Repairing Controller ports on DC and PSX systems

[MegaDrive20XX]

I have seen this problem happen alot, but what causes it? It won't read the memory cards or the controllers. Yet the CD-ROM or GD-ROM drive is just fine.

Any advice on how to go about this?

I'd like to put an end to this mystery, I've fixed alot of things, but this one still puzzles me

[PapaStu]

I thought that there were issues with older DC's and basically it pushed too much power through the port, frying it. Ive not really heard all that much about PS ports crapping out like that though.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I thought that there were issues with older DC's and basically it pushed too much power through the port, frying it. Ive not really heard all that much about PS ports crapping out like that though.

Same here, I've seen maybe 2-3 cases in my time with PS, but DC I've had about 5 cases

[Nz17]

I thought that there were issues with older DC's and basically it pushed too much power through the port, frying it. Ive not really heard all that much about PS ports crapping out like that though.

Sounds like a train wreck of thoughts to me PapaStu. :P

With the Dreamcast, the problem was some 3rd-party controllers were made to output the improper voltage. On occasion, a power surge to the port could do the same thing. In order to protect the Dreamcast unit as a whole, there is a resister that will be destroyed when overloaded to protect the port controller. Replacement of the fuse is rather painless for anyone with a soldering iron.

http://devcast.dcemulation.com/mods/repair/repair.php

Google cache if site is down:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:2AGDSX35ry8J:devcast.dcemulation.co m/mods/repair/repair.php+&hl=en

[jjessop]

On PlayStation's your blowing the 3.5 vdc fuse to the controller/mem card/ rear parallel ports. It's a surface mount device with a "15" on it and is 600 ma.

Lousy 3rd party memory cards and controllers blow them as do action replay's and "game enhancers" that use the parallel port.

Jerry

[Berty]

When i was working at a video game store my boss accidently blew up a dc controller port. He thought that he could adapt a usb mouse to the dc's controller socket. Blew the crap out of the controller board. Easily repaired though.

[RJ]

jjessop speaks the truth- he diagnosed my problem awhile back & was nice enough to send the replacement part(s). I was using a 3rd party PS2 controller extension cable w/ my PS. Not a lick of trouble since.

Thanks again!!!