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

[Elliotw2]

I wonder if anyone can help me with a problem with my Dreamcast. After I opened it to fix a power issue, the GD-Rom drive refuses to read games, or even spin. Are there any cables that I could have missed, or did I just break it?

[Yfrid]

does it show "reading disc" message when you close the lid?

[Elliotw2]

Nope

[Yfrid]

maybe the open/close switch became faulty:

try to turn on your dreamcast without the upper cover like the picture(don't care about the missing power supply ), insert a disc and push gently the switch with your finger, look if the disc spins.

[Elliotw2]

Disc spins, will not boot any game I try, burned or not

edit: Ok, it does show the "Checking Disc" message now

[Yfrid]

hmmmm... it sounds like it needs a lens calibration, but it shouldn't happens so suddenly...
btw, whats that power issue you've fixed? maybe the power supply doesn't work properly and it affect the optical unit :\
did you disassembled the optical unit too when you opened it? maybe you've accidentally damaged/moved the flat cable of the optical unit (happened to me one time after the usual clean) check it

[Elliotw2]

I fixed the random restart problem, by cleaning the pins that the power supply uses.

I didn't disassemble the optical unit, but I can check that anyway

Edit: Checked the optical unit, seems fine

[Yfrid]

hmmm...so it needs a recalibration, i can't think anything else. I must admit i never had do any before. far as i know, you just have to move this trimmer clockwise:

i strongly recommend to check its values by a tester before touch it, then turn it of few degrees, if it still doesn't read, try others few times. be careful!

[Elliotw2]

Ok, that's fixed, it seems to read discs and everything now.

However, my Dreamcast just hates me or something, because it decided to go back to random restarting. Time to clean the PSU again!

edit: Nevermind, refuses to turn on. Who wants a busted Dreamcast?

[retrospiel]

The restart thingy is usually a sign of a the wrong AC cable (yes, there seem to be minor differences in how well the plug fits in) or the plug not being connected deep enough.

[Yfrid]

don't give up!
when you press the power switch it tries to turn on or not? if not check the fuse on power supply. if it burn instantly when you plug a new one, something is shorted on the power supply. I
f i remember right, a faulty cooling fan could cause random resets or even compromise console's boot either.

[Elliotw2]

When I push the button, the light comes on, the fan starts, and then nothing else happens

[OllieDixon]

Maybe someone can help me.

I was following a tutorial (and a youtube vid) on how to convert a Genesis 2 RF box into a free composite cable. Basically strip the wires, match the colors and ground. Simple enough! However, my first party RF doesn't have the red, white and yellow colored wires the ones in the guides have.... I assume mine only has mono going into the RF box. Im not entirely sure how to proceed







I don't mind making a mono cable if i can.



EDIT:
Orange = Video
Green = L Audio
White = Nothing

Can i make a dual mono by connecting both red and white composite to green without blowing anything up? hehe

[Yfrid]

When I push the button, the light comes on, the fan starts, and then nothing else happens

i don't know then... it could be the mobo, and that would be REALLY bad
but i would try to check something else hoping it's not died the mobo. it could be the power supply this time, maybe all those random resets caused by its own pins had exposed it to a damage. sadly i don't know where to find his schematics..

Maybe someone can help me.

I was following a tutorial (and a youtube vid) on how to convert a Genesis 2 RF box into a free composite cable. Basically strip the wires, match the colors and ground. Simple enough! However, my first party RF doesn't have the red, white and yellow colored wires the ones in the guides have.... I assume mine only has mono going into the RF box. Im not entirely sure how to proceed

don't you have a tester? you shoud check by yourself wich pin is linked to wich cable. if you don't have it, you can improvise one. pick a battery, some wire and a lamp (maybe an AA battery and a 1,5V led) and do this:

put a cable end to a pin and the other to the unknown cutted wires, when the lamp lights up, you'll know wich pin is linked to wich wire

[OllieDixon]

don't you have a tester? you shoud check by yourself wich pin is linked to wich cable. if you don't have it, you can improvise one. pick a battery, some wire and a lamp (maybe an AA battery and a 1,5V led) and do this:

put a cable end to a pin and the other to the unknown cutted wires, when the lamp lights up, you'll know wich pin is linked to wich wire

Awesome idea .. but i just trial and errored it hehe. Results above.