Dreamcast - won't read CDs

[Merz]

I just bought a dreamcast off eBay described as "IN WORKING CONDITION" and it's not really. If I turn it on with no disc it still tries to read a disc, or at least that's what it sounds like. Ive only tried audio CDs but I'm assuming if it cant read those it won't read anything. It will play like 20 seconds off track 1 sometime and then just give up. Anything I can do?

I'm a bit bummed since I spent a lot of money to ship it to Iceland.

[gtmtnbiker]

You really need to repeat the test with an actual Dreamcast game or two. That is, a pressed official CD, not a CD-R.

[ujnhunter]

If it still fails to read discs, try cleaning the lense, or you may need to adjust the strength of the laser by adjusting the potometer, youtube or google it.

[Merz]

I really don't want to adjust the laser. I've done it before but still. I cleaned it out and ran the Cd a few times and now I can actually get it play the CD. It might randomly crap out but it's going. Now the odd thing is it will definitely stop reading the disk if I close the lid. Is it possible the screws are too tight and it's causing some kind of problems with the machine? I'm going to stop by the record store tomorrow and get jet grind radio or sonic and see how it goes.

[Hobie-wan]

Was the system just generally dirty? Maybe there's crap in the lid switch too and it isn't making good contact?

[slowslow325]

I don't really suggest it, but my Dreamcast is kinda weird. Everyone can bash me for this, but I gently slap my Dreamcast to get it working when it fails.

[s8n]

hiya Merz , can you describe a bit more on what is the process when it Plays an Audio CD then Stops after a set amount of time ?

ie......the DC Plays the Audio CD then goes back to the DC Main Menu screen

or

the DC Plays the Audio CD then Stops and remains in the Audio Player screen


chat soon

s8n

[Merz]

It stays in the CD player screen. I got the CD to run and not die out last night by holding the lid down but not closing it.

[s8n]

howdy Merz , it sounds like you may have a Lid Switch problem or quite possibly a GD-Rom Drive Board problem.......maybe some of the others can back me up on this.

[Merz]

I went to the store today and picked up chu chu rocket as it was the only good cheap game. It runs perfectly fine, better than my old dreamcast in the states. But I worry if what I was experiencing is the shape of things to come. Is it likely that this dreamcast is on it's way out or should it have at least a year in it?