Sega CDX won't boot discs

[samsonlonghair]

I picked up a Sega CDX on the cheap at a yard sale. It plays genesis carts just fine, but it doesn't want to boot any Sega CD games or audio CDs. The BIOS screen says "No Disc." If I leave the CDX on for twenty minutes it will boot a Sega CD game, but the game will only work for a little while. If I complete the second level for instance, the Sega CDX will decide not to boot the third level. Sometimes I can "encourage" the Sega CDX to boot a disc by opening the door and giving the CD a little spin manually.

I've searched on the web, but I can't find much technical info on the CDX. Is there anyone reputable who fixes Sega CDX?

Any help I can get on this topic will be appreciated.

[Mr.White555]

I literally had the same problem this past weekend except with a couple of model 2 sega CD's. Also like you I couldn't find anything on the internet about it except for guides how to replace the laser or the motor...

[jfe2]

I may be acquiring a Sega CD that won't power on soon. I plan on messing with it a bit to see if I can get it going, and figured that a post in this topic wouldn't hurt in case someone who knows something shows up.

[executioner]

I may be acquiring a Sega CD that won't power on soon. I plan on messing with it a bit to see if I can get it going, and figured that a post in this topic wouldn't hurt in case someone who knows something shows up.

There are some topics regarding Sega CD not powering up, its probably the fuse.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I picked up a Sega CDX on the cheap at a yard sale. It plays genesis carts just fine, but it doesn't want to boot any Sega CD games or audio CDs. The BIOS screen says "No Disc." If I leave the CDX on for twenty minutes it will boot a Sega CD game, but the game will only work for a little while. If I complete the second level for instance, the Sega CDX will decide not to boot the third level. Sometimes I can "encourage" the Sega CDX to boot a disc by opening the door and giving the CD a little spin manually.

I've searched on the web, but I can't find much technical info on the CDX. Is there anyone reputable who fixes Sega CDX?

Any help I can get on this topic will be appreciated.

The first thing you should try is to very, EXTREMELY, INCREDIBLY! gently rub a moist (NOT DRIPPING WET!) Q-Tip that has been dipped in Rubbing Alcohol (Only use Rubbing Alcohol marked as 70% By Volume!) and gently spin it in a screw motion on top of the laser diode. Then use the dry end and just as gently dry the laser diode off, let it sit for about a minute or two at least and then try running a CD game again to see if there's been any improvement.

Bonus Pro-Tip: Always try running an Audio CD in any older untested disc based console first thing when you buy it. That way you know if your laser is at least able to read the extremely basic TOC and data structure of an Audio CD and is still able to consistently move along it's track as it plays the disc. This way you can have an idea as to how badly worn your laser diode or the laser assembly themselves are by having a live test in front of you on the fly as it plays.

[samsonlonghair]

I appreciate the tip, but I've already tried the alcohol and q-tip method. When I put in a regular audio CD, I get the same results as a Sega CD game. At first I get the "No Disk" message on screen. Then I wait twenty minuted, try again, and I the CD will play for a little while, but fail when it tries to proceed to the next track.

Do you have any more tips? Does anyone know anybody who works on the Sega CDX?

Edit: I just thought of something. I'm using a power supply from a model2 Genesis. Its rating is 10V 0.85amps, but the text on the bottom of the CDX says it needs 9.5V 1.5amps. could this be why my CDX isn't booting CDs?

[Hobie-wan]

Edit: I just thought of something. I'm using a power supply from a model2 Genesis. Its rating is 10V 0.85amps, but the text on the bottom of the CDX says it needs 9.5V 1.5amps. could this be why my CDX isn't booting CDs?

I just checked mine, and its the same. The PS for the CDX is the same model and specs as a Gen model 2, it just has a different shell on it. Unfortunately is sounds more like there's something bad in the unit. Sort of like all those GGs having crappy capacitors for the screen and sound.

[RetroVision]

I appreciate the tip, but I've already tried the alcohol and q-tip method. When I put in a regular audio CD, I get the same results as a Sega CD game. At first I get the "No Disk" message on screen. Then I wait twenty minuted, try again, and I the CD will play for a little while, but fail when it tries to proceed to the next track.

Do you have any more tips? Does anyone know anybody who works on the Sega CDX?

Edit: I just thought of something. I'm using a power supply from a model2 Genesis. Its rating is 10V 0.85amps, but the text on the bottom of the CDX says it needs 9.5V 1.5amps. could this be why my CDX isn't booting CDs?

I have the exact same issue you mentioned above. Was using a Genesis 2 power supply and it wasn't the right spec...so I ordered the exact spec supply from http://www.retrogamecave.com/ Just got the new power supply today and it still wont work. I thought since the disc would spin a little and run the game and then stop or freeze that maybe it was under powered, but it must be something else. It only spins after being plugged in for a while and even then it takes a little bit of work to get it to spin. I cleaned the laser, used canned air to clean inside and out. This is driving me nuts, i didn't spend a ton on the CDX, but I now have a bunch of Sega CD games I cant play...and I spent $20 on a new power supply that is useless. I have 5 cart based Genesis systems...guess now I have an expensive 6th system for playing carts

[Hobie-wan]

and I spent $20 on a new power supply that is useless.

While I don't have a suggestion for your predicament, it isn't useless. You won't be underpowering the system for portable cart use and if/when you get the CD part sorted.

[theclaw]

Unfortunately the masses are as ignorant of technical matters as this topic suggests.

Not only does the CDX power supply directly mention CDX by name, literally it could be identified by the blind due to a distinct shape.