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  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0) balkiry's Avatar
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    Question Saturn black screen after date reset - ideas?

    Hi guys,
    My long-suffering Saturn is giving me grief in the form of a black screen when trying to load any game.
    Spec rundown: PAL model 2, unmodded, I am trying legit PAL games
    Solutions tried already:
    1. Reseating the ribbon cable at both ends that runs from laser assembly to main board
    2. Adjusting the laser pot all the way clockwise. Laser moves freely, disc spins. When the pot is fully clockwise, the laser tries REALLY hard to read the disc, then eventually seems to give up, and the disc stops spinning.
    3. Removing and replacing the memory battery. After I put the battery back in, I get the date/clock reset screeen, but as soon as I do that, it goes to a black sreen with no sound.

    I have returned the laser pot to its original position. It's worth noting I cannot visibly see a laser, even in a dark room.

    Any thoughts guys? I am out of ideas!

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Peach (Level 3) izarate's Avatar
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    I don't know if it's related but when I got my first Saturn it came without a battery and I always got the black screen after inputing the date. Pressing reset would alow the Saturn to load the game flawlessly.

    After buying a battery and putting it in I never had that problem again except the first time I set the date but after that the black screen never showed up.

    Maybe it's related to some bug in the BIOS and it hangs after inputting the date? If your Saturn behaves the same way (black screen after date screen, loads normal when pressing reset) I would recomend you to get a new battery.

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) balkiry's Avatar
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    Tried resetting after the black screen but no luck. Even tried it with a new battery, nothing. The laser kicks in and the disc spins, but the screen stays black.
    If I try it without a disc, it doesn't even go to the "insert disc" screen.
    It can't be a problem with video out, as I can see the clock/date reset screen.
    So why would it allow me to see that but nothing else?

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    Hmm,I had that same problem with the BIOS hanging and not progressing,I think I put an audio CD in and for some reason when I reset it went to the menu, strange but it worked.
    "...leave love bleeding, in my hands, in my hands again..."

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) balkiry's Avatar
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    Just tried that too alec. No such luck. I don't even get the startup animation (with the grey shards coming together).
    I'm close to buying a JVC OPTIMA150S laser assembly and attempting to replace it. I don't really want a frankenstein Saturn, but I can't think of anything else short of buying another Saturn altogether.

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) balkiry's Avatar
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    Question

    So I just pulled the laser assumbly apart to see how hard it would be to replace. Seems easy enough.
    Before I go and buy a replacement laser, can anyone tell me:

    If the laser IS dead, should the the grey saturn startup screen still appear, followed by the cd player?
    Because right now I can just get the clock reset, then nothing.
    I'm not going to experiment with a new laser if someone can tell me that I should at least be getting the player and a "no disc" message.

    PS I intend to buy another Saturn, yes, but I'm curious to see if I can fix this one.

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    Cherry (Level 1) raylydiard's Avatar
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    you can see what needs to be replaced i put a red crice for the electrolytic capacitors
    you will need 4x 220uf 6.3v all must be mini electrolytic capacitors i know this when first started on sega mods and repairs i had a saturn with no video i just replaced them got video again a tip for segas onece unplug you computer or any console press the power buttion and it discharges the electrolytic capacitors make sure you put them in the right way other wize it will fry the board sega bioses never fry unless put in a chip pan

    Quote Originally Posted by balkiry View Post
    Hi guys,
    My long-suffering Saturn is giving me grief in the form of a black screen when trying to load any game.
    Spec rundown: PAL model 2, unmodded, I am trying legit PAL games
    Solutions tried already:
    1. Reseating the ribbon cable at both ends that runs from laser assembly to main board
    2. Adjusting the laser pot all the way clockwise. Laser moves freely, disc spins. When the pot is fully clockwise, the laser tries REALLY hard to read the disc, then eventually seems to give up, and the disc stops spinning.
    3. Removing and replacing the memory battery. After I put the battery back in, I get the date/clock reset screeen, but as soon as I do that, it goes to a black sreen with no sound.

    I have returned the laser pot to its original position. It's worth noting I cannot visibly see a laser, even in a dark room.

    Any thoughts guys? I am out of ideas!

    Thanks!

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    Quote Originally Posted by raylydiard View Post
    you can see what needs to be replaced i put a red crice for the electrolytic capacitors
    you will need 4x 220uf 6.3v all must be mini electrolytic capacitors i know this when first started on sega mods and repairs i had a saturn with no video i just replaced them got video again a tip for segas onece unplug you computer or any console press the power buttion and it discharges the electrolytic capacitors make sure you put them in the right way other wize it will fry the board sega bioses never fry unless put in a chip pan
    Capacitors,I knew I was forgetting something! I sure hope that raylydiard's advice fixes your Saturn balkiry.
    "...leave love bleeding, in my hands, in my hands again..."

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) balkiry's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by raylydiard View Post

    you can see what needs to be replaced i put a red crice for the electrolytic capacitors
    you will need 4x 220uf 6.3v all must be mini electrolytic capacitors i know this when first started on sega mods and repairs i had a saturn with no video i just replaced them got video again a tip for segas onece unplug you computer or any console press the power buttion and it discharges the electrolytic capacitors make sure you put them in the right way other wize it will fry the board sega bioses never fry unless put in a chip pan
    Champion, I will give it a go. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks Raylydiard!

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