Good condition Dreamcast game won't work

[TheBrick]

The game
- I assume the game preowned? Is it a standard release Carzy taxi or Sega All Stars release?
- Any idea if the disc has been resurfaced or buffed? (this may be the cause of your trouble)

The hardware
- Does your console experience this problem with other retail G-R discs you own?
- What model DC do you own? Rev 0, 1, or 2 (you can see for yourself on the silver sticker placed underneath the unit. You will find a cicled single digit number on the lower right)
- Can you actually hear the disc spinning as the unit tries to read the game?

Yes, the game was bought used. It's the original white release. I have no idea if it was resurfaced. It doesn't look like it, but you never know.
This is the first game I've had with this problem, which is why I'm posting. The console itself is revision 1. And yeah, I can hear it spinning. The console's definitely trying to read the game, but it returns me to the console menu anyways.

[CD AGES]

Then there is a good chance the disc went thru one or to many sessions of resurfacing if the disc looks prestine but the Dreamcast can't pick it up to load it.
This is a common problem among many retail stores that resurface GD discs to remove visible scratches on a disc without knowing that they are possibly doing more harm than good. Many people mistake Dreamcast games for a CDrom that can be buffed with less consequence. While this isn't 100% conculsive, the odds of a GD disc working after going thru resurfacing process is very slim from personal experience and feedback.

If there is any good that can be taken from this is that its at least comforting to know that its not your hardware that's going bad.

[TheBrick]

Then there is a good chance the disc went thru one or to many sessions of resurfacing if the disc looks prestine but the Dreamcast can't pick it up to load it.
This is a common problem among many retail stores that resurface GD discs to remove visible scratches on a disc without knowing that they are possibly doing more harm than good. Many people mistake Dreamcast games for a CDrom that can be buffed with less consequence. While this isn't 100% conculsive, the odds of a GD disc working after going thru resurfacing process is very slim from personal experience and feedback.

If there is any good that can be taken from this is that its at least comforting to know that its not your hardware that's going bad.

That's really good to know then, since I seriously doubt I have the mechanical skill to replace a gd-rom drive.

[CD AGES]

Yeah for sure. Hopefully you didn't pay too much for the game. And don't be discouraged if you really want to own a copy of the game. Its a very common game and can even be found brand new in many areas for relatively cheap. Good luck.

[TheBrick]

I only paid $5, plus shipping, so it could've been worse. Thanks for your help!

[aaron]

my copy of Virtua Fighter 3tb is this way. do you guys think that might be faulty media? i have no idea when VF3tb was released in relation to the DC's launch.

[D.D.D.]

Kinda related to the OP, wasn't there an optical disc emulator being made for the DC? I know there was an SD loader but it doesn't seem to good.

[MulishaSoldier929]

Its been stated before here on racketboy by a few members (myself included) that many launch release titles were pressed on Faulty GD-rom Media. Sega themselves back in the day even made this public, apologizing and making ammends by offering replacement copies via telephone hotline.

I remember back in '99 when right after getting a Dreamcast and a copy of Sonic Adventure the game would get to the game menu then freeze! Oh man was I devastated! No scratches just a brand new out of the case game! Thank god I had a demo disk to keep me somewhat sane until we were able to make a trip back into town for a different(working*) copy.
Worst two days of my life lol

[pierrot]

my copy of Virtua Fighter 3tb is this way. do you guys think that might be faulty media? i have no idea when VF3tb was released in relation to the DC's launch.

I think it was released around the same time as Crazy Taxi. Definitely wasn't a launch title.
You could check the disc for disc rot, if you just want to know what the culprit is.
Damn shame that game isn't working, regardless, though.

[dust_hound]

@OP:
although a disc problem is likely, you could nevertheless try adjusting your DC's laser. Extremely easy to do, and it was how i solved a similar problem to yours, but which was affecting only my copy of Resident Evil: Code Veronica, weirdly.

Unscrew the cover, move the laser head back, then lift up the GD drive. Find the potentiometer screw, and give it a fractional turn (i started with around 30 degrees, solved the disc read problem, then gradually reduced it to around 10-15 degrees.) There are a bunch of tutorials on youtube which show the process in detail. There didn't seem to be consensus on the actual direction to turn the screw, but i tried both directions, and clockwise solved the problem for me.