Why isn't my Saturn playing these games?

[jalvarez82]

Hey guys. I have a Japanese grey & blue HST-3200 model Saturn. I've had it for years now. I don't play it as much as I used to, but it still gets the attention it needs on occasion. As of lately, it's been giving me a hard time. My console all of the sudden is having trouble reading somes discs. I can tell this because I can't hear any "loading" noises like I normally would when it reads a game. It goes straight to the system options screen and stays there. It only does this with a couple of games, but it's still frustrating the hell out of me. Do you guys have any clue why my Saturn might be having this problem?

I own only officially released games. No backups or bootlegs.

Thanks for your help.

[flojocabron]

what type of memory card do you have?

I've had some trouble in the past with some games playing when there's a memory cart in the saturn.

I'm using a US saturn.

Also some saturns are sensitive to scratches on the disc. If the saturn doesnt scan it right, it may treat the disc as 'audio only'

[jalvarez82]

Well, I currently have no memory card or ram cart in my console. Maybe I should depending on the game. But shouldn't there already be enough memory in the console itself to play most games soon as it comes out of the factory?

Even if the game might have a scratch or two, or even several, it's never had problems playing them in the past. Maybe my lens is wearing out and needs to be replaced?

My console doesn't even recognize that there is even a disc in it. It says it's "empty". And no matter how many times I reset, clean the disc, turn the power on & off, etc., the outcome is the same. It just stays in the system options screen. BUT, the Access light stays blinking.

Here are the games that my console is (all of the sudden) having trouble reading:

Dodonpachi
Thunder Force Gold Pack 2
Shin Shinobi Den

[vlame]

put the game in after the system is on?

[jalvarez82]

Tried that. Same outcome. Seems almost as if my console just doesn't wanna acknowledge that those games are...GAMES. lol

[ZenErik]

Laser lens assembly likely needs cleaning and/or adjustment.

[jalvarez82]

Laser lens assembly likely needs cleaning and/or adjustment.

Think so? What would be the best way to clean the lens, and what would be the safest way to go about adjusting it if need be?

Thanks!

[Hobie-wan]

Make a q-tip only just damp with alcohol and carefully drag it across the lens. Do not push down, just lightly drag.

[abeaver]

Sounds like the ribbon cable might be loose, that's pretty common. I also had a problem that was solved by pushing the CD drive's guide rail back into place.

[jalvarez82]

Sounds like the ribbon cable might be loose, that's pretty common. I also had a problem that was solved by pushing the CD drive's guide rail back into place.

Hmm.....the CD driver's guide rail? Can you describe what I'd be looking for?

Thanks.