Steps to Troubleshoot a Disc Read Error | Gamecube

Steps to Troubleshoot a Disc Read Error | Gamecube
Total Fix
Gamecube Disc Read Error - I previously bought a few broken Gamecube systems from eBay and in this video, I go through the process and show the steps I take on how to troubleshoot a defective Gamecube system experiencing a disc read error. If you are interested, please feel free to subscribe as I release weekly content.
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Warning:
This channel is not liability for anyone attempting to perform self-repairs. This channel is meant for the purpose of guiding and assisting those that may be experiencing technical difficulties with their systems. All equipment and products are handled with safety first in mind. Anyone who is inexperienced handling certain equipment or chemicals should refer to the user manual for their respective product and ensure that all proper safety measurements are performed.
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#stepstotroubleshoot #troubleshootgamecube #gamecube #discreaderror #gamecubeerror

[@rgs777]

Before messing with the potentiometer, I always check/swap some capacitors from the disc assembly's board (the same board that the pot is, just on the other side). The C408 47uf capacitor is notorious to go bad (the 100uf C401 and the 47uf C431 next to it sometimes goes bad too). My guess is when we mess with this pot, we're just feeding up extra power to the laser to compensate those bad caps.

[@totalfix877]

Yes this is true, I should've mentioned that in my video and I actually ordered a set of capacitors from Console5 to replace them (I just rant out). They generally run for $2-3 and is a lot cheaper to replace than the laser reader. I will upload a new video showcasing this and thank you for bringing this up! Also, in the case that anyone changes out the caps, be sure to reset the potentiometer for the laser back to the original factory setting as shown in the video, otherwise too much power is being applied to the laser. *For reference (Factory Settings):* DOL-001: 450 ohm - 600 ohm DOL-101: 150 ohm - 250 ohm *Cap Kit (Look for Optical Drive Caps):* console5.com/store/nintendo-gamecube-smd-cap-kit-ntsc-and-pal.html

[@JXC98]

Fired up my old gamecube after some years and played wind waker. Game works flawlessly, but i recently just bought a copy of Mario Sunshine and it gave me that error on the first launch of the game. The disc is very clean with verrryy light scratches. After that i cleaned the lens, fired it back up and this time it got to the intro but then black screen. Third time i got passed the beginning of the game, then a few cutscenes later another black screen. Tried wind waker again and it still works.

[@kornstew]

Thanks! This did the trick on a GC I bought for 10 bucks. It was reading 0hms. Give it a slight twist counter clock wise and went to 175. Started it up and boom! Good to go!

[@totalfix877]

Thats awesome, glad you were able to get it fixed! Thanks for watching 😀

[@The.love1]

amazing work plz continue

[@jddeluxe2242]

Great video. Just curious how too little resistance on the laser can damage your gamecube discs? Thanks!

[@totalfix877]

In the past I’ve heard from users mention that having the disc laser too strong can essentially cause the behavior of “overwriting” or burning into the contents of the disc. Personally I have never experienced that for myself, but it’s better to be safe.

[@hofferr19]

as a non tech savvy person i’m scared to do this to my gamecube because i don’t want to break it but it’s having this problem :(

[@totalfix877]

I can try and fix it for you, you would only need to cover shipping both ways. Let me know if interested. 😀

[@aggiefan88]

I've been having trouble diagnosing mine. I move the laser to a down position (closest to the center) and when it turns on to reset the position, it makes this horrible grinding noise, like the gears are slipping for the laser rail. When the laser is in the highest position when turned on, the motor doesnt even spin (doesn't spin on both positions). Do you know what it could be? All the gears look fine to me.

[@leobgoo6350]

5:15 Factory Range Resistances for Laser Adjustment

[@daylinb6142]

hi, i know this video is pretty old. i just wanted to say the BIGGEST thank you.i got a gamecube off ebay to read games following your entire tutorial. i do have one question for you, mine is running at around 22 ohms ): i tried every digit possible as far as 250 and only that seemed to work. you mentioned this would mess up my games over time? what are the other disadvantages of playing it with only 22 ohms? im still grateful to even have it run and start i even got emotional

[@daylinb6142]

also, i saw your tutorial on getting a new disk reader considering it seems id def need to buy one. it looks so complicated though this was truly so much money wasted for me. would you reccomend i buy a new gamecube off ebay and try to fix it as well? see if it actually holds around 130-170 ohms? I'D APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK SM!!! TY AGAIN

[@Heavy13hitters]

That’s awesome, I bought a GameCube with 4 games 2 controllers today from offer up for $25 came home plugged it in and it won’t read the games but the game cube turns on just saids an error has occurred 😢😢

[@oOignignoktOo1]

Mine was reading 190 ohms and I did a recap using a console 5 and it wouldn't read discs until I got it down to 112 ohms. I triedit again a few days later and it wouldn't read the discs until I cleaned the lens with ipa. I"m not sure if the laser is just super dirty. if it stays consistent I may adjust the resistance up to avoid burning the laser out

[@waelhareedy8190]

I feel you need to replace the laser! What do you mean replace the reader?

[@totalfix877]

Yeah I meant the laser! Sorry about that 😅. I did end up fixing this gamecube at a later point by recapping the entire bottom side of the board. I can probably create a video soon on this.

[@tilasole3252]

Let me ask you, have you ever heard of a GameCube that needs to "warm up" before working properly? I never had the chance to clean my game disk, as every retro store around here either has their machine broken (even after getting it replaced) or does not have the GameCube game adapter. So I was powering it on and off (resetting) about a dozen times or so, and it would get a little further each time and then finally get to the Press Start screen and the game would play no problem, all day and night. But the process had to be repeated each day. Then I discovered by accident, that just simply turning on the GC for five minutes or so and then resetting or putting the game in, it works flawlessly. My other games work fine, just not this one. Ever heard of that issue or solution before?

