DreamCast Resets Itself (Already Tried WD-40)

[morrodox]

Hi group,

Looking for a DreamCast expert who can help me with my system's woes. It resets itself during gameplay, going back to the menu screen. I've already tried opening it up and wiping down the power supply's contact pins with WD-40 like the UseNet FAQ suggests. This had it working great for about a 3 week period with less than 20 hours total use, then it started up again.

Currently I have the system on a small metal rack about 2 inches off the ground, with space on all sides for ventilation, so it's not that either. The reset problem doesn't appear to be tied to any one game in particular, though there are a few I haven't yet had it occur with.

So... any other suggestions, or is this just a sign that it's slowly dying and I need to get a replacement?

Thanks in advance for anybody's advice. (As you can imagine, this is extremely irritating.)

[gamegirl79]

Replacing the power supply would probably do the trick.

[morrodox]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply!

Would you happen to know of a good (preferably inexpensive) place to get a replacement PS?

[gamegirl79]

$16

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?cat...roducts_id=77&

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Yep. It's either the power supply or a problem with the laser not being able to read the disc. 90% of the time it's the power supply though.

Sega even stopped giveing out replacements after they realised they had dodgy power supply's in the consoles. But by the time they realised - It was too late. That's half, if not the main reason they stopped producing the console

[morrodox]

Thank you all again for the fast replies and assistance.

[Raccoon Lad]

It could be something much more simple:

Others have fixed their dreamcasts be cleaning the power board connector, and my dreamcast in particular was resetting due to a failing lid switch.

[leonk]

OH MY GOD!

The racoon is *ALIVE*!

Sorry to highjack this thread, it's just that I haven't seen the lad post in a while, and I really enjoyed his postings.

[whoisKeel]

i'm having the same problem, i tried the clean the power connector pins off and push them back thing, and it worked, for a couple of weeks. now i'm getting resets again. i've cleaned the pins twice now, so maybe it is my lid switch? how do you go about fixing that? or is setting something on the top of the dreamcast the best thing to do?

[CRV]

i'm having the same problem, i tried the clean the power connector pins off and push them back thing, and it worked, for a couple of weeks. now i'm getting resets again. i've cleaned the pins twice now, so maybe it is my lid switch? how do you go about fixing that? or is setting something on the top of the dreamcast the best thing to do?

I just got mine used back in August and I've been having problems. So it's the lid switch, eh? Figures. I've been setting stuff on top of it, but that's not always foolproof.

[Raccoon Lad]

Hey Leonki, I post almost every day, but my posting frequency has dropped alot lately.


Anyway, I kinda did a half assed fix on my lid switch.
After opening the case up, I found and removed the screws that hold the laser assembly down. then I lifted up on the laser assembly to remove it, and turned it over and removed the screws holding it together (there's a screw under that white cloth-like thing too).
after removing the metal cover, I easily accessed the lid switch, and found 2 solder spots where I added a couple wires, which I ran through a hole in the DC's case and added an external switch.

I suppose you could just replace the lid switch with a similar, but better switch. The switch is located in a spot so that if you're at least moderately skilled with a soldering iron, you can easily solder there without screwing anything up.

[whoisKeel]

yes, i think i might try that out...i'm almost certain it is my lid switch, as i can make the dc reset itself by lightly tapping on the lid while a game is on.

i found this guide:
http://devcast.dcemulation.com/mods/.../lidswitch.php

so i will attempt that soon (without the led), i'll let you know how it goes. it's getting really annoying, i can't play for more than 10-20 mins without a reset.

[kainemaxwell]

Having the same problem. Think I'll try WD-40ing the ps later today.

[Jibbajaba]

Why pay $16 for a DC when you can buy a system for less than that?

Chris

[omnedon]

Seems it would be easier to just bridge the lid switch. Then it would think it was *always* closed.

Could cause a problem with 2 disc games like Skies of Arcadia tho......

[youruglyclone]

Why pay $16 for a DC when you can buy a system for less than that?

Chris

maybe his machine is modded...

[Jibbajaba]

Why pay $16 for a DC when you can buy a system for less than that?

Chris

maybe his machine is modded...

True. Didn't think of that.

Chris

[omnedon]

This isn't the "It's broken buy a new one forum".

It'sa the, 'can it be fixed?' forum. this info only gets more important as time goes by.