Sega Saturn laser adjustment not reading discs fix - YouTube

Sega Saturn not reading discs repair pot adjustment fix using a digital multimeter
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A detailed tutorial video on how to properly adjust the RF laser voltage on the Sega Saturn. It's important to measure the RF voltage properly and set it to a working range rather than use the resistance method.
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Sega Saturn Service Manual
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[@GadgetUK164]

The technique there is sound, but one thing I would point out - when you need to do an adjustment to an existing laser, the laser has started to die. ie. It will output say 90 to 100% of its optimum value for the majority of its life (without adjustment) - but once it gets to that point where its output has dropped below say 80% (where it stops reading discs), increase of the voltage can bring the RF level back up (as you demonstrated), but the additional voltage (because its now higher than it is specced to get a proper level RF) coupled with the fact is is on its decay to providing no output whatsoever, means that it won't last long. You may get a few month (of intensive use out of it before the voltage needs increasing again). So its fine for getting up and running, but its not a long term solution - ideally you should just swap out the laser! Lots of people are doing this kind of thing and selling them on eBay - annoys the hell out of me lol. Great video though, and as I say, the technique is sound - even if the DMM is a little inaccurate, its better than just adusting it and guessing etc. =D

[@reloadedrussty10]

GadgetUK164 - Retro Gaming Repairs & Mods what I usually do is grab a cartridge and then stick it in and out of the slot! A good 10/20 times... Fixes everything!😂👍

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

Yep I agree 100%. Just like you I make these videos more for the guy at home to follow along and hopefully get more life out of his console. I linked to a new laser in the description as ultimately that's what's needed as you said. All of my consoles that leave the shop have new lasers as I don't need the warranty hassles.

[@gurvmlk]

While adjusting the laser does shorten its lifespan, if the system isn't reading the disc anyway then a shortened lifespan is still getting more out of the system than the system not working at all as is. And those few months are a few months of stress relieved from the inevitable replacement. It is an important consequence to understand though, especially if somebody's going to be doing this when preparing a console for sale. I feel as though if they are doing that, then they should really mention that the laser has been tweaked, and is on its last legs, but I highly doubt very many people are that responsible even if they understand the extra stress their adjustments are putting on the system.

[@roysourboy4380]

I just bought my first saturn on ebay from japan, looks like i was not lucky to get a model 2 with a dead laser (advertised as Working Garanteed) so I'm looking foward to my 2nd saturn , which the seller already sent and is on its way !! :P cant wait to find out if it will boot discs !! XD at the same time I know a friend selling his usa model 1 saturn region free with modchip. so I will be able to play nice improvement hack like SOTN translated or the 4MB hack * and stuff like that !!! you really need a modded saturn these days (edited : the replacement saturn booted first try and was way cleaner than the first one , both model 2 white hst 3220 , original japanese game DBZ LEGEND tested no trouble at all with msh vs sf 4mb too)

[@roysourboy4380]

wow , did I just scroll down the comments and as I was reading my comment, I didnt fully realize it was my comment until I read model 2 dead laser !! LOL Im gonna do what I can do to maybe revive it? This video is very nice!! Im attempting to adjust the pot lid of another console which has a modchip. I want to be able to read everything. at least for a while :P

[@5c0tt3wart]

its 2022, and your video just saved another saturn. thank you my friend.

[@datriaxsondor590]

Nice explanation and walk-through video. It's obvious this isn't meant to be a permanent solution, but ya, you can get a little more life out of your laser, until you're ready and able to buy a replacement. Nicely done.

[@timothy2830]

Thanks for the tips. I really think your method should be used simultaneously with reading the resistance of the pot, so you can tell how far you turn it.

[@vin324pl]

in the mk2 model, the soldering place + (red wire) will be the same?

[@TheAlterLife]

What about laser adjustment for model 2 pal?

[@towys007]

Thank you so much! I do the job on a Japanese model 2 with a optima S6 I bought on AliExpress a few years ago, first multimeter read got 2.7V on burned cdr, after laser adjusted got 3.3V and works very well, some time I got some read error, but that's de pseudo Saturn cartridge fault,,

[@yeetbomb2015]

Thanks you saved me about 20 dollars! Nevermind it only worked that once. So what that tells me that the Lazer is the problem right?

[@huangaga6923]

As my gamecube and saturn repaire experience, user should recap the optical disk board first and then adjust the VR. About the saturn, the original value is 2.58-3.0v, user can adjust to 2.58 -3.5v; that can help to read almost orginal and backup disks. If higher than 3.8v to read most backup disks, user should consider to change the brand of empty disk to burn again.

[@cyo_corner]

I can't find the test point for my board mate

[@Enchurito]

What should I do for adjustment on a model 1 with the 4 potentiometers on the CD board?

[@shadowchaosx]

Thanks dude, gave my saturn some extra life :)

[@dimenfer]

Will try on mine tomorrow, thanks for the video.

[@yuyileon]

Hi , my sega saturn laser module its another revision and i don´t see this RF point , its posible to use another point? thx and regards

[@hanifiguz6693]

its also subject to all laser disc. i mostly use this method on dreamcast consoles.

[@kultur-vultur]

Any answers for if you dont even get an empty message after it spins? I have a Saturn it will turn on and just wont detect anything it seems...not even audio tracks just spins out...

[@WilfriedFauvel]

Hi, can you explain the range .71-0.79V you recommend? Thx

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

The Sega Saturn service manual lists the correct range. “Check that the eye pattern waveform can be observed at the RF test point. (0.8-1.4Vp-p)” So if you take the difference between the top and bottom of the waveform, then you get 0.6volts. I then think it’s wise to set it a little higher to around 0.75 as the laser is old and needs an extra boost.

[@WilfriedFauvel]

@@RetroSalesAustralia Thank you so much for the educated answer, it makes sense to me now. Have a great day.

[@devonwilliams5738]

What range increase would you suggest if you have a Saturn capable of reading retail discs but not burned games?

[@ScottX68000]

My multimeter doesn't have a 40 options for the voltage, it has 20 which gives me 2.53v at idle, can I still make the adjustment using this 20 option?

[@Miugarepair]

hi I have a question. I bought a Sega Saturn. He goes as far as when I insert a cd. He starts reading them and then the entire console freezes. can not do anything after about 5 minutes, the cd does not turn and it flashes the orange lamp. what do you think is the problem. when I screwed it on and hit the switch for the drive the laser lights up and moves a bit and the lens goes up and down. thanks in advance Miuga

[@s.u.6198]

problem is, that i can not get it higher than 3,17 volt because the switch( the yellow one you are screwingng) is over; end ; blocked at that point.. any ideas? input voltage is 9.1 / 5,0 / 3.34 so seems o.k.

[@mr-tyrflow4491]

Hi i got a Problem with my Saturn, the Power Light is blinking Green, and nothing happens, whats wrong, i got no idea.

[@Hikuro2pnt0]

I just took my saturn apart, I can't even figure out which unit this is I'm thinking it's a V2.2 but I dunno which board it's using. I'm having some audio glitching, lagging and freezing sometimes down right rebooting when I play my backups and I'm using a PSeduo Saturn cartridge. I thought maybe adjusting the laser would help but once I got in there none of my phillips would fit and when I did get it to turn it was already maxed out, couldn't turn it any further clockwise. So I think someone had already played with this sucker.

[@kevinyoung7294]

Got a jp grey saturn. Through swapping i know the laser, mech, ribbons and psu are ok yet it spins disc. Doesnt read or stop. Boot up screen is dark for a few seconds then normal. But wont read. At this point i'm certain its bad caps. any idea?

[@fathersunglasses6085]

Hey i've a Saturn it reads discs but only reads them as though they're only audio cds not sure how to go about fixing it

[@Red_Panduh]

FATHERSUNGLASSES same. Most of my library loads, but a few games are only detected as audio. The games read fine in another system.

[@TheSkeletontoucher]

Same thing with me, any solution?

[@fathersunglasses6085]

@@TheSkeletontoucher In the end I just sold it as faulty and bought a working one. Not sure what the solution would have been for it.

[@mercurycyclone]

@@fathersunglasses6085 Way late here but whenever I've encountered that, it was a laser pickup reaching the end of its lifespan. Just enough power to detect the discs and play music CDs, but too weak to actually load games up 90% of the time. Easy cheap fix if it's a JVC drive.

[@ichrismoku]

@@mercurycyclone why is it a cheap fix if it's a JVC drive specifically?

[@JFlow2786]

Works with grey saturn console to does it matter

[@josephnealeUKscratchcards]

❤️ your repair videos

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

Thanks

[@mcknife25]

Man I know this video is old but it's still so helpful. If you could help a brewski out. I'm getting 2.38 output in idle and with disc in , door pegged. No spinning action at all, is this a sign of the laser being dead? No matter how much I turn the pot , the 2.38 doesn't change

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

If it’s not spinning, then that’s not the issue. I’d recommend watching my other video on Saturn common faults. Try lifting your spindle height as I demonstrate in that video.

[@johnboydojo]

I'm going to try this in a second. Good job mate

[@bgasman]

hello, I was playing NBA Jam Extreme on my Sega Saturn console, but the access light blinking stops and having an error!

[@christopheritsupport3180]

The potentiometer in my drive does not respond, and actually when turned to the maximum (clockwise), the voltage does not increase at all and is constant. I think someone has already been rummaging around in the console I bought. It remains to replace the laser, the only question is what model if I have a 20-pin cable?

[@mattzakarowsky4424]

Look for a company name on the edges of the drives circuit board, there's only really two kinds of lasers in saturns

[@dukeyboy83]

I’ve just replaced the laser on my Saturn but it still won’t read discs. When I load a disc the laser moves and tries to read the disc but it won’t spin up. I tried tweaking the potentiometer but still no joy. Anything else I can try? Thanks

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

@@dukeyboy83 raise the spindle height

[@dukeyboy83]

@@RetroSalesAustralia is that easy to do? Thanks

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

@@dukeyboy83 yes, just pull the plastic round spindle up. It’ll end up coming right off the shaft, so then gently tap it back on to the correct height.

