SEGA 32x will play Megadrive games, but not 32x games.

Hello and thank you for checking this thread.

Have a 32x that won't play 32x games, all that happens is the license screen will appear and then disappear leaving me on a black screen. sometimes it will hang on the license screen, and the text starts off dark blue, then it turns white, and then pink. as stated, it will still play Megadrive games, but light colours appear reddish\pinkish (the colours appear normally without the 32x) . I am using the 32x with a model 2 Megadrive with all the accessories (link cable, spacer, shielding plates) and outputting video\audio through RGB (Scart). I am using an official PSU for the 32x, and a slim Playstaion 2 PSU for the megadrive. I am unable to test the 32x on my other Megadrives as they are both model 1's and I didn't receive the DIN conversion cable with the 32x.

If anyone could help me with my issue, I would be most grateful (as i really want to play Doom for the 32x).

thank you in advance.

 

I'm not positive but without the cable you should still get audio out on the 32x.

 

rip it open, and make sure the ribbons inside are connected properly, i got one for free that had issues like this, and a ribbon was loose, also if you dont have the in out cable, it will display one element of the screen, like in doom, status bar etc.. but no main graphics.

 

You don't need that adapter for the model 1. There are better model 1 32X patch cables out there and some can even give you stereo sound.

As for the issue with the colors, this is new to me. Try the other suggestions in the thread. Check the RGBS video traces to see if they are somehow damaged.

 

thank you all for replying. i have messaged the seller as it was sold as tested and working. i am currently waiting for a reply.

by any chance could it be the Megadrive. and can the 32x be used without the link cable? as i have tried using the 32x on both my model 1 megadrives and not even the license screen appeared.

 

The 32X needs a link cable. Without it, you will only have sound and missing graphics, making games unplayable as you can't see the characters. For the model 1, I recommend a stereo patch cable.

Unless your model 2 is one of the extremely rare ones with good sound quality, I recommend playing the 32X on a VA1-VA6.5 Mega Drive/Genesis model 1.

One more thing, is the MD modded for a 50/60Hz switch?

 

my main megadrive is a "Hi definition graphics - stereo sound" (1600-05) megadrive on which i have installed the region\language switches. i am planing on getting a model 1 link cable for the 32x from here https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk...tch-cable-stereo-sound?tracking=5543fb4c077bb but the female cable is out-of-stock.

so without the link cable, the 32x should still output something, is that correct? I only want to know that the 32x works at the moment, once i know its working, i'll look for a link cable.

 

That cable will work perfectly. I asked about the MD because an unmodified PAL 32X will not output video if the MD is set to 60Hz and an unmodified NTSC 32X will not output video if the MD is set to 50Hz.

If you don't want to use the link cable, simply plug the RGB SCART cable into the AV Out on your MD, not the 32X. You will get sound and the background graphics but not the foreground graphics. I can take pictures of it if you want me to.

 

no that's alright thank you, i wouldn't want to put you out of your way. the problem is, i can only output through RF on my Megadrive model 1 as i don't have a DIN output cable. I should've gotten the female link cable a few days ago when they were still in stock, but I decided against it for some reason (I'm regretting it now).

 

It would only take me a second to take the pics. I would just need to swap the 32X patch cable for the model 1 composite cable (I don't have a model 1 RGB SCART cable). RF should work too if you want to try it.

If you know how to use a soldering iron, you can make your own model 1 MD to model 2 MD AV cable adapter. You would need a male 8-pin DIN connector, a female 9-pin mini-DIN female connector (cable style), a CAT-5e network cable, and a 3.5mm stereo audio cable. Just leave the mono pin on the 9-pin mini-DIN connector disconnected. No need for mono audio nowadays.

 

I have just set up my model 1 HDG-SS Megadrive with RF with the 32x. at first there was nothing so i made sure that the reagion switch was on PAL, turned it on again, still nothing, so i then flicked the language switch (I have neglected to label the switches as my label maker's cartridge has run out), lo and behold, the Doom credits screen appeared and the music started playing, and then the Doom title screen appeared with only the logo, menu and HUD appearing. at least now I know the 32x works, so that i can invest in a link cable with peace and mind. thank you so much for everything, you've been a great help. and thank you everyone for replying.

 

i am pretty confident of my soldering skills, but I'd prefer to buy a high quality cable as my one would be a mess, although, if the female link cable isn't restocked, I will have to make my own.

 

Your quite welcome. Glad to see another working 32X. It gets a lot of bad rep that it doesn't deserve. If you haven't already, get the 50/60Hz switch installed in the 32X.

If you want a quick region guide, here's one:

Japanese/60Hz on Mega Drive and 60Hz on 32X = Japanese Super 32X.
English/60Hz on Mega Drive and 60Hz on 32X = American Genesis 32X.
English/50Hz on Mega Drive and 50Hz on 32X = European Mega Drive 32X
Japanese/50Hz on Mega Drive and 50Hz on 32X = PAL Asia 32X?

EDIT: Didn't see your last post. I've made a custom S-Video to SCART cable before and it wasn't very neat since I used panel mount RCA jacks. Then again, the SCART cable didn't have solder terminals.