How to Fix / Calibrate Your Sega Dreamcast

[@driver8sk]

Thank you! You're the first video I found that wasn't blurry and/or didn't have music cranked during the explanation.

[@cannabisanomaly]

MY DUDE I FUCKING LOVE YOU, HOLY SHIT. YOU SOLVED A DECADES LONG PROBLEM OF MINE AND I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU AND WOULD LITERALLY WORSHIP YOU FOR SOLVING A DRAWN OUT, POINT OF CONTENTION IN MY LIFE

[@Rmoore08]

Here in 2020 saying thank you for posting this 8 years ago. Worked the first time!

[@sirmegallot]

thank you for your video! my dreamcast was very finicky and would either not read games from the get-go, or read them initially and then crap out at some point and return me to the home menu. it took 5 or 6 times, but I adjusted the pentameter jussst so slightly to the right and so far so good! what a joy it was to put blue stinger back in and start playing! great video

[@derekwashuck7691]

sirmegallot it's potentiometer or variable resistor .

[@Athanew456]

Hey man, thanks for the video. I finally was able to purchase a DC to replace the one that was stolen 20 years ago and this video fixed my issue. Appreciate it!

[@Necrotura]

Just bought my first ever dreamcast and some games did not start. Problem solved thanks to you!

[@shinobusensui9189]

worked perfectly thank you this is the only tutorial to actually produce a result right on man

[@sylvur]

You fixed my Dreamcast! Thank you sooooooooooo much! No wonder people say this is the greatest Sega console (Some even clain greatest console ever!). It's so easy to open up and by simply re-calibrating the laser it works right away! If only newer consoles were like this.

[@Technolocaust]

COOL! Glad i could help!

[@show-me-retro]

Great video. Worked first time. I had done this years ago but forgot how and I guess it needed a tweak. Soul Caliber hasn't loaded in years, working perfect now. Thx bro

[@YahooChat2011]

Technolocaust... Bless your heart man. I thought there was no hope for this used Dreamcast I got for $50.00 with games on Amazon, but thanks to you. It works like new. I've never done anything like this. So I didn't think it would work. But within 5 minutes. I got it to work. Thanks again Technolocaust!

[@cieuxlux9617]

This worked for me; thank you very much bought a used dreamcast for 60$ that was hardly used but I guess the diode lost some of it's charge over the years -- needed a little boost to continually play discs. it would read the disc and I could play, but eventually it would stop.

[@CAL14AngelsPRO]

Just want to say a big thank you. It took me several tries to get the clock in the right position but it works now!

[@Technolocaust]

You're welcome, so glad this is helping people. I'm going start posting more videos soon!

[@piramaniak]

Great tutorial, worked first time! DC was reading some disks but soul calibre didnt wanna know. 5min adjustment and its fixed! Cheers from England!

[@Technolocaust]

Thank you!!

[@piramaniak]

Update: The DC still runs all my other games but Soul Calibur runs for a good 20mins but then will eventually freeze. I then repeat the laser adjustment and it again runs until eventually freezing. Do i just need to repeat the adjustment process until I have it exactly right?

[@Technolocaust]

hard to say since others are working.. is it a back up from an ISO ? If so and you have another Disc, maybe burn it again at x1 speed. I've had some burns that just don't work right.

[@MrTylerb22]

I just tried this on my old Dreamcast and it WORKED! Now I can save my good one and use the old one. Thank you so much!

[@marioadinata67]

Fixed mine. Already saw this trick on a website. But its nice to see it live. Thanks a bunch man. Shenmue time... =)

[@Technolocaust]

WAHOO! I wish I still had my copy of Shenmue .. I was happy and Sad when I beat it.

[@DJ239]

Thank you! My Dreamcast would always read discs but it would only work on the 2nd or 3rd try never the first, now it loads right up.

[@QbidMusicandMore]

Awesome man. I bought a Dreamcast last weekend for $10 at a Swap and shop. Just the system and a/v and power cords. I just got the 2 controllers and a game for it today that I ordered off of ebay. Plugged it in and it wasn't working. I knew it would be an easy fix, but I didn't know it would be this easy. Thanks for the help. I've never played a Dreamcast before. This system seems Super high quality especially compared to our Xbox 360. I think that once I get some 4 player games and 2 more controllers that 360 will start being nothing but a dust collector. Seems to me that the Dreamcast games are more fun (judging by the videos here.)

