laseractive PAC-S1 problems

[Arthur-Otaku]

Well, my PAC-S1 is almost dead (not 100%), strangely it works rarely (very very rarely). Most of time, it works for some seconds if hardware is hot, but freezes after some seconds

Anyone know if this is common problem? Can I fix it?

Thanks!

[norkusa]

I've got a PAC-S1 with problems too. It plays cartridges fine but SegaCD games always freeze up after a minute or two of play. At first I thought it was a problem with the system laser but now I'm thinking it could be an issue with the expansion pack. Especially since all cd's, movies and laserdisc games play without any flaws.

[Arthur-Otaku]

I've got a PAC-S1 with problems too. It plays cartridges fine but SegaCD games always freeze up after a minute or two of play. At first I thought it was a problem with the system laser but now I'm thinking it could be an issue with the expansion pack. Especially since all cd's, movies and laserdisc games play without any flaws.

Try games with less cd reading, like games without FMV and check if it will freeze. Music cds have different cd reading so it can play even if cd reader is bad and LD games uses the LD reader. If cd games freezes during game play without any cd reading on freezing moment so probably is a problem from PAC

Sorry for bad english

[norkusa]

Try games with less cd reading, like games without FMV and check if it will freeze. Music cds have different cd reading so it can play even if cd reader is bad and LD games uses the LD reader. If cd games freezes during game play without any cd reading on freezing moment so probably is a problem from PAC


Yeah, I've tried it with SonicCD and NHL '94 and I had the same problem. I can play for the first couple minutes, but then the cd audio goes out and the game freezes soon after. So it's probably a PAC problem then.

[SPAZ-12]

I'm really starting to get the impression that these Laseractive PAC's aren't that reliable. Mine broke a little while ago, and I have pretty much given up on fixing it, not that I've thrown it out of course, miracles do happen (I hope). Here is the thread:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132585&highlight=broken+laseractive

My PAC stopped working completely, and would only display a green screen when inserted into the Laseractive. However, take a look at my thread and you'll see that I was able to get it to work without audio with the sound board removed from the PAC.

Since this "fixes" mine, and also FABombjoy's, I was wondering if you two would take the time to do the same to your PAC's. It's really easy to do, you only need small pliers and a phillips head screwdriver.

The reason that I ask is that if removing this board fixes (or affects in any way) your PAC's, then it pretty much confirms a problem on that board. With a system like the Laseractive I really do want to figure out how to fix this, it's not the type of thing that I could ever throw away and not lose sleep over.

[Arthur-Otaku]

I'm really starting to get the impression that these Laseractive PAC's aren't that reliable. Mine broke a little while ago, and I have pretty much given up on fixing it, not that I've thrown it out of course, miracles do happen (I hope). Here is the thread:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132585&highlight=broken+laseractive

My PAC stopped working completely, and would only display a green screen when inserted into the Laseractive. However, take a look at my thread and you'll see that I was able to get it to work without audio with the sound board removed from the PAC.

Since this "fixes" mine, and also FABombjoy's, I was wondering if you two would take the time to do the same to your PAC's. It's really easy to do, you only need small pliers and a phillips head screwdriver.

The reason that I ask is that if removing this board fixes (or affects in any way) your PAC's, then it pretty much confirms a problem on that board. With a system like the Laseractive I really do want to figure out how to fix this, it's not the type of thing that I could ever throw away and not lose sleep over.

Spaz, contact this member: ooXxXoo

He is a great modder and do specials repairs too, he repaired an broken pac changing the 81 capacitors of pac board for new ones and pac is working again, he sent me photos:

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim9043.jpg

You can see that new capacitors are black, and all old grays caps was removed, in total are 81 capacitors in pac board, this is a truly great and hard job, this guy is an artist and deserve your money for this job

Your problem probably is some dead capacitors but is hard to know which capacitor is dead and the recommended job is change all capacitors to avoid future bad capacitors, this is an common problem from laseractive pacs and can happens again in future

[SPAZ-12]

Arthur, thanks a million! Finally some hope for my Laseractive!

