Sega 32X Problems (No Sound, Video Glitching)

[Pezcore343]

I just got a 32X as a gift from a friend which they bought from someone on Amazon. When I brought it home and hooked it all up to try it out, I realized there was no sound. I also realized that the Sega logo looked kind of weird. I started up Star Wars Arcade and there was a weird blinking grid where the blackness of space should have been, but the graphic of the inside of the ship was perfectly fine. And still no sound. Then I tried Metal Head and I had the same problem. No sound and really fuzzy messed up video. The games play fine (no freezing or anything like that), but it's really hard to see anything. Does anyone know if maybe I hooked something up wrong or if my 32X is just dead?

Here's how I have it set up. Genesis 2 hooked up, 32X on top, Genesis 3 AC adapter powering the 32X, 32X video cable running from Video Out port of Genesis to 32X Video In port. RF Adapter running from Video Out port of 32X to tv.

Please help so I can decide whether I need to return it or not.

[Dr. Dib]

There is a fix that may help which you can find here. (http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/) This may or may not be your problem though. If the RF adapter works regularly then it may be the 32x to Genesis cable or just one of the ports on the 32x messing up.

Alternatively try cleaning the cartridges and cartridge port of the 32x. It may be a bad connection. Usually regular Genesis games work without a hitch if a 32x is messed up, but I'd guess cable problems would show if you tried a regular Genesis cartridge.

On another note, this should be in the technical and restoration forum.

[Pezcore343]

Ah sorry, didn't think about that. Well I tried a regular genesis cart and there are no video problems but I still don't have sound. I'm gunna try the fix you linked to.

[Pezcore343]

Wow. Just wow. I opened up the 32X to see if I could get it working, and boy do I wish I hadn't. That was the most disgusting console I have ever seen. There was rust alllll over the metal plates, corrosion on a lot of the board, and to top it all off, DEAD BUGS! Yeah. Dead bugs inside my 32X. Guess I'm returning it.

[PapaStu]

**shimmy to Tech & Resto**

[Dr. Dib]

Well I guess you found your problem then...

[Pezcore343]

*sigh* So I'm still waiting to hear back about the return, but I figured I might as well keep trying to get this to work while I wait, just in case it never happens. So I followed that repair guide linked to above, and it didn't help. Now instead of the games running but having audio/video glitches, I get nothing. Just the "Produced by or under license from Sega" screen and then black. The weird thing is, not even Genesis games work in it, which I thought they were supposed to. So does this point to a problem with a connection between the systems or a problem with the carts connecting? Or is it more likely part of the electronics is busted? Does anyone have any experience with repairing 32X's and has any tips on things I might try?

[jb143]

If the board had corrosion it might be a lost cause. IT could probally still be fixed but I doubt it would be worth attempting. Of course that depends on how bad it is. Could you post some pics of the board?