Sega Saturn Mod Issues :(

[that1crzywhtguy]

I have a model 2 sega saturn and installed the mod chip without issue about 5 years ago. Recently, my saturn stopped recognizing copied games without multiple tries. Now it won't recognize them at all, saying "disc unsuitable for this system". I’m not sure what could have gone wrong… When inserting an audio cd, it recognizes it quickly, though when I play the disc it has no audio... even odder... I tried to adjust the laser, as well as checking everything thoroughly. Is it time to try buying a new saturn? Any other ideas at all? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Ziggy]

Have you tried cleaning the lens? Might be as simple as that.

Have you only tried burned game discs? Do you have any retail disc that you can try? How long ago were these disc burned?

The "disc unsuitable" message means the system detects that the game's region doesn't match the system's region. It means that the system is detecting the game, so you can rule out read errors.

I tried to adjust the laser

If you haven't already, can you adjust it back to exactly where it was?

[that1crzywhtguy]

Have you tried cleaning the lens? Might be as simple as that.

Yes I have, unfortunately no luck.

Have you only tried burned game discs? Do you have any retail disc that you can try? How long ago were these disc burned?

Unfortunately I only have burned discs, though they certainly used to work great.

The "disc unsuitable" message means the system detects that the game's region doesn't match the system's region. It means that the system is detecting the game, so you can rule out read errors.

I also have the Ultra Master 4m Turbo Key that allows the use of games from any region.

If you haven't already, can you adjust it back to exactly where it was?

I did return it to it's original setting.

The oddest thing about this all to me is the fact that it plays audio cds, but with no audio. I'm trying to run down a real saturn game to test that also, but the more I chew on this I'm thinking it's either time for a new saturn or a new laser at the least. Just thought I would try the boards as a last resort. Thanks for the reply.

[Ziggy]

Standard disclaimer: I don't ever mean to be rude or sound condescending. I just like to be direct. That being said, I don't know what your skill level is, so it'll be hard for me to make certain suggestions. Did you install the mod chip yourself? If so, what's your skill level at soldering. Beginner, enough to get by, advanced?

Another thing... Has this Saturn sat unused for periods of time? When I first read your first post in this thread, I was assuming that you installed the mod chip and burned your games 5 years ago, but then you haven't touched the console in some time. Or perhaps you used it here and there over the years, but not often.

Yes I have, unfortunately no luck.

What exactly did you do to clean the lens? Again, I don't mean to be condescending, I just like to get simple things out of the way first. Perhaps you didn't actually leave it clean. Also, it's not hard to damage the lens.

Unfortunately I only have burned discs, though they certainly used to work great.

Go on eBay or whatever and grab whatever cheap Saturn disc only game you can find. Just make sure the disc is in good condition (no scratches, no pin holes, etc) and it's the same region as your console.

Burns will eventually go bad. How soon is up to many different factors, but they WILL all go bad eventually. This is why testing with a (known working) retail disc is worth it.

I also have the Ultra Master 4m Turbo Key that allows the use of games from any region.

But if you can't boot any games, how do you know the cart is working properly? The Saturn's cart slot is VERY finicky.

I did return it to it's original setting.

Good. Since adjusting it didn't fix your problems, it obviously wasn't the issue. Where it was set was already optimal, so you'd want to keep it there. No sense on causing the laser to burn out faster.

The oddest thing about this all to me is the fact that it plays audio cds, but with no audio. I'm trying to run down a real saturn game to test that also, but the more I chew on this I'm thinking it's either time for a new saturn or a new laser at the least. Just thought I would try the boards as a last resort. Thanks for the reply.

Right, grabbing a legit Saturn game is a great way to test things.

Don't write off your Saturn as unfixable just yet. There's still plenty of things to try out. We just gotta get the nonsense out of the way first, then try things in an order that makes sense.

[that1crzywhtguy]

Standard disclaimer: I don't ever mean to be rude or sound condescending. I just like to be direct. That being said, I don't know what your skill level is, so it'll be hard for me to make certain suggestions. Did you install the mod chip yourself? If so, what's your skill level at soldering. Beginner, enough to get by, advanced?

You don't seem rude or condescending at all! Those are fair questions. You're taking your time to help me and it is appreciated, greatly. I did install the chip myself, and I would rate my soldering skills at intermediate to advanced. I have done MUCH harder soldering than this mod chip install—Backlit Gameboy, Frontlit Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance SP backlit screen in standard gba, and about half a dozen cap replacements on game gears to name a few.

Another thing... Has this Saturn sat unused for periods of time? When I first read your first post in this thread, I was assuming that you installed the mod chip and burned your games 5 years ago, but then you haven't touched the console in some time. Or perhaps you used it here and there over the years, but not often.

I used it here and there over the years, primarily when friends would come over for some SFA3 or other fighters—6 button controllers FTW.

What exactly did you do to clean the lens? Again, I don't mean to be condescending, I just like to get simple things out of the way first. Perhaps you didn't actually leave it clean. Also, it's not hard to damage the lens.

I very carefully used rubbing alcohol and kimtech lint free science wipes.

Go on eBay or whatever and grab whatever cheap Saturn disc only game you can find. Just make sure the disc is in good condition (no scratches, no pin holes, etc) and it's the same region as your console.

Burns will eventually go bad. How soon is up to many different factors, but they WILL all go bad eventually. This is why testing with a (known working) retail disc is worth it.

I'm on ebay now looking for cheap discs, might stop by my local retro game store and see if they have something on the cheap also. Will update with results. I didn't realize burns go bad, hadn't heard that one, pardon my ignorance.

But if you can't boot any games, how do you know the cart is working properly? The Saturn's cart slot is VERY finicky.

The cart has like a gameshark like platform built in, it boots up great so i'm thinking the cart slot is okay though thanks for the heads up.

Thanks again for the thorough help, will be back on once I acquire a retail Saturn game.


-Best

[Ziggy]

Alright, awesome. Let us know the outcome once you test a retail disc.

[that1crzywhtguy]

Alright, awesome. Let us know the outcome once you test a retail disc.

So unfortunately, I just got home with Independence Day, popped it in, and it recognized the game as an audio cd... Snap... Also, it will play the audio cd and just like the real audio cd, no sound... Odd....

[Ziggy]

OK, first, let's be clear about this "no audio" thing. Is any audio coming from the Saturn? Start up screen sound, system menu sounds, etc? Or do you get those sounds, and it's just when playing an audio CD that you don't get any sounds?

I know you said you looked over everything. Specifically, did you check the mod chip install? IDK what method over installation you did (A+B method, or the separate wires) but check ALL the solder connection and make sure they're solid. If you're 100% sure the solder connections are good, then I would try re-seating the mod chip (pull it out of the socket and push it back in). Check some games, burns AND your retail disc, and see if they work then.

Failing all that, I would remove the mod chip from the system entirely and then retest everything. This'll narrow down what the problem is quite a bit.

[that1crzywhtguy]

The menu/system audio is fine, but no audio when playing an audio cd. I did check all my connections with the mod chip, eventually resoldering everything just to be sure. I installed the chip by attatching the wire to the 32 pin chip instead of bridging a+b. When I get home I'll remove the mod chip and try again. I'm guessing the no audio means the laser or drive motor is starting to go, though I'm honestly befuddled. Thanks and I'll update tonight.

[Ziggy]

If you remove the mod chip, make sure to also disconnect the two wires (you can disconnect them at the chip side, which will be easier to do rather than on the IC pin, especially since you might reinstall the chip if it turns out not to be the problem).