Dreamcast Video Problem

[Sprawly241]

Hey guys, I'm a newb here, but I'm and electronics major, so I'm not dumb in jargon. Anyway, I have a Dreamcast that I have obtained recently that is having video/sound issues. Everything starts up, game spins, fan spins, VMU makes noise, show's icon and everything, but I don't get much of a video signal to the TV. What it does is that the snow gets brighter. Can anyone help me out here? and how can I open it without the security star bit? As far as I know, this DC has never been opened.

[otoko]

Dreamcasts do not have star screws... I've taken mine apart for cleaning many times.

[Sprawly241]

well this one does. any help?

[Dreadstar]

You could try verrrrrrrrrrry carefully cleaning the a/v out port on the Dreamcast with a q-tip moistened with rubbing alcohol, as if it was a tiny little cartridge. I recently fixed a DC with very similar symptoms using that method. Just make sure everything is dry before you plug it in and power it up.

(I also recently fixed a Saturn controller that wasn't being recognized by the console the same way.)

[omnedon]

Some DC's have security Torx (uncommon, but I've seen it a few times). You will need a security Torx driver. Regular Torx will not do.

When re-assembling a DC, if the re-assembler accidentally uses a long screw where a short screw should be used on the back part of the laser assy, the long screw will grind out some surface mount components near the video encoder chip. This will kill or damage the video output. I've seen this numerous times.

The professional solution is to simply replace the motherboard, as it's easy and cheap in a professional environment. It may be possible to replace the surface mount components that have been ground off, but this is assuming traces and contact pads are still intact to solder to.


I hope that helps.

[Sprawly241]

alright well, cleaning the contacts didn't work, and I'm pretty sure this console has never been apart. and i don't have a security torx driver, nor the money to go out an buy one... so i'm at a disadvantage here

anyone have any suggestions?

[InsaneDavid]

and i don't have a security torx driver, nor the money to go out an buy one... so i'm at a disadvantage here

anyone have any suggestions?

Raise the funds to buy the proper screwdriver.

Really. There's not much else we can do for you at this point, you have to get inside first. I've had a few Dreamcast's with this problem that reseating the power supply board fixed but you can't really move on until you get the system open.