Sega 32x crashes after TMSS screen.

So I recently got a hold of a broken 32x from my local game shop and after doing a lot of cleaning and research I have still yet to have solve the problem. I got another 32x from some guys I know and it's the same model(MK-84000), however this one worked out of the box. I took a look on the inside and notice a few differences. Strange thing is with the broken 32x only Columns for the Genesis and the Game Genie work just fine. Everything else crashes after the TMSS screen.

Here's a video of it in action:

 

Does anything happen on an early Genesis 1, before TMSS was introduced?

 

Have you tried it with a different console? Reason I ask is cause I recently changed all the capacitors with a kit for my friend and it was still freezing, I told him try a different console and it worked flawless.

 

I don't think the TMSS would make a difference.

 

The guy I got the 32x from tested this on multiple Genesis systems and still gave them the same problem.

 

Did you do a cap kit on the 32X?

 

No but the guys who let me borrow it said that they were planning on doing it. The capacitors don't seem to be damage though.

 

caps don't need to seem damage, they leak the electrolyte leaks also over the years. So even if physically you can't see it they can still be damaged.

 

I know for sure that no caps leaked, other wise I would of felt it while I was cleaning it. I guess recapping it wouldn't hurt, but I just want to make sure that it isn't something else.

 

A quick update. I was messing around with the broken 32x some more and something new happened. So I was trying to get Doom to work and just like the video showed it would just crash on all but one game, but I found that with Doom if you press the reset button a few times it starts up. The only problem is that it's unplayable. It shows the UI and plays the music but that's about it. If I try to play I just shows a black screen with the Doom HUD. If I press reset again the game just freezes.

 

you have the video mixing cable plugged in properly? and caps can go bad without leaking. you need to use a capacitor tester to measure their capacity. have you reset the 2 ribbons? unplug them and plug them back in/ clean them, see if that makes a difference.
if all of this doesn't fix it, prepare to cap it.

 

Yes the cables are in right and I have cleaned the ribbon cables. I think that I might just be the capacitors.

 

another test you can do is leave it on for an extended period of time, a few hours. Then test again. if it starts working 100% or partially, most likely a cap issue.

 

Replacing the caps would be your best bet at this point as it's the most direct cause for errors, but I have my doubts.

I've looked online about the red screen of death and I found that it's a checksum error for the header. Its most common issue stems from the cartridge itself or the connectors on the console.

You mentioned you cleaned the 32x connectors, but have you checked the connectors on the bottom of the 32x?

I suspect the reason why some of the Genesis games work is because they have different technical specifications. Columns was an early Genesis game, a launch title IIRC. The Game Genie would also be different from Sonic 2. This could point to something wrong with one of the chips on the 32x.

If it doesn't work properly after this, there's something else wrong with the motherboard components. Probably not worth looking into since you've already got a more functional 32x on hand.

 

Like the man said I recommend a recap, the kit on console 5 is less than 10 bucks. Caps don't just leak electrolyte also dries up over time. So the fact that the caps are going bad might not even show any visible signs on the caps themselves but the behaviours of the unit will tell ya. I am only saying this cause I just got done recapping a 32x with the same freezing symptoms and they varied from game to game. All was solved by a recap. I am not saying is a sure bet but the kit is cheap enough to be worth a try.

 

Yeah I already bought the cap kit from Console 5 so I'll make an update when I recap the 32x. I appreciate all of you guys help.

 

'llo
i have 'bout the same issue with my 2 32X. Both displays only the HUD in Doom, with a black screen around.
I'm waiting for your feedback

 

Ok so after replacing the caps it still doesn't work. So I think it has to do with a faulty board.

 

Maybe check all voltage regulators and voltages at the ICs.

 

One thing I noticed when I was taking my 32X apart (besides the dead spiders) was all the weird ass board mods that Sega performed to it at the factory which were different from either of your 32Xes. It seems like there's a million different board variations. Does anyone know what any of the board mods actually did, and why there were so many?
Also, my 32X had a problem with games that had to "lock on" (like Sonic 3 and Knuckles and Game Genie) working. That problem went away after I reseated the ribbon cables. Have you tried that yet?