WonderMega RG-M1 No Power

Hello! Before disassembling it try a ps2 slim psu. I use them on both Wondermega M1, Wondermega M2 and also the X'Eye. They work.

 

Hi,

I have the same issue here with my Wondermega. However, mine did work but was later unfixed (see post 28 here - http://www.assemblergames.com/forum...-Victor-Wondermega/page2&highlight=wondermega). I'm thinking its a capacitor, resistor or fuse ( i dont know exactly) but its something that is causing it to not power up. I'm in the process of getting some pictures of the MB, so somebody can take a look and I agree with you as its a bit of a bastard to take apart inside.

Please update us all on any progress you make and I will try and get some pictures uploaded soon..

Thanks.

 

Tried that out of curiosity and its still dead. Its definitely something internal for sure

 

My mistake was using one of those crap step down convertors you can buy from eBay for a fiver!

I'm going to be looking at this towards the end of the month when hopefully I've finished my M82 restore.

@Krisk77 - I saw you thread the other day in fact, was going to say something but glad you posted here, looking forward to your images. Hopefully will be able to get both our machines sorted!

@Eddyiori - Many thanks for the information and sorry I didn't reply soon, for some reason I didn't get an alert to say someone posted on this thread (I'll re-check that option). I will give it a try although I think it's an internal component (I heard it's quite common on these units).

 

After some digging around on the internet, luckily I managed to track down the person who looked at the console years ago that was told to unfix it. After speaking to him, he advised me it has a "Diode" on the DC line or something, which is causing it to not power up. Apparently, its a 5 min job to fix, so when I get it fixed hopefully, I will make some pics of the motherboard and the where the "Diode" was located in case it may help others.

 

That sounds like a plan - I've finished my M82 project so can now look at this

Hopefully will get sometime this weekend but we'll see.

Thanks very much for posting and look forward to your findings

 

Success, the console is now working. Tested with my Mega Key Cart and Mega Ever Drive Cart, yet don't have any CD's to test. Didn't know it was not compatible with PAL and Genesis Carts, as I thought they would work like a JAP MD, as that accepts all carts except for the region checks i.e PAL Sonic 3, etc. The wonderMega does not power up when a PAL cart is inserted, as I have to use my Mega Key Cart with the PAL Cart for it to work.

Some pics to follow of the MB and the location of the "diode" that was causing it to not power up. All it needed was it to be removed, yet would have been a needle in a hay stack with fresh eyes, yet the guy remembered where it was (11 years ago last month) since it was looked at, fixed and then unfixed due to a complete moron of a shop owner who wanted to keep it and sell it for his own financial gain.

Btw, It works with a PS2 Slim official PSU.

 

That doesn't sound right. Any difference between JP, PAL, and Genesis carts should be in ROM. Not getting an region error from the game's program is bizarre.

 

I know its strange, as every PAL cart I have tried wont work (no power) when in the slot. Soon as I plug in the Mega Key with any PAL cart, it works. I know the CD is region locked and games to be patched if PAL or US but never thought the Cart slot would act in the way it does with out of region carts.

I seen a YT vid of some guy using a PAL Sonic & Knuckles on his WM M1 and it works straight of the bat. I'm considering trying it, yet don't wanna waste money if it dont work

 

The only way that's possible if is there's another way to determine region. Games like Sonic & Knuckles used the same data worldwide.

 

Just figured it out why PAL and US carts are not working. Look at the groove on the Sonic & Knuckles (left side), as on the Wondermega there is a little plastic hinge type thing that gets pressed in when you insert a cart. However, keeping this pressed by using your finger, there is no power, yet release it, you then get power. So basically, on the JP Carts, etc, the groove is preset on all and when inserted fully, the plastic hinge has space for it fit in the groove of the cart but on the PAL and US versions, there is no space and the hinge is permanently pressed in.

 

Great news that you've fixed it!

Do you know what replacement diode I need to order (Watt/Amp etc) the bit I'm not looking forward to is opening the case to the Wondermega, I don't suppose there is any documentation on how to get to the area that diode sits in is there?

 

Forgot about that. JP MD1 won't power up with PAL and US carts either.
32X helps to some extent, it has the groove too.

 

Really? I have an original JP 60hz MD1 as well that accepts PAL and US carts.

 

The diode issue I had was that it was not supposed to be there in the location of where it was, as it was put there in purpose so it would not power up. I have some pics of the MB and the area of where it was located and will post them up soon.

 

K103 (Top-right of the DC line on the board ) was where the Diode was located underneath and de-soldered. Dont know what it was in watt/amp as it was not needed and was binned afterwards. Sorry no documentation, as I did not carry out the work years ago and the guy who did this, remembered from memory and just removed the diode from that location where the K103 point was on the DC line and did not explain anything else.

 

Thanks for the picture, so originally the diode wasn't there but he put it there to break the machine?

Or the diode was there originally but isn't required?

I'll open mine when I can have at least a whole day to work on this.

 

He was told by his boss at the time to unfix it, so he put a diode on it to stop the power going through. It was originally not there.

Hope you get your one fixed ,as its a really nice piece of a collectors item.

 

Just like to add that I can still ask for advice or further questions to the guy who fixed mine, if needed. He has years of electronics, engineering experience with all kinds of PCB's, etc.

 

Look for the phrase "cartridge lock" printed on it. If that's there, it was supposed to block them.