Dreamcast - No Video

[Flack]

Bought a used Dreamcast today for $12 with 2 controllers and 1 game. Got home, and it doesn't have any video.

I switched out the A/V cables with my main DC and it did the same thing. I also tried the game on my main DC and it worked just fine. So, I've got it narrowed down to, the used DC I bought it simply not putting out any video. It plays, because I can hear the game playing.

Any ideas? I briefly searched Google and came up empty handed.

[Flack]

For anyone interested, I diagnosed my own problem.

Last night after the kid went to bed I was finally able to take a good look at the thing. I noticed that the pins inside the a/v port were bent and a few were missing. Oops. I tried straightening the remaining ones out with a flat tip but it turns out they were all important I guess because it still doesn't work. I can't imagine being able to get that port cheaper than buying a working, used Dreamcast, so I think this one is adios.

[punkoffgirl]

Well, it might be worth it to check out this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3068914581&category=4313

[Flack]

Yeah, I saw that one. Unfortunately, he wants $11 for shipping. Add that to the $12 I already spent and that's more than a working DC costs.

I think I'm going to just throw away the guts and "learn how to airbrush" on this one. :)

Thanks again for the link. It would be a good deal if it were local.

[Bratwurst]

I'd keep the guts.. you never know when you might need a replacement GD-ROM drive.

[omnedon]

yes, the laser assembly and power supply, and controller block are all worth keeping.

[punkoffgirl]

It's too bad no one on the board has a broken one they'd part with for cheap.