Broken PC Engine CDROM2 Unit

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

I recently bought a PC Engine CD unit (along with a Core unit and an interface) that doesn't work. I wasn't ripped off exactly; the guy who sold it to me told me it didn't work. When you boot up with a system card (I have a System Card 2.0) and press the run button, it just loads forever. The led on the right side of the CD unit says "PC", but the CD isn't spinning. It just hangs there indefinitely.

I opened up the CD unit, and found immediately what the problem probably is. There is wire leading to the laser that appears to be crushed and bent. Probably a couple of the leads have been broken. If I'm not mistaken, this is probably the main data lead for the CD drive. It has 12 pins, judging from the soldering on the other side of the board, and they're about .5mm apart. Here is a picture:



So, I believe if I can replace this wire, the unit will probably work. However, I don't know where to get another wire like this. Do any of you know where I might find one? Could I find one in a portable CD player, for instance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Blur2040]

Ribbon cables are a funny animal. They're often made in a way that allows them to bend and fold, etc. They're all over the place in laptops...for example. The only problem I ever have with them is accidental ripping...though I suppose an unintended fold could do it...So...I'm saying...that even though it might look folded up...that might be the cable's proper spot. I don't know...I don't have a PC Engine CD (Yet...They're a pain to find by themselves.)

Replacement wise, short of getting one from another PC Engine CD unit...you're probably screwed. If I were you, I'd be trying to find somebody else who has a parts system.

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

That was one thing I considered. Is there anybody on the forum with a parts unit? Not sure if this belongs in the marketplace. Also, for those who own a working PC Engine CDROM2 unit, would you be willing to open up your CD unit and see if the wire is bent like this?

[madhatter256]

does that ribbon cable come directly frmo the laser unit or from another PCB that is connected to the laser unit? Did you check for any other abnormalities on that board?

You can be brave and make one yourself usint other materials ;-). Maybe even the wires from a hard drive cable (which will require soldering). Like I said though, you have to be brave ;-).

Take it apart further and post a picture of the cable lying flat with the contact points exposed.

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

I forgot to do that; it'll have to wait till tomorrow. It isn't as simple as lifting the PCB up, though. In order to do that, you have to unplug all of the cables leading to the board, since they attach at all corners.

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

After opening it up, I found upon closer inspection that the wire wasn't bent after all; there was a bit of copper or something wrapped around it as you can see in this picture:



So, that lead is a dead end. I am still a bit curious as to why the piece of copper is all bent up. It could be that it's bent out of its normal position so that it's in contact with another part of the board, causing interference. I may try to put some tape around it to see if that makes any difference.

I doubt that is the problem, however. Based on the picture below, and my account of what happens when I turn the unit on, can any of you guess what might be the problem?

[nem]

I don't think it's fixable. Most of the CD-ROM 2 units on sale at Yahoo Japan are similar. I bought mine from there and it does the same thing. I think it's just something that happen to them over time.

[icotech]

I have fix this problem!!!! ...

sorry but I have read now this post :-D

[l_oliveira]

I tell you what is your problem:

The mechanism is broken.


How comes ? The gears that move the optical pickup probably have missing teeth. The drive won't start unless it's capable of moving the optical pickup to the center to read the disc TOC.

So the drive lights up the LED display with "PC" but sits quiet doing nothing (the mechanism can't move because it's stuck) and you can't run CDs.


Be careful for not damaging it further as it might have means of repair.

I have TWO PCE units with the same fault as yours and I can't find a suitable gear for replacement. :shrug:

Edit: The copper plate with the wire is just an shielding added to diminish the effects of the user putting the hands close to the unit while it's operating, disturbing the laser operation and causing the player to skip the disc tracks.

[Dr.Wily]

Go, read and up this topic maybe it makes a diference in future...

Also, you can start reading this thread