32x Woes!

[Roperious]

Hey all, Roperious here


As a new member I would first like to say that this site is god. Now lets get down to business.


I recently purchased a 32x factory sealed, in my opinion the only way to ensure a properly wokring unit. I was giddy as a schoolgirl opening my 32x and scrambling to hook it up to my Genesis II/ Sega CD. Alas when I powered up my pimped out sega, there was nothing! Not being braindead i proceeded to make sure all connections were secure, and also re-read the manual(s) (by the way the thing came with THREE!!). I also decided to test the other aspects of the 32x. I can play original sega games through my 32x, and my sega cd will also run, however the graphics cut out some on the s/cd for some reason? Finnaly in frustration i started pushing the carts down in different directions, and one time i got the spinning sega logo as my Star Wars Arcade struggled to start...unfortunatly it froze after the second loop - as soon as I moved my hand. At this point I basically broke down and cried!



Oh yes, and I tried the 32x on my "kicker" Sega Mrk II with the memory expansion. Same deal.








Help Me Sega-16, you are my only hope

[Joe Redifer]

Sounds like you need to clean the cart contacts on the 32X games and your Genesis system maybe.

Also the 32X will not work on the Sega Mark II or Mark III. Some people have had a bit of luck getting it to work with an Atari 2600, though.

[Roperious]

The sega mark II won't work?? Why is it pictured on the box of the 32x unit??

[Joe Redifer]

I demand you post said picture.

I hope you are not confusing the Sega Mark II (an actual 8-bit system) with the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive model 2.

[Roperious]

I demand you post said picture.

I hope you are not confusing the Sega Mark II (an actual 8-bit system) with the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive model 2.


Unfortunatly I am, I have always reffered to the Gen/2 as the Mark 2, thats how I've always heard it. I will also test this "cleaning" of the contacts, as I have found a good article of instruction.


We're taking an awful risk here...this had better work

[Joe Redifer]

There is no risk in cleaning the contacts unless you are cleaning them with pure acid.

[Mr Smith]

There is no risk in cleaning the contacts unless you are cleaning them with pure acid.

So that's why my games stopped working :shock:

[Roperious]

Alright, well that was one long, frustrating battle.



So far, after EXTENSIVE research, i have learned some very interesting things about the 32x. Firstly, I am NOT having a problem with the white wires on the inside of my unit, connecting and reconecting these have proved to do nothing other than provide a reason for me to swear. Secondly, The 32x seems to be in mint condition, as I stated before, it was shrink wrapped when I recieved it, and everything about the unit, inside and out looks in perfect condition. At the moment the unit is taken apart using the instructions from our friends over at sega cult.

As far as cleaning the contacts goes, I have done so patiently, and carefully as per the directions from our friendly neighbourhood Video Game Critic.

Thus the only conclusion that I can draw from all of this, is that It has something to do with how the cartridges sit in the unit. The only way I can get any result from the mushroom shaped hunk of doom, is when i press on the catridge at different angles, but even this will only provide a fraction of a second of the intro Sega screen.



I belive it is time for drastic measures, I cannot accept that this unit is broken.


What next?

[Genesis Knight]

We need to compile a list of all the different screw-ups a 32X can pull on you. It'd be a daunting task, but I think the masses would worship us for it.

[Roperious]

I could probably list most of them from the top of my head!


I'm starting to get desperate

[Joe Redifer]

The 32X box was never shrinkwrapped. It was just a cardboard box and inside the hardware was in little plastic baggies (with red warning labels, I believe).

[Roperious]

Either way, everything in the box was sealed in its respective baggies, this however is beside the point, right now i've decided that it's a connection problem, probably between the cart and the 32x, i'm very tempted to take apart my Comsic Carnage cart to see if I can force a better connection...

[evildragon]

You did get spacers, right? It goes between the 32X and the Genesis 2... Without it, and you will have these problems..

I don't have the spacers, and have a model 2, and my solution was put some paper between the 32X in the cartridge port, bracing it between the genesis' cartridge slot... it works for me, but it's still putting stress on the genesis cartridge port..

[Roperious]

Oh yes, The spacer, is there, the magnetic brackets are in place (what a pain) and the proper ac adapter is being used for both the Genesis and the 32x. Also all of the cables are firmly in place, and have been swapped to ensure that the proper end is plugged into the proper port. All of the contacts have been cleaned (on the bottom of the 32x and both game carts) and i've even tried the pencil eraser thing that the gentleman from Sega Cult suggested. On top of all of this, when powered on the sega logo might come up, and if you're lucky it will then dissaper again and the start music will play. But one time, I got to the first split second of Cosmic Carnage where the stars just start to move towards you, then it froze and i was unable to get this result again.



I've also tried putting pieces of cardboard in between the cart and the flaps of the unit to create a super snug fit. Sadly, no results there.



:daze:


What else??

[evildragon]

try it without the RF shield.. those things are dangerous..

[nik]

I toss mine on without the metal brackets, works good... maybe I'm lucky..

[Roperious]

Yah i've tried putting it in without the rf sheilds, no difference




:confused:

[Joe Redifer]

The only thing I can think of is that it is not making good contact with the pins in the cartridge slot. If only there was a way to bend all of the pins outward somewhat....

[Roperious]

i'm seriously considering taking the actual cart apart and inserting the chip directly in...maybe?

[evildragon]

Ehh, the 32X is more than a chip, it's a processor et all..

If you insert a 32X cartridge into the Genesis directly, you'll only get the "Produced by or licensed by" screen, but then it will stay black..

Fix the cartridge connector ON the Genesis itself: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/md2-loose-cart.htm

[Roperious]

No, i actually meant taking the game cart apart and putting that directing into the slot so that there would be the best possible connection, however i'll check out that article.




