Sega Dreamcast repair help

A few weeks ago I bought a Dreamcast from a guy for $10 - system, 1 controller, 1 game, no power cord or av cables. The guy told me it worked fine.. Well, I found a power cord to use but the system is not wanting to turn on. I press the power button, the power light on the system comes on for about a second and flashes off. I tried a couple other cables and get the same result. I don't know much about electronics, circuit boards, etc. but I opened the system up to see if I could see anything wrong with the power supply board. From what I could tell it looks ok, but I'm not sure. While I had the top cover off I tried turning the system on and I could see that the little exhaust fan kicks on for that one second as well..
After I put the console back together I tried cleaning the 2 pins where the power cord plugs in. I tried the system again a few days later and nothing's changed.
My guess is the power supply needs to be replaced. I've looked online for places that sell replacement dreamcast power supplies and only found this:
http://gamedoctorhk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72_2_20_117&products_id=1413

Has anybody ordered from them before? I'm just wondering how reputable they are.

I would appreciate any other tips/suggestions. Thanks.

 

Sounds like the resetting bug - gently bend the pins that take the PSU's voltage to the mainboard so they make tighter contact with the PSU socket. Mmmonkey has a tute here that might be helpful. I had the same problem on my launch DC the other month and that sorted the issue. Just make sure it's unplugged and that any stored current is discharged before playing with it (i.e. unplug it from the power, turn the DC on for a few seconds, then turn it back off then get to work).

 

Try replacing the fuses, that issue happened to me right after I replaced some parts in my Dreamcast. It's the F1 fuses according to this guide. It says to use one 5ohm 1/2watt or two 10 Ohm 1/4 watt metalized resistors, though they only have carbon ones at Radioshack and they work fine. Desolder the points and try to make sure there's a hole for the fuses to put in. Make sure you can stick them all the way in, and clip the excess wire. If you can't, make sure enough of it is in and wrap the fuses in electrical tape so they don't touch anything metal.

 

Tried bending the pins and cleaning the pins (they weren't dirty). Even tried bending the contacts a little in power board. It still does the same thing. Darn.

 

You also have to try replacing the F1 fuse, since that also causes that error.

 

no clue how to do that. don't have a soldering gun and have never used one, either.

 

I just test some dreamcast boards and they were presenting a problem similar to yours, the difference is that the console turns off after 10 seconds.


When I turn the Dreamcast the disk spins, the led lights up, fan works, have sound and perfect image and recognition of the controls, but the console off before the SEGA logo screen.

I ended up finding out that it was broken weld in the fan connector on the controller board, exactly on the wire of the sensor, it was enough to renew the solder point and the problem would be solved, but as lent the soldering iron I switched the controller board and everything is back to normal. You could try this before to see if it works, check the fan connector solder on the controller board, or swap the controller board if possible.


If you don't have a soldering iron must have a friend/relative/colleague who works with this, if you take a technical, but already in advance the solution that should be what I or what MangledLeg and DC16 said.

I hope I have helped you

 

If you are unwilling to use a soldering iron, try finding a electronics repair shop (like one that fixes tvs). You will have to buy the parts in case they don't have it.

 

This happened to me multiple times, in all cases it was due a faulty GD controller board.