Cursed Gamecube

[Commander Woof]

Hey guys,can you give me a little help with my gamecube?He's got 2 issues when playing my only game,SSBM.

-He makes a lotta noise,dunno if it's the reader or the fan.
-When i'm playing,i randomly get the message,"can't read the disk"(or something like that) along with a black screen
(that never happens during gameplay,but only during a transition between two screens aka in the loading screens)

Additional information:

-During the can't read problem,opening and closing the disk tray will make the game run again(but the problem will eventually strike back)
-The game works fine on my friends wii,so the problem is the gamecube.
-he used to work fine,but I kept him on my closet for a long time and now that i took him out of the closet and started playing again,he's having these probs.
So I think that means maybe the problem has something to do with...time without using?
-During the "can't read disk" message the noise gets more silent.

So...thanks!I hope somebody can help me!

[APE992]

Grab a qtip, dip it in rubbing alcohol and gently clean the lens. If this doesn't help there are a few other ideas but I'm hesitant seeing as you'd already try them if you knew what to do.

[Commander Woof]

I already tried that (without alcohol) and nothing changed.
But then i read somewhere that using q-tips and alcohol can damage the lens.Is that true?

Link here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4841622_clean-lens-nintendo-gamecube.html

[understatement]

You could always buy another Gamecube what are they now like $20 or less, Hell on a good day you can get a Wii for about $40. Just saying I wouldn’t put too much time or effort into this.

[Commander Woof]

Not where I live.And even buying used,it can always come glitchy,so it's better to try repairing what i have.

[theclaw]

Yeah I can relate, disc reading is my main Gamecube trouble too. It set back the project I'm working on with APE992.

[jb143]

I already tried that (without alcohol) and nothing changed.
But then i read somewhere that using q-tips and alcohol can damage the lens.Is that true?

Link here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4841622_clean-lens-nintendo-gamecube.html

That link didn't say anything about q-tips and alcohol damaging the lens. It only said that cotton fibers from the q-tip could get inside the console. Which I wouldn't think would be too likely if it was wet. It did mention using lens cleaner which I'm sure is a good idea, but isopropyl alcohol should work as well.

[Gameguy]

If it makes a lot of noise it could be that the laser gets stuck. Listen close to it while it's running to see if it's the laser or fan that's causing the noise.

[Commander Woof]

Yes,I think the noise is coming from the laser.
I tried cleaning the lens with alcohol and the problem is still there,what else can it be?
Gameguy,what exactly is this "stuck laser" problem?

[Greg2600]

Probably gone bad. Gamecube lasers are for sale online on ebay and elsewhere for $10.

[Tanooki]

The laser or the mechanism behind it is starting to be a problem. It's been too many years but I thought like the Wii version too, the disc was fairly packed and the laser would just read more furiously with the game. If the q-tip and alky won't cut it, there's no point also in suggesting one of those glasses rags that get off stuff well too without leaving marks as it's probably internal. I mean as a last resort you could try it, I use one to keep the impressions off my 3DS upper screen and get stuff off when it's there and no marks get left ever.

[Gameguy]

Yes,I think the noise is coming from the laser.
I tried cleaning the lens with alcohol and the problem is still there,what else can it be?
Gameguy,what exactly is this "stuck laser" problem?
The track that the laser moves across could be dirty so the laser sticks when it tries to move. It could happen to any CD or disc type player where the laser moves to read the disc. Usually a special type of grease would be applied to the track so the laser can move freely, if the grease on the track dries out or gets dirty then the laser can have trouble to move. Or the motor that moves the laser is having problems. You can't get to these parts to check without taking the system apart.

http://site.cigparts.com/repairGC.html

Was the system dirty when you first got it? Like caked in dust?

[Commander Woof]

Thanks,guys.
I think the console may be full of dust.So until I get a screwdriver to open the GC and see this
laser mecanism,do you think using an air duster from the outside may help cleaning it?

[pondshus2]

It is actually the sound of the fan. May be you machine is getting over heated. You might want to check the coolant paste of the processor. It might have become dry. If it is not the fan’s noise then you don’t have to be worried.


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DAVID GARNER
wooden embroidery hoops (http://www.sunshinembroidery.com)