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View Full Version : Sega CD / Mega CD Repair and Internals Q .. Need Help!



Epicenter
12-25-2003, 09:17 PM
Hey! I'm working on a BIG system modification for the Genesis/SegaCD/MegaDrive/MegaCD .. this involves moving the PCBs from both systems into a new housing. However, I've had a major setback.

Connecting the Mega CD's PCB to the actual drive mechanisms are 3 sets of cabling, which ran through a ferrite ring. I removed the wires from this ring to gain more wire length for mounting in the new case. There was also a wand of metal touching the drive mechanisms' chassis to the ground in the system. I replaced that wand's connection on the metal with a wire to ground in the system. In this configuration, the system would no longer read discs properly.

With the 'door open' latch taped shut so the door always seemed closed, It would spin the disc for a moment and then stop .. then start again and keep going. The drive would seem to struggle reading the disc, then just report that there was no disc in the drive. So, I wrapped the wires back through the ring and booted it again, and got the same result!

I had a previous machine do something similar .. I took off the lid from the MegaCD, then booted it like that. No other changes. The system would stay at CHECKING DISC, spinning the disc, and never load the game.

I am unable to figure out what on earth is going wrong with these machines. Can anyone help me out? Does anyone have experience fixing the Mega CD / Sega CD? Before purchasing a new MCD/SCD to use in this setup, I'd like to figure out what is going wrong. I can always leave the CD system out of the machine, but that detracts a TON of functionality from the machine ..

ANY help would be appreciated. Thank you very much. :)

Epicenter
12-26-2003, 04:47 AM
Ah! Forget it, the problem was grounding. The safeguards on the drive to filter out interference had nowhere to send the RF signals .. now all I need to do is hook up a decent ground line and I'm all set. Will keep you guys updated on the mod .. I'm sure you are wondering what in the fuck I am talking about, but you'll see it soon enough ;D Assuming my equipment doesn't fry itself. Wish me luck, you just might be impressed.