Sega Saturn Repair Part 3 (Die Harder)

[@GadgetUK164]

Those cut outs on the chip there are also for screws to pass through, so you can mount a heat sink. Proper Laser Adjustment - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bddGNonaeHq8U 02/07/2024 - This is a really crusty old video lol - Main point, dont work from carpet - work from an ESD mat and wear an ESD wrist strap!

[@bimmerlabs3033]

Really appreciate your video! I've had my original Saturn for 25 years now (!!!!). Finally broke it out for my kids after decades in storage, and they have honestly enjoyed some of the games. I read about laser issues but mine still seemed fine. Until recently, of course... It would just stop working randomly, the next level or stage wouldn't load. The disk would always be recognized on boot, but the drive motor would just stop randomly. I knew about adjusting the laser voltage, but have never tried since it never seemed to be a problem. I have to admit though, I was probably one of the earliest "disc swappers"; before I even had access to the internet, I had figured out how to rig the disk door so it wouldn't recognize it was opened. I'd swap out *music* discs in some of my favorite games - for example, Nirvana's "Nevermind" disc lined up nicely with Sega Rally. I probably "hot swapped" discs hundreds of times with no issues, and since I was a teenager, I never thought about one day when I had my own kids.. Ironically, I never did a disc swap for imports. I hard wired a DIP switch to change the region. It still works to this day (I don't dare touch the original wiring, hahaha). Anyway, given my Saturn's current condition, and my own personal reckless behavior (honestly, what 16 year old would have thought about the consequences?), I'm fairly certain I've burned out the driver chip on my CD drive. Fortunately, owed to my adolescent soldering skills learned from my early Saturn hacking, it should be an easy fix. :)

[@GadgetUK164]

If it has been working intermittantly, it's more likely the laser is coming to the end of its life! It might not be the BTL driver chip.

[@venares76]

Thanks man, you helped a lot. I just done a 60Hz mod on a model 1 and couldn't figure out why it stopped reading discs. Turns out the spindle was just too high, I compared it to my model 2 and saw it was about 2mm higher than it should be.

[@vermis8344]

Nice! I bought a Saturn off ebay with the same basic problem (disc drive just won't work) and this video series has given me a couple of things to test it for. I might have to think long and hard before I'm confident about soldering in new chips and things, though.

[@GadgetUK164]

The main things that cause the CD unit to not work in the Saturn are 1) Laser 2) Spindle Height. It is quite rare for the h-bridge chip to fail like I had in mine.

[@vermis8344]

I wish I'd handed it over to someone who knew what they were doing, because I opened it up, changed the spindle height, watched how it ran, and decided the problem was with - as you say - the laser. (It moves from the centre of the CD to the edge in a series of 'steps', then moves back to the start position, and the CD stops spinning) But in fiddling with the spindle, I accidentally pushed it right into the motor. Between that and trying to pull it out again, something happened that somehow stopped the whole laser assembly working...

[@RD-ck7xj]

Thank you so very much for the videos. I enjoyed all 3 parts. What did you use to clean up the outside of the case? Thank you again.

[@GadgetUK164]

Meguiars Plast-RX (be careful on the printed logos - just "dust" over those white printed texts. And you can then use Simonz Back to Black to give it a super shine. Both are car products!

[@RD-ck7xj]

I recently purchased a Saturn that looks like has the 50/60hz mod done as there is a 2 way metal switch sticking out of the back. The Saturn is giving a signal per the TV, but it's just a slightly different grade of dark, and no audio. The access light flashes constantly without a game inside. With a game installed it will spin, but the access light stops flashing. I currently do not solder, but want to learn. I'm guessing the mod is no longer working and I'm hoping that opening it up and cutting the wires as close to the board may be the answer... Wishful thinking I know. Please let me know what you think. I still cannot get over how amazing your Saturn looks in the end. Fantastic job!!!

[@GadgetUK164]

It's a good idea to take it to pieces (carefully) to work out what is going where with those switches. Also look for any damage on the board, or anything disconnected. The US / Japanese models can suffer from bad electrolytic capacitors. The PSU might need recapping or replacing - there are modern replacements for the PSUs on these now. The access light flashing when there's no game in there could indicate a fault somewhere, or the drive PCB is not connected properly. Thanks! If you do remove switches for the mods, make sure you note where you removed them from - you will need to put a solder bridge or wire in place of where the closed switch contacts go (when the switch is set to one side or the other). ie. The switch will alternatively connect a point on the PCB to one of two other points, depending on which way the switch is flipped. If you dont replicate one or the other position when switch is removed, it just wont do anything!

