Thank you so much for this video! Thought I bought a defective DC, but all I had to do was follow your instructions and got it up and running. Thanks again!
I recently got Shenmue and started playing through it for the first time, but my Dreamcast decided not to load disc 2. Thankfully this video showed me how to fix that problem, so back to playing more Shenmue. Thanks Adam!
I had my doubts about their advice which is why I asked. Thanks for the quick response and hopefully I did not do too much damage to my beloved dreamcast. From now on I will insert the disc before turning the system on and shutting it off before removing the disc.
mrsquishyboots with CD based consoles I usually try to get them either brand new, or at least in box under the logic that if the seller cared enough to keep the packaging they cared enough for the system to keep the lenses in tact and those are more often than not double the price of consoles without packaging.
I must be the lucky one in that i've played the hell out of my Dreamcast since 2000 and its never once skipped a beat, excellent video though may it make many Dreamcasts rise from the dead.
I personally think that cleaning those sticks on the power supply, cleaning the lens with alcohol, or doing something with the lid ( because the dreamcast may think the lid is being opened since it isn't completely reseting) may help but I was wamting ur opinion on the matter before I do anything
Thanks man. I rubbed alcohol on the laser like you did in your video and its working fine now. Just glad I didn't have to recalibrate the laser since that's a sign the dreamcast is dying. Also you should really make some kind of rant video about burning games on cd-r's. It's something ive been considering but know little about. You doing a rant or something about would help educate us dreamcast fans of any harm it may bring to the console and also your personel views on burning games
Thanks for watching. I'm really not sure, I'm not nearly technical headed enough. I might suggest the Assembler Forums. A lot of the guys there are brilliant.
I left my Dreamcast on overnight and when I woke up in the morning I shut it off for about 3 in half hours. Then I turned it on again and it feels like its charged up a bit since it didn't show the time and date. Anyway thank you very much. I didn't quite know that the dreamcast battery was rechargeable. Because I thought the battery was related to the Sega Saturn's batteries.
thank you so much for this video! I just did this and it worked! i went SLIGHTLY to the left. I tried it all though. turns out it was the last one I tried, where I put it back to where it was and slightly left. works perfectly
When I tuned my potentiometer over a year ago I used TINY eyeglass screwdrivers from a toolkit. It is such a small screw on mine it just wouldn't accept any large Phillips like you had.
I've been hearing that rumor for quite a while. When Sega makes it far more official, then I'll consider caring. Mean while, I'll stick to the Dreamcast versions.
Thanks for the tip Adam. It's making a little extra noise now but atleast it runs. I was playing Vectorman on the Smash pack and my system started making a weird noise when I rage quit the game. I turned the system back on and it wouldn't read. I honestly couldn't tell if I was turning the screw but it worked! It died and came back all in one morning.
wile not Saturn build quality, the Dreamcast is still a mighty durable peice of hardware regardless of what everyone else says. and even if you experience an propblem it can be very easily fixed due to how well organized the system was put together in its design assembly. everytime I purchase a DC out in the wild, I always disassemble it and clean it thoroughly. Great video btw, although your Joker shirt scared me :(
Yes, a company called Docs made some. They're beyond awful. I don't have them, but I've never heard anything even remotely positive about them. I have the same ones for the PS1, and truly, they are pure shit.
I may be 8 years late, but seriously, THANK YOU. I've been following since I was like 12 and I finally got a Dreamcast today with this same issue. Now I'm looking forward to getting a nice little collection going.
Nice video Mr. Koralik My Dreamcast random resets and Ive tried cleaning the pins didnt really work but not closing the lid all the way but just so the disc will spin seem to work
Dreamcast batteries are rechargeable, it's very rare that they actually die. I have like 20 Dreamcasts and 0 of them have dead batteries. The recharge them, you just need to play it for a while.
Haha thanks man. Now im gonna take it a apart, use some paper towels, a toothbrusth, and qtips to completely restore it. Its the most dirty dreamcast ive ever had
You have to download a file off the internet and transfer it to your VMU and it unlocks them. Make sure the VMU is blank at the time, because it formats it.
