Sega CDX restarting itself?

[Friend of Sonic]

Hi all, I scored a fairly cheap CDX off the 'Bay-- maybe this is why it was cheap-- but when I'm playing a Sega CD game, it'll restart itself five minutes into the game and rescan the disc at the Sega CD startup screen (in this case, Sonic CD) I've taken a Q-tip lightly dipped in Isoprol (sp?) alcohol and gently cleaned the lense, but that did not help. I know there's tons of issues with the CDX, but I'm curious to know why mine is restarting-- usually everyone's problems with the CDX is that it doesn't power on or completely fails at reading a disc. Mine is doing both, although the latter only appears to function for five minutes at a time until it finally ceases to operate temporarily.

Any help would be appreciated! I was looking forward to finally getting rid of that huge tank that used to play Sonic CD for me.

[Steve W]

My Sega CD model 2 does the same thing, but not after five minutes, usually a little longer. It'll just restart itself in the middle of a game. I wonder if it's just a problem with all Sega CD related hardware?

[Friend of Sonic]

My Sega CD model 2 does the same thing, but not after five minutes, usually a little longer. It'll just restart itself in the middle of a game. I wonder if it's just a problem with all Sega CD related hardware?
Oh, man. That sucks. I've had a couple of model 2s-- no problems for me luckily.

I've been trying to find out what kind of drives these use so I could try replacing it to see if that fixes it.

Also apparently Sega-Parts (now known as Left Field Games or something, I forget) will do a repair for 55.00. Don't know if I should bother with that or not.

[PapaStu]

Moved to Tech & Resto

**shimmy**

[JLukas]

Is the CDX using the correct power supply, MK-4122? If it's a weaker PSU, like the Genesis model 2 one, that might be causing the problems.

[Friend of Sonic]

Moved to Tech & Resto

**shimmy**
Sorry about this! When I saw this forum existed, I had a feeling I posted in the wrong spot.

And I am using the official CDX power supply. That was one of my fears when I won the auction because I couldn't make out the power supply type from the picture.

[Oldskool]

Sounds like a power supply or power input jack issue. My Nomad would do this when plug into the wall, it would reboot because the input jack had a short or was loose internally. Of course a console is not moving around, but I'd start there.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

Just to back up what everyone else has stated, this is a common electronics problem when there is not enough power. Try using another power supply, and if that doesn't work, get a multi-tester and see how much power the CDX is drawing.

[Friend of Sonic]

Okay, thanks guys. Now before the second time this did this, I was watching the sytem and the thing never actually powered off, at least according to the light. Is it just a short enough short of power where its causing the drive or something to shut down for a split second?

Anyway, there's a gamestore with a CDX in stock. Overpriced, but I'm going to see if she'll let me use her AC adapter if I bring the system in the store. Assuming it's an issue with the system, does anyone have any information on how I could fix it? Thanks again, guys.

[InsaneDavid]

It's also possible the switch that lets the system know the CD lid is closed is failing or its electrical connection is poorly closing due to being worn. This would cause the system to bounce back to the splash screen as it would think the door was opened. Either way, it's something easy to check (short the switch with a jumper so it will always think the door is closed), but working on a CDX is no fun.

EDIT based on above post: If the power light is staying on, quickly press the CD lid open button and then quickly close the lid (don't let it open all the way, just enough to get it to release before closing) - does it behave the same way as when it resets?

[Shadow Kisuragi]

Paperclip works well as a makeshift jumper...

[Friend of Sonic]

Well, I tried the door thing. I gently opened it just a hair and closed it and all it did was freeze my game in Palmtree Panic (although it started spining the disc again)

So... I dunno. Does that conclusively mean that it's not an issue with the lid sensor? I'm still going to try to to the test play with the lady's AC adapter tomorrow and see how I do with that.

[Friend of Sonic]

Sorry to post after another one of my posts-- how would I short the circuit with the paperclip? Just jam it there?

[Oldskool]

I don't think you understand what he's talking about, and it's too complicated for me to want to explain right now. But basically he's advising you to use a multi-meter to test how many volts and amps the cdx is trying to draw from the power supply. It should be trying to pull 9.5V@1.5A. Make sure your meter can test that many amps without blowing it or the fuse up before attempting to test. The paper clip is used to back probe the CDX.

Are you still having this problem? Hate to see a CDX go down.

[Friend of Sonic]

I don't think you understand what he's talking about, and it's too complicated for me to want to explain right now. But basically he's advising you to use a multi-meter to test how many volts and amps the cdx is trying to draw from the power supply. It should be trying to pull 9.5V@1.5A. Make sure your meter can test that many amps without blowing it or the fuse up before attempting to test. The paper clip is used to back probe the CDX.

Are you still having this problem? Hate to see a CDX go down.

I thought InsaneDavid was recommend that I short the switch with a jumper so the CDX things the door is always closed-- then someone after that said to do it with a paperclip. I know previously I was told to measure how many volts and amps the CDX is trying to draw, but then it was suggested to short the switch, which is a lot easier for me to try since I have a paperclip.