Panasonic Q overhaul - need advice on DVD drive, fan replacement and Xeno install

OK, so I bought a Panasonic Q for "cheap" (about £60), but it has a host of problems with it. The main one is the DVD drive which, as far as I can make out, is a pretty common issue. One of the DVD tray's rails has somehow snapped in two, although I'm hoping that can be fixed with some glue or epoxy. I've also ordered a new tray belt for it, as it looked a little loose, although can anyone let me know how I actually go about replacing the belt? I assume the gears can be disassembled, but can't see how exactly.

The fan is also very noisy (at least a lot noisier than any GC I've had and noisier than I can remember the last Q I owned about 7 years ago being) - again, I've read about people replacing the fan, but not what type of fan they've used, so any pointers in that direction would be nice.

Lastly, as I've taken the whole thing apart, does anyone know where I can find installation instructions for a Xeno GC? Again, I've read that it can be done, but that the solder points are in different locations. Basically, there's unfortunately very little documentation about for the Q in general ...

 

This is the install, but apparently its untested.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28488139/panaqdrive.jpg

 

Chucked in a Xeno chip, but it doesn't want to boot backups. Haven't tried a genuine PAL disc yet, but I doubt it'll work as the chip LED remains solid red (it's installed just above the fan). Only sort of good piece of news is that the chip is one out of many 30-odd I had earlier this year and it's possible I put it aside because it was dodgy.

Also found some replacements fans on Taobao: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.7.s5gXsx&id=13115205726

 

im interested to see how you get on with this

looks exciting

oh one more thing

have you looked at any Panasonic DVD players of that era

maybe they use the same model and you can steal the rail off it

 

"Unfortunately" the Xeno chip works fine in a Gamecube Going to give it another go in the Q anyway and then try and get a couples of Qoob SX chips, which I know will work, but is just more hassle as the Gamecube motherboard is a pain to get to.

As for the rails, I was thinking of making a silicone mould of the intact ones I have and make polyurethane casts of them.

 

You could also try getting in touch with people who specialise in 3D printing. If the other rail is a mirror opposite of it they should be able to reproduce another one for you quite easily. Unfortunately I don't have the names of said services to hand but there are plenty about.

 

I did think about that as well, but from what I've seen so far, accurate 3D scanning is still very expensive. Also, the potential cost of making more in the future wouldn't be anywhere near as great if I already had a silicone mould I could use.

 

OK, I can definitely say that the Xeno GC doesn't work with the Q, at least not using the same points as on the Gamecube. With it installed, the Q won't boot past the Gamecube boot screen with a disc inserted - even a genuine Japanese one.

 

apparently the viper chip works with Panasonic q, just from a quick google search here is the link http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=549110 hopefully that helps this looks really interesting. ive allways wanted a panosonic q

 

I shiver thinking back of opening my died 'Q'. Or actually, it didn't die, it had the 'scratching disc' issue. When trying to fix that (thanks to Saurian of NTSC-UK!), I couldn't get it to boot anymore after assembling :/ Luckily, back then I could send it back to Play-Asia and they repaired it for a nice price.
Anywayz, I'd like to know if you find out more about the fan! Mine does make a lot of noise too.

 

If you do find someone who will make a set of drive rails, pm me as I need about 5 of them for the Panasonic Q's I have with drives damaged beyond repair.

 

I don't think Panasonic made a special mould for the DVD drive rails and used stock hardware with updated firmware and circuitry to support gamecube games. I bet if you looked at Panasonic PC DVD drives or any similar Panasonic drive, you will find a model that the rails will be the same

 

The problem with that approach is getting hold of a load of old Panasonic/Matsushita DVD drives. The drive rails have particular stand-offs sticking out the bottom to mount it to the Q with screws, so it's impossible for a standard PC DVD drive to be cross compatible. Drives used in other DVD players might work, but getting hold of a large stash of DVD players made circa 2001-2003 to take apart and inspect wouldn't be a straightforward process, unless you worked in an old TV repair store or something like that. eBay prices after postage don't make that avenue a worthwhile process.

I'm currently looking at making a silicon mould which will be accurate enough and a resin which will cast hard enough (the stuff's expensive, though). I'm also looking for small local plastic manufacturers who could make them at an affordable price, although to be honest they could charge upwards of £50 for a set of rails and it would still be a worthwhile investment.

 

I don't see why Panasonic wouldn't make custom rails for the Q... They made a whole custom case as it is

 

I do a lot of carpentry work and have a lot of expensive tools

if I can get dimensions then I could try my hand at carving one out of either wood or plastic

if made from wood all you need to do is enamel spray it so it has a smooth plastic finish

will be hand made, I reckon worth a shot

 

I don't want to come across as being too dismissive of your carpentry skills, but I would consider it unlikely to be effective.

Having had a good look at the possibility of casting the parts at home, it's also not going to be worthwhile, as the chances of getting imperfections such as air bubbles or mould shrinking on such small parts are far too high.

I have spoken briefly to a small company in Surrey who do low volume production runs, but have yet to establish what sort of price a very short run on them would cost.

 

no offence taken. infact after I posted that I had another idea but your post above dismissed that idea without me asking.

I'll throw it at ya anyway, if I was to make each piece out of wood and glue them together to make the rail like use dowels rods for the standoffs etc etc. then that wooden piece could be used as a master to make a mould case which then can be cast. or used as a master for laser scanning in 3d to get a 3d print done

have you spoken to buffalowings about small prod run of the rails

 

I have another Q with an intact set of rails, so there's no need to produce a master for casting. Detailed 3D scanning is ridiculously expensive at the moment and 3D printing isn't as detailed or resistant as casting using a plastic like ABS, so that's pretty much a no-go as well.

Who is buffalowings?

 

cool having original helps lol


read this thread, buffalowings is a big player in it and may be able to help with what you need

he seems so knowledgeable with what you may need

 

I am after spare parts for a Panasonic q please pm you want to sell some part's.