Sega Master System won't turn on.

[Unleaded Logic]

So my supervisor and fellow retro gaming buddy picked up two Sega Master Systems for cheap at a resale shop and when he tried to power them on, he got no lights what so ever. He noticed the Master System took a 9 volt adapter and from what I read you can use a Genesis Model 1 power supply or a NES power supply and that should work as well. No dice.

He's last message he sent me was: "There is a lot of aluminum wrapping that board up."

I've never worked on a Master System before, so I don't know if its worth popping open, but are these systems known for not powering on after awhile?

[Hobie-wan]

I've never come across a dead SMS. They're pretty reliable and don't have cart plug issues since they have a normal connector. I don't know if there's a fuse hiding in there somewhere or not. Maybe I can look later.

But yes, a model 1 Genesis plug is fine.

[brickiemart]

Shake it, seriously. My Master System, just over the last few months, has developed a problem where it will only turn on when it's in a certain position. There's no pattern, (I disassembled it and tried looking for an obvious error or malfunction with my lay electronics experience; it looked fine) but to get it to work I have to move it around until whatever connection happens and the power light turns on. Then I have to carefully place it down and not move it while I play. Sucks, I haven't had time to look for a better solution. Anyway, it could be a common SMS problem and the ones you are having problems with might be affected by it. Best I can do, I hope it helps.

And yes, there is a superfluous amount of aluminum inside that console. It all unscrews easily.

[SnowKitty]

So my supervisor and fellow retro gaming buddy picked up two Sega Master Systems for cheap at a resale shop and when he tried to power them on, he got no lights what so ever. He noticed the Master System took a 9 volt adapter and from what I read you can use a Genesis Model 1 power supply or a NES power supply and that should work as well. No dice.

He's last message he sent me was: "There is a lot of aluminum wrapping that board up."

I've never worked on a Master System before, so I don't know if its worth popping open, but are these systems known for not powering on after awhile?

do NOT use an nes AC adapter on it. those output 9VAC, not DC and can fry your system

[Unleaded Logic]

Thanks guys, we'll give some stuff a try and see what we can do!

[Hobie-wan]

do NOT use an nes AC adapter on it. those output 9VAC, not DC and can fry your system

Yeah, I'm not sure what Nintendo was smoking with that decision. "Lets step down the voltage to 9 volts but leave it AC from the plug, then step it down to 5 volts DC in the system again!" Brilliant.

Anyway, opened up a SMS. That's about the same as the shielding in a Genesis model 2, but it only has half as many screws holding it down. I don't see any fuses, disguised or otherwise. Not do I see anything that lookd like an obvious candidate for failure. I suppose check the can caps for bulging or rupture, especially the ones over on the left near the power rectifier. There are no components on the bottom of the board, but I suppose it might be a good idea to check underneath in case there's a paperclip or something rattling around under there. You might want to do the same brickiemart. Might also check if the power jack has been wrenched and broken a solder joint.

[Unleaded Logic]

Still no luck from what I understood. Back to the resale shop they go.

Thanks for everyones help though! Especially for popping one open Hobie!

[Jrecee]

Master system. . . the only console I've ever cracked open. I got it on ebay and found that the up button on controller 2 wouldn't work, and after trying several controllers decided it was something inside. So I opened it, poked at the area around the controller port, then decided I didn't know what the hell I was looking at so called it a day. So I won't be playing time soldiers on two player. . . .

[Hobie-wan]

Master system. . . the only console I've ever cracked open. I got it on ebay and found that the up button on controller 2 wouldn't work, and after trying several controllers decided it was something inside. So I opened it, poked at the area around the controller port, then decided I didn't know what the hell I was looking at so called it a day. So I won't be playing time soldiers on two player. . . .

Could be a broken solder joint where the port connects to the board. The top left pin would be up, so maybe check that where it hits the board. Maybe a quick touch up with a soldering iron would to it.

[opethfan]

I once had a Genesis that wouldn't power on. The 7905 was fried, and the heatsink attached to it got skin-burningly hot. Check for that, as well as any obvious loose cables, and solder cracks.