damaged Laser Active tray

Hi everyone,

I hadn't posted in a while. I hope my topic fits properly into this specific sub-forum since the bulletin board's organization has changed slightly.

I just moved my Laser Active from one country to another (I think it traveled by road and by sea). I was told the LA is very fragile and the tray / optical unit had great chances to get damaged in the process; however I had no other choice. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky and it seems the tray is now damaged, as I feared.

I have a Laser Active with an MD module plugged in.
Here is what happens when I boot up the Laser Active (without any MD cartridge inserted):

- the CD and LD buttons keep bleeping indefinitely
- the tray makes a lot of noise, as if it was trying to open up or to read a disc (there should be no disc inside, IIRC)
- the menu appears normally and says "select the play button"
- If I select the PLAY logo, the LA tries to charge something but then nothing happens.
- If I try to select "open CD" or "open LD" nothing happens
- Trickier: if I select the PLAY logo then immediately press "open CD" or "open LD", nothing happens but the buttons change to "close CD" and "close LD", as if I managed to open it. Of course this does not fix anything and I return to the "select the play button" situation.
- If a MD cartridge is plugged in, no problem, that game can be played.

Is this a known issue?
Do you have any experience with fixing a LA?

Thanks a lot for your help, comments and advices.

 

I don't have an LA but I have you tried finding disassembly instructions and opening it to looks for any obvious problems such as detached cables or broken parts?

 

I plan to do that at some point but not right away.

If this was a basic system such as a MD or Neo Geo, or a complex but well documented console with widely available spare parts (such as PS2), I wouldn't mind opening it. But since I know very little about what is inside the LA and since the machine is quite a high maintenance lady, I'd rather not mess around before hearing some experimented people's advices.

 

You can remove the top quite easily by removing the screws, it will at least give you some idea if the problem is due to a loose cable or something more serious.

 

I've had experience fixing a Sega CD model 1 drive that was broken in transport, but I don't think the two devices are similar enough in design for that experience to be helpful. Anyhow, I posted this over a year ago for reference, you may find it helpful:
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17153

 

Thanks. I'll open it up this weekend if I can find the time. I'll check you link for reference, Nitro.

 

Hey chazumaru, long time no see. :thumbsup:

Don't forget to tell us if you fixed it.

 

Quick update: things have progressed, but it's not 100% fixed yet.

The good news: I managed to repair the tray! After opening and dismantling the LA apart, then toying around with the tray and the cogs which mechanically move it around, I somehow managed to recreate the correct installation (this required more luck and brute force than technical knowledge and soldering skills).

So now, whenever I ask my LA to open or close the tray, it works!

However, discs are still not played. What happens now is that the tray opens by itself when I turn on the system. I can then close it and open it manually, and the LA recognizes there is a game/movie inside, but then nothing happens and eventually the tray opens once again. I also noticed that the CD button opens the whole tray, not just the CD tray (I think I know why, I'll try to fix that later).


One hypothesis I have is that I did not re-install the LA' tray entirely properly. Maybe something is still missing. However I am open to suggestions and educated guesses!

I took pics of the whole process with my DSi but I won't bother you with that unless I manage to fully repair the console.

 

hi Chazumaru

i've got exactly the same problem with my LA !
During the shipping from Tokyo to Paris, something happens and the LD/CD tray still not works (it was worked before the shipment)
When i switch on the LA, the eject LEDs in front of the LA, lights on quickly and then lights off.
I've opened it but everything seems to be ok
Which cogs did you moved to repair the tray?

Thanks for your help

 

got any pics and check the drive belt i have have got two model one usa sega cd
the drive belts was changed causeing te tray to just keep open and close

 

where is this drive belt?
i saw one under the tray but it wasn't accessible and seems ok

 

pictures

 

Yes, pictures would help :O

 

You know I was reading that pioneer actually still repairs any of it's laser disc players no matter how old they are. Have you considered contacting pioneer to get it fixed?

 

Also, having the service manual should help you out as well, it has plenty of info on the tray. Heres the link:

http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/misc/clda100_repair/servicemanual.htm

 

some of the probs could be the timeing cog sounds like to me i would beable to have a look and see if i can repair the console for you if you wanted me too let me know or pm me

 

OH Thanks !
very good link !
I will check my LA problem with this documentation ray:

 

hope you sort your prob out