Saturn only sometimes reads discs. Help!

[JesusKristov]

Hi there.

I have a model 2 Sega Saturn with a modchip installed that worked fine until turning it on this morning, at which point it got about half way through the initial Saturn logo sequence (which happens immediately after turning it on, where the fragments spin around and come together to make the logo) before the screen went blank and it repeated the same sound. The reset button didn't work.

After trying several times with discs, some original and some backups, the same things happen. Sometimes it gets all the way through the sequence and freezes, sometimes it even gets into the game before freezing. Most times it just stops halfway through though.

With no disc in and the lid closed, it happily makes its way to the audio CD screen. With the lid open, it does the same. Given any CD (including an audio CD) it freezes.

Accordingly, I'm going to assume there's a problem with the laser assembly. The disc spins merrily, often it seems too fast. The laser seems fine, though I gave it a clean. The leads have all been firmly placed in properly twice over. I gave the orange pot just under the laser a few tweaks in different lengths, both clockwards and anti-clockwards from the initial position, but to no avail.

Is there anything more I can do for it? Is it still able to be saved? I'd prefer not to buy another, as I'm not so sure I can afford to do that at the moment, but I don't really see what other options I have

[Ziggy]

How did you clean the laser?

How did you install the mod chip? It is possible that there's a loose connection, and when it's not making contact the games are freezing (which would explain why both retail and burns are freezing). Did you solder the wires, or did you do that A+B thing?

[JesusKristov]

For the laser, a gentle but firm clean with a cotton tip with some lens cleaning solution on. Used a circular motion.

As for the mod chip I did the A+B thing, but have never had a problem with it for the past 3 months I've had it in the machine. Still, I removed the chip and set it up as it was before it still keeps freezing with both original games and music cds. It sometimes recognises them for a time and freezes later, sometimes just freezes straight off.

Thanks for the tips though, anything else you can suggest?

[Ziggy]

Did you solder the power wire? I would open it up and take a look at it. There might be a connection that isn't great. Remove the mod chip and CD cable and replace, and resolder the power wire. Process of elimination, rule out bad connections and then we can go from there.

[Niode]

Could be crappy solder used when soldering the power line. Crappy solder is prone to cracking under stress and it will explain why it hasn't affected you until now.

Crappy solder + a bad solder joint can cause the solder to wear down over time due to oxidation. I'd re-solder the joint using a better solder and see what happens.

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe your laser getting old, might need some tweaking.

There is a guide right here on Racketboy:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2005/02/ ... media.html

[JesusKristov]

Thanks everyone, but it's still not working. I redid all the soldering on the modchip, and it made no difference. Having removed the modchip entirely, the same problems happen also. I fear there may well be something wrong with the actual laser assembly itself.

I tried the tweaking guide, going in small tweaks. However, despite moving it barely any more than the smallest of degrees each time, I managed to get to both extremeties both clockwise and anticlockwise with no difference!

Has anyone else had any experience with this sort of problem? I've already started looking up replacement Saturns on auction sites, but at the moment the only one I can find is the model 1 type which is a major hassle to get working with the modchip at best. Still going to try get it or I'll not be able to play Nights or Mr Bones for too long for comfort!

[AznKhmerBoi]

i have a feeling its your Laser, because you said everything is installed correctly and owrking fine. If anything i try to get another model 2 and just take parts from the current and put it in the new one. best of luck to you . Always sad to see a saturn die