Dreamcast Laser Problem

[maringouin11]

Hi!
I've bought secondhand dreamcast and I've had the same issue with two of them.
They don't read certain official games such as : Sonic Adventure 1, Ooga Booga... (while my jap system have no problem reading them).

I've already tried the trick to make the laser read more faster (turn the little screw clockwise), but without luck.

Is this a common issue?

Do I need to change the whole drive or only the laser?

Is there a place where I can buy that part to replace it or I need another console donor?

[maringouin11]

Would that problem been caused by previous owner using too much burned CD-R instead of the official games, GD-R ?

[Shinebi]

Really stupid mindlapse of yours truly: the games are the same region as the console I hope?

[maringouin11]

Yeah sure, same region, the consoles and games are NTSC-U.
For my jap system, I used the utopia disc to boot it and they worked.

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

DC is a bitch when it comes to booting discs. Try putting the lens assembly at the farther position from the center then boot. If your case is removed/transparent, booting in a dark room might help. Also try to tune the little screw you talked about, but in either direction, just be careful not to go too much extreme and fry everything off. Another great trick is simply to try over and over again, unplugging the stuff then try another bunch of times... Once it boots it usually boots everytime, until it stops booting two days later... Make sure the lens is clean, rubbing alcohol and q-tips can help for that part.

[NateN34]

Yep, if none of the above suggested tips work, you can just replace the drive. And yes they fail often... Of my Dreamcast collection, I have about 4-5 broken laser assemblies, that no longer read discs or freeze in games.

Model 0 and 1 drives will work with 0 and one Dreamcasts. Model 2 drives work with model 2 Dreamcasts and they just plug and play.

Also, I would not bother with buying drive parts....they cost a lot and sometimes don't work, because they are not properly tested. You could get a whole different, working Dreamcast off eBay for cheaper and either use that drive or take that drive out.

[Hedgeyourbets]

Silly question but have you cleaned the lens?

[maringouin11]

Thanks everyone for the advice!!
Yes, the lens is clean.
I've tried what Family Guy said and unfortunately it won't boot these games.

Is the drive from Model 1 on any region the same? So I could take a PAL DC drive and put it on an NTSC?

[NateN34]

Thanks everyone for the advice!!
Yes, the lens is clean.
I've tried what Family Guy said and unfortunately it won't boot these games.

Is the drive from Model 1 on any region the same? So I could take a PAL DC drive and put it on an NTSC?

Yes, you can swap them out and they will work in each other.

[maringouin11]

Thanks :)

[MasterOfPuppets]

Put the game in and close the lid, turn the system upside down and then turn it on. That has worked for me before. I don't know how long that trick will work for though.

[APE]

I've already tried the trick to make the laser read more faster (turn the little screw clockwise), but without luck.

FWIW:

A)That part is called a potentiometer, POT is what you'll see it often refereed to as
B)Turning the POT does not make it read faster - it boosts power output from the laser
C)Simply turning the power up without calibration doesn't really do much good and it can kill the laser early

Might just wanna toss that DC on eBay for parts and buy another. I have one for sale here on the boards for pretty cheap with some slight damage to the case. A quick swap of the top half and you're golden.

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

Put the game in and close the lid, turn the system upside down and then turn it on. That has worked for me before. I don't know how long that trick will work for though.

Ok, I laughed. I believe you though!