the rear exhaust fan so point a fan at the side of it.

BTW: I'm looking to sell my black cube :)

[FudgeNuggets]

Still doesn't sound like a heat issue to me. I read the GameCube freezing stuff I found on Goo and most of it seems to be due to Disc Read Errors.

Yes, the fan on the Cube was just to test it to be sure it is heat related, which I am doubting.

Try this: Inspect the disc for any scratches or fingerprints, wipe clean with a soft cloth if there are any. Get a Q-tip and dab it into some alcohol (the rubbing kind, not the drinking kind) and gently swab the laser unit on the cube and then let it sit for 15 minutes or so while the alcohol evaporates. Then try the cube and see if it freezes.

Try these two methods and you're sure to find what the problem is. If the fan works then it IS heat related. If the fan doesn't work then try the cleaning I suggested. If BOTH fail, it's probably a bum game.

Seeing as how Metroid never freezes, I'm leaning toword scratched/printed disc or bum game. If it was heat related, Metroid would probably freeze too.

[TollhouseFrank]

only time my cube has crashed was when i twas a bad game. it's happened twice. That stupid Turok Game, and X-men: Legends.

[zexmarquies01]

you said you only have 2 games? Metroid prime, and Lego StarWars 2? and lego starwars is the only one that freezes?

Its not a heat issue. its the game.

i have the game on PC, and the game will crash, and freeze on me. Happened to my brother as well.

the game is REALLY buggy. certain levels would just...crash, and i'd have to play through it 3 times or more, and it would FINIALLY start working correctly.

But trust me, its NOT a gamecube problem. i GARANTEE its the game.

so the good news is, you still have a working gamecube! Bad news is...you have a game that can hardly be played due to all the bugs in it.

[Oni]

If you think it's overheating, then I'd point a fan at it. However, I'm very sure it's pro'lly just that game.

Do the fan thing and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't, you'll have your answer.