Dreamcast problem

[Superchop]

Well recently I picked up a few Dreamcasts, 2 are working and 1 was not working.  The non working model would boot up normally but just wouldn't read discs.  Luckily one of the working systems was the same revision as the non working one so I decided to swap the gdrom from the working to non working.

The system surprisingly enough still didn't read the discs on the non working model even though it would read discs on the other system.  Now the "broken" gdrom on the working system would read discs just fine.  So from what I saw it seems that both gdrom units are working fine and that there's something else causing the read disc error?

I just have no idea what it could be since the system boots up fine and every so often it takes me to the Music section as if I put in a music cd...

[scarmullet]

Ok, try this. Open the top of the broken Dreamcast and try to load a disc with your finger on the switch that tells the system the door is closed. If it boots up fine, its a simple fix.

[Superchop]

Still a no go most discs just boot straight to the music menu

[xaostic]

Could be a voltage issue to the laser in the Dreamcast that won't read discs properly. I would try adjusting the voltage potentiometer and see what your results are afterwards.

[Dr.Agon]

Ok, try this. Open the top of the broken Dreamcast and try to load a disc with your finger on the switch that tells the system the door is closed. If it boots up fine, its a simple fix.

i had a similar problem, whats the fix? (in case i encounter it again)

[Superchop]

Ok, try this. Open the top of the broken Dreamcast and try to load a disc with your finger on the switch that tells the system the door is closed. If it boots up fine, its a simple fix.

i had a similar problem, whats the fix? (in case i encounter it again)

The fix for that was to find a way to tape the switch down or find another way to hold it down without needing the lid to do it. 

As for the voltage, I thought it was that too but then wouldn't the laser not read discs still no matter what system it was in?

[Superchop]

Well, just wanted to give an update on this situation.  In my attempt to find out what was wrong with the "broken" dreamcast I swapped parts one by one from the working dreamcast.  In the end it turned out that the part that was causing the disc read error was the mother board.  But I guess that's the lesser of two evils since I have an extra gdrom to swap out in case one of the other 2 go bad lol

--edit--
Or it's possible that the broken one just simply doesn't read cd-r's.  The guy that sold it to me had a retail disc in the system but said it didn't work.  So I dunno anymore.  I'm awaiting a couple retail games to arrive in the mail so I'll be testing it out again.

[wiggy]

While I've never witnesses a DC that doesn't read CD-Rs, a lot of people on the web insist that units made after such and such a date won't.

[Superchop]

Yeah, I only mention it cause I noticed that the one that the one that wasn't working was the one that was built in Dec '00 and manufactured in Japan v2...which is pretty much what I noticed everyone said.  But for now, I can see how it makes sense since the system boots up fine, and the gdrom seems to work on the other one.  (Oct '00 from China v2).

[Superchop]

Just a little update in that I guess I never really had a "broken" dreamcast...

Just got done testing out all 3 systems with a retail disc and all 3 loaded up the game perfectly.  So as it stands the "broken" dreamcast was just one of the ones that doesn't read cd-r's.  So as it stands I got 3 functional dreamcasts in which I don't know what to do with 2 of them.

[palmer6strings]

Good to hear that they are all working!

[Vt102]

Just a little update in that I guess I never really had a "broken" dreamcast...

Just got done testing out all 3 systems with a retail disc and all 3 loaded up the game perfectly.  So as it stands the "broken" dreamcast was just one of the ones that doesn't read cd-r's.  So as it stands I got 3 functional dreamcasts in which I don't know what to do with 2 of them.

Do what I did with my 3 extra DCs. Keep them for parts.

[Superchop]

Lol, I thought about that too...but the dreamcast I mainly use is a revision 1.  The other 2 are both revision 2 and besides the power board and shell pieces nothing else can be used for parts :/ motherboard and gdrom are different from revision 1.

I was talking with my cousin though and I'll probably do the vga mod to one of the revision 2 models since vga boxes are insane expensive.

[ShoothimNow]

While I've never witnesses a DC that doesn't read CD-Rs, a lot of people on the web insist that units made after such and such a date won't.

Ha.... get this.... Bought a Dreamcast 3 years ago from a yard sale, $10 with a BOOKLET of games.  Awesome find.  Most games were common, some hard to find (kid kept the inserts, just threw out the cases)....

... the horror was that the EYE of the LASER was yanked out...  I bought one that didn't play discs.  It couldn't read it as some idiotic kid thought it would be cute to destroy the MF....  still pissed I didn't offer him $5 =P