BROKEN Sega Saturn Model One - Part Out

Was apparently bug infested, but now cleaned the best i can. Anyone need specific parts from this Sega Saturn Model 1? I like to repair consoles, but I give up on this one. Even with a new laser and laser assembly, it reads everything as an audio CD. I know the power supply/controller ports work as it's been tested on another system. The shown laser assembly only reads as audio CD even with a good laser (the laser included here is bad). Everything has been visually gone over for bad traces or broken solder joints and I can't figure out what's wrong. Could be something in the primary motherboard, most likely NOT AN EASY FIX.

Case looks nice, will sell whole console for $15 OBO +ship or part out cheap.

https://s26.postimg.org/cp323vq45/DSC08588.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/i1rwi0e0l/DSC08589.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/du1pn01yt/DSC08590.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/4c1ymygad/DSC08592.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/ae9ldg4qd/DSC08593.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/544mm5khh/DSC08594.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/91rwbk7at/DSC08595.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/6lq2xpp85/DSC08596.jpg

Nice looking case for sure! I'm assuming you've messed with the laser strength a bit to try and get it to read discs, have you tried it with a modchip as well? Maybe there is an issue with the part where it tries to determine if the CD is a legit Saturn one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xelement5x

Nice looking case for sure! I'm assuming you've messed with the laser strength a bit to try and get it to read discs, have you tried it with a modchip as well? Maybe there is an issue with the part where it tries to determine if the CD is a legit Saturn one.

---

I have not tried the mod chip, but I have played with the laser pot. I have 3 saturns right now, and I've swapped parts back and forth and even with a good known laser and assembly, it only reads as cd. Good idea about it trying for authentication, seems that might be the point of error. Most troubleshooting online suggests to replace laser if reads as CD, but that doesn't work in this case. Really strange.

Yeah, I mean obviously something is borked, but you can never be 100% on what the issue is. I've messed around with a number of Saturns before and normally if CD works and can read/play the disc than in many cases it's a laser issue not being strong enough or well tuned, or maybe some sort of authentication. Even if you can get past the auth the unit itself could have major issues playing the games too. Lol, to be honest I'd love to see what it looked like before a cleaning.

I've repaired a bunch of Saturns, fixed 6 of them last year. There is a flow chart in the Sega Service manuals - if you are not getting the game to boot its unlikely a laser issue. It's an issue with the TOC not being picked up when it searches the edge of the disc (if it searches the edge of the disc). judging from pics I think you have corroded traces or cap issue or worse.
I have some broken Saturns left still and might be able to use this but shipping is just too much for these damn things. and the resale is really low right now. Any controllers?

Do you know if this unit has a separate CD board (the little board that the CD drive cable plugs into that has the SH-1 on it)? If it does and you end up parting it out, I'd be interested in that board.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by segasonicfan

I've repaired a bunch of Saturns, fixed 6 of them last year. There is a flow chart in the Sega Service manuals - if you are not getting the game to boot its unlikely a laser issue. It's an issue with the TOC not being picked up when it searches the edge of the disc (if it searches the edge of the disc). judging from pics I think you have corroded traces or cap issue or worse.
I have some broken Saturns left still and might be able to use this but shipping is just too much for these damn things. and the resale is really low right now. Any controllers?

---

Sorry, I have no extra controllers - thanks for the additional information, good to know. That being said, I've already wasted too much time on this unit, and I already have 2 good units, so no motivation to figure this one out. If there is anything in particular you need/want on this unit, I will gladly part it out cheap. Agreed, shipping will probably be high, but I can probably ship a single part first class. PM me your zip, maybe we're close by - I'm in Ohio.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mask of Destiny

Do you know if this unit has a separate CD board (the little board that the CD drive cable plugs into that has the SH-1 on it)? If it does and you end up parting it out, I'd be interested in that board.

---

Nope, this unit doesn't have the separate board.

I've got a Saturn with the same issue. It reads games as CDs for some reason but I'm unable to fix it. I bought a new laser, adjusted the pot, cleaned it, etc. These Saturns are temperamental.

Lol, it was funny because I saw the one FS in your thread and thought of this post as well. Did you try a chip on yours either Raja?

No I was so annoyed I didn't want anything to do with it anymore. I mean it might be fixable I really don't know..... it was my original Saturn so I know it wasn't mistreated or anything. I've since sold or attempted to sell off everything Saturn I own. I even got that one game from you. But yeah nothing but back luck with Saturns ever since.

I'm tempted to pick one of them up and try, but I've got Saturns out the wazooo right now and my wife would kill me if more appeared.

The trick is to have sooo many that she can't tell if a few more got added.

Would you sell just the outer shell of the saturn?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hidden_Darkness

Would you sell just the outer shell of the saturn?

---

Absolutely, send me your zip and I'll get you a shipping quote. I would like to get $5 for the shell +ship, bottom and top together. Lid works and overall it's cosmetically the nicest part. Missing rear battery door though.

Thank you for the reply, my zip is 53714.