TG-16 CD drive PC error

[Kitsune Sniper]

In re:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63840

I got a TG 16 CD system today, and the TurboGrafx side works fine, but the CD doesn't do a thing. It turns on, but the motor does not spin up. The thing that detects if the tray is closed works, but it doesn't seem to detect a CD for some reason. If I put an Audio CD inside, it only reads "0", and if I boot up the thing with the system card and press RUN, the CD LEDs spell "PC".

I found that thread up there, but it doesn't mention what's wrong with the system. So uh, what's wrong with the system? :p What do I have to do to get it repaired?

[evg2000]

Probably won't make a difference, but did you try 'formatting' the tg16? You might want to give it a try:
http://www.vidgame.net/NEC/TGCD.html

[Kitsune Sniper]

That was the first thing I did. No dice. This is a drive error.

[Mr. Smashy]

Have you tested the CD drive on its own? You should be able to remove the CD-ROM from the dock, plug in a standard TG16 AC adapter, some headphones, and then try to get it to play a regular CD. If it won't play a regular CD, your lens may need to be cleaned. If it doesn't read even after a cleaning, there probably isn't much that you can do with it short of finding some replacement parts.

If it plays music CDs but not games, it could indicate a problem with the data connector on your CD-ROM, a problem with the dock, or a problem with the pin connector on the back of your TG16.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't have a TG16 PSU, I only have th eone that came with this system. :(

[InsaneDavid]

I don't have a TG16 PSU, I only have th eone that came with this system. :(

If you happen to have a Genesis Model 1 power supply you can use that as well, but remembering when you had that Sega development system I'm guessing you don't.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Actually, I have two now. :D

I'll look for 'em and get back to you guys later.

[InsaneDavid]

Actually, I have two now. :D

I'll look for 'em and get back to you guys later.

Cool! Parts inventory FTW. :)

[Kitsune Sniper]

Well, the CD turns on, but it doesn't do a thing. The LED only displays "0" when I push Play.

Curses!

[Mr. Smashy]

Did you clean the lens? Does the transport spin freely when you flick it with your finger?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Did you clean the lens? Does the transport spin freely when you flick it with your finger?

How can I clean the lens?

And uh, transport? Do you mean the little circle in the middle where the CD sits? I can put a CD in the tray and spin it fine, if that's what you mean.

[ApolloBoy]

How can I clean the lens?

And uh, transport? Do you mean the little circle in the middle where the CD sits? I can put a CD in the tray and spin it fine, if that's what you mean.

Cleaning a lens is easy, just dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol, gently rub the lens with it and dry it off. And yes, the transport is where the CD is held in.

[Mr. Smashy]

Man, I'm slow today. Let us know how it turns out.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Didn't work. Either the laser's dead or the motor is.

Ah well. I don't want this, so off on eBay it goes. :(

[Retromangia]

hey kitsunesniper sorry to hear about your turbo cd not working. Hope you didn't pay too much from where ever you got it.

You may want to invest in a Duo-R imported from Japan instead.

[phreak97]

have you sold it yet? im after a busted cd unit to steal the volume control from.

[Nodtveidt]

This might be a little late, but I'll give this information anyways.

I recently took in a CDROM with the same behavior...the "PC" would display like it's supposed to when connected to the console, and "0" would show up when running standalone. Figured it might be a problem with the servo controller, so I opened her up and took a look around. Electronically, the CDROM was fine. Found the problem to actually be a shattered compound gear between the laser sled motor and sled rotor. This one particular gear is made of an amazingly cheap plastic that actually degrades over time...it had become so rotted that I could scrape it off with my fingernails. I removed the laser sled motor from the assembly and powered it up standalone...the motor sprang to life when I pressed the Play button, indicating that everything worked, it was just this one broken gear. According to nat on the pcenginefx forums, this is the second most common cause of original CDROM hardware failure, second only to the failure of the KSS-162A laser assembly itself. Apparently, the KSS-162A can be replaced with the KSS-220A with some modifications. It is also conceivable that the entire assembly could be wholly replaced with another, possibly one from an old Discman. We know that the Discman D-34 used the KSS-220A, so that's always a good lead.

[Kitsune Sniper]

... I sold this about a month ago, haha. Too late then. Thanks though.