Saturn's 8MB RAM Cartridge and other hardware questions

[Gin]

I found on ebay a 8 mb RAM cartridge, but I'm wondering, is it a video RAM only cartridge or can it also be used to save games?
Or, should I just get a Action Replay RAM instead from here http://www.robwebb.clara.co.uk/shop/saturn/saturn.htm

Also a friend of mine's Saturn doesn't boot discs anymore, is there anyway I can find out what the problem is? He think it's the laser if that is the case I guess the console is good as dead right?

[Pullmyfinger]

The ram is supposed to be 4mb, so maybe its a clever name for one that only saves games, you're better off with the one on your link.

As for saturn problems, you need to go into more details, does he get cd player screen, cd won't spin, everything comes as audio cd, etc.

[Gin]

Well the CD simply doesn't boot, it just like turning the Saturn on without any CD on it.
Also regarding doing a hardware mod on my Saturn how do I find out which model I have without opening it?

[lordofduct]

Does the disk spin at all? If not, I bet the cable that connects between the CD-Drive and the mainboard disconnected.

(unless there is a error message as well he is overlooking... like "disk tray open")

[Gin]

According to him it spins for like three seconds before stopping and then says "no disc".

[lordofduct]

The information is a bit vague...

Ask him if the laser acts like it is trying to read something (you hear wirring noises, the laser moves back and forth, that sort)
Has he tested more then one game?
By spin, do you mean it speeds up? When it stops spinning does it come to a some what abrupt stop? Or does it just slowly whirl around a little and then slow to a stop?
It could just be the laser's strength needs to be tweaked or something.

[Gin]

He says he can hear the laser reading but then stops and the CD just stops spinning and goes to the main menu with the message "No Disc". I guess it's the laser then, but how would I fix it or tweak its strenght?