How long do "memory cards" last?

[Zubiac666]

I would be pretty pissed watching my gaming-efforts fading away in games like SSBM,Soul calibur 2 etc etc.

batteries (like in SNES´,genesis,..carts) survive about 7-10 years before they commit suicide.
what about the memory cards for PS2 and cube?
Do they have an expiration date?
When,is there a way to prevent the suicide?

thanx in advance for answers/replies

:?

[Cantaloup]

I believe the memory cards used in recent consoles utilize EEPROM-style memory devices. These don't need power to maintain their contents (they are "non-volatile") so they wouldn't need batteries. However, EEPROMs have a limit to how many times they can be written to (say 10,000 times), so after extensive use you won't be able to write to them.

[Zubiac666]

I believe the memory cards used in recent consoles utilize EEPROM-style memory devices. These don't need power to maintain their contents (they are "non-volatile") so they wouldn't need batteries. However, EEPROMs have a limit to how many times they can be written to (say 10,000 times), so after extensive use you won't be able to write to them.

ok,so I can't write on them anymore
but can I still use the save-files on them?
or gets the whole memory lost?

again:thanx
:)

[Bratwurst]

No idea what happens when you try to write to a memory card that's about to reach its rewrite limit.. data could get garbled, etc if it halts in the middle of a rewrite.

Still, 10,000 is lot of times- say you have a card with a file dedicated to it and left it alone. That data would last for 20, 30 years or more before you even had to bother reading it and rewriting it (if bitrot even occurs with flash chips, I'm told the chances of it are not as likely as with tech made ten years ago)

[TheSmirk]

Once I have games with all unlocked, or finished or whatever milestone I've reached, I copy them to the "archive" card that only gets taken out when its needed, I use another for day-to-day play

Also for old PSX stuff, I have one of those Memory card readers, and downloaded stuff to PC and I believe thru DC modem/ISP you can upload files to web, (to then download to PC for archive)

[rbudrick]

Well they are not EEPROMs...that would require a specialized EEPORM writer to write to it. I believe they are flash memory. As far as I know, flash memory doesn't "die" like a SNES/NES cart's battery backed SRAM....becuase there's no battery in em.

Now what about the NEO GEO memory card???? What the hell is that made of?


-Rob

[Ze_ro]

I have an N64 memory card whose battery already died a year or so ago... at least, that's what I'm guessing, since any time I take the card out of the controller, all the data is wiped (yet for some reason, as long as I leave it in the controller, it lasts... I'm not sure why).

For most battery-based memories, you can replace the battery... I opened the N64 mem card in question, and the battery was glued in place, but no in any serious manner. I've heard you can replace batteries for NES cartridges and such too.

--Zero

[tholly]

Well they are not EEPROMs...that would require a specialized EEPORM writer to write to it. I believe they are flash memory. As far as I know, flash memory doesn't "die" like a SNES/NES cart's battery backed SRAM....becuase there's no battery in em.

Now what about the NEO GEO memory card???? What the hell is that made of?


-Rob
The Neo Geo Memory Card is a PCB in a metal case powered by a battery.

When you battery dies, here are instructions on how to replace it..
It uses CR2016 batteries.

http://www.hardmvs.com/html/battery.htm

www.hardmvs.com

has many other projects that involve the MVS system such as a pause button and a credit button as well as adding an AES bios chip. if you dont have an MVS much of this info is pointless, but since the memory cards work for AES and MVS the memory card section may be helpful to some people.

[Cantaloup]

ok,so I can't write on them anymore
but can I still use the save-files on them?
or gets the whole memory lost?


I can't say for sure, as this has never happened to me personally. I would think the affected areas would become unusable, but the other parts would be OK.


Well they are not EEPROMs...that would require a specialized EEPORM writer to write to it. I believe they are flash memory. As far as I know, flash memory doesn't "die" like a SNES/NES cart's battery backed SRAM....becuase there's no battery in em.

Flash memory and EEPROMs are the same thing, except flash memory is divided into blocks, while EEPROMs can be erased and written to by individual byte. You may be thinking of EPROMs, which require erasure by exposure to ultraviolet light.

Further reading:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/flash-memory1.htm

[Starcade]

Just do like I am doing when I get some extra money, stock up on a few extra memory cards for each system and do not open them yet, untill one day when you may need them, and xfer your data to them, and you should be fine.

[Sand_monkey]

Does anybody know of a way to replace the save batteries on master system games? The cartrage versions? I have a copy of Phantasy Star on the master system and the save thingy on it only recently died.

[Duncan]

*fingers crossed*

My original gold NES Legend of Zelda cart has been going strong since 1987...haven't seen a problem yet.

*fingers really crossed*

[Chunky]

is most of whats being said directed twords original mem cards, or more of 3rd party?

never really had a problem with any kind of memory card that i can remember now(drinking). but the damn dreamcast VMUs use Batts like crazy.

[tholly]

*fingers crossed*

My original gold NES Legend of Zelda cart has been going strong since 1987...haven't seen a problem yet.

*fingers really crossed*

My grey version died but my gold version is still truckin too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed also.

