My first megadrive model 1, need some help=)

[Aldric]

Just picked up my first Megadrive model 1 today which arrived from Japan. Just got some general questions. Had a (pal)model 2 before but even dirty this one looks alot sexier
Checked the guide but couldn't really figure out what model the motherboard is, so my questions are:

- Which model is it?
-I really need to clean this thing. I mean everything, want it to sparkle =)
What's the best thing to use for cleaning it without destroying anything?

[Yfrid]

i'm used to disasseble it all and wash all plastics in water, soap and a soft sponge

in first place, when you have removed all electronics give it a fast clean under the water (i use often the shower faucet), then rub with a soft (SOFT! or you could risk to scratch the plastics, especially the shine parts) soapy sponge the whole thing accurately (away from water), then wash it all under the shower again, this should remove any trace of dust and spots.
now, dry most of the water with a cloth. Be careful, some parts are really fragile, like the cartridge slot doors (about these, watchout for the springs)

use an hair dryer to evaporate the rest of the water, don't put it too close to plastic, heat could deform it!! not closer than 15-20 cm

when every part is clean and dry reassemble your mega drive
you can clean electronics with a dry cloth if you want

[Devil N]

The motherboard says both VA5 and VA6, so it's either one of those models. It doesn't have the High-Definition Graphics mark above the cartridge slot, and the location of the region jumpers also confirms this. The Japanese Mega Drive kept the EXT port for a few revisions longer than the American Genesis, so that checks out. To be honest, it doesn't really matter if it's a VA5 or VA6, because they're pretty similar and they're both good.

As for cleaning, I understand that rubbing the outer casing with WD40 works wonders in shining up the console, but I've never tried it. Electronics can be cleaned well with isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol, also known as rubbing alcohol.

[Aldric]

Thanks for the help will start the cleaning right away.

[Aldric]

Got my RGB cable with stereo sound today, but the sound is very static. Have no idea what it could be. Not using the orignal power adaptor if that helps. Have tried on two diffrent TV:s, one old crt and a plasma.

[Christuserloeser]

Could you record an example ?

[Aldric]

Hope this helps, note that the first static it's just my mic^^, but you will here the diffrence.

[Christuserloeser]

Seems that

This video is private.

[Aldric]

ops, try now^^

[Christuserloeser]

It's hard for me to identify anything that's not related to how you recorded it. I think a straight headphones out to PC recording would be much better.

[Ace]

You have the exact same MegaDrive as me: a VA5(the chip is a 315-5402). This is one of the better MegaDrives, and one of the more uncommon Model 1 motherboards.

By the way, welcome to the club of Japanese MegaDrive owners.

[Aldric]

ohh, didn't think of that gonna see what i can do

[Aldric]

I suggest you turn your volume down a bit=)

[Ace]

Sounds like some parts are going bad in the audio circuit. I had that exact same problem when building TmEE's Audio Mod prototype to put inside of my bad Genesis 2s, and it was due to either faulty parts or loose solder joints. I'll take a look at the motherboard and see what's part of the sound circuit on a VA5/VA6 MegaDrive Model 1(they're the same board, just with one chip that's different).

Unless it's maybe the power supply you're using? What's the rating on it(voltage, amperage)? If it's too weak, it might be your power supply not providing enough power to keep your MegaDrive functioning properly.