What Systems Should I Keep a Backup For Parts?

[Mechblue]

So, it looks like I've been slowly building a game system noah's ark and I've decided to trim down. I'm just wondering which systems do I really need to keep an extra for parts?

Thanks.

[Soldier Blue]

It's always good to have a spare dreamcast because of some of the parts that can wear down. Some of the short lived cd consoles that break could easily warrant a spare (like the 3DO).

[CD AGES]

always good to have a spare dreamcast because of some of the parts that can wear down.

Totally agree. And to make such potential prospects even more encouraging, swaping inner DC parts is SO easy. The darn system was put together in such a well organized manner.

[elmagicochrisg]

always good to have a spare dreamcast because of some of the parts that can wear down.

Totally agree. And to make such potential prospects even more encouraging, swaping inner DC parts is SO easy. The darn system was put together in such a well organized manner.

The board almost looks like SEGA wanted you to hack it...

Look at those beautiful solder points...

[Duane Dibbley]

So, it looks like I've been slowly building a game system noah's ark and I've decided to trim down.

So you have two of each system?

[CD AGES]

The board almost looks like SEGA wanted you to hack it...

Look at those beautiful solder points...

Big ups to Sega!

[Mechblue]

So, it looks like I've been slowly building a game system noah's ark and I've decided to trim down.

So you have two of each system?

Haha, that would be nice huh? Not quite but I feel like i'm heading that way picking up extra parts systems.

I figure most disc based systems will likely fail eventually, so a good reason to have a backup. The main items I wonder about are some of the cart or card based systems. Master System, TG-16, Nomad, etc. The ones we usually figure are pretty solid and will last.

[Menegrothx]

Aren't there replacement lasers in eBay just for this purporse? I dont like the idea of sacrificing a retro console to save another one.

[CD AGES]

Aren't there replacement lasers in eBay just for this purporse? I dont like the idea of sacrificing a retro console to save another one.

Well when dreamcast is involved, there are more issues that potentially may lie ahead then just a laser lens problem. You got blown out controller boards, internal PSUs thay may need replacement and gosh forbid a fried Mobo (it happend to me). And have you seen the prices on those replacement lasers on ebay!? They go for as much or even more than an actual working dreamcast! The best course of action is to get a 2nd console not as a sacrifice, but as a console that you can alternate with your other console. If one should go out at some point, store it away and use it for parts if so comes a point down the road where you 2nd console may need donor part. I have a few dozen dreamcasts. Only once has one perished on me (remember that Mobo?). Even still I have a unit with a perfectly working Drive, Controller Board and PSU. I've used some of those working compoments on one of my own as well as helping out firend whose system experienced a blown controller board. Such is the circle of life

[Nemoide]

Space is valuable. IMO you'd be better off selling all your duplicate systems and re-buying them (or parts) after any end up breaking down.

Yeah, it might mean that if a system breaks, you'll have to wait a bit longer before fixing it. And it might cost a little bit more to re-buy stuff down the line (although honestly, not much). IMO the saved space is worth the cost and it's not worth keeping spare systems unless you have something that's really tough to find like two working Jaguar CDs.