DC VMUs do blow batteries super quick though. Thank god you dont need the batteries to be good to save games and use a vmu.

[Duncan]

Does anybody know of a way to replace the save batteries on master system games? The cartrage versions? I have a copy of Phantasy Star on the master system and the save thingy on it only recently died.

SMS carts are easy enough to open up with a standard philips screwdriver. And being sick and bored today, I decided I'd help you out.

Having now cracked open my Miracle Warriors cartridge, it seems there's just a standard Sony CR2032 lithium battery in there - but it is fastened in place with what looks like spot welds on the top contact.

From what I've heard though, a good solid strip of tape will usually do the same job. Just make sure both contacts are firmly touching the top and bottom of the battery, and be sure to put the battery in the same way you took it out.

That should help, I think! :)

[Sand_monkey]

Does anybody know of a way to replace the save batteries on master system games? The cartrage versions? I have a copy of Phantasy Star on the master system and the save thingy on it only recently died.

SMS carts are easy enough to open up with a standard philips screwdriver. And being sick and bored today, I decided I'd help you out.

Having now cracked open my Miracle Warriors cartridge, it seems there's just a standard Sony CR2032 lithium battery in there - but it is fastened in place with what looks like spot welds on the top contact.

From what I've heard though, a good solid strip of tape will usually do the same job. Just make sure both contacts are firmly touching the top and bottom of the battery, and be sure to put the battery in the same way you took it out.

That should help, I think! :)

Thanks for the help =)

And I have A gold version of the orgional Zelda game to, that seems to still save ok aswell, but my copy of Zelda 2 isn't so good... it only keeps the saves on it for a day or two... good thing I have about 3 copys of it :):)

[ManekiNeko]

[quote=Duncan]
DC VMUs do blow batteries super quick though. Thank god you dont need the batteries to be good to save games and use a vmu.

The reason is because the VMU is always on if there's a battery in it. I recall someone talking about hacking their VMU, adding a switch so they could turn it off and on at will.
Now if only they could do something about that dreadful beep you hear from the VMU whenever you switch on your Dreamcast!

JR

[Sand_monkey]

Now if only they could do something about that dreadful beep you hear from the VMU whenever you switch on your Dreamcast!
JR

Oh that's easy... just open the sucker up and take out the little speaker thing... it's what I did... well sort of, I didn't remove it I just killed it with a screw driver and curse words =p

[Ze_ro]

The reason is because the VMU is always on if there's a battery in it.

I thought the thing was that the batteries would just gradually drain as long as you had it plugged into a controller? (So don't leave the VMU plugged into the controller when you're not using it)

Oh well, at least you can still save games once the batteries die.

--Zero

[Zubiac666]

*fingers crossed*

My original gold NES Legend of Zelda cart has been going strong since 1987...haven't seen a problem yet.

*fingers really crossed*

holy shit
that's like 16 yeras now...wow

last month my snes zelda batterie died.I was SOOOO pissed

well,thanx for all ur replies
I will continue stocking up my memory cards for the GC
I already have 12 of them.
Thank god,they are very cheap here(4MB=3 euros;16MB=5euros).
:)

[Jasoco]

My two Zelda's are apparently still working, as is my StarTropics.

And what I did with one of my VMU's is I took out the batteries and used one in my Saturn.

[Sylentwulf]

Blatant product push - I carry the tools to get into the NES/SNES/some of the SMS and genesis carts, and I carry the batteries for all of them.

If you want to stock up on some of the batteries, they have a 10 year shelf life, and I can probably go down to $1.00-$1.50 per battery plus shipping if you contact me.

[NintendoMan]

DC batteries do run out REALLY OFTEN! I still think you can save your games though, you just don't get the pretty picture from the game your playing on the memory card screen.
I do think the picture is pretty cool and different, I glad sega did that! :-P

[FABombjoy]

If you have a lot of batteries to change, the CR2032 (and relatives) are all available in bulk from Digikey. Plain 2032 start at .38/each, and 2032 with legs preattached are also available for a bit more (if you don't want to chop the old legs off and resolder to the new battery). Digikey has a minimum order, or you'll get a handling fee tho.

[Jasoco]

DC batteries do run out REALLY OFTEN! I still think you can save your games though, you just don't get the pretty picture from the game your playing on the memory card screen.
I do think the picture is pretty cool and different, I glad sega did that! :-PYou still get the animation. You just can't use the VMU on the run or swap files between them.

[Jasoco]

DC batteries do run out REALLY OFTEN! I still think you can save your games though, you just don't get the pretty picture from the game your playing on the memory card screen.
I do think the picture is pretty cool and different, I glad sega did that! :-PYou still get the animation. You just can't use the VMU on the run or swap files between them.

[§ Gideon §]

*fingers crossed*

My original gold NES Legend of Zelda cart has been going strong since 1987...haven't seen a problem yet.

*fingers really crossed*
Rock on. Your battery's a fighter!

[Jasoco]

I wish different devices didn't suck power at different rates. The batteries seem to be the same in just about all game related devices, yet, some items use them faster than others. It's weird. What did Sega DO to the VMU to make it suck so much... suck as in well, you know.