Sega CD Model 1 Problems

[billcosbymon]

I've noticed that sometimes my Sega CD Model 1 has trouble playing games and it will not play the pier solar expansion song disc or burned games. The only burned game that's is working is sonic mega mix(I think that's what it's called IIRC).I also do not use crap CD-Rs and I always burn at 2x or 4x. So, what would say is the problem, do I need a new laser or do I need new capacitors? If you have any suggestions of what the problem might be, please don't hesitate to throw an answer my way, it would be much appreciated.:love2:

billcosbymon

[l_oliveira]

I've noticed that sometimes my Sega CD Model 1 has trouble playing games and it will not play the pier solar expansion song disc or burned games. The only burned game that's is working is sonic mega mix(I think that's what it's called IIRC).I also do not use crap CD-Rs and I always burn at 2x or 4x. So, what would say is the problem, do I need a new laser or do I need new capacitors? If you have any suggestions of what the problem might be, please don't hesitate to throw an answer my way, it would be much appreciated.:love2:

billcosbymon

CHECK THE CAPACITORS ! :shrug:

[billcosbymon]

Sorry if this question is common knowledge but, how would I use my Father's multimeter to check the capacitors?

[l_oliveira]

Sorry if this question is common knowledge but, how would I use my Father's multimeter to check the capacitors?

Actually you should inspect them visually for leaks or rust. If you find rust or oil, gatherings of stuck dirt, they're leaking.


A good indicator of leaking capacitors is when the solder on it's terminals is oxidized. :thumbsup:

If it's leaking, it's bad and need to be replaced.

[billcosbymon]

Thank you, I'll have to check that out this weekend.

[Yoder]

Could be a weak laser. See if you have the Sony or the JVC laser and consider turning the pot that increases the power. That may help a bit. I have one with a weak laser too, but it won't read discs at all..but I can see the laser working...

And, yeah, check the caps too...

[l_oliveira]

Could be a weak laser. See if you have the Sony or the JVC laser and consider turning the pot that increases the power. That may help a bit. I have one with a weak laser too, but it won't read discs at all..but I can see the laser working...

And, yeah, check the caps too...

People should stop putting the blame on the laser pickups, mainly because the BAD CAPACITORS make the pickup look like the culprit (faulty/noisy power supply increases read errors on the CD drive more/easier than weak laser) and in the end you buy an expensive/hard to find pickup only to discover that it was not the problem you had to begin with. :lol:

[Yoder]

The problem is that there are very few accounts of anyone fixing laser issues with these things...even on Sega-16 where these are plenty. That's great news that a cap replacement may do it...I have one in beautiful condition that refuses to read discs more than sort of reading an audio CD...similar to the OP's.

So, in your opinion, to address a weak laser, one should start with the caps on the power board as opposed to the other two boards?

I actually have a new working Model 1. I'll probably swap the power board and see if that addresses the issue. Then I can replace the caps on that board...

Is there a list of caps on these posted anywhere? If not, after I get back from vacation I'll go through mine and list the cap positions and values.

[bart_simpson]

I have 2 mega cd motherboards that don't work after cap replacement so i will send them to a mate and see what he can do.

[billcosbymon]

Sorry for the bump, but I figured out the problem. The problem was the media I was using because media isn't made the same anymore and I recently found an old spindel of TDK CDs at a Thrift store that work wonderfully.

[l_oliveira]

Sorry for the bump, but I figured out the problem. The problem was the media I was using because media isn't made the same anymore and I recently found an old spindel of TDK CDs at a Thrift store that work wonderfully.

For that, the solution is replace the CD writer, not the media.

Once you run out of the old media, you will have no choice but replace the writer. My MEGA-CD has no issues with modern CDRs as long they have been written properly.