A record of repairing a Dreamcast that can only read 'Soul Calibur'
In order to play old games, it is necessary to continue using the corresponding game console, but if the official support ends, you will have to repair it yourself if it breaks down. ClassicHasClass, an engineer living in Afghanistan, has published a record of repairing his Dreamcast.
Old Vintage Computing Research: Refurb weekend: Sega Dreamcast
The Dreamcast is a home video game console released by Sega in 1998. A unique disk standard called GD-ROM was adopted as the media format, and many popular arcade games were ported because it was compatible with the commercial board NAOMI. In addition, since the analog modem for ported internet communication of the arcade game was installed as standard equipment, it was possible to access the internet by dial-up connection via the telephone line, and it was possible to 'play and communicate remotely with acquaintances living far away'. The point was that you can take A self-deprecating commercial featuring Sega's former managing director Eiichi Yukawa (at that time) became a hot topic, but in addition to failing to make a start dash due to manufacturing problems, the stronghold of PlayStation 2 released in 2000. Unable to break it down, Sega decided to withdraw from the home video game hardware business after the Dreamcast.
The picture below shows ClassicHasClass' Dreamcast. Every time I played the game, I had to enter the date and time, and for some reason I couldn't read any discs other than ' Soul Calibur '. Mr. ClassicHasClass says, 'I like' Soul Calibur ', but this is ridiculous. Can't you play' Crazy Taxi '?'
Mr. ClassicHasClass's Dreamcast is an NTSC version loan model manufactured in May 2000, and is equipped with a MIL-CD playback function. You can understand how the MIL-CD playback function was omitted from Dreamcast by reading the following article.
I removed the screw and removed the exterior of the Dreamcast main body.
First of all, the reason why you have to enter the date and time every time is probably because the internal battery is dead. The battery is mounted on a board located on the controller port.
The battery is a button type ML2032 . The CR2032 of the same type can be used as a substitute, but since the ML2032 is a rechargeable battery type, it is better to use the ML2032 as much as possible.
ClassicHasClass has soldered a battery holder onto the board to make it easier to replace and repair in the future.
According to ClassicHasClass, if the Dreamcast does not turn on, or if it turns off after a few seconds, there is a problem with the ribbon cable or fan connector. Dreamcast seems to have a mechanism to forcibly shut down if there is an abnormality in the fan in order to prevent heat damage.
Next, ClassicHasClass adjusted the laser pickup, which is the reading part of the disc, due to the symptom that discs other than 'Soul Calibur' could not be read.
Since the LED used in the laser pickup gradually deteriorates, it is necessary to adjust the variable resistance so that it becomes slightly smaller. Therefore, first measure the resistance with a tester before adjusting. When ClassicHasClass measured it, it was about 720Ω. From here, ClassicHasClass uses a flathead screwdriver to turn it 15 degrees clockwise to adjust the variable resistance to 400Ω. ClassicHasClass predicts it will be another decade before the LEDs need replacement.
We have successfully repaired it and successfully launched the Dreamcast version of '
Mr. ClassicHasClass said, ``After cleaning, I played the nostalgic Crazy Taxi at once next to the old VCR.The ported version of Crazy Taxi (PlayStation 2 version) does not give the same feel.'' I am commenting.
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