3d0 experts, why wont my gun work?

[OldSchoolGamer]

@##$&%$#$^%%$@#$%$!@%$!!!!!!!

Received finally a American Laser Gun today, unfotunately it does not seem to be working.

The screen flashes when I press the trigger whether or not pointed at the screen. The system and games I try work fine with the controller but the gun doesn't seem to register, I cannot calibrate, in fact squeezing the trigger gets no response other than screen flash (no sound of gun firing etc) so......

Are there incompatibilities with some sets? I would not be surprised on a LCD of Plasma but I am using a regular old TOSHIBA TUBE color tv.

Any help/advice greatly appreciated! I finally track a gun down and now this.

UPDATE: Well being the frustrated and anxious type I took it apart, I am by no means an electronic expert but it seems fairly simplistic inside actually. I can say only this, everything seems intact and functional I do notice though that the LED facing out the front does not light up when depressing the trigger, I first noticed looking directly down the barrel (stupid thing to do?) but having it apart can confirm it now, can this be the cause?

[udisi]

well you already thought of the LCD question(I've already encountered problems with LCD TVS). The other thing I would say is try a different game maybe. You said you were missing sound effects. Those would be produced by the 3do software, not the gun. The fact that the screen flashes normally leads me to believe that a signal IS coming from the gun. It may be the game or system.

[Ponyone]

is the led even supposed to light up? isn't it just like a regular tv remote control led that is invisible to the naked eye?

[OldSchoolGamer]

is the led even supposed to light up? isn't it just like a regular tv remote control led that is invisible to the naked eye?

Well, you got me! That's why I am trying to figure this out. I haven't a clue, just hoping someone here does...........

[OldSchoolGamer]

well you already thought of the LCD question(I've already encountered problems with LCD TVS). The other thing I would say is try a different game maybe. You said you were missing sound effects. Those would be produced by the 3do software, not the gun. The fact that the screen flashes normally leads me to believe that a signal IS coming from the gun. It may be the game or system.


I have now tried 5 titles that works fine with regular gamepad, sound effects and all, if I wasn't clear I meant that I just am not getting same reaction from the gun, the screen flashes and that is all.......................

[bitrate]

The LED that you see is actually a photodiode, and it is not supposed to light up. It is a light detecting device.
It sounds as if that photodiode is not functioning any longer. I don't suppose you have a mutimeter? The 3DO system uses a serial interface with its peripherals, so it is not likely that there is a break in the signal path between the light gun and the console. If there were a break, the screen would not flash when the trigger is depressed.

You can buy a replacement photodiode for pennies online, or possibly at a local electronics supply store. You need to locate one with similar characteristics though, and you need to be able to solder.

First though, make sure that there aren't any loose connections at the photodiode.

[OldSchoolGamer]

The LED that you see is actually a photodiode, and it is not supposed to light up. It is a light detecting device.
It sounds as if that photodiode is not functioning any longer. I don't suppose you have a mutimeter? The 3DO system uses a serial interface with its peripherals, so it is not likely that there is a break in the signal path between the light gun and the console. If there were a break, the screen would not flash when the trigger is depressed.

You can buy a replacement photodiode for pennies online, or possibly at a local electronics supply store. You need to locate one with similar characteristics though, and you need to be able to solder.

First though, make sure that there aren't any loose connections at the photodiode.

Now THAT's waht I'm talking about! No sadly I can build a PC from scratch, tweak or over clock and trouble shoot an OS but I am otherwise regretably useless with electronics. I do not own a multimeter but you are sending me on the right path. I had bought the item with the expectation that it was working though so I guess that is another route to explore how over it's one of those things if I CAN repair it myself for just a few dollars it would likely less trouble than any other route. I can solder enough to do this such a job from what I have seen inside the gun. At least I know now that it doesn't light up, it appears pretty dark though (as oppossed to transparent) might that be a sign it's blown? Considering that and as you say the since the screen does blink upon pressing the trigger than SOMETHING seems to be registering? Thanks for the input, anyone else have anything to add I'm all ears, THANKS!