Need help with Genesis/CD system, please!

[SoulBlazer]

I'm ashamed at being stupid enough for not figuring things out on my own, but I'm at the end of my rope and BADLY need help.

I've never owened a Sega system in my life. Recently I decided to start picking up some older console systems. First I got a 3DO and a TurboDuo, and then I decided to get a Genesis/CD/32X combo.

I bought all three parts from a person on EBay selling the complete system. She told me it did'nt have any controllers or RF cables but did have the adapater, so I bought the controller and RF Cable from EBay sep.

The system came in the mail today -- only I can't figure out WHAT the heck I sitll need or how to make it worth.

Here's the link to the auction which has a pic of it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3642&item=3015724911&rd=1

For starters, I'm not even sure what model it is! I believe both are Model 2, but I can't confirm that.

Second, it does'nt seem like the Genesis wants to connect with the CD. Maybe it IS connected, but it does'nt feel like a firm one, and there's still some of the Genesis hanging over the left edge of the CD tray. I don't know if this is normal or not.

Third, I can't seem to get any power to anything. The adapater that came with the system is a Model 1602 -- which the label on the bottom of the Sega CD says is correct. The Genesis label says it needs a Model 2103. I thought supplying power to the CD unit would power the Genesis as well. But when I plugged the adapater in to the CD and turned on the Genesis, nothing happened (there's no power button or light or anything on the CD unit -- just a access light). I was told the system was working just fine.

Forth, I really don't know what else I need as far as cables. Here's the RF Swith that I bought to go with the unit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3642&item=3014986929&rd=1

It has'nt come yet, so I can't do anything with that -- but all these hookups on everything confuse the heck out of me. On the Genesis there is a A/V Out and Adapater, on the CD there is a Mixing and two Line Outs (right and left), and on the 32X there is a A/V Out, A/V In, and Adapater.

And then there is also this 'tray door' that was mentioned in the auction listing -- I got what looks like a tray door and two metal hookup-thingies. Have'nt the foggeist what THIS is or how to connect it.

Finally, it seems like there would also need to be a cable to connect the sound from the CD to the Genesis and then out to the TV. Would a standard mini male stero cable from Radio Shack do the trick?

I've tried to e-mail the seller for extra help with this thing, but there's been no response. There's very little in the way of techinal help or anything that I can find online for this as well.

Please help!

[Captain Wrong]

First: yep those are both model 2.

Second: the Sega CD should slide tighlty into the port in the side of the Genny. Don't be afraid to push a little. It should be a tighter fit than putting a cart in the top. There shouldn't be any overhang from the Genny.

Third: you need a seperate adaptor for the Genny, even if you're using the Sega CD. And guess what, when you use the 32x, it's gonna need an adaptor too. So to use all three, you're gonna have three wall warts plugged in.

Forth: The Sega CD/Genny Combo looks confusing as heck, but here's what it boils down to, to play either a Genny game or Sega CD game, hook your RF adaptor into the adaptor slot on the Genny. Don't worry about the Mixer Out thing, that's for the Genny 1. You'll need to connect the Sega CD Line outs to your stereo to get the CD sound though.

To play a 32X game, I'm pretty sure you gotta hook the Genny AV outs to it's AV ins and then plug the RF adaptor into the 32x. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I don't have my instruction sheet handy.

The tray door with the hooks is additional RF shielding for pulgging the 32x into the Genny. You may or may not need it. Try it without and see. If you get a bad picture, you gotta wiggle that dude into the cart slot of your Genny and then pop your 32x in.

And yeah, a standard stereo 1/8" miniplug to 1/8" plug would do the trick, but I don't think you need to do that with the Model 2 Genny. See on the Model 1, like I have, you gotta connect the headphone out to the Sega CD and then connect that to your stereo. The Model 2 doesn't have a headphone jack, so I think it's all internally connected.

Whew!

Hope that gets you started. This is one of the trickiest beasts to hook up, but worth it, IMHO.

[congobongo]

To add to what CW said, if you didn't get the genesis-to-32x cable with the set you are going to have a hard time finding the cable. You may want to just pull out that 32x and forget about it for now. After that, all you really need is the other power supply.

[SoulBlazer]

Thanks for the help, guys.

