Dreamcast internal battery might be dead. (SOLVED!)

[noiseredux]

So I just got a Sega Sports console, but it appears the internal battery is dead. Both times I turned the console on it asked me for time/date. Sigh. Normally this wouldn't be a concern, but the internal memory is needed for Phantasy Star Online. So it's an issue for me. So uh... what are my options? How easy/cheap is it to replace the internal battery - keeping in mind I'm not much of a modder handyman.

EDIT: so it turns out that just keeping it powered on for an hour or so kicked it back in as suggested. Apparently the battery had reset itself when the previous owner kept it in storage for so long. But it's working fine now.

[spiritplx]

I'm pretty confident you need to desolder the battery to replace it (at least on the non-sports models). If you don't have a soldering iron (like me), then you're kind of out of luck as far as replacing the battery goes.

However, I'm still prompted each time I turn on my DC but I was still able to play PSOv2 without any issues.

Can you explain what you are seeing so perhaps we can try to figure it out without the need to replace the battery?

Or if you have a soldering iron, it looks pretty simple, as the battery is just on the controller port board: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Dreamcast+C ... ent/5020/1

[noiseredux]

I should clarify - I meant to play the Online Mode of PSO, as the internal memory stores your ISP settings and registration #.

[AppleQueso]

I need to get around to doing this myself.

Luckily, if that guide there is anything to go by, this should be really simple. Even if you've never soldiered before, this seems like it'd be an easy way to get your feet wet.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, as far as soldering goes, this is an easy one to learn on.

Did you try leaving the console powered on for a few hours and then seeing if it would hold a charge?

[spiritplx]

Did you try leaving the console powered on for a few hours and then seeing if it would hold a charge?

I think he means that if he leaves it off for a while, the next time he goes to play, he would have to re-enter the data.

I know it's a pain in the ass, but you could just re-enter the data each time, right? I think just the ISP settings, since the PSO registration is stored within the game save (I'm pretty certain, since I don't have to re-enter that each time).

[mjmjr25]

I haven't had a SAT or DC hold a date in years - didn't know it was an issue - but good to know since I plan to join for PSO...

[Ziggy]

Did you try leaving the console powered on for a few hours and then seeing if it would hold a charge?

I think he means that if he leaves it off for a while, the next time he goes to play, he would have to re-enter the data.

I know that's what he meant, but some times leaving it powered on for a long time will recharge the battery enough that it'll hold the date... or the battery is just dead and will no longer take a charge.

[noiseredux]

I actually did not try leaving it on for a while to see if it recharge the battery. Maybe I'll try to do so and see how that goes first. Thanks guys.

[spiritplx]

I know that's what he meant, but some times leaving it powered on for a long time will recharge the battery enough that it'll hold the date... or the battery is just dead and will no longer take a charge.

Ahh, gotcha. I've had no luck with completely recharging the batteries in any of my DCs. The best I've gotten is having it hold a charge for about 5 minutes after I turn it off (once it's been on for a while).

Noise, make sure you let it sit for about an hour after you've let it charge to see if it holds the charge for an extending period of time.