Dreamcast not reading disc

[Masco73]

I got this dreamcast at a garage sale. Now I know why it was only $12. Don't worry, I also got 2 vmus, 2 controllers and 6 games, so it was basically free.
Anyway, It sounds as if the disc won't spin at all. Maybe a motor that spins the disc is broken??? I have no idea. Is this repairable by me, who has no electronic knowledge, or should I just sell it as broken. It is a backup system.

What do you guys think is wrong??

[omnedon]

No spin, everything else good? Does it go to the menu screen?

Take the cover off, and find the door sensor (Upper right, top, laser assembly). Pinch it manually and test. Be careful, as the power supply will be exposed before you.

If it behaves erratic, you could simply defeat it, either with tape or a little solder bridge.

good Luck!

[Masco73]

Yes, It goes straight to the menu screen after the disc isn't recognized. It doesn't spin at all. I will try your sugestion and get back to you. Thanks.

[Masco73]

I tried your suggestion and still no luck. I watched the disc and it does spin in the begining but never gets recognized. Then the menu screen comes up. It isn't the game because they all work on my working DC. Could it be someting with the laser being out of allignment. I have heard that before with PS2.
If that is the case, can an average person fix it?? I have no electronic skills as mentioned before, but I will give it a whack if it isn't too complicated.

Thanks for any help!!

[slapdash]

There's a similar thread further back... Someone noted that it might just be due to dust in the CD-spinning mechanism, and that it's not too hard to get out if you open the system up. I haven't tried it yet, but you might look into that.

[esquire]

No spin, everything else good? Does it go to the menu screen?

Take the cover off, and find the door sensor (Upper right, top, laser assembly). Pinch it manually and test. Be careful, as the power supply will be exposed before you.

If it behaves erratic, you could simply defeat it, either with tape or a little solder bridge.

good Luck!

I have this problem. If I hold the DC door down, but not closed, the disc will spin and read, but when i close it all the way it stops. Is this a common problem? Is there any other way to fix this other than taping the sensor?

[omnedon]

Not that I can think of. Better it thinks the door is closed all the time, than it thinks it's open all the time.

You could solder in a new sensor switch form another DC, but it's waaaay easier to simply defeat it.

good Luck!

[Cmtz]

I have the same problem with my DC. What I do is simply move the lazer down and it begins to play again.