You mean I gotta have a adapater for EACH of the three parts? Geesh! :roll: Well, I'll go down to my local GameStop and Radio Shack and see if I can find two Genesis 2 AC Adapaters, then.

I have a Gen 2 AV cable as well as the RF switch coming to me from EBay so once I get that it sounds like I can hook up everything. (The auction for the AV cable is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3642&item=3016558780&rd=1) Is just one of these going to be enough?

Now the big problem -- where can I get that genesis-to-32x cable at? I did'nt see any for sale on EBay. I got the 32X to PLAY 32X games -- there are a couple I really like. Should I just bid on another 32X that has the cable wtih it?

Oh -- the controller I got the system has six buttons as opposed to the older three button controllers. Which games need six buttons? (It's a official Sega controller, just never saw one with six buttons. LOL )

[Bratwurst]

Just about every fighting game under the sun supports the six button layout. Eternal Champions, SFII, Mortal Kombat, etc.

As for the 32X, my suggestion is to buy a used 32X set that comes with the cable. Shouldn't run you more than 5-10 bucks if you bid smart and patiently. That way you'll be able to make one working set-up out of the total parts, and may even have a backup 'shroom in case the other one dies or is dead.

Oh yeah, check out Sega-Parts.com (http://www.sega-parts.com/products/32x-prices.htm)

[SoulBlazer]

Fighting games? Hate them. :D But no harm in having it, I guess.

I guess I am going to have to bid on another 32X, as much as I hate doing it (the Genny/CD/32X system alone cost me $60 plus shipping). There's no 32X's being sold Buy It Now for cheap right now, but some auctions ends in a couple days -- I'll see if I can pick one up for $20 or under.

That store does'nt have any Genesis-to-32X cables, but thanks for the link. I can't believe those things are so rare......

[Captain Wrong]

Yeah, knew I was forgetting something on the 32x. I've been looking for a 32x to Genny cable for 3 years and haven't found one yet. Hope you have better luck.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, it's my fault -- I should have done more research before buying the system, but I did'nt know there was SUCH a rare and critical hookup that is just about impossible to find in the wild, like a AC power supply for a Intelivision 2.

I'll just to have buy another 32X with the cable and see maybe if I can sell one just 'as is'. Sigh. $70 for the system and now another $20 or so for another 32X, plus all the other parts I had to get. So much for this being as cheap as the 3DO. :D

[SoulBlazer]

Oh, one more thing -- I STILL have not been able to connect the Genesis base to the CD base. You can see in the pic in the auction listing how they fit, or they are susposed to. There's a red tab in the extension port on the Genny that says "Do Not Remove" so I'm guessing that it stays. :) But I've been unable to really lock it into the slot on the CD Tray. I know you said to push, but I've pushed and pushed and pushed some more and it still does'nt really LOCK. Am I missing something?

[Mr-Monday]

You need to remove the red tab. Plastic ain't a good conductor.

[SoulBlazer]

Are you sure? Like I said, I was'nt sure if that needed to be there but it says right on it "Do Not Remove" with the electricty symbol (the lighting bolt inside the triangle)

[Anonymous]

It has to go. Don't worry about it, it's the equivalent of a plastic sleeve over the connector at the bottom of a cartridge. Consider that the N64 expansion pak required you to remove the jumper pak with the sticker that says "Do not remove Jumper Pak from Control Deck".

[SoulBlazer]

Great, now I'm lost again. I hope this damn system is worth all of this.....

I was told this system had been tested and used. How could the CD base have been tested if it was never properly conencted to the Genesis?

And just HOW do I rip that red piece of plastic out of there anyway?

[anagrama]

And just HOW do I rip that red piece of plastic out of there anyway?

Hold it between a finger and thumb, and pull.

[omnedon]

I got a genny to 32x cable from a a flea market guy I know who "knows" games. I can ask him for another if you get to the point where you have everything else working.

Good Luck.

Use Google, find the SEGA Genesis FAQ, and read it. Lots of great info you need there.

[Captain Wrong]

Heh, forgot about the red cover too. Yeah, that just pulls right off. You won't hurt anything.

The CD could have been tested because you can put that cover back on. It's not a pull tab deal. But it is rather suspect.

Good luck

[SoulBlazer]

Would you be willing to ask that flea market guy about the cable? That would mean a LOT to me. I've got everything else coming in the mail so I just really need that cable.

