Dreamcast problem not recognizing disk

[eightbit]

My dream cast won't recognize that I have inserted a game disk. It just keeps saying "enter disk". Any one know of any common problems or easy fixes for this? I tried a lens cleaner disk. The disk spins and the head moves back and forth and up and down. The disk acts like its seeking you can hear it chugging but eventually it will give up and time out. Any ideas?

[radiator]

firstly, how old is the unit?

I had the same problem with my DC, and it was only about 1 month old - so I took it back and got a replacement...

secondly, are you using an original game, or a backup (copy)? I found that copied games tend to take ages to load, or not load at all...

and last but not least...try turning the DC upside down...
seriously - my friend PS1 had trouble loading discs and as soon as we turned it upside down it loaded no problem (and I tried it with my DC when it was having difficulty loading games, and it solved the problem)

[radiator]

...oh, and the last solution, buy a new (2nd hand) Dreamcast - I've seen them at the local pawn shop for around

[radiator]

er, yeah, or just do what snaaake says...

i'm a cheapskate when it comes to repairing stuff, i'll try anything that doesn't involve spending money - eg, a few months ago my external modem stopped working, tried everything to fix it, and ended up throwing it at the wall...the casing smashed off, and only 2 out of the 8 LED's now work, but hey, at least it now lets me connect!!

[eightbit]

Thanks for the tips radiator. Snaaack as usual your post is worthless.

It doesn't work upside down. It was free and given to me because it doesn't work. I thought I'd give a stab at fixing it. I haven't found any tips on the web and none of the dreamcast forums seem to be active.

If I end up buying a DC I'll at least have a controller and a game from this one. I've seen them for under $20 on ebay. I'd probably rather buy a Sega Genesis though, I loved my Genesis. Those are on ebay for under $20 also.

[rampy]

8bit there's a site, and I don't recall where it is or the name... but it's dedicated to common ways to fix common probs with consoles in specific dreamcasts...

I guess there are common ails...  maybe dave_k knows...

rampy

[Dave_K.]

The two most common problems with broken dreamcasts are: blown joystick port, and bad laser.

A lot of sites (mostly oveseas) would sell replacement DC laser units.  But a simple search on google brought up a little page that may get your laser working again.

http://sysopaim.cjb.net/

Good luck, and let us know if this fixes it.

[eightbit]

The two most common problems with broken dreamcasts are: blown joystick port, and bad laser.

A lot of sites (mostly oveseas) would sell replacement DC laser units.  But a simple search on google brought up a little page that may get your laser working again.

http://sysopaim.cjb.net/

Good luck, and let us know if this fixes it.

I like his disclaimer.

I'll give it a whirl tonight. I know the previous owner liked to beat on it when his player would get killed.

[eightbit]

No workie...   I adjusted it for an hour and it was a no go. It really doesn't look like there is any other adjustments. I think I can get one for under $20 I can't imagine that any one will even look at it for that. I wonder if its worth anything to Gamestop or one of those places. I got the box and manuals and everything is mint.

[anthony691]

I have had WIERD luck with my Dreamcasts! My first Dreamcast (as little sense as this makes) would only play backups! I am not goning to try to explain why... I DON'T KNOW! My second would play all real games and some backups, and my 3rd would finaly play every game I have poped in there. I have no idea why my one wouldn't play legit games. Note that I bought all 3 used.

[radiator]

aaaah, too much talk about Dreamcasts!!!

damn you all, I'm going to the nearest city on monday for a(nother) job interview...and i'm so tempted to go down to cash convertors and pick up a 2nd hand DC - and i'm trying to save my money...

...but i miss having a Dreamcast...

 

[Dave_K.]

No workie...   I adjusted it for an hour and it was a no go. It really doesn't look like there is any other adjustments. I think I can get one for under $20 I can't imagine that any one will even look at it for that. I wonder if its worth anything to Gamestop or one of those places. I got the box and manuals and everything is mint.

Keep it, and get another used one.  You can use this for parts if the other ones break (as long as its not the laser  ).  When you get the new one, maybe you can take measuements on the values used for the laser intensity (using a multimeter) to better troubleshoot or figure out exactly where the problem is.  Have you tried putting music CDs in it?

[Frosty]

Wow...sorry to dig up a really old thread (this isn't even in the right forum), but I was curious if anyone had any experience with a DC that will not even spin discs.  I'm going to try and adjust the laser just to see if that will help, but it seems my DC won't even spin a game when loaded.

I figured I'd ask around before tracking down a used one...

[RandyT]

Wow...sorry to dig up a really old thread (this isn't even in the right forum), but I was curious if anyone had any experience with a DC that will not even spin discs.  I'm going to try and adjust the laser just to see if that will help, but it seems my DC won't even spin a game when loaded.

Dead motor
Dead power supply to motor
Bad switch on door interlock mechanism

Or it just hates you.

RandyT

[SOAPboy]

Wow...sorry to dig up a really old thread (this isn't even in the right forum), but I was curious if anyone had any experience with a DC that will not even spin discs.

[SirPeale]

Wow...sorry to dig up a really old thread (this isn't even in the right forum)..

Thread pre-dates the consoles forum.  Moving...

[Frosty]

It's like that former XFL player "He Hate Me".  Only, I know my DC wants to keep working, especially after finding it's true home in the cabinet and hooked up to my arcade monitor...

[Frosty]

The laser adjustment seems to have done the trick.  Ikaruga plays again on the cabinet...