Sega Saturn Problem

[DDCecil]

My Saturn (a white Japanese one) is having a hard time reading certain disks. Some load every single time, but other ones will go to the CD Player screen every time and won't recognize the disk. What can I do to remedy this problem?

[omnedon]

Are these all original games?

Are these all JP games?

[DDCecil]

Yes, they are all originals and Japanese games. Keio Yugekitai and Digital Dance Mix: Namie Amuro work everytime, but Virtua Cop 2 and Jikkyou Osahberi Parodius will not load, no matter what I do (The CD's are mint)...

[omnedon]

Sounds like the laser is going. Clean the eye with a Qtip and a small amount 50/50 isopropanol and water. Dry it and test.

Failing that, a NA same version Saturn laser, will work fine in a JP Saturn. The number of contacts in the laser ribbon cable connector (20 or 21) dictate the laser version. Then you will have to find one from a non functioning/donor Saturn.

I've never tried it myself, but I read this http://www.mrvfone.com.au/sega/saturn.htm and if it can';t see now, you have little to lose by trying that.

I've repaired many Saturns, and have at least one spare laser right now, and am comfortable with adjusts like the one in the link. If you are desperate, I can do repairs for trades and the like. I can also do switched region mods as well. My Saturn has JP guts, and a NA shell, and has both the modchip and the switched region mod.

Good luck with it!

[AB Positive]

this is the same issue with my Saturn, Omnedon... how hard is it to replace? I would be interested in either buying the laser off you or possibly having you fix it if you prefer. If it's cheaper than buying a new white Saturn, I'm all for it :)

-AG

[AB Positive]

Omnedon, being the crazy-good guy that he is, just walked me through the above fix... and whaddya know, it worked! I highly recommend it for anyone with basic (and I DO mean -basic-) electronics knowledge. All you need is a small phillips head screwdriver, and a small flathead driver.

-AG

[rbudrick]

Wow...I'd be interested to see how this fix works inthe long term....I had a dead Saturn somewhere I might try this on. I know the lens was kaput.

I searched all over for the replacement lens, but it wasn't a standard lens....it wasn't available anywhere I found.

However, that was a long time ago and I remember seeing a place somewhere that sold replacement lenses....maybe my brain is lying to me...

-Rob

[omnedon]

Replacement lenses are best acquired from broken Saturns, IMO. Saturns can fail for other reasons, and dead Saturns can have good lasers.