New Dreamcast Maintenance

[grandta13]

I recently got a Dreamcast and was wondering if there is any preventative maintenance that I should do to ensure a long lifespan.
As is, it does play official games and backups, but I'm not sure if there is anything I should do to try to ensure optimal operation.

(I also have another Dreamcast, but that one doesn't work; I'll make another thread about that).
EDIT: The other thread is here if you care: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=47555

[Mad_Hatter]

From my experience, there really isn't really much you can do to prevent failures with these early CD based consoles. Some are just luckier than others.

But here are some ideas:

- Playing originals will help compared to CD-Rs backups, since it is said CD-Rs put more wear on the laser compared to the original GD-Rs. If you insist on CD-R back ups, make sure you use a reputable ripper (ReviveDC is a good one).
- Keep it in a ventilated space. And make sure nothing is messing with the airflow, especially near the fan
- Plug in your controllers before you power on the DC.

* Don't throw away your DC if it does fail.

[s8n]

Lube the rails and gears every 6 months or so with White Lithium Grease or Silicone Grease


Clean the Lens every 6 months , i believe a dirty Lens makes the Laser work harder reading discs therefor reducing its life.


If using backups get DCRES and RDC rips as they have the same file order as GDROM's


If burning games use Taiyo Yuden CD-R's and get them from SuperMediaStore.com or Rima.com TY on ebay will most likely be fakes


Get a great burner , using great media on a ass burner wont do any good its sorta like having a ring with a glass stone in it.


Also burn speed , theres a sticky at ClubMyCE forums explaining that low burn speeds on todays burners produces lower quality burns. In the past lowest speed was best but thats not the case anymore , i use software called Nero CD-DVD Speed and anything below X16 speed produces worse burns than X16 and over that again worse.


Not all burners can ' scan ' with Nero CD-DVD Speed btw............


And dont use IMGburn it causes not so good burns , use DiscJuggler


below is a scan with one of my burners

[TSTR]

FWIW, I've never had a problem with ImgBurn on any console burns.

[s8n]

hi TSTR , you wont have a problem with IMGburn but if you scan with a compatible burner DJ creates better burns than IMGburn.

[TSTR]

hi TSTR , you wont have a problem with IMGburn but if you scan with a compatible burner DJ creates better burns than IMGburn.

Word up. Might have to use that in the future.

[Ziggy]

If using backups get DCRES and RDC rips as they have the same file order as GDROM's

This is easily the best tip that can be given for the Dreamcast. Better file order means the drive has to work less, which means less wear and tear. Some releases can actually have better file order than the official games. Other releases aren't worth using. Aside from poor file order, if a game is too large for a CD-R then some things would have to be taken out or compressed to make it fit. The DCRES and RDC releases do a better job in this area too.

[Mad_Hatter]

I should really lube my rails and gears. Had this DC since 2002 and it's been in an attic for like 5-7 years.

How do Taiyo Yuden CD-R's compare to Verbatim's?

Would something like a iHas 324b be considered a good burner for DC games?

hi TSTR , you wont have a problem with IMGburn but if you scan with a compatible burner DJ creates better burns than IMGburn.

Does this mean the game will actually be better for the Dreamcast? Or less coasters?

I've always used IMGBurn, because it's like an "all in one" burner for me. Just been too lazy to try Disc Juggler.

[marurun]

Are you just talking about scanning for the drive's capabilities? I'm pretty sure polling hardware is a simple function these days. I can't imagine that Nero's "scan" does anything particularly special.

Also, keep in mind that the whole "lens has to work harder thing" is mis-phrased. The lens typically is either in use or not in use. A dirty lens or a hard-to-read disc will cause the motor and lens to be in use for slightly longer periods of time and make more adjustments, thus having a minor effect on operational lifespan, but it's not like your optical drive lens has "relaxed" and "workin' hard!" modes. It doesn't go into overdrive.

[s8n]

How do Taiyo Yuden CD-R's compare to Verbatim's?

im not sure but if you ask this question over at ClubMyCE forums they will know thats where i learn from

Would something like a iHas 324b be considered a good burner for DC games?

i have 4 B's myself and they are fantastic , they can burn CD/DVD and scan beautifully. The Liteon in the link provided seems iffy if its a B model , best shoot them a email to verify.

B models came out some time ago and have been superseded , last i heard C model's were just hitting the shelves

Does this mean the game will actually be better for the Dreamcast? Or less coasters?

better for the Dreamcast

Are you just talking about scanning for the drive's capabilities? I'm pretty sure polling hardware is a simple function these days

pretty much any burner can scan but not all do it accurately , so you will get a result and its not reliable.