[ooXxXoo]

Indeed!...As I told Arthur, I had replace all of the caps in many PACS in the past (dead PACS)..,.Infact, I'll recommend to do this to all Laser Active PAC owners..They have the same dry SMD capacitors problem like some other systems do, by now some may even start leaking and causing corrosion...But becareful at replacing them, some caps are no polar type ,different values and must be installed with the (-) an (+) accordingly + the traces can break easily , is good to have a multimeter in hand....
....
....
....

[SPAZ-12]

I think I'll give it a try replacing all the caps myself. Do you think that using new surface mount caps would be a good way to do it? I don't have all of the values that I need, so I'll have to buy some caps no matter what.

[77punk]

I too am planning this and am thinking of making it easy for others by documenting the upgrade with new caps. Viva SEGA!

[ooXxXoo]

Fairly easy really... But the smell of old corroded electrolytic caps traces while getting burned, is quite yukie X_x

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim9043.jpg

And to help Mother Heart, please dispose the old caps properly ;)

[77punk]

Yeah, looking at it, I feel over a couple day span and some flowing air, I can accomplish this. There are five different types of caps on the board and I kinda feel like I will do a write up on this subject and make it fool proof. What caps did you replace them with exactly?

the ones I see are labeled

G1
10
16V
(apr.. 2)

D3
1
50V
(apr.. 1)

F4
47
16V
(apr.. 9)

F4
10
16V
(apr.. 65)

F4
100
6V
(apr.. 1)



Fairly easy really... But the smell of old corroded electrolytic caps traces while getting burned, is quite yukie X_x

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim9043.jpg

And to help Mother Heart, please dispose the old caps properly ;)

[FABombjoy]

There are two 10mFD bipolar caps as well.

[77punk]

Does the Tolerance (%) and Temperature Range (degC) make any difference in this application? What have you two used?

I actually read somewhere that the upper board of the Pac is for sound. My Pac wont play CD based games at all and would love to replace my lower caps and then try so I dont get though all of them and then find out it was all for nothing anyways.. any truth to this?

[77punk]

So today I bought the Capasitors from Digi-key so I will be posting pictures of everything when I get it done :) thanks ooXxXoo and FABombJoy for your input

[SPAZ-12]

Does the Tolerance (%) and Temperature Range (degC) make any difference in this application? What have you two used?

I actually read somewhere that the upper board of the Pac is for sound. My Pac wont play CD based games at all and would love to replace my lower caps and then try so I dont get though all of them and then find out it was all for nothing anyways.. any truth to this?

I'm pretty sure the upper board is for sound, but that doesn't mean that you can ignore it. My pac works without that board installed, I just get no sound. With the board installed, nothing works at all. So don't be discouraged if the pac doesn't work after you finish re-capping the lower board, just keep going until the upper board is done as well.

[77punk]

will do. I would love this system if the Sega CD player portion of it works again :)

[77punk]

and receieved Caps today :) Going to start..

[Cryomancer]

Anyone care to throw out an estimate on how much replacing the caps/ having the caps replaced might run someone? I think mine needs this as well. But I hav a feeling it ain't a cheap job.

[FABombjoy]

I have 2 recapped PAC-S1 units ready to go and can do an exchange for you. If you want to preserve a matching serial number w/ the original paperwork, I can just swap the boards between the two for you. I also have one with the box, controller, manuals, etc., if you want an upgrade. PM if interested (might be a little delay on response - having a child tomorrow)

[jb143]

Anyone care to throw out an estimate on how much replacing the caps/ having the caps replaced might run someone? I think mine needs this as well. But I hav a feeling it ain't a cheap job.

Doing it yourself or paying someone else to do it? From a site like digikey the caps are only going to cost you about 20 cents apeice, if that. The time involved is likely going to cost more. If you have the tools and know what your doing, replacing caps isn't that hard.

[Cryomancer]

I don't have the skills, sadly. I really need to learn already, but I just don't have anywhere I can set up a workbench right now to try and teach myself, sadly.

Really, I doubt I can do/afford this right now either way, I just wanted to know a ballpark figure on having someone do it for me so I could start setting cash off to the side for it in the future.