[@Technolocaust]

QbidMusicandMore Dream Cast ROCKS for 1998 it's super impressive, as you can tell i'm a huge fan. If you like Shooters check out a game called -> ikaruga it's fantastic on this system

[@ba11ard]

Awesome, thank you for this. I've been wanting to play my Dreamcast lately, but it hasn't worked in years. It works like new now.

[@anorexicbeats2090]

Thank you so much man, I've been wondering why one of my games weren't working. Appreciate the help!

[@howardjonesjr7388]

I used a screwdriver from a tech deck to adjust the calibration screw. Worked fine.

[@BlackCat379]

Thank you for your video. I was able to fix my Dreamcast by following your steps.

[@Technolocaust]

COOl!!! Always good to know I helped someone! Thx for watching!

[@strangevision99]

Going to try this tomorrow, it might just get my Dreamcast playing Soul Calibur again.

[@SuperBlankTube]

I don't know how to think you kind sir. You saved my Dreamcast.

[@xvxThexShadowxvx]

Thank you! I bought Sonic Adventure 1 and it began to read and then it would boot me back to the system menu and try again. The game had some scratches so I assumed it was the game and I was gonna return it but then I tried Mortal Kombat and that worked before and it was now doing what SA was doing. I figured it was my system so I traded in my cables and bought another one where I work. I got further in SA and then it just kicked me out again. So I found you video and tried it on my old DC that wouldn't really read SA at all and at first it made it worse but I adjusted the screw again since like you said it needs some tweaking and with the 2nd adjustment it let me into the game and everything. I couldn't try it for long since I had to keep holding down the door button to keep the game spinning and trying to play one handed isn't fun lol but as I said it looks like it's working. I'm just bummed I spent $40 on another one before finding out about this but I guess it's a good thing since I have one to test it on in the event I broke it or something. I just wanted to say thanks and now I can play some Sonic Adventure! :)

[@Technolocaust]

xvxThexShadowxvx VERY COOL!!! WAHOOO

[@SpudCommando]

I can't thank you enough man, you helped me saved my Dreamcast's life!

[@Technolocaust]

You are welcome, glad I could help

[@Pixelith]

I know this video is a little old, but I just wanna let you guys know that Walgreens sells a "toolkit" that consists of tiny screwdrivers and stuff like that. The smallest flathead in the bunch works great for twisting the laser piece.

[@davidmacias1270]

Thanks for the monotone 👍🙏

[@leechapman76]

Cool. My spare DC is 'spare' as it wasn't reading all discs. I'll give this a go.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

Hey Man, how many times have you had to do this since making this video? One of my dreamcast systems is currently bugging out playing a purchased version of Shenmue 2 and i'm trying to figure out what i should do to fix this dreamcast. It looks like this may be the solution but currently the game loads and everything (at least after i put in my code breaker disc to get past the region PAL code). I wonder if doing this would also let my other two dreamcast systems read my codebreaker disc.

[@Technolocaust]

BillyTheBigDeal HUm.. once I did this fix it stays fixed .. I have two that I use from time to time and they still work.... but I will have to say I've not used a Codebreaker disc

[@Technolocaust]

Thx for all the kind words, glad i could help everyone.. i would respond but GOOGLE/ KZbin has really messed the interface up... guhhhh

[@PowerUpJay]

Thanks for the video! I have two Dreamcast's that won't read Plasma Sword or Sword of the Berserk. I'll try this out today. Subscribed!

[@jonathancollins2397]

Would this work for a 360, maybe?

[@jasonlipscomb123]

it didn't fix myn but thank you man other people have fixed there dc I bought myn on eBay and got it a week ago and I was so upset I paid 50$ for it . I'll keep trying until I fix it and I will never give up :)

[@Technolocaust]

Dude sorry to hear it did not fix it :( 50 bucks is alot to be out of for a non working DC.. hold on to it.. I think people are making SD ROM hacks.. might be an option down the road for you.

[@aidanrosenberg3513]

I bought a untested system off eBay for a great deal and found out that the laser guide rail had popped out of place and it didn't read disks, I then tried your method and it worked great. during the adjustment process, I bent the screw enough that it had popped off. I still needed to adjust it more and needed to use my finger nail on the tiny prongs that held the screw and a keen eye to get the job done. It took me 2 1/2 hours to do a 5 -10 minute fix. I finally got it adjusted correctly but just curious, do I ever need to adjust it again over time?

