Genesis Model 2 "Reset" button doesn't work

I have a Model 2 Genesis that I got from a friend about a year ago. The "Reset" button doesn't work, and she said it hasn't for awhile. I've looked at the board and I can't see anything wrong with it, but then again I'm no expert at this sort of thing. I'll take some pictures later. Has anyone else ever had this happen? I'd like to be able to fix it.

 

are you able to reset without the plastic button?

 

I don't think I've tried.

 

Try running the mega drive without the case on, and try using a small metal object to short the connection where the reset button normally goes. Although, If you short out other pieces you could bugger the genesis rather permanently. If that works its just a mechanical problem, have a fiddle around with the switch and see if you can make it work

 

I'll give that a try tommorow, thanks .

 

I mashed down where the button should be mashing, and the thing works. I guess the button's too short? I don't know, I'll toy with it more.

 

If the atual electronic switch works, your little plastic reset button probably broke. I'd say wait for a broken Genesis 2 and get one from there.

 

I know that this thread is 11 years old, but since it shows up on the first page of Google when inquiring about a broken reset switch for the model 2 Genesis / MD, I figured this is as good a place as any to post this. What you need is a tact switch, which you can find here:

http://www.amazon.com/microtivity-I...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

There are other, similar switches that will work fine too, but that is basically what you're looking for. You need to carefully desolder and remove the original reset switch using a solder sucker, a copper desolder braid or a combination of the two, with gentle pressure from the other side using a very small flat head screwdriver, heating the residual solder on each leg until they all eventually pop free.

Once that's done, you bend the legs of a new tact switch using some pliers so that the new switch lines up with the holes on the motherboard, and sits nicely in the middle of the space. You then solder all of the contact points from the back.

The last step is that you might need to file down the plastic on the actual external reset button, depending on how thick your tact switch is. I had to file off maybe a milimeter or two from mine to prevent it from automatically clicking the button down when the system was fully assembled. It's important that you only file off a little bit at a time, since you don't want to end up taking off more than is necessary. (I also took the opportunity to widen the hole over the A/V out slightly while the system was opened up, because my RGB SCART cable wasn't fitting properly, but that was somewhat unique to my situation.)

Once that was taken care of, everything worked perfectly. The new switch will make an audible, tactile click when pressed unlike the original which is smooth and silent, but it's an acceptable change. The replacement switch should be considerably more durable and easier to replace than the original if it ever goes bad again, which it probably will not.

 

I just replaced the reset button on my VA3 from a parts Genesis 2, but when it goes out again, I'm giving this a try. Thanks much!