Dreamcast not displaying video/audio after re-assembly + Pics of damaged mainboard

Discussion in 'Repair, Restoration, Conservation and Preservation' started by Calikitz, Jul 3, 2012.

  1. Hedgeyourbets

    Hedgeyourbets Dauntless Member

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    That's part of the beauty of them lol
    I think a lot of the appeal is that they're a bit of a novelty really, like you can have a regular dreamcast from the UK/US with just a bit of metal (I'm guessing aluminium) added to the shielding as a heatsink or you can have a slightly rarer variety with wicked cool copper heatpipes. I think it's just about having something a bit different really, a bit like buying a limited edition console or a coloured case, but cheaper. Personally I bought mine because it was sold as not working and didn't have a lid, I do enjoy a challenge. Runs like a dream now.
     
  2. runkthepunk

    runkthepunk <B>Site Supporter 2013</B><BR><B>Site Supporter 20

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    I really like the metal fan version I don't know why it just seems more 'serious' about cooling like 'it needs a METAL' fan its so hot and powerful!) as mentioned though its actually probably not great.

    I have a pipe cooled machine which I never use due to a dicky GD-ROM.
     
  3. l_oliveira

    l_oliveira Officer at Arms

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    Okay let me share my thoughts about the VA0 Dreamcast:


    The good:
    1- I have actually seen newer units with blown HOLLY chips but can't remember seeing a single one VA0 with such fail.
    2- The Yamaha GD-ROM unit in it sucks, but it's because of that stupid OTI ATA/DSP chip. It's error correction isn't good enough for GD discs.
    3- The NEC SPU-3200 laser pickups used on VA0s are better than that trash Samsung pickup you see on newer units. Put a VA1 GD ROM board in it and it runs like a champ.
    4- It's generally sturdier than a VA1 unit.
    5- It uses 5V bios chip. (I have lots of 5v 29F016 TSOPs here with SSOP adapter boards ...)
    6- It's HOTTER but it's still neater than the newer units.

    The bad:
    1- It's HOTTER but it's still neater than the newer units.
    2- It's VIDEO DAC chip is more fragile than that of the newer units. One can easily blow it out by connecting the video cables with having it already connected to the wall plug.
    (This can happen on any console using RCA plugs as output, though)
    3- It uses 5V bios chip. (3.3v flash chips are easier to obtain these days ...)

    The ugly:
    It draws more power than a VA1 motherboard so if you shove a PAL power supply in it, it will catch fire !
     
  4. videogamejester

    videogamejester Newly Registered

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    I also have that kind of mistake and I damaged the motherboard just like that. But I still got display from DC to my TV. The only problem is the graphics and the horizontal lines. I'm not knowledgeable in soldering but is it really possible to bridge all the lines that was damaged..? is it repairable..? cause it really is a good news if it is repairable..
    thanks in advance guys..

    in shenmue 2 there is a horizontal lines and even in the dreamcast menu and other rendered backgrounds and graphics are displaying dotted lines

    in capcom vs snk2 there is no horizontal lines and the only problem is the characters have dotted lines[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  5. l_oliveira

    l_oliveira Officer at Arms

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    That pretty much look like video memory problem. Look the corrupted sky texture at the shenmue picture.
     
  6. videogamejester

    videogamejester Newly Registered

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    Thanks for the reply oliveira.. is it repairable..? Which and where is the video memory in the motherboard located..?
     
  7. l_oliveira

    l_oliveira Officer at Arms

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    It's the four chips lined up exactly under where the power supply board sits.
     
  8. videogamejester

    videogamejester Newly Registered

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    Oh i see.. so what should i do with those chips..? Is damaging the motherboard with that long screw doesnt have anything to do with the corrupted texture..?

    Thanks again for the infos..
     
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