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

[zemonn]

Sorry for the long post, but the issue is a little complicated and I wanted to be clear as to what has/hasn't been tried. I am currently running a Model 1 Genesis and Model 1 Sega CD. I am having a problem with my Sega CD Model 1 (big surprise).

B.L.U.F.
- The SegaCD/Gen unit displays the “background” for the bios screen (planets, stars, and “1992 SEGA Ver. 1.10”) but that’s it.
- The “SEGA” and “SEGACD” graphics don’t show up and nothing will boot. Also, the SegaCD Ready and Access lights don’t light up.
- If I manually eject the drive with the power off, it will pull back in when the Genesis is turned back on (so power is getting to the drive) but the CD doesn’t spin up and the Ready/Access lights only flicker for a second when the drawer pulls in.
- The Genesis works fine with cartridge games.
- I have already tried cleaning the connection between the Genesis and SegaCD (shouldn’t be the issue since the Genesis is getting the SegaCD boot screen) and I have disconnected and reconnected the ribbon cable from the mainboard to the CD drive.

Some background:
I purchased the Sega Genesis and Sega CD for $20 with shipping because the seller “couldn’t test due to lack of cables”…yeah right. So when it got here it obviously had problems…wouldn’t even boot up. So, I fixed the fuse and had to do some creative wiring and capacitor installing to fix a dime sized crater on the bottom of the power board due to the previous owner(s) strange mod attempts. After the fix, I did the S-video and jack relocation mods and was in business and playing games for 2 months. I did have a slight problem where audio CDs would lock up after about 15 minutes of play, but it didn’t affect the actual games. Then, one day it’s hosed.

So, are there any ideas as far as what might be wrong? It seems that if it was the mainboard then the planet background wouldn’t even show up. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[Joe Redifer]

I've seen that. Basically the motherboard in the Sega CD (the part with the CPU and whatnot) is dead. There isn't anything you can do to fix it other than replace it with another board. That's what I had to do with mine... fortunately I had a spare Sega CD model 1 lying around. This board also contains the READY and ACCESS lights. I have no idea why mine died. Working fine one day, but not the next. Complete mystery to me. If anyone has a more thorough answer, I'd love to hear it.

[evildragon]

Just incase, check the fuse on the Sega CD's board (not sure which one has the fuse).

[zemonn]

Yeah, the fuse is good. If it is the motherboard then I guess I'm stuck... I'll take a look at the motherboard tomorrow and see if there is an obvious burn/scorch/unpleasant damage mark.

[DeeJay]

I'm at my wit's end!

Megadrive 1 and Mega-CD 1 arrived today.

Megadrive is fine

Mega-CD worked the first time to test (with sonic cd), but 10 mins later I went back for a proper play of it and the boot up screen on the Mega-CD is just frozen (not a moving image) with no sounds. The ready light is on solid and the access light flashes but no text appears on screen. When you hit restart it says to put a disk in and press start, but the drive doesn't open? What has happened? Is this fixable?

[evildragon]

Reseat the Genesis..

If doesn't work, clean the contacts on the Genesis with a pink-head eraser.

Sounds like a dirty connection to me.

[DeeJay]

Thanks for the quick responce. I gave it a good clean with a pink eraser, but still no good. Any other suggestions? I think something happened to the Mega-CD?

[DeeJay]

And another thing.... what is that 'lock' sliding switch on the left sideof the Mega-CD for, is that to do with the metal attachment plate? (which mine didn't come with)

[evildragon]

My Sega CD doesn't have it, mines missing that piece, so I would say it's of no importance, and I think it's for the karaoke thing.

Do you have a way to clean the contact on the Mega CD itself? Those might be dirty..

[DeeJay]

I cleaned the contacts on both machines earlier with a (slightly) damp cloth (then dried them). When doing the megadrive connecter there i also gave the mega-cd connector a light going over (the rubber starts to fall apart if you give it a harder clean).

The odd thing was that it worked at first and now doesn't? I don't think it is the connectors?

[evildragon]

Dirty connectors can be intermittent problems, it was worth a shot...

I don't know what the problem could be, other people know the mechanics better than I do. I only know the technical aspect, not the mechanical part.

If the logos are animating, the motherboard has a chance of working, because it's CPU and ASIC are running.

The blinking RED LED indicates the drive door is open, so the mechanical part of the tray may be to blame right now.

[DeeJay]

seems like a daft design not having an eject button on the mega-cd also?

[DeeJay]

the logos aren't animating (anymore). just a pic of the earth and moon with the sega v1.00 above. no logos, animation or sound? could the motherboard have fried somehow with othe 2 minutes of use?

[evildragon]

the logos aren't animating (anymore). just a pic of the earth and moon with the sega v1.00 above. no logos, animation or sound? could the motherboard have fried somehow with othe 2 minutes of use?

Sounds like something has failed. Are there any LED activity on the system? If not, try checking the fuse on the system.

[DeeJay]

LED activity? Just the Green light and Flashing Red one. I don't have a screw driver that fits the holes, i'll have to get hold of one, if the fuse had gone would it be obvious to look at?