Sega Saturn Model 2 Problem

[neojapan]

Hi,

I have a sega saturn model 2, at first it wasnt reading discs, so I cleaned it using optical cloth and optical cleaner solution, and it worked, after a few weeks the saturn no longer read discs, instead as soon as I turn it on, the access led keeps blinking, I insert a music CD and it says drive empty, when I insert a game disk it says Checking Disk Format and then nothing, the main menu still does nothing and the access light blinks faster. any idea?

thanks!

[izarate]

Dead laser? The Model 2 Saturn uses a JVC OPTIMA6

[megasdkirby]

Well, I thougth about what you told me, and like I mentioned, it could be a defective lens or lens assembly. Try replacing the lens with a known good to see if that helps. Make sure it's the same make and model. If it works, then the problem is with the lens itself.

If it is the lens, you can tweak the potentiometer to see what values give you success. I don't remember the original factory defaults, though.

If you wish, and if you send me the model of the lens, I can see if I can find my spare so you can test it. That way, you know for certain if it's the lens or not.

[InsaneDavid]

To begin with, you have a Model 1 since there's an access light, not a Model 2 which removed the access light and has round buttons as opposed to oval - this is important to know when asking about repairs.

There's a ribbon cable inside that runs from the motherboard up to the laser assembly, it has a couple folds in it. Unplug and clean the ends (both of them) and reseat the cable. I've had a few Model 1 systems that gave all kinds of screwy readings (drive empty, disc is incorrect region, games coming up as audio, spinning a couple times and stopping, not spinning at all) until reseating the cable. If anything it's an easy repair to try before moving on to more involved things. Start with the simple stuff like this before tweaking stuff, possibly damaging something that was working fine.

[neojapan]

Thank you all for your help, Tomorrow I will clean both ends of the ribbon cable and test the unit, and I will reply with the results, thanks!

[megasdkirby]

When you do, check the model of the lens while you are at it.

[neojapan]

When you do, check the model of the lens while you are at it.

how do i do that :o is there a number?

[megasdkirby]

It should be labeled on the unit itself, or at least some type of text identifier.

Take a pic of it if you can. That will surely help.