Sega Saturn Disc Issues

[Streetball 21]

Looked through the boards, saw a few pointers on this, hopefully I can get some more help. I just got a Saturn with 5 games and the discs start to spin and then stop, and it also reads them as audio cd's. Also, the time/date keeps resetting every time I turn it off, which is probably due to a dead battery. Can the disc issue be fixed? Should I try and clean the lens?

[todesengel]

The date/time is just the CR2032 battery being dead. As for the disc issue, there's a little orange dial on the drive that you can slightly tweak. Just remember the position that it was in before you change it just in case that doesn't fix the problem.

[optic_85]

My Saturn just started doing this as well. As far as tweaking the orange dial. Is there any way in particular that you tweak it? Left? Right? Tighter?

todesengel, let us know if you try this and if it works, please!

[todesengel]

You turn the orange dial clockwise(to the right) but be careful about doing this because that dial is increasing/decreasing the intensity of the laser. Increasing the intensity can make it burn out faster but for me the laser becoming weaker over the years was the problem with the system reading discs.

[InsaneDavid]

Woah. Before adjusting the power to the laser assembly, unplug and reseat the ribbon cables that run between the laser assembly and the boards. I've seen this problem (especially on Model 1 oval button Saturns) fixed by simply cleaning off those white ribbon cables.

[todesengel]

Thanks for the info about the ribbon cables, I had no idea that could be a problem. I had always been told that it was the laser gradually getting weaker over the years that caused the disc read issue's and to increase the power, that's the only reason that I suggested it.

[InsaneDavid]

Thanks for the info about the ribbon cables, I had no idea that could be a problem. I had always been told that it was the laser gradually getting weaker over the years that caused the disc read issue's and to increase the power, that's the only reason that I suggested it.

Yeah, doing some tweaking is the next step after making sure the connections are good and the lens clean. I don't see it too often with Model 2 Saturns but the Model 1 systems with the multiple folds in the ribbon cables - I've had that problem a few times.

[raylydiard]

just get a new replacement laser
JVC OPTIMA 6.
and will read your games again sega saturns over here in the uk dont sell that good.
i know if i sold them in the usa sell much quicker.