Sega Genesis Model 2 - Black Screen: Diagnosis and Fix

The game cartridge and slot are clean, so it is time for an investigation.
Music: "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 'Dream Pipe' OC ReMix"
Artist: DarkeSword

[@peterk1837]

Oh I see the problem. The owner used it as a soccer ball.

[@UR_behAviOr_iS_so_tch_hairband]

Thanks for the tip to move the cart a little. That worked. I'm having an old school game party in a few days and I was freaking out that it wasn't working. It's still a little temperamental but that's part of the classic gaming experience.

[@greenkoopa]

🙏 you saved a Sega Genesis this day, sir.

[@DisplacedGamers]

Game on!

[@casselfornia186]

Dude. Thank you. Had one lying around for some time which did not boot. I resoldered, inspected and did almost everything to fix it. Even replacing the cart connector. I gave up and stored it. Today I thought I'd check the RAM and all other ICs. Then I once again checked continuity on every trace of the cart connector... Guess what: exactly the same thing as you although I have a different revision: bloody a19... The via on top of the system was rotten away. Soldered a wire and it works again. Thank you very much! ☺️

[@DisplacedGamers]

Awesome!!!

[@Alina_The_Wolf]

Now time to fix my old dead Sega Genesis and play some Sonic 2

[@MattGoldey]

Thanks for making this video. I've got a model 2 that's used to work and has been sitting idle for some years and now it has this problem. Going to give the motherboard a close inspection this weekend using your video as a guide.

[@satwatchers]

Hey!!! Thank you! I pulled my original Sega Genesis from being in storage for 20 years and worked through your suggestions. It worked! With your advise and GREAT simple video I found it’s the cartridge slot port on the PC board. I wiggled the cartridge as you described and the game worked. Now I know where and what to fix. Thanks for saving my original Sega!!!!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 🙏

[@DisplacedGamers]

Great!

[@tinymanmyboy]

Just fixed my Sega Genesis 3 thanks to your suggestion on the corrosion problem and that was what the problem was there was corrosion in it I appreciate it man great video keep up the good work

[@Holty48]

Very interesting video. Well done diagnosing!

[@djhaloeight]

When you first flipped it over I was like “wtf is that bodge wire for??” I soon found out 😂 Nice repair. New sub, I like your videos.

[@sharkey086]

Having the BSOD with mine that's been in storage for some time. We got it used many years ago. I decided to clean it with isopropyl and qtips. The amounts of nicotine on the circuit board were disgusting. Didn't see any broken traces but didn't test power yet. Going to test it tomorrow, hoping for the best. Thanks for the video!

[@XeonProductions]

I just encountered this same problem on a genesis I bought to fix. It was B10. It's strange though, the trace going to the south of the via was fine, the trace heading north from the VIA was not getting a signal. I put in a wire from B10 to the VIA going to the processor on the underside. Following traces took way longer than it should, and my wire is currently holding on to the via with hopes and dreams. Thanks for making this video!

[@christiandugger110]

Thank you Bru I rlly predicate, W video

[@emmettturner9452]

I have a Model 1 that only cold boots. Once the console is warm you can cycle power and it will black screen. If you ran it longer it will have to sit and cool off longer before you can boot again. It doesn’t seem to be getting excessively hot and I’ve swapped tons of components with a known-good console. No dice.

[@waltercomunello121]

Same exact problem, trace from A8 to pin 166 of the VDP (VA13) was broken somehow. Wired it up, it works again!!

[@DisplacedGamers]

Yes!! Thanks for sharing. Another Sega lives!

[@doctersound9630]

💯 Worked for me! Cheers! 🥃

[@performa9523]

Many thanks! Got a couple "dead" machines working again. Seems the corrosion around the base of the cartridge port is a common issue.

[@drhidayath]

will 4.96 v on the output end of the voltage regulator be enough?

[@DisplacedGamers]

If you're under load and hitting 4.96, you should be OK.

[@drhidayath]

@@DisplacedGamers but I am getting black screen even after replacing the voltage regulator and the 220uf 16v cap below it, which was burst when I got the genesis

[@DisplacedGamers]

Wow. The 220uf had blown? Check your +5v line at the pins at the other ICs and make sure your power circuit near the voltage regulator looks OK. You may want to examine the service manuals out there for the model 2 so you can walk the components and keep track of where you are testing. Remember that in addition to the initial power output from the regulator, your cart slot (dirty, bad pin connection, hidden trace damage) and your AV port (loose/cracked solder joints) are suspect areas.

[@drhidayath]

@@DisplacedGamers kept the system on for a couple of minutes today. All the chips are warming up except for the vram chip right on the left hand side of the board. The traces look pristine . Reflowed the av port as well to no avail.

[@geoman845]

I have an odd black screen problem. When I power it up it makes a loud buzzing noise and you can see alternating green and black stripes. I checked the voltage regulator and the input leg was 10.2 and the output was 4.8. Should the regulator need to be replaced?

[@cristianmolina6889]

Did you get it to work??? i got one that only shows the sega enterprise words and then nothing.

