as for people who would say they fix it themselves..
cleaning is no problem, but modding-chips , replacing lenses, connecting wires...this type of thing I believe
is studied in universities and needs experience with special tools?
I noticed that consoles are made difficult to put apart(probably to make it harder to install mod-chips?) , like the screws on the nun-chuck of the wii is really DEEP in...I noticed this when I wanted to pull apart my Nintendo 64 , i had difficulty finding a screwdriver to fit it
Wearing out of consoles
Sure, it's complicated stuff, but most of the necessary equipment and guides can be found online, usually for pretty cheap. Take some time, do some digging, and you can find all kinds of articles on mods, fixes, so on and so forth.
Heck, recently I've been considering ordering the necessary parts and modding one of my 360s with a better fan. They even sell RROD kits on some sites.
Speaking of which, anybody here ever use llama.com? How are they about shipping stuff, and how do their prices compare to others?
Heck, recently I've been considering ordering the necessary parts and modding one of my 360s with a better fan. They even sell RROD kits on some sites.
Speaking of which, anybody here ever use llama.com? How are they about shipping stuff, and how do their prices compare to others?
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ZenLogikos
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Cheaper parts used because they're in portable devices coupled with the fact that they are carried around tends to be cause enough for them to break. Game systems are used quite frequently, especially with children and/or people not taking proper care of discs tray etc. Home CD audio players sit there and do nothing most of the time...I'd hope they wouldn't break!manillaungol wrote:I've always found it strange how portable cd players and cd based gaming systems go down so fast yet we've got home cd players from the early 80's still going strong, perhaps I just got a high end model for cheap? I'm sure most people aren't willing to pay the extra for something to last forever because they don't think about it but its something to think about,I know someone who bought a ps2 when it came out and its still going strong so maybe there is some kind of secrets.
Altogether I have the following consoles and hand helds:
-Game Gear
-Genesis/Sega CD/32X
-Sega CDX
-Nomad
-Saturn
-Dreamcast
-Playstation
-Playstation 2
-Playstation Portable
-N64
-NES
I bought or received all of these consoles new except for the Game Gear, Nomad, CDX, the N64 and the NES which I collected in the past year or so. All of my original machines have been used alot, especially the PS2 and I've never had a breakdown with any of them except for the cart slot on the Saturn which was repaired. I have never replaced any of them. When shopping for Game Gear units (a weakness of mine) I only buy nice boxed originals that haven't been abused. I got very nice copies of the CDX and Nomad in their origial boxes and can say that it is worth it to shop more and pay a bit more for really nice pieces. The N64 and NES were obtained to play specific classic games I missed out on back in the day due to my Sega fanboy affliction so these machines aren't worked too hard too often, but work well at this time but do look like they've been used pretty hard over the years but a thorough cleaning and gentle use should keep them going for a long time too.
Currently there are plenty of retro consoles to buy but they will get harder to find as time goes by. It is worth it to have a few spare parts and spare consoles and to learn a bit about their weaknesses and learn how to at least do the basics of repair and maintenance. The best trick is to treat the equipment with gentle care and keep them clean and free of dust (especially important with later consoles with cooling fans like the PS2 and DC). In all my years of gaming I've yet to even break a control pad or piece of media because I take care of my expensive and prized toys!
I recently bought a very rough used Sega CD1 and it did not work. Through this site and Sega-16 I was able to identify a blown fuse, replace it and with a little scrubbing and polishing I now have a decent looking unit for under $10 that works like a charm.
-Game Gear
-Genesis/Sega CD/32X
-Sega CDX
-Nomad
-Saturn
-Dreamcast
-Playstation
-Playstation 2
-Playstation Portable
-N64
-NES
I bought or received all of these consoles new except for the Game Gear, Nomad, CDX, the N64 and the NES which I collected in the past year or so. All of my original machines have been used alot, especially the PS2 and I've never had a breakdown with any of them except for the cart slot on the Saturn which was repaired. I have never replaced any of them. When shopping for Game Gear units (a weakness of mine) I only buy nice boxed originals that haven't been abused. I got very nice copies of the CDX and Nomad in their origial boxes and can say that it is worth it to shop more and pay a bit more for really nice pieces. The N64 and NES were obtained to play specific classic games I missed out on back in the day due to my Sega fanboy affliction so these machines aren't worked too hard too often, but work well at this time but do look like they've been used pretty hard over the years but a thorough cleaning and gentle use should keep them going for a long time too.
Currently there are plenty of retro consoles to buy but they will get harder to find as time goes by. It is worth it to have a few spare parts and spare consoles and to learn a bit about their weaknesses and learn how to at least do the basics of repair and maintenance. The best trick is to treat the equipment with gentle care and keep them clean and free of dust (especially important with later consoles with cooling fans like the PS2 and DC). In all my years of gaming I've yet to even break a control pad or piece of media because I take care of my expensive and prized toys!
I recently bought a very rough used Sega CD1 and it did not work. Through this site and Sega-16 I was able to identify a blown fuse, replace it and with a little scrubbing and polishing I now have a decent looking unit for under $10 that works like a charm.
If you understand basic electrical systems, soldering, wiring, and circut boards this stuff is pretty simple. But if not, this stuff may seem like rocket science. I was pretty clueless a couple years back so I did some research and learned how some of this stuff works. I'm not super-proficient, but I have a clue and I'm not afraid to open something up and take a look. Most of the time it just solding a few connections and cleaning, but sometimes you have to relpace a fuse or capacitor.
It would be great to have a repair guide by console, with videos and pictures. Having links on where to purchase the items neccesary would be helpful. I'm sure if someone put it together racket may add it to the appropriate 101 sections. (i dunno)
Actually digital press does have quite a few how to's but that site is terrible to navigate IMO. They need an actual section with the info compiled...unles I'm missing something.
It would be great to have a repair guide by console, with videos and pictures. Having links on where to purchase the items neccesary would be helpful. I'm sure if someone put it together racket may add it to the appropriate 101 sections. (i dunno)
Actually digital press does have quite a few how to's but that site is terrible to navigate IMO. They need an actual section with the info compiled...unles I'm missing something.
I used to be like that, but thanks to the advent of emulation when a console breaks I just store it somewhere never to be played again. The only exception I recently made was my PS2 since it's a viable platform. HDD+FreeVAST can do wonders! But when PCSX2 is bettered I intend to abandon it as well. But emulators aren't catching up as fast as they used to. Even the Dreamcast still doesn't have any adequate emulators and most of the shortcomings are shared among all 4-5 emulators that are currently being worked on.