Sega CD trouble

[Cinder6]

I just picked up a Sega CD, and I'm having trouble with it.

Here is the equipment I have:

Genesis (model 1)
Sega CD (model 2; the top-loader)
2x power cords
RF cable

The problem I have is that the Sega CD won't turn on. Is there something you are supposed to do? I don't have a cartridge in the Genesis when I try, but it doesn't work either way.

Now, there's one thing on the back of the Sega CD I'm confused about. It's the little jack that says "mixing" on it. What is that for?

I've already tried cleaning the connector on the Genesis (actually, I've tried two different Genesi, both of them model 1s). If there isn't something obvious I'm missing, I plan on taking apart the Sega CD and seeing if there's any loose connection in there.

Any ideas?

[DKTheArcadeRat]

It would seem you were doing everything right, maybe the jack on the back of the SCD isn't plugged in all the way on either end. The "mixing" jack, is just for audio mixing, nothing to be confused about really, you aren't missing something that plugs in there really. Might be an internal problem.

[Poofta!]

model 2 SCD had a bunch of problems. if it doesnt power on at all... i really cant help you. i had one taht powered on, but didnt work, i took it apart and replaced the fuse, put in a little fuse bracket and pretty much made it replaceable from now on, instead of soldering each time.

[Cinder6]

Just for my own understanding, it should power up right away when I turn the Genesis on, correct? I'm about to open it up.

[vultar]

What model are the power cords for? The last time I used my CD I had, from what I remember, the very same problem, and as far as I could tell it was because I was trying to use the power cord from the model 1 Genesis. I couldn't figure out what was wrong until I, in desperation, rummaged out my model 2 power cord, and once I had that plugged in it came up just like it was supposed to. Haven't had any trouble since.

[Cinder6]

I've tried both a 3rd-party cord and the one that came with my model 1. That's an interesting possibility, though. I'll have to borrow a model 2 power cord from a friend and try that.

I just finished rummaging around inside it, and I didn't see anything obvious that would be a problem (no missing/loose connections, etc.). When I put it all back together and reattached the Genesis, I did briefly get the red access light to turn on (for less than a second, however). That gives me hope.

[Blitzwing256]

if you got the light to turn on for a second that might just mean the wrong ac adaptor is being used (like if you try to turn your nes on when you've recently unplugged it)

[Raven1280]

Follow the directions at this site and replace the internal fuse. This seems to always be the problem when a sega cd model 2 wont work.
http://www.mrvfone.com.au/sega/fuse.htm

Raven

[Cinder6]

Follow the directions at this site and replace the internal fuse. This seems to always be the problem when a sega cd model 2 wont work.
http://www.mrvfone.com.au/sega/fuse.htm

Raven

Thanks, I'll try that if the model 2 adapter doesn't pan out. I'll be able to get one tonight :)

[Soviet Conscript]

Now, there's one thing on the back of the Sega CD I'm confused about. It's the little jack that says "mixing" on it. What is that for?


just to clarify the "mixing cable" gives you stero sound, as the genesis only outputed mono unless you used the headphone jacks.

[Cinder6]

What does the mixing cable plug into, then? The Sega CD already has L+R audio out. Does it go into the extension jack on the Genesis?

[Soviet Conscript]

What does the mixing cable plug into, then? The Sega CD already has L+R audio out. Does it go into the extension jack on the Genesis?

one end goes into the "mixing cable" jack on the sega cd and the other into the headphone jack on the genesis. then you have the L + R cables hooked up like normal to the TV so then the genesis can output stereo through the sega cd if your just playing a genesis cart.

[Cinder6]

one end goes into the "mixing cable" jack on the sega cd and the other into the headphone jack on the genesis. then you have the L + R cables hooked up like normal to the TV so then the genesis can output stereo through the sega cd if your just playing a genesis cart.

That makes sense (I forgot the model 1 outputted stereo through the headphones). I'll have to make use of that when I get this thing working.

Also, I checked my adapter and the Sega CD. The system says on the bottom to use a model 1602 adapter, which is what I'm using, so it's not that. I was able to bypass the fuse with a twist-tie and got the mechanism to spin up briefly, so tomorrow I'm going to get a fuse and solder it in.

As far as that goes, any fuse that's at least 850mA and between 1A and 2A will work, correct? Or is there something else I need to look out for? I'll see about getting a fusebox so I don't have to solder again in case anything happens to the new fuse, but that's not terribly critical to me.

[mailman187666]

I had a model 2 sega CD that wasn't powering on and I decided to clean the contacts where it slides into and connects to the genesis, just the basic q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Mine ended up working fine after that, you may want to try that. You may have gotten the red light to turn on because if you disconnected it comlpetely from the genesis, you maybe got a bit better of a connnection.

[Cinder6]

I had a model 2 sega CD that wasn't powering on and I decided to clean the contacts where it slides into and connects to the genesis, just the basic q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Mine ended up working fine after that, you may want to try that. You may have gotten the red light to turn on because if you disconnected it comlpetely from the genesis, you maybe got a bit better of a connnection.

Unfortunately, that was the first thing I tried. I've also done it with two different Genesi. Thanks for the help, though.

[Cinder6]

Well, I installed the new fuse, and unfortunately it still doesn't work. I tried the sound test with it, and I just get white noise. So, I guess it's busted. This week, I'll replace it with one that works, hopefully a front-loader :)

Thanks for all the help.