[@Technolocaust]

Congrats! glad to help, Mine has stayed now for years with out any issues

[@jinip7041]

Thanks dude! You save my dreamcast!

[@Technolocaust]

Glad i can help

[@DanBraithwaite]

Worked a treat! Cheers.

[@Technolocaust]

Dan Braithwaite Great!!! Enjoy

[@shockwav3xx]

mine is running worse than before after trying to calibrate the laser....at first just didnt work at all,then tried to restore the previous setting..

[@InsaneRyu]

It worked! Thanx from Brazil ^^

[@AdamKoralik]

Hey, I was going to approve this but it seems you removed the request. KZbin only allows you to make a video a response to one other video. So, if you choose to keep it as a response to one of mine, let me know. If not, that's fine too. Good job by the way.

[@Arbteron]

Why am I not surprised to see you here

[@Technolocaust]

That's correct I posted to alot of the Vids I watched on the DC. Thank you!

[@novadeus777]

Thanks! That did the trick

[@Mariozzo2]

Hi my dreamcast will not read Code Veronica disc 2, just disc 1 and all other game I have. The disc have no marks. I have tried to adjust the laser as in the video. But still does not work, any tips ?

[@playzy546]

thank you very much for your help its like a new one.

[@Technolocaust]

SWEET! glad to help

[@Technolocaust]

***** Yes it's kinda finicky, just a hair off and it might have issues. Sometimes backups have more issues loading. Its a trail and error thing, sometimes it's easy other times takes alot of testing. But its usually just a small turn that will do it.

[@daamazinfatb0y752]

Nice tutorial, gonna give it a fo soon.

[@Technolocaust]

Thank you!

[@Tye2K]

Am I just better off getting a GD EMU....

[@Emceemur]

The top piece that looks like the shallow philips head just lifts off. The piece underneath is microscopic. So no idea what you did there.

[@CMAFRESH]

Does this work?

[@claytonwinter374]

bout to give this try. here's hopin

[@YellowYoshi398]

subscribed for the name Technolocaust

[@Emceemur]

Oh and by the way, I am a Sega fan. But the Dreamcast is the biggest piece of shit system out there second only to the Jaguar. I've been through 5 of em.

[@topsyandpip56]

He sent me a request too, and I was planning on accepting. Nice job anyway ;)

[@aeris2001]

Not as easy as it looks, I bent the thing all out of shape because its very tiny so its very hard to clap onto.

[@notyobusiness7054]

Nigga this shit actually worked I took the ribbon out tho on accident cause I was rushing ahead lmao it was a bitch to get back in but after I did, i put it all back down and it ran first try

[@LuSanification]

I need a litle help in something I wanna try, I already tried to turn the laser screw 2 times without any luck, problem is no matter how small a screwdriver is or even a tweezer is, I never get to turn the damn screw, plus I swere that it never moved an inch and I think I may have damaged it a little bit while trying but it's not anything special as far as I know, still any suggestion on how to do it better? I'll also remind that I have a PAL model, so it has diferent components from the north american dreamcasts. Unfotunetly most repair videos out there are from NTSC machines and even on ost websites it is the same thing.

[@NIN309]

Is this gonna damage the lens in the long run ?

[@ChrisGhysel]

+saeed alsuwaidi The lower the resistance, the faster it'll burn out. But a fast burning lens is better than one not working... ;)

[@Cesargd]

Hi, i have a Dreamcast that can read japanese games too and it's been like 6 years since the last time i used it. I calibrated the laser just like you did in your video, it worked at first, but after a couple of minutes of play the laser started to make strange noises and then it stopped to read the game. Should i try to calibrate it again or does it mean that the laser it's broken and i should replace it for a new one?

[@Technolocaust]

i would keep tring. It sometimes takes awhile to get it just right. Make sure it works with original discs, burnt and imports before you put the screws back in ;) its not always so easy and like i said turn the screw just a bit each time you test. good luck

[@Cesargd]

Thanks man. I kept trying to calibrate it and when it started to read the games i tested it for an hour with different games before i put the screws back. Now it's working fine. Thanks a lot for your video tutorial.

[@Mugiwara1]

Do you know why my backups always have long loading times? Sometimes it even doesn't load the terrain in time. any ideas?