I guess I'm not strong enough to remove that plastic. :) It's not really a cover, though, just a jutting out piece of red plastic about the same size as a peice of gum.

Thanks again.

[omnedon]

Use needlenose pliers GENTLY and pull. It comes off. really. Honest!

I'm a SEGA fan, and is it worth it? The 32X sure. The CD, yes and no. I have one of course, but many many SEGACD games are shite. Silpheed rocks! Snatcher Rocks! FMV games blow chunks, and there are many of those.

I'll fire off an e-mail to my guy. I'll PM you when I get an answer. Anyone else want me to check if he has more?

[SoulBlazer]

Thanks, I'm gratefull for you checking.

Yes, that's why I wanted to pick up my games at a different time then the system, so I could pick and choose what I wanted. :) I've got Star Wars Arcade and a few other games for the 32X, and most of the role playing games and a few shooters (like Slipheed) and adventure games. Only about a dozen games in all.

And I'd LOVE to get Snatcher, but that game must REALLY be rare. :)

[Bratwurst]

The Sega CD plays copied games unmodified! Hint hint!

[SoulBlazer]

AUGH!!!!!!

I just can not BELIEVE my bad luck on this stupid ass thing!

Both the RF Switch and the Slipheed game came in the mail today. Finally, I thought, a chance to confirm that everything was working A-OK. I got the plastic tag off with some pliars, hooked up everything, popped in the Slipheed CD, and turned on the Genesis. Sure enough, the menu came up, I hit Start, and the game started.

Everything was fine for a few minutes. I was just about to start playing the game when......

POOF! Suddenly, a black screen. No Access light on the CD Tray but power still on to the Genesis base.

My first thought was a bad power supply. So I went down to my local GameSpot and bought both a CD Power Adapater and a Genesis 2 Power Adapater along with a Genesis game (King's Bounty) in order to test the Genesis base itself.

Plugged in the new power supplies, tried again. Nothing. Just a black screen. Power is on to the Genesis.

So I removed the Genesis base from the CD Tray, popped in my game, and tried.

STILL a black screen. Sometimes, when hitting Reset, I could get the "Sega Enterprises" screen to come up, but that was it.

So it looks like my Genesis base just died on me. :(

At this point I'm wondering what to do. Should I contact the person I bought it from and explain what's going on? If so, how much money should I ask back? Or should I just buy another Gen 2 on EBay? There's one closing tommorow that would be a total of $17 (with shipping). Any other way I can confirm that it IS indeed the Genesis base? King's Bounty is a old (1991) game -- maybe it does'nt work on a Model 2. My complete lack of knowledge on Sega systems is really not helping me here.

I can't believe my problems with this dang thing!

[congobongo]

If you wanna get one with the cable, here's one for $8.95 BIN, better hurry

http://page.auctions.shopping.yahoo.com/auction/73333264?aucview=0x13

[SoulBlazer]

Well, thanks for the post, but I allready bought and paid for another 32X and another Genesis. I sure hope everything works once I get the replacement Genesis. I'd hate to think the problem was with the CD tray. I never should have bought the dang system, but it never actually said it was working. Sigh.

[Bratwurst]

Ouch, that shipping brings it up to about 15 bucks though. I got a CIB 32X for that much, shipped. Then again.. it was outside of ebay. :D

Do you have a Genesis game to try out on the Genesis base, SoulBlazer? I'd try to score a cheapie cart from somewhere just to try that out, sort of troubleshoot and all.

[SoulBlazer]

Yes, as I said in my post, I picked up Kings Bounty, a personal favorite of mine that I have'nt had good luck emulating. However, since it's a early EA release, I'm not sure it will run on a Gen 2. In any event, I can always sell one Genesis base if push came to shove. The fact that it was fine one second and poof the next, and the same problem exists if the base is detached from the CD Tray, really leads me to believe its a bad Genesis.

[Bratwurst]

Hope everything works out for you in the end. I must say it's not unusual to find yourself with more than one Sega Genesis, I've got three of them kicking around for one reason or another.

[SoulBlazer]

Heh, now I know why I've always stuck with Nintendo systems. :D

And I've got my games coming in now also....sigh. Oh well.