~Trouble with my new Dreamcast...Help!

[I Feel Asleep!!]

So I finally got another, better-looking dreamcast all set along with some games for it and all I need to play it. At first when I tried it it worked perfectly and played every game just fine. Shortly after, when switching to another game, the console would power on (the light was on), but the spinning stopped short and nothing would show or play anymore. I tried the other games that worked just moments ago and still nothing. I gave it a break and I lifted the console off the floor and gave it better ventilation and STILL no dice. Now whenever I try it it doesn't work at all, it only shows the power light being on. I have confirmed with my other not-so-pretty dreamcast that it is NOT an issue with the power cords, games, or the cables. It is something with the console itself. I have cleaned the inside very carefully too and STIIILL nothing. Which is only weirder because it was working just fine when I first got it. Also: I only played it for like 20 minutes or so without issue and then it stopped working. I got it in the mail the same day. I am not aware of whether or not the previous owner disassembled it or anything.

So what exactly do you think is the issue here? Is it just fried? What can I do to try to fix this? I really want to get this minty-looking dreamcast to work..Thanks!

[CRTGAMER]

Do you still get the DC Menu with no disc in the drive?

1. Clean the Discs and Laser eye.
2. Check the door switch is working, press firmly on the door.
3. Check internal connections including the power supply reseat.
4. Adjust the Laser potentiometer if everything else has been tried.

[s8n]

CRTGAMER makes some great points.........


one i recommend highly is tip 2 as sometimes Console Door Switches can become faulty.

What i would do is remove the top of the shell , put a game on the spindle and manually press the Door Switch all the way down then attempt to boot a game.

You may want to try this a few times to confirm that it is not the culprit of your quandary.


s8n

[GSZX1337]

Maybe you can swap the disc drives if your old DC still reads discs.

[Jamisonia]

What is the part of the DC that prevents it from reading burns? Is it in the laser lens itself or what? Wondering what happens if you transplate a laser lens that can read burns into a console that can.

[retrosportsgamer]

Do you still get the DC Menu with no disc in the drive?

1. Clean the Discs and Laser eye.
2. Check the door switch is working, press firmly on the door.
3. Check internal connections including the power supply reseat.
4. Adjust the Laser potentiometer if everything else has been tried.

I searched for more info on this but do you have any links or steps to clean the laser eye? I just got another dreamcast that i'm looking to clean up (it works but it was dirty and i'm sure there's stuff in there). Thanks.

[retrosportsgamer]

Do you still get the DC Menu with no disc in the drive?

1. Clean the Discs and Laser eye.
2. Check the door switch is working, press firmly on the door.
3. Check internal connections including the power supply reseat.
4. Adjust the Laser potentiometer if everything else has been tried.

I searched for more info on this but do you have any links or steps to clean the laser eye? I just got another dreamcast that i'm looking to clean up (it works but it was dirty and i'm sure there's stuff in there). Thanks.

Disregard, that was easy

"First, try cleaning the laser with alcohol and a very soft q-Tip. Don't push down, just be gentle."

[I Feel Asleep!!]

Do you still get the DC Menu with no disc in the drive?

1. Clean the Discs and Laser eye.
2. Check the door switch is working, press firmly on the door.
3. Check internal connections including the power supply reseat.
4. Adjust the Laser potentiometer if everything else has been tried.

I cleaned the discs and they work on the other Dreamcast just fine, so I know this isn't the issue. I also cleaned the laser eye carefully, but still no luck. The light comes on the console, but I get nothing on audio or video and YES I have confirmed that it is NOT the cords/cables that are to blame because again they work just fine with the other dreamcast. I think it might have something to do with Number 3 on your list. But unfortunately I don't know much about a Dreamcast's gutty works. Does it take a special gamebit sort of deal to open it up? (sorry for dumb questions.)

[CFFJR]

Does it take a special gamebit sort of deal to open it up? (sorry for dumb questions.)

Nope. The DC is nice in that its ridiculously easy to open up. All you need is a single, smallish philips screwdriver, and that will do the job just fine.

There's a mere four screws holding the case together, one of which is covered up by the modem. Just pop it out and you'll see it. Once those four are out, just flip it back over and gently remove the top of the case, it should slide right off, and you'll see you have quick and easy access to everything in the system.