[@JJHcars]

This video game me great guidance 🙏

[@catlover9593]

i have a problem. The sonic and knuckles (used) i purchased online wont boot past the Liscensed by screen. None of my other games do this. I cleaned the cart and all the contacts, reciever and givers, with isopropyl alcohol. i did not open them bc no tools what do

[@reel_images]

Are the power input pins on the sega chips always in the same spot? Example pin 1 on each chip? How do you know which ones to test with a Volt meter?

[@DisplacedGamers]

I would recommend console5.com's wiki for Genesis chips. You can use it as a reference - console5.com/wiki/Genesis

[@johneygd]

I bet am the only one who consider the genesis 2 model look more sleeker & sexier then the original.

[@EnzoMiata]

Does this work for the model 1 High definition Megadrive?? My megadrive's board has been tested, all capacitors, voltage regulators, switches and everything else have been tested yet it gives no signal. I am not using composite or av instead i am using a weird bunch of old adapters from the 90s to connect it to my tv. I dont know what these cables are as this megadrive was a hand down from a family member. i have a new power adapter. my power light wont turn on but it seems to be powered on, as i believe the light is just dead. i need help!!!!

[@seanpowers1906]

I have a model 2 Genesis. Used to boot up fine but games and console were dirty. i was running into a problem with the power port. the solder joint was cracked, i used a heat gun to heat it up and now it does not wiggle anymore. I booted it up and it was fixed. Then i took the console apart, cleaned inside and put it back together, and all I can get now is the black screen issue. very annoying. seems if I didn't try to clean it at all, it would still be working

[@sammy-ts3jh]

i cleaned the cartridge slot and the board but it still doesnt show anything. any fixes???

[@PresidentNathan]

My problem was that I disconnected the Sega from the back of my TV and put it back in (the ANT IN) and now it doesn't work.

[@andrewneal729]

What do u do if it fixes the black screen by moving cartridge

[@NarutoMakunouchi]

The problem with my original Genesis 2 MK-1613 is that while the Genesis on its own has a black screen output like this vid describes, when the Sega CD is attached, the Sega CD A/V output itself is fine 🤔

[@dominikinfante9002]

what did the led do to the person

[@maxrichards5925]

My pre modded model 2 isn’t showing any red but does have white. It’s quite odd, & hopefully maybe this guide can help. I’ll update you if this works or not 👍

[@Animositous]

how can i clean the corrosion off, I have pin that is corroded?

[@DisplacedGamers]

Hey Animositous. Sorry for taking awhile to respond. Have you tried to clean that pin yet? I would perhaps use something like isopropyl alcohol or contact cleaner and maybe a small brush. I would not recommend using something like brasso. Some people recommend fine grit sandpaper. If you go that route, be careful.

[@Animositous]

Displaced Gamers thanks for the tips. I actually did use a nail and fine grit sandpaper. Got most of the corrosion off and my MK1 games worked but now doesn’t work again so I’ll try alcohol to get the rest.

[@Kgregory18]

I've checked mine for corrosion, wiggled and cleaned the ports, havent seen any suspicious solder joints tested the regulator I has 11.9vdc and O has 4.9vdc, I'm not sure where on the chips to test, any other tips?

[@derekduso8387]

I'm late to the party but I have the genesis model 2 and bought a third party ac adaptor. The screen will still show black or sometimes play one game. I clean the system and cartridge but no progress. You think the ac adaptor is not powerful enough to run the system? 3rd party show 9v out and the OEM is 10v. Thanks.

[@utterlybrilliant]

Stupid question, but can you use a Sega Master System AC adapter for the Mega Drive 1?

[@RickyBoggs]

So, follow up... if we find that moving the game cart does work, but the second you let go of it, it freezes up, how do we fix that issue? Is this normally something cleaning will fix or maybe a bent pin??

[@recklesflam1ngo968]

I have a model 2 mega drive (pal), the screen is offset to the left leaving a black bar on the rightside and cutting off a bit on the left, changing tv settings on multiple monitors doesnt help, and the bottom of the screen often has a jarbled vhs appearance about 10pixels high, and the sound quality is more muted than what I know it should sound like, I hear thats just often an issue with no2 models though

[@Lilithe]

Sounds like a candidate for a recap, but don't take my word for it.

[@intbn]

@Displaced Gamers: Mine goes dark a few seconds after I plug it in, before that, it's perfect, tried a second SCART, same problem, tried a second TV, same again, the cables not broke, TV configuration is all default, tried game mode and natural etc, made no difference, I'm in Ireland (EU), it's a Mk 1 PAL-I "High definition graphics - stereo sound" 1600-05 model Do you or anyone know what the problem/fix is?

[@josephabbott1317]

So I have the model one and is this the model onea classic whatever.

[@josephabbott1317]

Ok

[@Lucasproduccionesfr]

Mine Sega Genesis model 2 works but it has a pixelated/static screen. I dont know how to fix it. Any advise?

[@raylyd]

That would be bad vram or a bad vdp sega 315 ic

[@briantodd7449]

Here is the only thing fixed my problem (black screen) I had to insert my cartridge with both hands on the top sides/outer edges and bam works 100%...crazy but try it 😀

[@MrJonnyPepper]

Yeah I'm not doing that

[@matthawkins9983]

Thanks brother. I’ll give another inspection and cleaning 🧼 ✌🏼. Wish me luck I’ll need it 😄