Saturn not playing discs.

[alienjesus]

Just my luck, I finally score a reasonably priced saturn and it's broken. When I turn it on, instead of loading the game, it goes to the CD playing screen. If a game is in it says "Checking Disc Format" and then either loads it as one single music track (999 minutes), or says "Drive Empty". I've also noticed that the CD doesnt seem to be spinning

The laser appears to be able to move, and the disc tray definetely seems to close properly. Anyone have any idea for fixes, i really cant afford another, can as it stands NiGHTs is gonna stare at me from a shelf whlst being completely unplayable.

[Scooter]

Just my luck, I finally score a reasonably priced saturn and it's broken. When I turn it on, instead of loading the game, it goes to the CD playing screen. If a game is in it says "Checking Disc Format" and then either loads it as one single music track (999 minutes), or says "Drive Empty". I've also noticed that the CD doesnt seem to be spinning

The laser appears to be able to move, and the disc tray definetely seems to close properly. Anyone have any idea for fixes, i really cant afford another, can as it stands NiGHTs is gonna stare at me from a shelf whlst being completely unplayable.

At the very least try cleaning the lens (cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, wipe it very gently) and reseating the ribbon cables through out the system.

[alienjesus]

Sorry, I'm not very technically minded, what do you mean by reseating the ribbon cables? Do i need any sort of tool? Is there an image to show this somewhere before I crack open the Saturn and have a go? I dont want to break it any more than it already has been.

[darthbluntedone]

open it up and see if the ribbon is connected at both ends.

mine has a problem where i have to physically move the laser lens a little if i dont use it for a long time.

do you have 2 green squares when loading??

[alienjesus]

I do when it reads Checking disc format" yes.

[darthbluntedone]

I do when it reads Checking disc format" yes.

ok get a phillips screwdriver and open up you saturn

you will see a white ribbon cable (about 1" thick and flat off to the right side of the saturn) unplug it and plug it back in on both sides (one side at a time)

put lid on try booting a game again tell us what happens (do you still get 2 green squares?)

if you do still get green squares try to mve the laser lens a little bit and put it back in place. then tell us what happens then. ok?

[alienjesus]

Ok, i have opened up my saturn and reconnected those cables. I've also adjusted a power screw for the laser following someone elses recommendation. It seems to be an issue with the motor, the disc spins a few times but seems to struggle to keep going. It looks like it may be scratching against the spindle, because it looks like its too low. Not sure about this though.

[darthbluntedone]

spin the spindle with your hand does it have any resistance or odes it spin freely??

if it is tight the motor could be burned out. if it spins effortlessly there might be some other problems???

[alienjesus]

It has some resistance, although when we removed the thing above the laser (the plastic casing) it spun freely. It still didn't read the disc though. This was while a disc was on it btw. It spins freely at all times while there is no disc.

[darthbluntedone]

does the disc rub the console case when it is on the spindle?? does the disc touch anything at all when on the spindle i should say.