View Full Version : Please Help! Why Won't My Sega CD Play Games?
Metropolisforever
05-30-2009, 12:11 PM
On my Model 1 Sega CD, it starts up with that funky logo music thing, and then it takes me to some CD player menu thing. It absolutely will not play games. There is 125 blocks of memory space. I have a memory cartridge and the machine says there is no memory cartridge. How the hell am I supposed to play a game with this thing?
I am going to scream.
I bought it on eBay a while ago. My memory cartridge arrived - I bought it in the hopes that it would finally allow games to be played.
There is no directions button, nor is there an application button.
When I turn it on, I see the logo screen. Then it takes me to the CD menu. Going to options just tells me how much memory I have (and how the system thinks I don't have a RAM cart, even though I do). Then, it takes me to a screen that doesn't allow me to copy data from the cartridge, since I apparently have none.
It makes no sense.
I'm playing North American games on a North American Sega CD.
The last thing I need is a broken machine.
All I want is to play games on my Sega CD.
I don't know how to clean the lens or anything.
Please help. :bawling:
Dangerboy
05-30-2009, 12:43 PM
My model 1 Sega / CD combo has an odd issue. First things first:
a. Do you have the heat plate on the genesis?
b. Use a small amount of glass cleaner, decensitized alcohol, or goo gone (itty bitty) to clean the contacts of the genesis chip that plugs into the deck.
c. Re-sit the deck into the CD Drive port.
A few weeks ago my CD simply pop the tray back open, and if it stayed shut, it wouldn't read the disc. After doing the above, and then tossing in a music cd one or twice, it played games just fine.
It sounds like a lense issue if you can turn it on and go into the options screen...
Steve W
05-30-2009, 02:26 PM
As far as the memory cartridge goes, I suggest doing the obvious... get a cotton swab, dipping it in alcohol, and clean the pins on the memory cart. You'll be surprised how filthy those things were when you look at the dirty swab afterward. Let the alcohol dry off the cart before plugging it back in and then give it a shot. I've been buying a whole lot of Genesis games in stores lately, all of which are at least a little dirty. Many of them won't play on the first attempt, but after a good pin cleaning they always work fine.
Metropolisforever
05-30-2009, 06:01 PM
How do I clean the lens? I really don't know how, and I don't want to do anything wrong and make it even worse.
PapaStu
05-30-2009, 07:08 PM
Moved to Tech and Resto.
**shimmy**
Metropolisforever
05-31-2009, 03:11 PM
Moved to Tech and Resto.
**shimmy**
Okay, but I still need :help:
Metropolisforever
05-31-2009, 07:31 PM
Well, I cleaned the cartridge. The cartridge works!
But I tried playing a music CD on my Sega CD and it gave me the same thing as when I tried to play a game.
Does anyone know what to do?
you can get lense cleaners at the dollar store...
its basicly a cd with a little brush on the disc that you put a tiny bit of alcohol on... you pop it in let it play...
I dont think ive had the best luck with them in the past... i usually by pass that and get a q-tip with alcohol on it and gently clean the lense... dont dry it off with anything, let it dry itself off...
Metropolisforever
06-01-2009, 10:07 AM
Well, I tried opening the CD drive, sticking a wet q-tip into the Sega CD, and moving it around, but it didn't work. The Model 1 Sega CDs are very hard to clean.
Metropolisforever
06-02-2009, 10:30 AM
Does anyone know how to get my Sega CD to play discs?
Metropolisforever
06-03-2009, 11:59 AM
Can someone please tell me what to do? All I want is for my Sega CD to play discs. :help:
FABombjoy
06-03-2009, 03:25 PM
Open it up and properly clean the lens.
8 screws for the case (6 bottom, 2 at the ext. port)
2 or 3 screws for the CD shielding
Assuming that doesn't work, read this to see what CD drive repair entails:
http://repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm
dendawg
06-03-2009, 04:00 PM
Can someone please tell me what to do? All I want is for my Sega CD to play discs. :help:
I hate to say it, but if after cleaning the lens, it still won't work, then there's a good chance that your unit is FUBAR'D.
It might simply be easier to look for a Model 2 unit, as there are people out there far more willing to repair a Model 2.
Metropolisforever
06-03-2009, 08:18 PM
Open it up and properly clean the lens.
8 screws for the case (6 bottom, 2 at the ext. port)
2 or 3 screws for the CD shielding
Assuming that doesn't work, read this to see what CD drive repair entails:
http://repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm
O-open it up?... Yikes...
I wouldn't know what to do, and I'm afraid of breaking it. :(
Metropolisforever
06-04-2009, 10:21 AM
How do I clean the lens?
dendawg
06-04-2009, 11:10 AM
How do I clean the lens?
Once you get your unit opened up and the lens exposed, use a Q-Tip soaked in alcohol (%70 minimum).
Wring out the excess alcohol and gently wipe the lens. Use as little pressure as possible.
Use a dry Q-Tip and wipe up any alcohol that hasn't dried.
Make sure there is no cotton or anything whatsoever on the lens.
Reassemble and pray.
FABombjoy
06-04-2009, 01:23 PM
I wouldn't know what to do, and I'm afraid of breaking it. :(
It's already broken, eh? If you're afraid to open it then that pretty much limits your remedies to variants of the Fonzie kick.
Metropolisforever
06-04-2009, 02:28 PM
Well, I just don't really know how to open it up.
Hell, I'm having a hard time just removing it from the Genesis!
Metropolisforever
06-04-2009, 04:34 PM
Okay, so I keep trying to unscrew the bottom of the Sega CD - but it won't unscrew. Those screws are so deep and so tight that it would require an electric drill to get them out. :(
tubeway
06-05-2009, 04:12 PM
They're metal embedded in plastic, you shouldn't need a drill. Try getting a screwdriver with a bit on the front that really seats well in the screws. Make sure it's one with a good handle where you can get a lot of torque, then give it another shot.
Metropolisforever
06-06-2009, 11:45 AM
I don't know. No matter what I do, it seems like those screws are implanted into the machine. They simply won't budge.
TheRealist50
06-08-2009, 09:57 AM
I hope the OP doesn't mind me dropping my question in this thread, I didn't want to start a new topic.
I bought a Sega CD Model 2. When i got home I tested it out and it worked like a charm. I put it away and maybe a couple months later I want to play it again (Had a bunch of Sega CD games i wanted to test) I pop in Terminator and play through the whole first level, it freezes on the transition between the first and second level. I turn my system off and turn it back on but it wont read the disc. I cleaned the lens multiple times but It wont read the disc. I checked to see if the laser works and it does, I see the laser coming out of the lens but It wont read the disc, did my precious Sega CD bite the dust?