question for a worried dreamcast owner.

[weasels]

OK so i love my dreamcast as anyone who owns a dreamcast would most likely say. well i ran into a problem. when i turn on my dreamcast i here the sound but the picture. i believe its the av cords (in fact im almost sure) it has the av cords have been giving me problems for a bit but now they have fully went out. usually i wouldn't be worried cause i would just order another cord. but i read something online about the video card going out or something and up untill now i have never herd of such a thing happening to the dreamcast. i would just like to know what others think on the situation and what it might be. i have a ntsu dreamcast that was preowned i believe. i relize this is a usless question but i figure its worth a try. thanks

[The Apprentice]

It's most likely a broken/bent pin in the A/V cord or a broken or bent pin in the A/V port of the Dreamcast. Check all the pins for problems, if you don't see anything wrong clean with light ammount of rubbing alcohol on a q-tip. Try the cord again, and if there is still a problem replace it.

If the cord has a pin problem: Try to bend it back if it's bent, replace it if there's a missing pin.

If the Dreamcast has a pin problem: Try to bend it back if it's bent, replace it if there's a missing pin.

If there isn't any visible problem with the system or cord, and it does not work properly after cleaning or replacing the cord, get a new Dreamcast.

[weasels]

cleaning it didnt work. im just gonna get a cord then. thank you very much.

[Chrono]

It's worth checking the pins and bending them (on the av cord at least) to see if that makes a difference, you don't really have anything to lose. I had a similar problem and it did fix it for a short time, I did end up having to replace it with a scart lead when the colours started to bleed, but it could work for you, and it's far more free than replacing.

[weasels]

It's worth checking the pins and bending them (on the av cord at least) to see if that makes a difference, you don't really have anything to lose. I had a similar problem and it did fix it for a short time, I did end up having to replace it with a scart lead when the colours started to bleed, but it could work for you, and it's far more free than replacing.

how hard would you say? i mean im not stupid enougth to break the thing....its just the pins seem to be straight. i know its not the tv because i play my ps2 on the same tv with the ps2 av cord. i guess ill try it cause your right i have nothing to loss now.

[Chrono]

To be completely honest I also had a load of crap in the plug and my hoover helped mainly, not sure if my bending the pins with a toothpick (i cut off the sharp end with some scissors first) did much, although they were noticeably bent and it did work after. Worth a go though

[weasels]

To be completely honest I also had a load of crap in the plug and my hoover helped mainly, not sure if my bending the pins with a toothpick (i cut off the sharp end with some scissors first) did much, although they were noticeably bent and it did work after. Worth a go though

ok im lost. im not sure what you mean by the sharp edges. its ok though im gonna get a new cord anyways. it sucks though because i have a huge urge to play SNK vs. Capcom right now!

[The Apprentice]

To be completely honest I also had a load of crap in the plug and my hoover helped mainly, not sure if my bending the pins with a toothpick (i cut off the sharp end with some scissors first) did much, although they were noticeably bent and it did work after. Worth a go though

ok im lost. im not sure what you mean by the sharp edges. its ok though im gonna get a new cord anyways. it sucks though because i have a huge urge to play SNK vs. Capcom right now!

He was talking about the toothpick's shap edge, not the cord's sharp edge.

I know what you mean, I've got an s-video cable coming in the mail to replace the one I sold, and I really want to play King of Fighters!

[weasels]

To be completely honest I also had a load of crap in the plug and my hoover helped mainly, not sure if my bending the pins with a toothpick (i cut off the sharp end with some scissors first) did much, although they were noticeably bent and it did work after. Worth a go though

ok im lost. im not sure what you mean by the sharp edges. its ok though im gonna get a new cord anyways. it sucks though because i have a huge urge to play SNK vs. Capcom right now!

He was talking about the toothpick's shap edge, not the cord's sharp edge.

I know what you mean, I've got an s-video cable coming in the mail to replace the one I sold, and I really want to play King of Fighters!

yah i was thinking of getting the s-video cable that way i can play my dreamcast and it will look even better. well it depends on the price. im going to sheck that out now.

[Caboose]

Wiggle the end that connects to the Dreamcast up and down without pulling on it. If the picture on the screen flashed, you have yourself some bent pins. The thing you read online about the video chip in the Dreamcast not working might be if someone has taken their Dreamcast apart, one of the screws is longer than the rest and if you put it in the wrong hole in you will screw it right through the video chip. If you haven't taken it apart you have nothing to worry about.

If you're going to buy new cables, I'd suggest you order a VGA box from racketboy's store. I have the same one, and it's great because there is a switch to select S-Video or VGA. You will just need a regular s-video cable that has male connectors on either end (one to plug into the VGA box and one into the TV), which you might already have lying around from an old DVD player or VCR. Otherwise you can get them at Radio Shack or a similar store.