Ask general Genesis/MD/Sega CD/32X questions here (for new members)

[Sega1975]

I have a Sega CD question. I have American Sega Genesis Model 1, Sega CD Model 1, and the Sega Genesis 32-X. I have cleaned all the connections but still have trouble with the Sega CD. My Sega CD takes probably 5 minutes till it will reads the CD. Most of the my games work put I got a couple of games,it freezes during gameplay or won't start the game. I'm wondering if the disc has too many scratches as being my problem. Does resurfacing the Sega CD games help it read the disc better. Any help will be appreciated or where I get this problem fixed.

Thanks for your time and help!

[indianknightrider]

You can try swiping the laser lens with a cotton tip using 99% Isopropyl alcohol. it sounds like dust has covered it and it's reading extremely sloww.

[Protoss]

Hi there!

Phew, just finished reading the 78 pages of this thread (no kidding, it's true!!) which I must say they've very interesting information, and now I'm about to write my first post here because I *think* I haven't found the exact answers to my questions, so here's the deal:

1) I may have a chance to get my hands on a faulty japanese MegaCD model 1 (I've been looking for it for years!), and before that I asked some questions to the vendor about the symptoms and whatever he did to verify its condition. He told me that when he received it he tried to power it with a european MD1 PSU, without knowing that the equipment was from Japan. For what I know about electrical stuff and something I read here (US Power supply on Jap Mega CD) it seems that there shouldn't be any problem using a EU power supply because what matters is the output of the bricks. But can anyone assure me that all model 1 Mega CD's have the same power needs? I've been reading a lot about 0.85 or something A instead of the (I think) most common 1.2A, so I would like to be sure. I order to ask the vendor, where can he look for the specs on the Mega CD: at the bottom of it? The chances are very likely that the unit was already broken when he aqquired it, but if by any chance he plugged an incorrect brick, then it may be just the typical fuse problem.

2) Another thing that he told me is that the Mega CD didn't do anything, not even lightening the LED's, and assuming he mismatched the megadrive and megacd regions (1st would be EU and the 2nd JAP) at least it should have shown some message on screen telling him about that incompatibility, shouldn't it?

3) I've already modded 2 megadrives (model 1 and model 2) with the 50/60Hz and EU/Jap/US switches, so I assume that using the model 1 on 60Hz-JAP should be enough to use correctly the japanese Mega CD, shouldn't it?

4) Just as a curiosity: when I did (some years ago) the modding on my MegaDrive model 1 and tried some games, I noticed that if I switched it on with the Sonic 1 cartridge on a 60Hz config, the game was faster (of course) but the music played at the same speed as on 50Hz, and if I remember it well, when changing from 50 to 60Hz then the music also sped up. Is it normal?

Thanks for your interest!

EDIT: Just forgot it, the vendor told me that the MegaCD model is MK-1690-11, and searching here I found it may be the japanese model as I told you. Can anybody confirm it?

[ApolloBoy]

Hi there!
But can anyone assure me that all model 1 Mega CD's have the same power needs? I've been reading a lot about 0.85 or something A instead of the (I think) most common 1.2A, so I would like to be sure. I order to ask the vendor, where can he look for the specs on the Mega CD: at the bottom of it? The chances are very likely that the unit was already broken when he aqquired it, but if by any chance he plugged an incorrect brick, then it may be just the typical fuse problem.

Both models of the Mega CD use the exact same power supply as the model 1 MD. If it's not powering on, then there's a good possibility that the fuse is blown. The fuse is one of the most fragile parts of the Mega CD, and is almost always the main problem with dead Mega/Sega CDs in my experience.

2) Another thing that he told me is that the Mega CD didn't do anything, not even lightening the LED's, and assuming he mismatched the megadrive and megacd regions (1st would be EU and the 2nd JAP) at least it should have shown some message on screen telling him about that incompatibility, shouldn't it?

It would. If you mismatch the regions, you'll get a message saying that the Mega CD is incompatible with the MD that it's plugged into (or if you have your MD switched to a different region).

3) I've already modded 2 megadrives (model 1 and model 2) with the 50/60Hz and EU/Jap/US switches, so I assume that using the model 1 on 60Hz-JAP should be enough to use correctly the japanese Mega CD, shouldn't it?

Yes, I don't see why it wouldn't work if you have your MD switched to the proper region for the Mega CD.

4) Just as a curiosity: when I did (some years ago) the modding on my MegaDrive model 1 and tried some games, I noticed that if I switched it on with the Sonic 1 cartridge on a 60Hz config, the game was faster (of course) but the music played at the same speed as on 50Hz, and if I remember it well, when changing from 50 to 60Hz then the music also sped up. Is it normal?

From what I've seen, the game doesn't completely switch over to the frequency you set your MD on unless you turn the MD on with the switch set to whatever frequency you want beforehand.

Just forgot it, the vendor told me that the MegaCD model is MK-1690-11, and searching here I found it may be the japanese model as I told you. Can anybody confirm it?

The model number for the Japanese model 1 Mega CD is HAA-2910, so it's most likely an Asian Mega CD.

[Lopson]

I've a friend who's willing to mod my Model 2 VA1.8, but the thing is I don't know where I should tell my buddy to solder the 50/60Hz switch cables (we're going for a double switch modification). I've seen some Model 2 having the cables soldered to the JP3 point in the motherboard, while others have them soldered onto pin 47. Will any of these two do?

[dadou]

for the 50/60 hz you can solder it to the pin 46 after you isolated it

[Contra-God]

I picked up another Gen 1 because I wanted the reset button for my good one. I checked to see if it worked but it only boots to the "Produced by or under license from Sega..." but it goes black and wont load games after that. Is there anything you'd recommend checking or should I toss it in the bin with my other random stuff.

[evildragon]

Clean cartridge slot thoroughly.

[Contra-God]

lol Yeah I tried that a few days ago and all my games are cleaned to perfection.

[Sublevel]

Battle Mania II: Daiginjou, does it have the region lockout? Not playable on a Genesis?

[cheaterdragon1]

Can I play CD32X games without a 32X?

[Elliotw2]

Can I play CD32X games without a 32X?

Generally no. Some of them also do not work with the front loading Sega CD

[Contra-God]

I don't want to start a new thread because I know it's here I just can't find it. I'm planning on doing a region mod to my Genesis so I can play all games available. My questions are: If I do the Eng/Jpn switch it still wont play PAL games? or it will for some? and is the PAL mod necessary to play megadrive games that are not Jpn? Basically a simple rundown thread of region mods and NTSC/PAL mods would be great.

Thanks in advance.

[lumclaw]

How is the audio and video quality of CDX? I have a 37" HD screen without RF capability (oddball as that sounds), so good composite or s-video is crucial. Are the CD games region locked?

I'm hoping CDX would be a less bulky alternative to tracking down a good condition model 1 Genesis and Sega CD. Doubting I really need SMS or 32X support anyway.

[Assman]

Audio quality is good (supposedly tops for original hardware, or at least very close), video quality is... iffy. Using composite on my HDTV gave me a noisy, jumpy picture that improved noticeably when I attached my 32X. Using RGB gave me a similarly noisy picture that again improved with my 32X attached. Outside of my own experience, I've heard very little about the CDX's video quality (this may very well depend more on your HDTV anyway).

CD games are region locked, and based on my experience and what I've read from others, CDXs seem to have trouble playing CD-Rs (they may not play at all, they may boot and crash shortly thereafter, or they may play just fine; who knows). CDX is a less bulky alternative, though, there's no question about that. It's like a portable CD player with a thicker body and a cartridge slot.