[@AnonYmous-si6nj]

Many backup game ISOs available on the internet have been altered to fit high capacity GD-ROM images on regular 700mb CDs. In order to achieve this, data has to be decompressed while the game is being played, so you may experience longer loading times, frequent pauses, and even missing texture data during gameplay.

[@KeoniMarques]

Wtf model 2 dreamcast can't play back ups

[@based_will]

Gosh, just a decade ago you could get these on eBay for $20 😂 just paid $120 for mine with 2 controllers and a VMU. Watching this video because one of the games I got won’t read…

[@cannabisanomaly]

Did it end up working after following this video's instructions?

[@AdamKoralik]

I think he just didn't know you can't post the same video as a response multiple times.

[@Emceemur]

The red thing doesn't turn. It breaks. But it doesn't turn.

[@TheBzg07]

I've bought 2 broken dreamcast that where listed as working and they both have different problems. One can't read discs or the disc motor is broken and the others 1 a controller ports dont work on all the games and some games don't work period.

[@Technolocaust]

Thanks!

[@Technolocaust]

YahooChat2011 Thanks! glad i could help!

[@Badassmutha100]

Somebody please reply. I bought my Dreamcast couple of months along with three games, Soul Reaver, Resident Evil Code Veronica, and House of The Dead. All perfect condition, all of them tested and working fine. Until yesterday I tried to play Soul Reaver and it didn't work. It seems to start up with the Sega logo but takes me to the starting screen. Resident Evil and House of The dead work just fine. Is it my disc that's busted or the system. Need help.

[@carlosperezalvare2056]

Badassmutha100 I have the same problem with an original 18 Wheeler PRO. The disc seems to be almost new. It worked the first time, but after this time it does not run anymore. Only to the SAGE logo. Have you been able to fix your problem?

[@Badassmutha100]

No. I bought a new Sega Dreamcast and it runs Soul Reaver just fine! But I recently picked up Gta 2 for the Dreamcast. Looks pretty good, only MINOR scuffs. And that game didn't work. Man! I really wanted to play that game. Well let me know if you figure anything out! Thanks!

[@foxbeachner9392]

I have a problem were it turns on but there's no sound or screen

[@Technolocaust]

Could be some damage on your DC, but it really could be you're AV cable. Make sure your connection to the DC is very tight.. I have a few cables, so when one was bad i was able to swap out one and have success.

[@scottdavies562]

thanks man....

[@Technolocaust]

Anytime! Glad to help! sorry for the late replay

[@scottdavies562]

cool thanks again

[@tonotonito9956]

Yes

[@MobileDecay]

Thank you emulators! No more of this non working bullshit fix!

[@ciel2226]

+MobileDecay Emulators do not function the same way, nor does it have nostalgic purposes

[@MobileDecay]

ciel222 Yeah but I can actually play my games. I ditched 5 Dreamcast consoles because of this issue. The only way I was ever able to play dc games in recent times is through emulation and ports.

[@unchi1999]

@@ciel2226 Not only that but it makes you look nervous especially you playing a game in front of a computer screen and a keyboard and mouse to the point where it makes you too embarrassed play.

[@tavius88]

I’ve been trying this for over an hour and nothing

[@joanilsonsantos1983]

Looked so easy... I did it a whole morning and nothing.

[@ottosantiagolassus]

We need to have a heart to heart with the Chinese...... we need a Dreamcast nock off PRONTO!!😵

[@PrinceValmont]

I'm pretty sure I just saw a ghost orb @ 3:37

[@YabaiModding]

Jesus christ, use a potentiometer. You do this blindly and may burn out the laser.

[@ShinAkuma21]

mines just came off completely lol

[@PrinceValmont]

Another orb @ 4:54

[@shinypokes7321]

my dreamcast broke the tape went out oh well its my fault but i'll just buy a new one

[@Technolocaust]

Nope i did this video to waste peoples time, I staged it all.

[@Technolocaust]

+D00MEDST Thanks!

[@Technolocaust]

Anytime!

[@jasonlipscomb123]

Some one named george winert scammed me I got his address to thats why u never throw away boxes

[@Technolocaust]

I've had non working things from Ebay, and if they state it is working then you may be able to put in a complaint / case with Ebay and get your $ back. If Amazon i'm sure the same thing...

[@MsZoltannagy]

Pff, hanyag munka no multimeter? Ddddd

[@user-w8jhtre23]

Thanks!

[@Technolocaust]

You're welcome! Glad this helps