Sega CD Reliability

[tony]

I recently got a model 2 off of ebay (I also have a broken model 1 that can power on but the tray can't eject but I've give up on that model). At first, all I had to do was replace the fuse to get it working (wouldn't power on). It made a grinding type noise when it first tried to read the CD but stopped making the noise shortly after and worked. I put it away for about a month and now it tries to read the CD but fails shortly after starting the game. I cleaned the lens but that didn't fix it. I'm wondering though if these are reliable enough to bother purchasing another in the future. Feedback appreciated.

[Defolto]

Probably bad capacitors...

[Jax184]

I suspect the Sega CD also suffers from the problem that causes a lot of Saturns to stop working, where the CD spindle slowly sits lower with age and throws the disc out of focus, or even causes the disc to scrape across the surface of the case. Fortunately you can just pull it up a millimeter or so and it's fixed.

[db-81]

The model 2 is usually the most reliable. You could try greasing the tracks. It might be binding as it heats up.

I've bought a lot of $10 ones that wouldn't power up, fixed the fuse and had them work fine. I've only had one that didn't work. It appeared to have flood damage inside.

[tony]

When you say "pull it up", how exactly do I do this. Can it really be grabbed and pulled upwards or do I have to get something under it?

[Xeniczone]

Well, you could just pull it up, but that would be pretty hard. It maybe a lot easier to wedge something under it, plus that should give you more control. Just be careful not to break it

[tony]

Well, I'll have to open it up later on when I get a chance and see if I can rig something up. I'm not too worried about breaking my broken sega cd though.

[db-81]

Well, I'll have to open it up later on when I get a chance and see if I can rig something up. I'm not too worried about breaking my broken sega cd though.

You could put small, thin washers under the rubber pads. That would raise it up.

[edojapan76]

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13281

[WoodyXP]

Model 2's are built like tanks, in my experience.

[villahed94]

Maybe lens gone bad, so replace it. Also try repairing the model 1 that tray problem is easy to solve, and it is more beautiful(Got one of these)

[kool kitty89]

I recently got a model 2 off of ebay (I also have a broken model 1 that can power on but the tray can't eject but I've give up on that model). At first, all I had to do was replace the fuse to get it working (wouldn't power on). It made a grinding type noise when it first tried to read the CD but stopped making the noise shortly after and worked. I put it away for about a month and now it tries to read the CD but fails shortly after starting the game. I cleaned the lens but that didn't fix it. I'm wondering though if these are reliable enough to bother purchasing another in the future. Feedback appreciated.

Have you been testing with Audio CDs? (pretty much the easiest to read)


Have you tried the model 1 or model 2 on another Genesis? (and are you using the right power supply? 9/10V DC negative tip polarity and 1.2A max output -the CD specific PSUs also have higher peak wattage though that's not absolutely necessary and regular model 1 PSUs work fine)

It could be the genesis that's at fault in either case as bad caps in the Genesis will make for an unstable Sega CD. I had that problem and thought it was the CD going bad, but I got a 2nd Genesis and that fixed it. (in my case it was crashing after being on awhile and then freezing at boot/BIOS)

That grinding sound would almost certianly be the gears/track of part of the drive/laser assembly. If it persists, I'd make sure to lubricate it, but if it doesn't crop up again, I wouldn't worry.


The other possibility is a bad laser. That can be checked by tripping the lid-closed switch while the lid is open and seeing if the laser is visible. (I think there might be more to it than that)



Also, just FYI: be sure never clean plastics (especially lenses/discs) with anything containing ammonia (ie glass cleaners), use alcohol, water, or compressed air.
It will etch many types of plastic. (so don't do it unless you WANT to etch something )

[villahed94]

Yeah, follow kool kitty´s advice, also about the gear, check if it moves, my sega cd only does it also, but it works perfectly.

[tony]

I'm thinking about taking another shot at the Model 1 but it looks a lot more complicated inside then the model 2. Is there detailed instructions for fixing a Model 1 tray somewhere? I agree, it is a beautiful machine.

I *did* get the Model 2 working at least for now. The problem was that the spindle was too low. All I did was tug up on it a bit and it works but I need to find a better way. I think I'm going to have to try this...

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13281

Thanks for all the updates! I love this forum and site.

[villahed94]

For sega cd model 1, open it, then you sould see the tray, remove the thing aboveof the lens, then you should see 2 little clips, on the edge tof the tray, and..
Well, let me remember is has been a long time since i done, so please wait me, i´ll help you, just in a few moments please..