Is my Dreamcast dying?

[Brian R.]

I've had a few glitches happen over the past month or two that have got me wondering if my Dreamcast is dying, which since I've stocked up on $9.99 bargains would be a real bummer.

 

What's happened:

1. A while ago, when I put in Shenmue, some of the textures were messed up, most notably the trees in Ryo's yard and some of the distant backgrounds. Restarted it and it was OK.

 

2. Yesterday, playing Soul Calibur, the text at the start and end of the fights and the fight clock were appearing in black boxes. Restarted it and it was OK.

 

3. Tonight, bought Ready 2 Rumble Round 2. Was playing it and after a while in the middle of a match the background sounds (crowd) stopped. After the end of the match, the screen went black and the game wouldn't continue. I could hear the drive working, but nothing was on the screen. Again, turned it off, back on and it was OK.

 

Any thoughts on what's going on?

[goatdan]

There are two things that this sounds like, and based on what you said, there is really only one...

 

The disks could simply be dirty or scratched. During the loading time, the lazer would mis-read the code slighty and you could end up with just what you say -- messed up textures, no sound, odd gameplay occurances, etc.

 

The other thing that could be an issue is that the lazer is dirty or just simply dying. I'd suggest taking a look at it and seeing if there is any dust particles or smudging on it. If so, try to clean it's lens off using very light pressure.

 

If that doesn't work, you might have to start lookin' for a new Dreamcast. Trust me though, with the amount of great DC games, it is more than worth it! (I'm sure you've figured that out though)

[VidGameKing]

plus you know, gamestop sells DCs at 39.99 very low price in my book!

[Brian R.]

I would tend to discount the dirty CD possibility. Not only are the games I've had problems with new and clean, Ready 2 Rumble was right out of its package when the problem happened.

 

If I wanted to clean the lens, would a Q tip with rubbing alcohol do the trick, or should I use something else?

[VidGameKing]

they should be fine, but if you can see if you can find the most softest tipped Q-tip. the lens is a very precise peice and you want to be weary of scratching it. also there is a mech. that is used to focus the lens and if you press too hard you will damage the restrainers. be VERY VERY carefull VERY VERY gentel. if it has too much dust on it, i woud seggest using maybe one of those compressed air cannasters like dust-off or somthing, it might loose the dust, but then again it might be too strong for the mechanisim. so you'd have to control the flow of theair very carfully, and pay attention to the lens to see if it looks like it is under too much pressure. remeber the lens is suspended by fine wires, and those wires are very easily bent. so in conclusion BE CAREFULL WHATEVER YOU DO!

[Jacob Marley]

Sounds like a dirty lens to me. Try cleaning it first with a CD lens cleaner (and clean your game discs too, while you're at it) and see if that solves it. If not, then check your output cables. Replace them with a different set or try a different hook up method (ie: SVIDEO or RF) and see if the problem persists. Sounds trivial, but my neo Geo AES system had a bad set of cables--I initially thought it was the system, but checking it with the RF adapter proved the AV cables were bad.

 

If all else fails, don't sweat it. A used DC is about $45 at most Gamestop stores. Probably less on eBay. Just get a new one.

[Fretwobbler]

If all else fails, don't sweat it.  A used DC is about $45 at most Gamestop stores.  Probably less on eBay.  Just get a new one.

 

This topic raises an issue that scares me. I have no worries about my Atari working in 10 years time, its lasted 20 yrs already, theres nothing to break except maybe a switch. On the other hand the Dreamcast (and any other disc based console) spins, very quickly, and things that spin quickly rarely last for more than a couple of decades.

 

Many will die, mechanical devices always do, sure some will be rescued and fitted with new elastic bands and cogs by enthusiasts but the vast majority will[i/]eventually die, and then your $45 used Dreamcast will sadly be a thing of the past

[Jacob Marley]

If all else fails, don't sweat it.  A used DC is about $45 at most Gamestop stores.  Probably less on eBay.  Just get a new one.

 

This topic raises an issue that scares me. I have no worries about my Atari working in 10 years time, its lasted 20 yrs already, theres nothing to break except maybe a switch. On the other hand the Dreamcast (and any other disc based console) spins, very quickly, and things that spin quickly rarely last for more than a couple of decades.

 

Many will die, mechanical devices always do, sure some will be rescued and fitted with new elastic bands and cogs by enthusiasts but the vast majority will[i/]eventually die, and then your $45 used Dreamcast will sadly be a thing of the past

 

I wouldn't be too worried about it. After all...the majority of PC Engine CD ROM players that were produced way back in 1989 are still going strong. Same goes for many of the original Playstation and Sega CD systems.

 

Sure, someday they will break as will all mechanical things, but then again, so won't our audio CD players, LaserDisc players and even DVD players. Nothing will last forever, but there will always be avenues out there to repair such devices! 2600 consoles are still being repaired and rebuilt...so i wouldn't worry too much. Just enjoy your systems and seek out a repair service if the unlikely should happen!

[Fretwobbler]

I wouldn't be too worried about it.  After all...the majority of PC Engine CD ROM players that were produced way back in 1989 are still going strong.  Same goes for many of the original Playstation and Sega CD systems.  

 

Absolutely correct, however if we re-address this issue in 10 years time after a further 1000 billion revolutions will the scenario still be the same?

 

.... Nothing will last forever.

 

yes but I am not talking about indefinate timescales, (selfishly I only care about my own lifetime ). I am confident the majority of 2600's out there currently still working and in the hands of collectors will still work without much need of repair when I have passed away. There isnt really much that can go wrong with them.

