Dreamcast problem

[pr8cjb]

I've just picked up a DC and boy is this thing noisy! When loading between fights in Ready to Rumble II it sounds like the disc is being spun back and forwards at a horrendous rate, almost like the console is having trouble hunting the data down - yet R2RR2 and half a dozen other games load and play OK, as do music CDs. The console itself is very clena and tidy - are they generally quite noisy beasts?

I'm also having a problem with Sega GT. There are some marks on the disc surface, all in the higher density area, but nothing that I would expect to trouble a regular CD. Are DCs a bit more picky about the condition of the disc?

Will post pics if it helps. Thanks.

[Half Japanese]

More than likely it's just the DC itself. The DC is very noticably loud when you first start using it, but over time you'll grow to almost completely disregard the sounds coming from it. I've noticed that my DC gets sort of picky with games from time to time, and I'll have to open it, spin the disc and close the lid, which usually gets it to work. This is my disc-based equivelant of 'cart-blowing.' Enjoy the system, it's got an excellent, mostly cheap and high quality library.

[TheMaestro]

Yes, the Dreamcast is very noisy, and also picky about scratches. If you're having trouble with a disc you have, you might want to make an image of it and burn a new copy. I had to do that with Shenmue...

[sisko]

Sounds like its working perfectly to me :)

Mine was that noisy right out of the box. It still works fine to this day, but is even more finicky about scratches than other units (some scratched games won't run, but will run on another dreamcast).

A key factor to remember is that DC games are actually gigabyte-discs (GD) and not CDs, so the data is much more compressed. One little scratch means a lot more damage on a GD than a CD.

Make sure the disc and lens are nice and clean. If that doesn't work, take it back and get another copy.

[pr8cjb]

Thanks guys - I'm feeling much better about it now! My only other disc consoles are my precious MCD1 and not-so-precious silver PS2, both of which are quiet.

Looks like it's the Sega GT disc that's had it - as far as I know the disc imaging process is long and slow involving serial ports, so I'll just take the thing back.