Here goes :p


Also, i've already stripped my 32x right down to the boards, i mean every piece of plastic has been taken off, interestingly enough there's a nec and a toshiba chip in there along with the hitachi processors, ive also tried hooking it up and playing it this way to no avail.
The question is, should I fix the connectors of the GENESIS (which works fine) or the 32x which has not worked at all??

[evildragon]

The GENESIS, I said that in my previous post..

That's the one that's weak.. the 32X has a good grip ok as it is, but the extra weight of the 32X is putting stress on the Genesis connector...

no need to take the 32X apart, yet..

Just thought of something, and sorry if you already states this (my internet is on-off right now, someone hit the fiber wire), but do you have the Sidechip?

Some Genesis's won't work with the 32X without the sidechip (plugs in the Sega CD slot, if you don't have a Sega CD------picture it as a SCSI terminator)

[Joe Redifer]

Man I wish there was a way to fix the Saturn cartridge slot. I always have to reinsert like crazy before it recognizes a cartridge. But then again I did use a 3rd party cart a lot and that probably tore up my Saturn's slot.

[David J.]

Maybe you could apply the same idea in the Genesis cart slot repair guide listed above to the Saturn?

[evildragon]

Maybe you could apply the same idea in the Genesis cart slot repair guide listed above to the Saturn?
You should be able too, if the slot is different than a model II genesis, check the instructions for a model I genesis (from the same site)

[Joe Redifer]

The prongs on the Saturn cart slot are TINY! It would be hard to apply the same method.

[David J.]

Well, I've only had to reinsert a few times, so I haven't taken a look at my Saturn's cart slot.

[Roperious]

The GENESIS, I said that in my previous post..

That's the one that's weak.. the 32X has a good grip ok as it is, but the extra weight of the 32X is putting stress on the Genesis connector...

no need to take the 32X apart, yet..

Just thought of something, and sorry if you already states this (my internet is on-off right now, someone hit the fiber wire), but do you have the Sidechip?

Some Genesis's won't work with the 32X without the sidechip (plugs in the Sega CD slot, if you don't have a Sega CD------picture it as a SCSI terminator)


Again, I am not convinced that this is the reason, if it was a connection problem, would original sega games be able to play?? If so then why is that connection good enough but the isn't?


:confused:

[evildragon]

Again, I am not convinced that this is the reason, if it was a connection problem, would original sega games be able to play?? If so then why is that connection good enough but the isn't?


:confused:
a genesis game won't access every single pin on the cartridge connector.. a 32X is, and will..

i had this problem originally, so i know what it is, and possibly can be..

[Roperious]

Just went through the painful process of bending all of those pins in place, now the genesis still works, the 32x has the same problem, but when i try to play genesis games through the 32x they just freeze like the actual 32x carts do...




What does this mean?

[Joe Redifer]

Did you bend the pins on both the Genesis and 32X?

If so I think your 32X probably has a manufacturing defect. It's probably something simple like a solder trace somewhere being to thin/not good enough or even a bad capacitor.

[evildragon]

totally weird.. the genesis games now NOT working through the 32X is weird... i seriously think the white ribbons are the problem, but if i am not mistaken, you said that wasn't it... those ribbons are usually the biggest problem, along with the cartridge pins..

but it may be you have a defective 32X.. (that also wasn't uncommon either)

[Roperious]

what are the odds eh? The ribbons look to be brand new, nice snug fit. I've even taken them out and reinserted them a few times just for luck.



So theres no way i can fix this thing myself, i'll have to send it to old school gamer?

[evildragon]

the ribbons may appear fit, but usually have problems...

[Roperious]

the ribbons may appear fit, but usually have problems...


how do you KNOW that they are in correctly?

[evildragon]

how do you KNOW that they are in correctly?
you don't, that's the problem.. when you remove them, make sure the pins on the ribbon are straight (they can bend!)... Also, make sure the ferrite bead is on the BOTTOM half of the 32X..

http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/

[Roperious]

Yes, i used that article as my guide when originally performing the "operation", im just wondering how hard to push them in and whatnot

[Joe Redifer]

Try swapping them or reversing them. I really don't think it matters what side the ferrite bead is on... especially in this case. I say swap and reverse them.

[evildragon]

Try swapping them or reversing them. I really don't think it matters what side the ferrite bead is on... especially in this case. I say swap and reverse them.
on mine, the ferrite bead is glued in place, and the ribbon won't fit on mine with the bead in the up position, along with the ribbon being stiff as anything, on my mode, and it won't bend easily..

[Roperious]

So i will attempt this in the morning, expect a detailed report by 0900

[Joe Redifer]

Even 1 minute late and you will be BANNED! Oh wait I'm not a moderator of this particular forum am I? I get confused easily. But rest assured someone else will ban you if you are late with that report.

[David J.]

I always, always get confused with military time. I have a friend who's an "army brat" and he always talks in military time. Aargh!

[Joe Redifer]

For the "PM" hours, just ignore the first digit and subtract 2 from military hours to come up with normal human being time. For example 1700 = 5:00pm. 7-2=5 (ignore the 1). 1954 in military time = 7:54pm in normal human being time.

[David J.]

I see, and my dad was 11 in 1954.

I tell people he's old, but when they see him they don't beleive me! Someone I know got upset I said I am going to put him in a home, and I tell him that on a daily basis, and he just laughs.

[Roperious]

Alright, results are as follows.



Swithing cables: Initially casued "Produced by" screen to be a yellow colour, but with enough poking, went back to the white = no startup whatso ever

Reverse the cables: No result, just blank screen, no "Produced by"

Switch and reverse the cables: loaded just like the cables were in properly, with the freezing as soon as the sega logo comes up





:confused: