Sega CD Refurbish - Sega CD Won't Turn On - Fixing eBay Junk

Somebody sent me two Sega CDs to try and fix. This one is getting a full refurbish. Power Fuse, new Save Battery, New Capacitors, New Drive Belt, plus I had to repair a few other things.
Want to buy me a beer? Or a broken console? Hit up the donate link (But only if you want, don't feel obligated). www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Thanks for watching

[@redsyrup1138]

It's refreshing to watch someone point out there own mistakes and show how they work through problems. Unlike a few other popular SMC repair channels. Thanks for sharing!

[@RetroRepairs]

If I'm going to make mistakes, id rather someone be able to learn from it. I hate looking up videos and they skip the part i actually needed.

[@HakureiReimuOfficial]

Seriously, most channels make everything look so easy that when I go try the same and it doesn't go quite as well I get concerned. It's refreshing and enlightening to see what can actually go wrong and how to go about making it right.

[@eduardobronson8653]

you prolly dont care but does anybody know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my account password. I love any tips you can give me.

[@joaquinjosue8659]

@Eduardo Bronson Instablaster =)

[@eduardobronson8653]

@Joaquin Josue i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@Dastivus]

Only at the 15 minute mark and excited to see how it all turns out but I felt the desire to say your videos are always informative, relaxing and satisfying. Keep up the great work.

[@talclipse]

For anyone in the future.the reason that drive is auto ejecting and the red light keep blinking and over all acting silly ECT it's because the drive grears arent in alinement. Plastic gears don't need any lube! And the belt can be replaced by simply turning the system on,ejecting the tray,unplug the power cord then sliding the tray in A bit and with some tweezers or a hook remove old belt and Install new one. The gears can be a pita to get back in alinement if your aren't familiar with the mechanism SO DON'T TAKE THE TRAY OUT!!! all of that work you did to the tray only caused more problems for yourself.

[@GGigabiteM]

The most common killer of Genesis / Sega CD consoles is either the wrong power adapter, or the original power adapter has volt drifted out of spec. Back in the early 90s, wall warts with barrel type power connectors were most commonly center negative with the outside barrel being positive. Towards the mid to late 90s though, this changed and devices started to use barrel connectors which are center positive and the outer barrel is negative. If you plug one of these into your Genesis/CD, it's going to go bang and you'll have a mess on your hands. The other killer is ironically the original power adapters that shipped with these systems. Unlike switching regulator power adapters of today, the power adapters that shipped with these systems were of the unregulated linear type. Unregulated linear regulators are basically a step down transformer, a bridge rectifier and a filtering capacitor, and over time the internal heat and vibration of the transformer will start to damage the varnish on the copper windings. When the windings eventually short together, the output voltage creeps up and eventually will go out of spec. My original Genesis wall warts which originally put out ~9V DC now put out around 14.7v, far out of spec. When you plug them into a Genesis console, it may work for a few minutes, but once the LM7805 voltage regulators start cooking, the console will start acting erratically. Before you plug a power adapter into your Genesis / Sega CD / 32x, make sure the polarity is correct (Center negative, outside positive) and that the voltage is anywhere from 7-9V DC. The lower the voltage, the cooler the voltage regulators will run because they burn less current as waste heat.

[@_SixthDay_]

Dude your an inspiration. Watching these really give me confidence to fix my own electronics.

[@johnfromtalla]

Try using an ice cube tray to organize your screws, changing compartment with each layer you remove. I get them at my local dollar store. Love you channel, you do great work. Also have you heard of Wera tools? You use enough hand tools you deserve something nice!

[@REBELsst]

good info. Ive refreshed dozens of these. I flipped then for a bit of profit to build my collection. in doing as many as i have, i found 2 things. 1. you MUST align the tray so that the laser bed and tray are synced such that the laser is fully up when the tray is in. on the flip side, the laser bed is fully down when the tray goes to move out. If that is off, the laser will not be in the ideal position to read the disk, spitting it back out. with an older (weak) laser, this is more of an issue. 2. the new belts are a bit too tight IMO. I stretch then just a bit and it seems they work much better! Bonus point. I also TAPE the weight (resistor) around the ribbon cables to the bottom of the shell. I also tape the ribbon cables into the sockets. %85 percent of the "broken" Sega CDs i got had disconnected ribbon cables. the weight pulls on the cable, disconnecting it when its moved a lot like shipping through the mail... or dropped off a shelf. The JVC made units were WAY more reliable. I had one that still worked with a cracked gear and broken tray. It probably fell with the tray open. Also, the JVC units are exceedingly rare. something like 1 of those for every 500 of the Sega made ones. If you want to check my channel for the tray alignment, i have a video about it as well as other repairs on these. Nice vid! subscribed!

[@albertonunez7681]

Love your videos man. Very entertaining and educational at the same time 🙂

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

10:22 I was waiting for that the whole time.

[@davidpaul1575]

Good video bud. I'll be doing mine soon and had never really looked at the board before.

[@missionpassed4584]

If i had the money and balls I'd open game stores that actually sell recreated older game consoles and the games all new in box but upgraded for modern tv systems and i don't mean classic mini, full sized, so when you go in you have wall to wall boxed Nintendo, Snes, master systems, mega drives boxed with original art and the games the same, last time I stepped into a store like that was back in early 90s never realised id miss that so much.

[@mjollyakaweedwhat]

There is a store in La Porte, TX called Game Bros. Very similar to what you're describing.

[@cacadodo666]

I’ve always had a mixed feeling of awe and disappointment with the model 1. Awe at the futuristic and complex look of the add on stack but disappointed at it’s finicky design that wasnt ment to remain unserviced for too long.

[@joshrobinson856]

I have ordered a couple NES toaster cap kits from console5. Was impressed with shipping speed.

[@savingstumps]

I've had one for 25 years. I have no idea if mine even works anymore. I don't have any cables for it anymore to even try it out. Nice to see one working again though.

[@AmpliFreQuency]

Now I want a Fireball 😍 I haven't had one in years!

[@jaimeeedwards6121]

I would have been interested in ordering from that company if they even had what I’m needing right now. Right now I’m repairing a Neo Geo pocket color, which unfortunately I’m having to source the resistors and everything. Found a couple in the power circuit that are way off and causing it issues turning on.

[@user-xn3kt6bn5r]

Man this video is such a fount of knowledge. Thank You!

[@pissmilker2313]

Don't push on the laser gantry. Even though it has a cover it might bend and limit the focus and tracking adjustment movement of the lens.

[@Nanotronik78]

Good work! I have now working in this model to fix this fail... I have any hours to complete😅

[@jpa5456]

35:36 after all that work "Ok so the moment of truth" loud buzzing noise...

[@KevinTwiner]

Awesome 👏 thanks so much 🤩🙏

[@iliariano3126]

I hope this video will help me. My Sega Mega CD 1 doesn't turn on anymore.

[@MCBatty80]

At 34:45 were you supposed to tension up the spring to reduce slop on the track? noted that it has two separate rows of teeth at 33:46.

[@dusvaleo73]

Beautiful solder iron!!! i use a similar ones to solder the drainage channel of my house roof! OMG!

[@tugsman5]

My drive was going in and out fine, but you said it'd be easier to get to that switch underneath with it out (it doesn't matter either way) and now NO MATTER WHAT I DO, my drive WILL not come in or out when the systems on. Sick, now it's more broke than before.

[@dogeymon83]

That piece is from the side. It holds the sound mixing cable in place so it’s not sticking out

[@mikemissesthefairway]

I recommend a set of desoldering needles. They make quick work of removing through hole components like that blown fuse.

[@nalinux]

Or just grad it with pliers from the other side :)

[@mikemissesthefairway]

@@nalinux That works, too, of course.

[@Retrobution]

My Mega CD has this strange issue where it all works fine, reads the disc.. but.. the sega logo comes up and then it all freezes and just stays on the sega logo. I can go into the menu to play the music from the cd just fine, but going into the game even from this menu freezes at the sega logo!

[@ChaosStep]

8:04 C22 on the underside burnt on mine, like looks like it caught fire at some point. What is that and is it replaceable?

[@MrMurdock2021]

C50 cap wasn't installed hope this helps

[@UltimoGuitarist2]

He's right. C50 was left bare good sir. Missing a cap.

[@JamesRichardsPlays]

Wow. 3 years late to the party. I blame KZbin. Actually, it is in my suggestion feed so... This would have been helpful way back when I had one. I traded it for the Mark II that fit my Genesis better. Looks really weird when you plop a Mark II on a Mark I CD! XD Good to watch still. And your mistake admittances, I love it. Not many do that. I am getting into retro consoles, try to recapture my youth. SEGA CD might be one of them, or just go the emu rout on the 'uber' XBox I am working on. EDIT And remember, kids; use Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to neutralize cap damage before installing new caps. I think that might be the only critique I have on this video.

[@charlysairandil2813]

How much do you charge to repair? I have an old Sega cd model 1 from when i was a kid that won't power on, I have a working Genesis model 1 but can't get power to the cd at all. Thanks!

[@cyclops8238]

I was always told that a Sega CD was usually really slow but the particular one that you have seems to boot really fast

[@Tyantreides]

what kind of grease you used to grind the gears?

[@stephenhoderny]

Good video,,I think there is a old Luke Morse video that show this same mechanism.

[@DougSayers]

I opened up my Sega CD 1 and the big black gear is totally missing. Where can I find one to buy?

[@revup67]

Top notch Video - many thanks. worked with Luke at Console 5 - great service, great web site. New 9V adapter works flawless. still no power to Sega CD and F1 Fuse tested fine with meter. Checked for bent pins and used CRC at Console to CD connection point, still no success. Anyone have other ideas would be appreciated.

[@jimmiejones8576]

Nice job, I did a repair last week and lifted a couple of pads because of leaking surface mount capacitors.

[@RetroRepairs]

Luckily the important part of it remained so i didnt have to try and run it to an ic or via somewhere, but leaky smd caps are a pain.one was so bad i could barely even heat up the solder, it was just caked with dry fluid

[@RetroRepairs]

Did you check the fuse?

[@RetroRepairs]

Do the leds on the front light up? If not, you might need to trace the whole power circuit. Could be a bad trace along that circuit

[@RetroRepairs]

Also check that your caps have correct polarity if you replaced them

[@RetroRepairs]

Possibly even the ribbon cable. Inspect for damage and made sure it's not in backwards

[@TerrorTales4271998]

love the videos brotha, may i ask how old you are @retrorepairs

[@RetroRepairs]

30

[@DanRamosDR]

Still have mine. Still works fine! :)

[@Rezigunn]

I've been trying to get mine working I've replaced the fuse and inspected the caps, currently no swelling or leaking, but here's my problem when I turn it on nothing happens with the system but whatever power supply I put in, obviously oem, it gets super hot and one has actually blown up on me. Any ideas?

[@bassarpeggio5648]

Sounds like a short. Recheck all your connections.

[@stonerdemon]

Great video, I stayed the whole hour!

[@TheGeokaiser]

were did u get the battery holder? i cant find it anywhere?

[@Echo3_]

what tool kit is that with the matching drivers and spudgers?

[@TheCoolDave]

Ah, F1... Thank you so much. I reversed polarity by mistake (building a 3 way plug), and it wont boot... I checked the F1 and it is poped... Going to order one now... My child hood Sega system ! Also, Console5 rocks for this type of stuff, ordered a ton of things in the past.

[@Fmankiller]

"Hint hint maybe" like a girl playing with her hair when she's on a date :3

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

Ive never seen anyone struggle so hard with de-soldering a thru hole fuse. Just melt the solder on one side pull the component thru the hole and do the same on the other end of the fuse. It shouldn't take more than a minute. One the component is free you can clean the via's with solder wick.

[@nooby051]

Hello , i change condo on main board but always bad sound. Can you help me ? Thanks

[@fortitude9932]

I have 5 of Sega CD model 1 how much to fix them? 😥 help

[@deakon8186]

Great informative vid. Thank you. You could have made the battery and cap change a separate vid.

[@RetroRepairs]

Ive done that already for a different system. Since this was a repair for someone, i wanted to document the entire repair for their benefit. Unfortunately it runs kind of long, but I've got about 7 packages to unbox soon that will result in some shorter videos soon

[@deakon8186]

@@RetroRepairs I just finished watching and caught that last bit aboot the repair. Makes sense! You are def inspiring me to tackle things like this. Thanks!

[@GDkitty]

Deakon, he has been a great inspiration and source of knowledge! Since watching his stuff have tackled simple things like game battery replacement, to bigger jobs like minor refurb and replacements! I just did power port swaps on two snes’s just last week and brought them back to life! As well as basic work on a few others.

[@Gytek7]

Great Video! How did you delsolder the leaking capacitors?

[@RetroRepairs]

Check out this video i made a while ago. It documents the process in more detail

[@Gytek7]

@@RetroRepairs I will! Thank you! :)

[@RetroRepairs]

I meant to post the link, sorry kzbin.info/www/bejne/moqtcnuCiMhsnLc

[@RazorEdgeBullie]

If in the future I would like to send you a sega cd model 1 for repair, how would I get in contact with you for payment and shipping info?

[@neonnxs2737]

With the glue instead of melting the plastic a bit try getting a file and making the two contact surfaces a little corse so the glue has something to grip to

[@xancou1]

I have been searching high and low for another model 1 that actually works for a fair price. SEGA CD is my favorite peripheral of all time, and I just like the looks of the model 1 way more than the side pop top model 2.

[@elcheapouno]

Not trying to knock on you in any kind of way, but I noticed after you swapped the drives from the supposed good unit into the one that was giving you trouble in the very beginning it grinded as well. So it looks like you have two drives that are grinding gears

[@RetroRepairs]

I thought that at first, but some further tattooing and it hasnt done it again. I think it did it once to align itself, but seems good once it goes through an open and close cycle

[@OdionProductions]

I have a cdx but the cd motor doesn’t spin anymore. Do you know where I can buy a replacement motor

[@RetroRepairs]

No, I've never worked on a cdx, but my understanding is parts are hard to find and difficult to replace

[@Saff314]

Is it possible to source new flat ribbon cables for these?

[@RetroRepairs]

I would imagine so, just not sure where

[@andrewerntell4775]

I wonder why you used contact cement instead of superglue? I would have used superglue, coated with baking soda. Forms a bond harder than superglue alone and is virtually indestructable in the situation where you glued. I have never had a part re-break using this method. A lot safer than melting parts together.

[@pizzalord3n]

Plastic glue is far more superior in that matter. It actually fuses the two parts together.

[@corey2599]

You missed installing a new capacitor at C50, you can see the pads are tinned but no cap at 52:00

[@RetroRepairs]

Yeah, i actually just noticed that yesterday. Interestingly c50 seems to connect to a missing ic13, so I'm not sure what purpose it actually serves. I've since fixed that though.

[@drnod4779]

that spongebob pen tho

[@intel386DX]

I replaced the caps ,but still freeze on BIOS screen :(

[@princevinny0073]

did u get to keep the sega saturn for yourself or u had to give it to them ?

[@casaborg]

What grease did you use thank

[@bretv6041]

What is the fuse size?

[@antoniopupa4596]

HELLO, MY SEGA MEGA CD 1 READS THE AUDIO CDS BUT NOT THE GAMES. CAN YOU HELP ME

[@cesargarza4560]

I love your videos did you go to School for this?

[@RetroRepairs]

Nope, just like tinkering

[@bbz149]

I just bought 2 ill be recapping with Surface mount non leak Caps, both Fuses also blown, so ill be replacing those with 1.5A relf resetting Fuses!

[@gitgood2595]

I recently got a model 1 and when i turn it on the tray opens by itself and the lights dont turn on? Could that be fuse as well or something else?

[@cyo_corner]

if it was the fuse it wouldn't be turning on at all. If you want, record a video of the entire process and I can give my best advice.

[@gitgood2595]

@@cyo_corner thanks i will do that, greatly appreciated.

[@kevinkeating9090]

Anyone know where I can get one of these? I have wanted one since I was a kid but we were so poor we could not even afford food. I remember hearing other kids talking about these. And I told myself I will get one some day. Thank for the video.

[@c08o.prkiua46]

WHOA WHOA WHOA ...Whoa. You mean to tell me that someone found these at a GOODWILL!?! WHAT!?!

[@RetroRepairs]

That's what i was told

[@2004RADMAN]

Even LGR has found game systems at Good Will.

[@inuaku]

Man I really want to get a SegaCD but every time I search for a Model 1 its always 200 to 300 dollars and thats when it is BROKEN like if its broken couldnt it be like idk a TON CHEAPER :( Hell i dont mind that it be broken because id be down to fix it but man

[@tugsman5]

wtf, mine makes that awful buzzing sounds also, but it won't read a disc

[@ionslicer]

Where can I get a drive belt?

[@RetroRepairs]

I believe i ordered mine from console5.com

[@drewfranklinaustin]

I'm no expert but it looks like to me either the sega technician or more likely a previous owner was using the bodge wire to create a sound isolator to remove static from the audio I'm betting the components they connected it to has ferrite in it

[@RetroRepairs]

Sega seems to have lots of jumpers added after production, so you could be right

[@Rezigunn]

I realize it's a longshot but you wouldn't by chance happen to have a spare faceplate for the model 1 would you?

[@RetroRepairs]

I do not

[@Rezigunn]

@@RetroRepairs figured that's fine man any idea where I might be able to find one?

[@GueroMane]

Would u be willing to fix another one for my collection

[@kennethbritt3015]

Nice. Wish i could find a deal one one on ebay..

[@lonniehowell2360]

Lithium grease should not be used on plastics. It is for metal on metal contact. Silicone grease should be used wherever plastics are involved.

[@Popclone]

Have you tried turning it on and off ?

[@XenonXyanide]

"It's bone time" ;)

[@arthurcollector4002]

mega cds 1 has socket bios, sega cd 1 doesnt

[@RetroRepairs]

Good to know. The other one i just opened has a socket and non sega bios, but it's a Sega cd. Should have that video up in a few days hopefully

[@tugsman5]

Fuck this, I didn't need to take the tray out, could reach the piece with it open...now no matter what I do the disc tray won't open and the gear only turns part of the time like the teeth aren't in the right spot

[@kennethconnors5316]

I spent 38 years doing board level repair ..........could not finish watching way to much time replecating factory ,,

[@tyriedle2658]

Your good dude.

[@SionynJones]

I've always wanted one. I bought a new megadrive a few few years ago after my dad threw away a megadrive 2 no big loss and snes and rare players guide super metroid big loss. I scored a MK1 High Definition graphics non tmss for 35 quid he screw me over not including sonic 2 but he did case :D. But 35 quid those that extremely good deal for a rare MK1 megadrive. I've always wanted a megacd it will go very MK1. But very cautious especially with optical drive consoles. I mean cartridge consoles are bullet proof. CD mechs not so much.

[@Dessan01]

Sionyn Jones Same mate, but not to worry, the Mega SD flash cart is out next month, it’ll eliminate the need for trying to keep this stuff on life support.

[@GGigabiteM]

If by "MK1" you mean the fat Genesis, it's not rare at all. There were 8 or 9 revisions of it (VA0-VA7), with the later revisions like the VA7 basically being a Genesis 2 in the older style case. The earlier revisions up to VA3 or VA4 are more desirable since they have discrete YM2612 and SN76489 sound chips and don't suffer audio distortion like the later models where they're integrated into a custom ASIC. The later models can be modded to remove the garbage mixer setup Sega used which caused audio distortion, there are several schematics on how to do it.

[@codysimon1724]

Anyone else pick up their gen 2 Sega Genesis and open the game slot and give it a good wiff and take in that quality Sega Genesis smell?

[@jonnygg6594]

What happens if you call 1-800-USA-SEGA?

[@RetroRepairs]

Try it

[@jonnygg6594]

@@RetroRepairs I just tried it. I qualified for a Medic Alert for myself or a loved one. Sadly its not Sega. Hope I don't get robo calls now. LOL

[@RetroRepairs]

Haha, that's too bad. I once tried calling that activisionhint line a while back that was printed in the manual of Tony hawks pro skater 2, it was out of service

[@StormsparkPegasus]

I much prefer the model 2 Sega CD. Much better built.

[@RetroRepairs]

The model 2 was a much more reliable system, but i like the look of there model 1 best

[@scottjarnagin348]

my wife likes your dog.

[@RetroRepairs]

I like her to. (My dog, not your wi.... you know what, never mind)

[@TitoCarl0]

Just replace the fuse but still black screen...

[@Monsterenergy2011]

Could you fix a Atari 2600

[@HansPeter-vv2rc]

beep!

[@jeramiet154]

heat, pull, done…. wtf man. It was 3 minutes of torture watching you remove that fuse.

[@HaiNguyen-ul4fb]

Could you repair mine?

[@miroslavkaticic2965]

He didn't aligned gears properly...

[@retsaMoN]

7:22 is pretty much a dirty joke

[@jongoodwill5435]

Can I send a Sega CD your Way if your still repairing them.

[@simplecastic]

Can i send you a first gen ps3

[@TheRealFrankWizza]

Get a desoldering iron.

[@gibbo9089]

What is soddering and desoddering please?

[@anonamatron]

You'll find out when you're older.

[@burtbackattack]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds North Americans pronunciation of the word solder a bit weird!

[@RetroRepairs]

Curious, do you "kawlk" a seam when you're applying cauking, or do you "cock" it.