 

Dreamcasts and any mechanical, spinning device most certainly will not. lumps of plastic flying round at all speeds. Even when they are treated with great care and respect by collectors who adore them they will all break at some point.

 

.....but there will always be avenues out there to repair such devices!  2600 consoles are still being repaired and rebuilt...so i wouldn't worry too much.  Just enjoy your systems and seek out a repair service if the unlikely should happen!

 

I'm not so sure the Dreamcast will be an easy machine to repair in the future, its not a standard CD drive, that will be a major drawback, i dont know for sure but I assume its specific to the DC only so where are your spares going to come from in 2020?

 

Buthcher other Dreamcast for them, but you cant because all the drives have gone in them as well, Dreamcast Plaugue.... aaaarggghh

[goatdan]

Dreamcasts and any mechanical, spinning device most certainly will not. lumps of plastic flying round at all speeds. Even when they are treated with great care and respect by collectors who adore them they will all break at some point.

 

True, however I would figure that in 20 years, you'll have your Dreamcast perfectly emulated so you can pop in your DC disk and play. By 2020, I wouldn't doubt it if your computer and TV have merged...

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I have something to add on the problems that Brian R. reported with his DC. I read this several days ago but hadn't thought much of it...then last night I begin to discover that while playing Sonic 2, that several of the textures closest to the camera view were showing triangle texutre glitches...

 

I usually only see this when a graphics chip is overheating...or when memory is going out on a video board. But it can also be caused by GoatDan's thought about the data not being read correctly from the CD. I still hadn't thought much of this until finally last night...my DC starting hanging up trying to read some of my games. Keep in mind these are brand new 9.99 close out games that I just got and so I knew it couldn't be the discs. Well, I was bold and took the DC apart last night and found that the fan while working...was badly hindered by dust...so I cleaned that out with some compressed air. I also discovered that there is a laser intensity adjustment on the laser assembly itself. Having modded my Saturn to read CD-RW by increasing the Intensity of the laser on it...I though why not try the same thing here. Sine the potetiometer on the DC Laser is much smaller...and turns a full 360 I carefully turned it about a half mil to the right. I fired up the DC again...and BAM!..all the CDs were working just like new again....in fact I found out that the games were actually loading up quicker than before...and I hadn't even noticed it...until I fixed the damn laser intensity. Also while playing Sonic 2 again afterwards...I didn't see the Texture corruption either.

 

So I can only assume that the Laser being slightly off was a large part of the problem. It could also have been the fact that the DC cooling fac was probably not spinning optimally either due to the buildup of dust in the unit.

 

I am not saying this will fix your problem...but I do wonder how many DCs have been tossed out due to similar very easy fixable things not being done?

 

I take not responsibility if you try any of the above and hose up your DC further...I just wanted to share with you my experience last night in getting mine to work again.

 

My only other advice to you...is that if you do decide to adjust the laser...you will need a small jeweler's philips cross tip screwdriver for both removing the plastic plate covering the drive motor and laser track assembly and for adjusting the laser intensity screw itself. The cover needs to be removed so that you can pull the data interface cable off the laser assembly and access the screw with ease. Also getting this cable back on is a pain in the ass....but is made easier with that cover removed. I also strongly advise that you keep track of where the screw is now..and make very very fine adjustments...if you turn it too far...you won't be able to ready anything on the DC anymore...and you will spend the next hour or so..trying to find the sweet spot again.

 

[Brian R.]

Cleaning the fan I may be bold enough to try, but I don't think I want to gamble on messing with the laser.

 

But I'll only open the thing up if you can tell me doing so is easy - I remember reading about people opening their Jag CDs and finding they couldn't get them back together again right.

 

But if it's an overheating problem, why would I be getting messed up textures (like the screwed up trees and backgrounds in Shenmue and the text in black boxes in Soul Calibur) right on startup, when the unit is cold?

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Brian R. I wasn't really saying that overheating was part of the problem..I was only stating that I had seen that happen before. And your right...having screwed up grahpics at the beginning from a cold unit is most likely the laser not reading the data right as Dan stated earlier. As for opening up the DC it is simple...compared to even my Saturn..and I thought that was a breeze. There are only four screws that come out on each corner from the bottom of the unit. then you can just lift the top lid off and see everything right there...fan also...off the right hand side towards the front.

 

You will have to remove the Modem to get to one of the screws however, and that can be tricky, especially if your modem has never been taken out before...hehe..

 

As for the laser bit...yeah...it isn't for the timid of heart. And I really shouldn't have messed with mine...but I had an idea and thought I would try it..afterall it had worked for my Saturn...I figured it would work for the DC as well.

 

I still can't believe how simiar in the case the Saturn and the DC are...Power supplies almost look the same..and the way the CD drive is mounted is almost the same...other than there is a ribbon cable which attaches the saturn to the main board..and in the case of the DC we have a directy bus connection to to the main board.

 

Still...Sega didn't have to do too much of a redesign to make the DC...just stick better stuff in the box..and then keep the saturn overall console look just smaller...Even the DC controller is derived from the Saturn Nights 3D controller...hehe..

 

[bikerspade]

Get a gdemu. After that, consider a Noctua fan mod.

[+HatNJ]

Get a gdemu. After that, consider a Noctua fan mod.

Ya know this thread is 16+ years old

 

I did lookup gdemu and orders are not being taken it seems at this time

[bikerspade]

Apparently there will be another batch available late this month. Last time it took about 45 minutes to sell out. It's announced ahead of time before each batch goes up for sale. https://gdemu.wordpress.com