[@dukeyboy83]

@@RetroSalesAustralia awesome thanks I’ll give that a try!

[@JethroRose]

i tried this method, didn't work. However... JVC optima 6 lasers are... about $8 on ebay and take about 30 minutes to replace. you need to remove a solder bridge, but that's the only minor skill required. replaced mine, worked first time (had a working saturn already, deliberately bought a broken one to try fixing in case i screwed up :D)... far less time in total to replace with brand new than screwing around with a multi-meter. so... 8 dollars plus your/somebody's time to repair properly vs. a bunch of time messing about? I'd say "just buy the laser!". sure, maybe mess with the old one while you're waiting for delivery, but the new ones are adjusted out of the box and 'just work'. :)

[@PyhisPahis]

there are no brand new lasers for these. I've ordered a lot of replacements for various retro consoles including sega saturn and 1 out of 3 works. I'm fairly certain most, if not all, are pulled from broken consoles. you were lucky to get one that worked the first time

[@GaryGrimtooth]

Hey Mate, I just picked up a Saturn but it only reads some discs. Some read perfectly every time, some load for a few seconds and then just black screen and eventually the disc stops spinning. No scratches or rot on the discs. Before I pull it all apart, do you think adjusting the pot will help this?

[@ronnoordsij1]

Thank you very much!! My saturn is working again! You can never buy a saturn again. Thank you very much!

[@1UPrampage]

Do you repair 3do lasers?

[@Enchurito]

Do you have the positions for those pots on the left side of the board? The 4 of them? Mine seem to be out of whack and I don't know where there are supposed to be. Maybe just a photo?

[@killerriot22]

I'm looking for the same... I adjusted them... Regret it very much now.

[@GameLocadora]

Thanks mate, you really helped me out. 🙂

[@Michael-R1Arone]

I've got a pal model 2 Saturn that works descent exept one frickin issue it presses the A, B, START,down and right buttons from the controller by it self even and without controller plugged into the console. At this point I must say that : 1)I have checked 3 controllers and it does the same thing. All controllers at my other Saturn works great so its not controller issue. 2) I have checked power supply board and works great the voltage at every pin is right. So it's not power supply issue. 3) I have replaced every frickin capacitor at the motherboard and also didn't work. 4) I have tear down the console and cleaned it like when it came out from the factory. I ve cleaned both controller ports with contact cleaner and nothing. Any ideas anyone ???

[@TDownit_Strider]

I know this video is older, but I’m desperate to have my Saturn work. When I adjust the pot, the voltage barely changes(on a brand-new confirmed-working laser). Furthermore, no discs will read. Is there another problem I can address to make it work?

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

The Ravioli Man Are you sure you’ve connected your multimeter to the RF point shown and a ground point? What’s your voltage at idle? Is it similar to the video?

[@TDownit_Strider]

Global Garage Well, my layout was slightly different, since I was working on a model 2. I did see a portion with ARF next to it. Unless that was different(and it very well could be), the process went the same. The idle voltage was around 2.48. However, I also noticed the laser head would not move(imgur.com/gallery/WjCOFHZ). (Also, as an aside, will working on this without any special protection damage my eyes?)

[@JethroRose]

if you're desperate to have it work, i'd suggest looking for a new laser and then mess with the pot while you wait for it to arrive. if its laser related, a new one is cheap and will definitely fix it. replacement is relatively straightforward. just did mine and took me about 30 minutes (first time i'd done a laser replacement, had the machine apart 2-3 times messing with the pot to try and make it work without success)

[@Sparkierocean53]

hey global garage I have a Sega Saturn model 2 and the problem I'm having is the checking disc format starts flashing when it reads the disc I replaced the laser and moved the pot but no luck so if you can please respond

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

When you moved the pot, did you follow the procedure in my video? You can't just guess and turn as it's extremly precice. Also if it's a new laser, make sure you remove the small round solder blob that is present during shipping. This must be removed for the laser to work. When it's removed you see it was joining to pads together.

[@Sparkierocean53]

Global Garage i followed you video to a t and i did remove the blob that was on the new laser, like i said it knows the disc is there it justs spins with the checking disc format flashing

[@earlspencer7863]

This only works if the console wasn't messed with previously. Otherwise wait till they come out with the SD card mod which will be soon.

[@josphok4142]

mate , u are amazing , keepup

[@RetroSalesAustralia]

Thanks much appreciated.

[@SerdceDanko]

I dont know if im just unlucky with Saturns or Sega just used really crappy lasers on this console but it looks impossible to find Saturn which reads cds perfectly nowadays.

[@alubaldini]

now cd is hard to find and soon will dissapear the best choice now will be sd mod