All this Shenmue talk has me looking to buy it. Yup I've never played it and I want to see what the hype is about. I just purchased a Dreamcast but haven't got Shenmue yet. Unfortunately I still need an Xbox for the sequel. I'd rather get the Xbox than a Japanese Shenmue 2. I love that console anyway. But it's because of you that I'll be buying one and I'll let you know what I think. Take care.
After a few days of reading numerous forums and articles about this, I finally agree. It seems the cheaper your CD-R's the more stress it puts on the laser. After using crappy Dynex Discs for two weeks, my Dreamcast stopped reading burned games. I only burned PSO v2 to play Online and Japanese games. Screw burning games, I'll just do the region mod.
The best method isn't something you can do at home unless you have a ton of money unfortunately. Getting this disc resurfaced is the way to go. But since the machines are insanely expensive, what you should do is find a used CD or game store. Typically they have the machines and will clean the disc for you if you give them a couple dollars. That's what I do.
by analog controller you mean wired right,because the way of how the "Wire" of a dream-cast controller works also allows saved data to be transferred between between the Vmu and the console itself,
The fact that it didn't spin discs before sounds really odd, how can that be related to the resistance of the laser? It sounds like you were having my same problem of mine, my lid didn't push that switch that tells it it's closed because the spring on it is slighly bent. Anyway, are you sure it's a diode? Because it should be a potentiometer (550 ohm stock i've heard, lowering it usually gets it to 520). It's not sure it'll die soon, the voltage is not that higher and should be within its range.
after a few tests, i notice bad boots etc on cdrs. Basically it wasnt kind to the cdrs, being too low@times. The best solution is 3 orings+ 1 washer per oring under the lens, not the lens card reader itself. U want that after u scrap the heater. U actually want it leveled, but i had a really badly scratched game working that never works with it slanted.
Scrap the aluminum casing, then replace with 2 small orings. The third oring or washer on the left side is basically replaced by cushioning on the left pin under the laserdisc reader. You don't want to hit that plastic.
Nice video man! It's sad that it only works 6-12 months after the repairing. Not too bad though. When yoy said "Thats how you bring your dead Dreamcast back from the dead I remember you saying some weeks ago: "The ultimate zombie console!" XD
i had that issue a few weeks back. I fixed it by taking out the PSU of the dreamcast and i cleaned the pins that went into the psu. There are a good few videos on youtube tutorials out there that could help you fix the problem.
I tried this method it only read some of my games mostly the bad shape discs which was weird wouldn't read any of my new mint games discs. Sadly had to get a replacement drive on ebay for my sports edition since my Yamaha laser failed. Great tutorial fix video.
The system wasn't designed to read them. It's an exploit that people took advantage of. The result is poorly made CD-R rips that stress the laser out. Thus, killing it.
So that's what my guts look like.
Yeah
Thank you so much for this video! Thought I bought a defective DC, but all I had to do was follow your instructions and got it up and running. Thanks again!
great video really helped me out. Got a dreamcast at a thrift shop for ten bucks but wouldn't read games now it does thanks to this video
+John Bartley Glad I could help!
Thanks Adam! This helped with my DC not reading my Shenmue discs. So far, so good!
Not a bad idea.
Also, I'm glad you got it working man.
Never underestimate the repair value of a simple cleaning.
I'm glad you managed to fix one of them at least.
I recently got Shenmue and started playing through it for the first time, but my Dreamcast decided not to load disc 2. Thankfully this video showed me how to fix that problem, so back to playing more Shenmue. Thanks Adam!
No problem, happy gaming!
Someone noticing that makes me very happy....seriously happy.
I had my doubts about their advice which is why I asked. Thanks for the quick response and hopefully I did not do too much damage to my beloved dreamcast. From now on I will insert the disc before turning the system on and shutting it off before removing the disc.
Thats how I fixed my Dreamcast about a year ago, still kickin
This video just saved me 100 bucks in buying a new Dreamcast thanks!!!!
Happy to help.
Branden Davis 50$ with games on amazon or ebay
mrsquishyboots with CD based consoles I usually try to get them either brand new, or at least in box under the logic that if the seller cared enough to keep the packaging they cared enough for the system to keep the lenses in tact and those are more often than not double the price of consoles without packaging.
