Saturn not reading discs

[abdul]

so i pull out my saturn to get some Sega Rally action, and when i turn it on, it just takes me to the system menu ( with the cd play, reverse, etc; memory controls, etc.)

I clean the disc, and try again, same problem.

I then put in 3 more games (PDS, Virtua Fighter 2, Daytona USA) and none of them work.

Anyone know wahts up, and if its fixable ?

[Nero 99]

the disck reader in it is probably broken . Im sure it can be fixed some where but itll be pricey

[Hwj_Chim]

Clean the laser

[Sothy]

[-hellvin-]

Now THAT was completely random and rather funny.

Anyhow, clean the laser, if that fails buy another one. They are like 2 dollars on ebay or something.

[Mobius]

Does it attempt to read the disc at all? Does it spin up?

If so, I'd try cleaning the lens first and adjusting the potentiometer second. If neither of those works, then get a replacement laser.

[ProgrammingAce]

First thing to do would be to check the battery. Some saturns won't read the disc unless that crappy CR32 is good

[Bratwurst]

First thing to do would be to check the battery. Some saturns won't read the disc unless that crappy CR32 is good

Uh, what? That's even more random than the spider graphic.

[Mr.collection]

I have had that exact problem and it sounds stupid but it worked.

[Bratwurst]

Well that's interesting, because my Saturn plays games fine without a battery at all.

[InsaneDavid]

First, this should be in the technical and restoration society.

Second, try playing a normal audio (music) CD, does it run that?

[scooterb23]

Following up on ProgAce's comment...

If the battery is dead, it goes to that screen. I know, mine's been doing it for years, All I have to do is set the time and date (obviously since the battery is dead it won't matter if it's the right date since it'll reset next time) and I'm good to play.

I'll almost guarantee that's it.

[Mobius]

Following up on ProgAce's comment...

If the battery is dead, it goes to that screen. I know, mine's been doing it for years, All I have to do is set the time and date (obviously since the battery is dead it won't matter if it's the right date since it'll reset next time) and I'm good to play.

I'll almost guarantee that's it.

He said it takes him to the CD player, not the time and date.

[icbrkr]

You can always open it up and check to see if the 20/21 pin ribbon cable has come loose for some reason (ie, mod chip, or other).

[InsaneDavid]

Again, will it even play a music CD? Does it say "Drive Empty" or "Disc Door Open"? You have to provide us details so we can help you.

[ProgrammingAce]

Following up on ProgAce's comment...

If the battery is dead, it goes to that screen. I know, mine's been doing it for years, All I have to do is set the time and date (obviously since the battery is dead it won't matter if it's the right date since it'll reset next time) and I'm good to play.

I'll almost guarantee that's it.

I know it doesn't make any sense, but some systems won't read game discs without a working battery. I haven't been able to narrow it down to a bios revision so i haven't the slightest clue why.

On the other hand, i don't really care enough to look into it...