[@RD-ck7xj]

@@GadgetUK164 Thank you very much for all of the detailed information! I would try to post a photo of the board showing all of the 4 solder points, 2 each to either side of JP7, and JP10. From what I can tell the 2 solder points on JP10 are bridged currently with the 2 switch mod wires still soldered to the board. I am just learning to solder, and have an Iso-tip device. Do you think I just need to desolder the 4 wires on on JP7 and JP10, but attempt to leave the bridge between the 2 solder point on JP10? I was really hoping just getting rid of the switch might make this Saturn operational, but someone else mentioned that the symptoms my Saturn is displaying could be caused by a major short circuit. My concern is damage from too much heat on the PLL chip. Please let me know what you think. I would love to get my hands on a PAL Saturn, but here they are very few and far between. Mostly Japanese consoles, and a few really overpriced U.S./C. consoles that are mostly for spares/repair. Imagine that! Anyway thank you so very much for all of your input and help.

[@madeinjapan3485]

Am trying to get at the btl driver chip to remove it. So far got most of the screws out, but how do you get the screws keeping the disc spindle to the board out I think that's all that remains.

[@GadgetUK164]

You may need to remove the spindle if its blocking access to the screws. If you need to do that, make a note (and take photos) of how high the spindle is in relation to the motor.

[@lactobacillusprime]

Very cool you got this Saturn to work!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks, yes - Really pleased with it! It's an awesome system! Just need to get some more games and stuff for it now. I will probably do the region mod later.

[@DaveDoc1984]

Hey, Let me know where you get your Saturn Mod chip from (if you do end up getting one) as I would like to install one into the Model 1 Saturn that I recently acquired. Thanks Dave

[@GadgetUK164]

Dave's Game Room www.robwebb1.plus.com/saturn/saturnhard.htm Send him an email!

[@DaveDoc1984]

GadgetUK164 Thanks man!! :) I will send him an email today and find out availability etc.

[@chmoduk]

Two of my favourite games when I had one of these was Dynamite dekka and elevator action. Yeah I did the region mod from what I remember I think I put in some sort of toggle switches. Also I was a naughty boy because I had the protection bypass in between the drive cable, well i needed it for the silvers I got from ms.psx in Hong Kong hehe.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks for the suggestions - Will check em out =) Yes, I will be doing the region mod later, and protection bypass.

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Ive got virtual cop if you want it mate. You can have it. Classic game.

[@MVP_MAGAZINE]

I thought you would tell us how to adjust the motor height ?

[@GadgetUK164]

+MadonnaSaigon Sorry, yes - I mean to show that but completely forgot about it. Basically the black plastic spindle that sits on top of the motor, with some force you can carefully move it up and down on the shaft. It does slide up and down but it can be quite hard to move it. The disc should sit just above the laser, so the disc does not make contact with the tray beneath. Some experimentation is required to get it in just the right position.

[@MVP_MAGAZINE]

+GadgetUK164 thanks for the reply,so basically I just lift up the black part with force ? If you have footage of you doing that please post it lol

[@GadgetUK164]

Yes, just use force, but be careful you don't break it! When I get time in future I will video it, but it could be a while yet.

[@segajcharrua]

hey man that saturn came out really nice! you said that you used a plastics cleaner . could you tell the name of the product itself? i hae a couple of saturns with some marcs too and i wanted to take those off =/ great vid as always man!

[@gadgetuk1643]

Hey! Thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, the Saturn came out really well! I use Meguairs PlastX to clean the plastic (careful using it over printed logos etc), and Back 2 Black - silicone wax to bring the shine back and mark it look dark black.

[@tenderstems]

Saturn Recommendations: If you like Mech games, the Virtual-On series is good. The best shooter is a Japan only exclusive, and goes for about 50-80 quid, Radiant Silvergun. Nights into Dreams is good, as is Mr. Bones. D is a cool survival horror game. It's a shame you don't like fighters, because there are some great ones on the Saturn.

[@gadgetuk1643]

Thanks for the recommendations! I was perhaps too harsh regards beat em ups - I do play them and infact I've got a couple of Neo Geo Fatal Fury games on the way. What best em ups are worth checking out?

[@tenderstems]

No Problem! Marvel Super Heroes is great, Last Bronx is good, Fighting Vipers is good. Virtua Fighter 2 is dated by today's standards, but very affordable. The king of fighters games are good, but be wary as some of them require the extra ram cart which almost never comes with the game. Also, given that you already have the KOF games on the MVS, I don't know if you'd care to play them on the Saturn.

[@alejandroandriadse5243]

sega saturn on dreamcast yabause 0.8.0 part2

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Well done dude.

[@gadgetuk1643]

Thanks =D

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Did you get my message about Virtua Cop, i got a spare copy if you want it?

[@GadgetUK164]

craig gilchrist Yes, sorry - Thought I had replied! Really nice of you to offer but I've got a copy coming already ;)

[@craiggilchrist4223]

No worries,

[@Starcat128]

I want it