CD/DVD ROM Repair
OK...so, I picked up a Gen 1 Saturn in the box for $5, but this was knowing the console didn't read discs. Common problem with Saturns...usually you can either adjust the speed at which the disc spins up or down (little flathead screw on the actual CD ROM board), and/or clean the laser lens with rubbing alcohol, and blame-o...problem fixed, hello working Saturn.
This didn't work on this particular one because the disc wasn't spinning at all(ie, can't adjust speed and lens cleanliness is moot). I got another console (gen 1.5) to complete my boxed console ($20...complete and working), but I was determined to figure out what was up with the other one.
Upon taking it apart again, and comparing if to the working model, I quickly noticed that the strip of teeth connected to the laser (plastic) which hooked up to the gears which were connected to the motor (also plastic) were broken off on the Saturn which wasn't working, which also explained the disc spin (or non-spin) issue - when the laser is stationary, the disc has no reason to spin (manually cycling the laser got me a "disc tray empty" message, whereas before, the console was searching for the media non-stop),
SO...I grabbed my friend's broken portable CD player hoping to find the part I needed, but unfortunately, it was actually well designed, using metal teeth instead of plastic, coupled with plastic gears.
AND NOW THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS - Is Sega's poorly designed drive unique to their CD ROM (& GD ROM) based consoles, or is this piss poor design common, but only an issue with a game console and all the popping in and out of discs it sees regularly?
ALSO - should I run across a similarly designed CD ROM drive, can I swap out the plastic part, or do I need to replace the entire laser assembly?
I love the Saturn, but what a poorly designed piece of shit...only the Xbox 360 had a greater failure rate than that trash heap with the super awesome, albeit small, game library...
Now, I understand why.
This didn't work on this particular one because the disc wasn't spinning at all(ie, can't adjust speed and lens cleanliness is moot). I got another console (gen 1.5) to complete my boxed console ($20...complete and working), but I was determined to figure out what was up with the other one.
Upon taking it apart again, and comparing if to the working model, I quickly noticed that the strip of teeth connected to the laser (plastic) which hooked up to the gears which were connected to the motor (also plastic) were broken off on the Saturn which wasn't working, which also explained the disc spin (or non-spin) issue - when the laser is stationary, the disc has no reason to spin (manually cycling the laser got me a "disc tray empty" message, whereas before, the console was searching for the media non-stop),
SO...I grabbed my friend's broken portable CD player hoping to find the part I needed, but unfortunately, it was actually well designed, using metal teeth instead of plastic, coupled with plastic gears.
AND NOW THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS - Is Sega's poorly designed drive unique to their CD ROM (& GD ROM) based consoles, or is this piss poor design common, but only an issue with a game console and all the popping in and out of discs it sees regularly?
ALSO - should I run across a similarly designed CD ROM drive, can I swap out the plastic part, or do I need to replace the entire laser assembly?
I love the Saturn, but what a poorly designed piece of shit...only the Xbox 360 had a greater failure rate than that trash heap with the super awesome, albeit small, game library...
Now, I understand why.
Comments
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sanyo-sf-p101n
Originally posted by: Br81zad
Does your model use the Sanyo laser setup?
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sanyo-sf-p101n
So it would seem...Sanyo motherboard as well (the more I learn about these things, the more I am amazed that they functioned at all). Looks like I can rape a GameCube for the parts I need, no? $6 is better than $24, or whatever.
Thanks.
Originally posted by: MalcolmXY
Originally posted by: Br81zad
Does your model use the Sanyo laser setup?
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sanyo-sf-p101n
So it would seem...Sanyo motherboard as well (the more I learn about these things, the more I am amazed that they functioned at all). Looks like I can rape a GameCube for the parts I need, no? $6 is better than $24, or whatever.
Thanks.
I'm not read up on my Gamecube hardware, but I do know that the parts are common. They're cheap and widely used.
Originally posted by: Br81zad
I'm not read up on my Gamecube hardware, but I do know that the parts are common. They're cheap and widely used.
we'll find out soon enough...gamecubes cost $.10 for 12 these days...it's worth the little risk to find out. I'll post my findings, should I have any.
horrid design, though...it's like they were asking for that drive to break.
Can't believe the Gamecube, with it's marvelous graphics, is CD ROM...and half a CD ROM at that...when everyone else was using DVD ROM (unless it's a modified Sanyo, or an updated one from the Saturn ones).
That's impressive.
Originally posted by: MalcolmXY
Originally posted by: Br81zad
I'm not read up on my Gamecube hardware, but I do know that the parts are common. They're cheap and widely used.
we'll find out soon enough...gamecubes cost $.10 for 12 these days...it's worth the little risk to find out. I'll post my findings, should I have any.
horrid design, though...it's like they were asking for that drive to break.
Can't believe the Gamecube, with it's marvelous graphics, is CD ROM...and half a CD ROM at that...when everyone else was using DVD ROM (unless it's a modified Sanyo, or an updated one from the Saturn ones).
That's impressive.
I always assumed it has half a dvd... Same mechanism, just with a different reader. Like I said though, I'm completely in the dark when it somes to the cube hardware. And to echo what Jock said, please do post your findings, now I'm interested
Originally posted by: Space Jockey
If you find a solution let me know. My gen 1 only reads discs properly maybe 25% of the time, gen 1.5 is around 90% good reads and gen 2 is 100% so far.
I just bought 2 Saturn systems from goodwill online for $30 ($15/per). They were sold "as is", so i figured i might have to tinker with them a little. One was a model 1, the other a model 2. Both fired right up, and I played some Virtua Cop 2 without any problems. Considering how fragile they are, I was very surprised. The model 1 came without the plastic panel for the battery compartment. Do either of you know where to find one of those? Or if anyplace reproduces them for a reasonable price?
Originally posted by: Space Jockey
If you find a solution let me know. My gen 1 only reads discs properly maybe 25% of the time, gen 1.5 is around 90% good reads and gen 2 is 100% so far.
Sounds like you can do one of the easy fixes (clean the laser, adjust the disc spin speed). There are videos which will show you how to both on Youtube.
My Gen 1 reads discs ZERO percent of the time because the teeth on the laser assembly are completely broken off, so the laser can't move.
Even if yours only reads discs 1% of the time, your problem is completely different than mine...unless the teeth on your laser are severely worn down...I'd have to take a look inside to see what was going on before I could evev take a guess outside the common stuff that seems to work 90% of the time in squeezing a little more life out of these patched together monstrosities.