[@totalfix877]

I think there was a user that had commented on the exact same issue that you had. Personally I haven't come across that issue, but it could also be that once I notice the disc not being read, I start replacing the components 😅

[@tilasole3252]

@@totalfix877 haha! Ok. Thank you.

[@sadiqmuhammad396]

Yes!! This is currently what I have to do with mine. My guess is it has so ething to do with the Lazer going bad so maybe it needs time to warm up as it gets older

[@tilasole3252]

@@sadiqmuhammad396 but only for a certain game and not the others?

[@jacksongarrett5124]

Just trying to help but ur capacitors on the board of the disk drive have gone out that’s why

[@MrNuggetz44]

Tried to open the console, but the gamebit screws are stripped? Do you suggest any solution?

[@totalfix877]

I do not unfortunately 😬

[@rodolfodelatorre-books3940]

where are you based? do you fix for a price?

[@totalfix877]

I am based off of San Antonio, Texas. I normally do this for a hobby, but I can definitely let you know if I can fix something.

[@gabeblanchard157]

I removed my disc while in the menu of mario kart double dash and it was running without the disc until it noticed the disc was out and I turned it off. when I decided to turn in back on to play, it would refuse to read any disc I would gave it. the game cube as whole was still working since I was able to navigate in the menu settings so uh yeah, I believe it is a problem with reading the disc. It does not read disc anymore nor does it make the disc spinning. what's up, according to you?

[@totalfix877]

Does the disc spin at all? As in, does it attempt to read then stop completely, or does it just not spin at all?

[@hayssambzal7368]

@Total Fix I bought one today, it has same issue it attempts to read the disc then stops after a few spins. I turned it on and off and suddenly it started to spin continuously and read the disc. I turned it on and off 5 times and it read the game every single time and I was able to play it. After couple hours I started it again and It stopped reading again. I'm wondering what could be the problem 🤔

[@Ayasedere]

I got a DOL-001 and it can't read any games over 140 Ω's. Not sure if it needs replacing or not.

[@totalfix877]

Most disc readers have worn out capacitors, I will try and make a video on a disc reader lot I have to show these repairs.

[@Ayasedere]

@@totalfix877 Fixed it a couple months ago. It was in fact, the capacitors. Finished Luigi's Mansion no problem.

[@totalfix877]

@@Ayasedere That’s awesome! Glad to hear you got it working again 😃

[@Birtheater4545]

Thank you for this it was very in depth! It seems I just have to adjust my GameCube’s potentiometer a little bit. If it goes below 120 ohms I’ll just replace it. Like you said it could damage disks and these days you cannot afford to do that, literally. A new disk drive assembly with the lid flaps is cheaper than a copy of Smash Melee these days.

[@hayssambzal7368]

@Total Fix I bought one today, it has same issue it attempts to read the disc then stops after a few spins. I turned it on and off and suddenly it started to spin continuously and read the disc. I turned it on and off 5 times and it read the game every single time and I was able to play it. After couple hours I started it again and It stopped reading again. I'm wondering what could be the problem 🤔

[@totalfix877]

This behavior you are describing is pretty common when the laser cant consistently read the discs any further. Often times when I replace capacitors or adjust the laser strength, I have to give it a few 10-20 test runs for the exact issues you are describing. Typically I adjust the laser to a slightly stronger strength when the disc doesn't get read successfully in any of my test runs (after I've replaced the caps). To answer your question, it might just be your reader starting to lose some of it's power unfortunately. 😢

[@hayssambzal7368]

@totalfix877 thank you for the explanation! I've been playing it more often I found out for some reason when It gets warm it plays fine, so when I turn it on I usually wait for like 5 minutes and then it works perfectly fine. I did lot of research and it seems related to capacitors. I would love to swap them but Unfortunately I don't have a soldering station nor the skills to do it lol.

[@tilasole3252]

My GC gives me a disk read error sometimes and sometimes it will not. So I am not sure exactly what the problem is. When it reads the disc, it works flawlessly. It's getting it to read the disk consistently, that is the issue.

[@totalfix877]

It may be that the laser has gotten weaker over time, you can easily tune this to be a bit stronger for your case since it doesn't sound like it's in such a broken state that would warrant an entire capacitor replacement (although that would be a true fix for it). This would involve a few tools: 1. Digital Multimeter 2. 4.5mm Gamebit for removing Gamecube Security Screws 3. Phillips #00 Screwdriver There are a couple of videos out there that show how to adjust this (including from my channel). Hope this helps!

[@tilasole3252]

@@totalfix877 is it the thing you did in this video, where you took it out of the box and "unravelled" it and then turned the screw for the laser to raise or lower the power slightly?

[@tilasole3252]

@@totalfix877 actually it may not be my console after all. Although I had a disc read error on one other game, that same game now no longer has the error nor my other games. The game in question that does have an issue works some times and then some times does not, but now simply refuses to work at all now, which is why I was so sure it was the laser. It's been in my case and in a box for a while, with the rest of the few games I have. Not sure why it is being such a butt to play it now. Does have a little cloudiness and a few scratches. Breathing on it and wiping, does not seem to help unfortunately. It some times gives me the disc read error from the start. Some times it shows Nintendo on the screen before the error occurs. And sometimes the game shows you getting off the train and start to walk around, but before the Press Start shows on the screen, the error message pops up. But the music continues. Confused me why it can do different things and not consistent.

[@mob7740]

Can this error also happen if the disc is scratched?

[@totalfix877]

I haven't seen that issue on a scratched disc, but I'm sure it could happen.

[@Ruffbone85]

If it was just the disc, you would get a red error message not the black one