Gamecube POT Tweaking.

[itsmattxp]

I have read tons of guides on how to adjust the POT on a gamecube's laser. The one thing that is preventing me from being successful is how to read a multimeter lol. I just went out and bought an analog mulimeter and am testing my POT right now. There are 4 knobs under the ohms section of my multimeter and they are: x10,x100,x1k,and some radio wave looking thing. Whenever I use it to test under the x100 and x1k the multimeter reads 0. The only time I get a reading is when I use it under the x10 and it reads ~6, so would it be that its set at 6x10 = 60 ohms? I'm trying to make sure because I've read that the laser is very sensitive and would rather not mess up. I have also read that gamecubes come at a stock 650 ohms? Or am I mistaken. Here are some pictures of my multimeter but I wasn't able to take a picture with me taking the reading. Not enough hands ><.

[itsmattxp]

I read the instructions closer and it told me to touch the leads together and turn the zero adjust control until the needle hits 0 while the leads are touched. I did that and then measured the ohms again and this time it reads 100 ohms. Isn't that a little low? My back ups don't play at this so should I go lower or higher?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Have you tried cleaning the laser, or just using quality burnable media?

Adjusting the post is a final and last resort technique you should only try after all other alternatives are exhausted. It's just easier than accidentally bricking your Gamecube beyond all repair.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree with modman, if its originals you normally don't have to touch that potentiometer. Go through the usual ritual of cleaning lens and polishing the discs first.

However if a burned mini-DVD-R then you do have to kick up the laser. Great idea using the OHM meter to establish a baseline so you can go back to it. Adjust the POT to very slight less resistance, if no luck then try more resistance, again important very slight from the baseline. There is a risk of frying or in the very least shortening the lifespan of the laser pickup.

Your math of the OHMS sounds right, have to see the scale clearly to tell.
I always liked the analog meters over the digitals. Not as precise but a better visual reference.

A better route is stick to originals which are now inexpensive or SDLoad and 2gb SD cards filled with games. SDHCs will work but not worth the hassles.

[itsmattxp]

Just my luck that my power would go out as I was about to test. I believe I raisesmy ohms to 200 becuase that's usually where people thy I've read about start at. When I first did the softmod most of the games played fine but the. I got a disc read error and now have to adjust the pot. The media I'm using are Phillips DVD-r that I got suggested from by numerous people from thepurplecube.org. They work fine so I know it's not that. Can't wait until my power comes back so I can test it. Please ignore the errors in te post as I am typin from an iPhone.

[CRTGAMER]

Mentioned earlier of shortening lifespan of the laser.

A point to consider 10 years from now when cubes become scarce. Why not just buy the games while they are in abundance at cheap prices used? Metroid Prime is only 4 bucks!

http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=146

[gtmtnbiker]

When you do your adjustment, I suggest leaving the cover off and putting the cube back together loosely. This way you can play some games and if you get DREs (disc read errors) frequently, you need to adjust again. Once it looks pretty reliable, then you can put it all back together.

You probably won't ever reach a point where you never get DREs. I get DREs once in a while with pressed discs.

[itsmattxp]

Right now I don't know if its either the discs or the laser. I can play games like super smash bros fine but games like batallion wars or fire emblem don't even start up. I've burned both the .iso and .gcm format of these discs and neither work. I'm guessing it is the pot?

[CRTGAMER]

If it will run some of the DVD-Rs then don't mess with the laser maybe a bad burn

Too much hassle, just buy the inexpensive used original games while there is a good cheap supply.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Another tip is buy good media:

This means:
Taiyo Yuden/JVC
Sony
Verbatim

And burn at the slowest possible speed. Yeah it's pricey and slow as heck, but it'll read without a hitch, play like a charm and last you a good long while.