Saturn freeze when insert game - New lens installed, same prob :(

I purchased a Saturn recently.
Seller said it won't read games.

Won't load a game or (music) CD.

Here is the twist!

Fully cleaned the entire system with alcohol/metho/rubbing and removed all traces of dust.
Adjusted the POT... Still dead.
So, replace it with a new (used) lens from an online store. Tested prior to sending (??) and No luck, still failing to read anything.

I'm thinking the lens is not a problem because:
I replace it with a "guaranteed" working one and its the SAME issue.

When you insert a game, power on (not reboot), after you enter time/date, it will CRASH, you will see the play cd screen, but will be blacked out (grey) and frozen, although the stars are still flying.

This is the same with a MUSIC CD. This was the same issue with the original lens.

Next: When you press reboot, it will not crash, but will never load a game or CD.
I have a lower conditioned daytona USA and near new condition of command and conquer, both have the same issue.

You open the door and close it, disk will spin like normal, but just not stop, "checking disk format", then that disappears and nothing.
It will either stay on the play cd screen and I can access menu, or it will freeze the system. No other scenarios.


Anyone have any clues what this is? The PCB's look great, CAPS do not look like they are leaking and the ribbon cables have no rust or makings?

THANK YOU!!

 

I had this weird issue too, it was basically dirt on the motherboard.

 

I have actually scrubbed it all clean and then again using rubbing alcohol. Seems like not a speck of dust on it?
This is the same with the CD drive board.

Could it be anything to do with the cartridge slot?
Thats the only thing I didn't clean... Seems like a CD/board issue?

Anywhere in particular to check?

Edit: I have nothing in the slot, just mentioning it.

 

x

 

Warmed up? How long maybe? I have had it on for a few hours (just left it) with same results.
What caps could be the main issue?
I have replaced around 30 caps this weekend (last) on a few game gears and a Lynx.. But this sega has got be stumpped.
I can't see any CAP leakage.

 

x

 

Warming up does not work
Found no signs of dead or leaking caps.

Are the blue caps near the CD power cable (8 pin?) associated to the CD reading? Maybe these are the ones (all) I should replace?

Edit: Checked board again today, no marks are issues. I'll try another larger repair: Replace every capacitor on the mobo and CD board.
Compiled a list and I'll head to jaycar and get a bunch!

PSU seems fine (so does the mobo).

 

After all that, no change.
Power on with game or music in, freeze. Nothing more. Reset, it does not freeze but won't move from the play CD screen and it never loads a CD.

Time to scrap it. Not worth anymore time
Thanks for your help! Move on to another console!

 

I'd say possibly a ribbon cable but that's just me, on a saturn i had the cd drive ribbon cable was bare in a few places where it had been rubbing on the metal shielding and was shorting on it causing weird issues.

or some other short somewhere but a bit late now if you've scrapped it already lol

 

Sell it for parts, some of us (myself included) like having spares. Sounds like the optics are fine and the PSU is too.

 

You can't always SEE a defective capacitor. The compound changes and it becomes less effective over time.

It'll most likely be an error on the board. I wouldn't scrap it - it's a good one to have a tinker with. I'm sure someone else would like to have a go if you don't have the inclination.

That said, to correctly change the laser, you're supposed to adjust the focus and tracking gain with an oscilloscope and special test CD - not blindly tweak the potentiometers.

 

Thanks for the help.
I have a limit on console collections ($$ limit).
This has now hit the limit. I will use it as a transplant system incase I need spare parts when I find another system.

Same thing happened with a Lynx, didn't work, was not a MOSFET issue (board, maybe) It's now a transplant, will problem sell the shell and backlight/LCD as spares. Same with the Saturn

 

If the bypass doesn't fix a Lynx, there's a dead custom chip.... well, often all of them. There will be a high voltage on the 5V line.