damaged Laser Active tray

[chazumaru]

Hi everyone,

I hadn't posted in a while. I hope my topic fits properly into this specific sub-forum since the bulletin board's organization has changed slightly.

I just moved my Laser Active from one country to another (I think it traveled by road and by sea). I was told the LA is very fragile and the tray / optical unit had great chances to get damaged in the process; however I had no other choice. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky and it seems the tray is now damaged, as I feared.

I have a Laser Active with an MD module plugged in.
Here is what happens when I boot up the Laser Active (without any MD cartridge inserted):

- the CD and LD buttons keep bleeping indefinitely
- the tray makes a lot of noise, as if it was trying to open up or to read a disc (there should be no disc inside, IIRC)
- the menu appears normally and says "select the play button"
- If I select the PLAY logo, the LA tries to charge something but then nothing happens.
- If I try to select "open CD" or "open LD" nothing happens
- Trickier: if I select the PLAY logo then immediately press "open CD" or "open LD", nothing happens but the buttons change to "close CD" and "close LD", as if I managed to open it. Of course this does not fix anything and I return to the "select the play button" situation.
- If a MD cartridge is plugged in, no problem, that game can be played.

Is this a known issue?
Do you have any experience with fixing a LA?

Thanks a lot for your help, comments and advices.

[Twimfy]

I don't have an LA but I have you tried finding disassembly instructions and opening it to looks for any obvious problems such as detached cables or broken parts?

[chazumaru]

I plan to do that at some point but not right away.

If this was a basic system such as a MD or Neo Geo, or a complex but well documented console with widely available spare parts (such as PS2), I wouldn't mind opening it. But since I know very little about what is inside the LA and since the machine is quite a high maintenance lady, I'd rather not mess around before hearing some experimented people's advices.

[ASSEMbler]

Simply put, it won't survive travel without the inserts that came in the tray when it was new.

Just claim on the movers insurance and move on.

[Jamtex]

You can remove the top quite easily by removing the screws, it will at least give you some idea if the problem is due to a loose cable or something more serious.

[Nitro734]

I've had experience fixing a Sega CD model 1 drive that was broken in transport, but I don't think the two devices are similar enough in design for that experience to be helpful. Anyhow, I posted this over a year ago for reference, you may find it helpful:
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17153

[chazumaru]

Thanks. I'll open it up this weekend if I can find the time. I'll check you link for reference, Nitro.

[Johnny]

Hey chazumaru, long time no see. :thumbsup:

Don't forget to tell us if you fixed it.

[chazumaru]

Quick update: things have progressed, but it's not 100% fixed yet.

The good news: I managed to repair the tray! After opening and dismantling the LA apart, then toying around with the tray and the cogs which mechanically move it around, I somehow managed to recreate the correct installation (this required more luck and brute force than technical knowledge and soldering skills).

So now, whenever I ask my LA to open or close the tray, it works!

However, discs are still not played. What happens now is that the tray opens by itself when I turn on the system. I can then close it and open it manually, and the LA recognizes there is a game/movie inside, but then nothing happens and eventually the tray opens once again. I also noticed that the CD button opens the whole tray, not just the CD tray (I think I know why, I'll try to fix that later).


One hypothesis I have is that I did not re-install the LA' tray entirely properly. Maybe something is still missing. However I am open to suggestions and educated guesses!

I took pics of the whole process with my DSi but I won't bother you with that unless I manage to fully repair the console.

[amobile]

hi Chazumaru

i've got exactly the same problem with my LA ! :(
During the shipping from Tokyo to Paris, something happens and the LD/CD tray still not works (it was worked before the shipment) :(
When i switch on the LA, the eject LEDs in front of the LA, lights on quickly and then lights off.
I've opened it but everything seems to be ok :(
Which cogs did you moved to repair the tray?

Thanks for your help :)

[raylyd]

got any pics and check the drive belt i have have got two model one usa sega cd
the drive belts was changed causeing te tray to just keep open and close

[amobile]

where is this drive belt?
i saw one under the tray but it wasn't accessible and seems ok :(

[ASSEMbler]

sounds like a problem with the switch or mechanism that detects what trays are open or closed.

[raylyd]

pictures

[Figure0fTragedy]

Yes, pictures would help :O

[sayin999]

You know I was reading that pioneer actually still repairs any of it's laser disc players no matter how old they are. Have you considered contacting pioneer to get it fixed?

[Figure0fTragedy]

Also, having the service manual should help you out as well, it has plenty of info on the tray. Heres the link:

http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/misc/clda100_repair/servicemanual.htm

[raylyd]

some of the probs could be the timeing cog sounds like to me i would beable to have a look and see if i can repair the console for you if you wanted me too let me know or pm me

[amobile]

Also, having the service manual should help you out as well, it has plenty of info on the tray. Heres the link:

http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/misc/clda100_repair/servicemanual.htm

OH Thanks !
very good link !
I will check my LA problem with this documentation :) :pray:

[raylyd]

hope you sort your prob out