New Saturn Owner Needs Help!

[retroguy]

Hi all! I just got a Sega Saturn off of Ebay and I'm having trouble getting it to work. It powers on and the disc spins, but I'm not getting a picture, just a black screen. The guy who sold it to me said he had this problem, but I was hoping I could fix it. I thought a good cleaning might help, but no dice. I cleaned it the best I could (although I didn't go all the way down to the motherboard. I just took the top off), but there's a bit of rust in there. Do you think that could have something to do with it? If so, is my system dead or could it still work somehow?

[raylydiard]

Hmm may be fixable.

When i had black screen i replaced 220uf 6.3v 4 near the video encoder and give me video once again.




Hi all! I just got a Sega Saturn off of Ebay and I'm having trouble getting it to work. It powers on and the disc spins, but I'm not getting a picture, just a black screen. The guy who sold it to me said he had this problem, but I was hoping I could fix it. I thought a good cleaning might help, but no dice. I cleaned it the best I could (although I didn't go all the way down to the motherboard. I just took the top off), but there's a bit of rust in there. Do you think that could have something to do with it? If so, is my system dead or could it still work somehow?

[retroguy]

Okay, that's a start. Thanks. Now, two questions: 1. Is there someplace I can find directions on how to do that? and 2. Is the part I need something I could find at my local Radio Shack, do you think? I'm not a tech head and I really have no experience with console repair (aside from replacing the 72 pin connector in my NES), but if I had detailed instructions, I'm sure I could figure it out. I'm good at that.

[Tokimemofan]

Check the cable first, the pack-in av was rather flimsy.
Edit: if you have a model 1 with a top mounted power supply, I have a spare working motherboard I could sell cheap along with many other parts

[raylydiard]

I am after a power supply for a gray japan sega saturn the 20pin model
v1 board.

[retroguy]

Mine's a model 2. The av cable that came with it is missing the outer plastic in a couple spots, but it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with the wires inside. I'll get a new one and replace the capacitor like raylydiard suggested. Hopefully that'll do it. Thanks, guys!

[burn_654]

The solder joints on the AV connector could have become cracked/worn over time too from tugging on the cable. Which is an easy fix as well, just hit them with some fresh solder.

[Tokimemofan]

I am after a power supply for a gray japan sega saturn the 20pin model
v1 board.

If you are asking about the one I have it is a NTSC-U version 1, but would probably be too expensive for you because of shipping


Mine's a model 2. The av cable that came with it is missing the outer plastic in a couple spots, but it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with the wires inside. I'll get a new one and replace the capacitor like raylydiard suggested. Hopefully that'll do it. Thanks, guys!
Get the AV first, my most recent one was like that and was very unreliable.

Edit: be careful when you remove the power supply on model 2s the connector's screw mounts often break, as do the solder joints. That is why I don't buy them, I usually have to fix the connector.

[APE992]

I don't think I've ever seen a model 2 without at least a crack on those connectors. I've taken to coating them with superglue but I feel epoxy is the only valid solution.

Or replacing them entirely with a stronger polymer but I don't have a 3D printer.

[retroguy]

Okay, I got a new av cable and that didn't help (well, at least I've got a spare now). So my next step is to look at the av connector. Does anyone know where I can find a Saturn repair manual? Google has failed me and that almost never happens.