Mr. Backup Z64

The Mr. Backup Z64 is a game backup device designed by Harrison Electronics, Inc., able to store Nintendo 64 games as ROM images on Zip Diskettes. Units such as this can make copies of a game which can be played in a Nintendo 64 emulator.

Z64 backup unit

Design

Unlike the Doctor V64, which plugs into the expansion slot in the bottom, this backup unit plugs into the cartridge slot, so the Nintendo 64 perceives it as a regular game cartridge. The unit features an upgradable BIOS, a basic back lit black text LCD panel, and buttons enabling users to unlock and use features of this backup unit. Some units include the ability to add Game Genie codes and various other cheats and saved games.

Hardware revisions

The original Z64 has a hardware set limit of 128 megabits. Because it is not capable of addressing any RAM above 16 megabytes, the user can not upgrade the RAM in order play bigger games. Once 256 megabit games became more prevalent, the parent company released hardware version 2.0 which includes a fully addressable 32 megabyte RAM chip, allowing the larger games to play. The 1.0 units can not be upgraded to 2.0. No further hardware revision has been made to allow for the playing of the few 512 megabit games that were released.

Features

Features of the Z64 include the following:[1]

  • Independently operating without connecting to computers or any peripherals
  • Simple installation, plug and play with only a few buttons
  • Capable of automatically detecting a defective game cartridge
  • Capable of backing up game cartridge data into Zip Disk
  • Capable of playing games from the cartridge
  • Capable of playing game files stored on the Zip Disk
  • Capable of storing the game record on EEPROM and SRAM
  • Capable of clearing data files stored in the diskette
  • With built-in 256 megabit memory (32 megabyte DRAM)
  • With built-in ZIP-100 disk drive
  • Store average 6–12 files in one ZIP-100 diskette
  • Average 16–64 seconds to back up each cartridge depending on game size
  • Flash BIOS for convenient upgrade from Zip Disk

Specifications

The Z64's system specifications are the following:[2]

  • Range of operating temperature: 0 to 55 °C*
  • Range of Storage Temperature: -25 to + 80 °C
  • Net Weight: 1.5 kg
  • Power: 5 W
  • Input: 100–240 V AC, 0.2 A
  • Output: DC +5 V / Maximum: 1.6 A
  • Dimension: 24 cm x 14 cm x 13 cm (L x W x H)
  • Internal RAM: 256 Mbits (32 MB, 8x32 72-pin NP EDO SIMM) Standard
  • Media: 100 MB PC format Zip disk
  • CPU: 386SX/40 MHz
  • BIOS: Flashable

References
  1. z64.co.uk (2000-11-19). "Z64 info". Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  2. Harrison Electronic (1997). "Z64 User Guide page 15". Retrieved 2010-07-10.
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