I'm glad you got it working, enjoy it!
Either the GD-ROM, the disc, or the CD lid detection mechanism.
i did a search for "how to fix a GD-ROM drive for Dreamcast" and Adam Koralik shows up!
I can not live without more.
I must be the lucky one in that i've played the hell out of my Dreamcast since 2000 and its never once skipped a beat, excellent video though may it make many Dreamcasts rise from the dead.
Congratulations man!
I personally think that cleaning those sticks on the power supply, cleaning the lens with alcohol, or doing something with the lid ( because the dreamcast may think the lid is being opened since it isn't completely reseting) may help but I was wamting ur opinion on the matter before I do anything
Youre wellcome, i'm the one who has to thank you, youre videos have been very usefull to me
Yes, the Dreamcast is a loud beast.
Part of it's beautiful charm, wouldn't change it for the world.
This worked for me, thank you very much!
Attached to the XBox? It's an external fan to keep it cool.
I highly doubt there is any brand that is better. Thanks for watching.
+Anthony Garcia Glad I could help. Enable replies if you see this.
cool
+Derek Jansz A fan.
Hello. Has anyone successfully replaced a Dreamcast lens assembly to play original GD-ROM?
Yes, but it's extremely difficult.
My DC stop working after 11 seconds and screen goes black .no matter what even without cd.
Thanks man. I rubbed alcohol on the laser like you did in your video and its working fine now. Just glad I didn't have to recalibrate the laser since that's a sign the dreamcast is dying. Also you should really make some kind of rant video about burning games on cd-r's. It's something ive been considering but know little about. You doing a rant or something about would help educate us dreamcast fans of any harm it may bring to the console and also your personel views on burning games
Thanks for watching.
I'm really not sure, I'm not nearly technical headed enough. I might suggest the Assembler Forums. A lot of the guys there are brilliant.
I left my Dreamcast on overnight and when I woke up in the morning I shut it off for about 3 in half hours. Then I turned it on again and it feels like its charged up a bit since it didn't show the time and date. Anyway thank you very much. I didn't quite know that the dreamcast battery was rechargeable. Because I thought the battery was related to the Sega Saturn's batteries.
If the diode is centered then it probably hasn't been tampered with. But there's no guarantee.
Nice job on fixing the Dreamcast and what a game to test it with!
What I meant was just turn the diode a little bit to the left or right, but not much.
Cleaning the console is always a good idea.
Last resort is to recalibrate the laser.
System, controller, VMU, Shenmue I and II, Sonic Adventure I and II, Crazy Taxi I and II, Soul Calibur.
why am i watching this. i don't even own a dreamcast. these are seriously just interesting as hell.
thank you so much for this video! I just did this and it worked! i went SLIGHTLY to the left. I tried it all though. turns out it was the last one I tried, where I put it back to where it was and slightly left. works perfectly
Holy fucking shit thank you for helping me I thought my dreamcast was done for
+Wtf is this dude?! Happy to help.
When I tuned my potentiometer over a year ago I used TINY eyeglass screwdrivers from a toolkit. It is such a small screw on mine it just wouldn't accept any large Phillips like you had.
I would not recommend recalibrating the laser if nothing is wrong with it, you could toast it.
I've been hearing that rumor for quite a while. When Sega makes it far more official, then I'll consider caring. Mean while, I'll stick to the Dreamcast versions.
It's probably the laser. Recalibrating SHOULD fix it. But if it doesn't, then I don't know. Maybe cleaning it.
No problem, most people assume that's the case.
Dreamcasts are reliable as long as you don't play burned games on them. That's generally what kills them.
Thanks for watching man.
Thanks for watching man.
Congratulations.
Actually that is normal, despite being able to play burned games it's not supposed to. It causes incredible damage to the system.
Thanks for watching man.
Thanks for the tip Adam. It's making a little extra noise now but atleast it runs. I was playing Vectorman on the Smash pack and my system started making a weird noise when I rage quit the game. I turned the system back on and it wouldn't read. I honestly couldn't tell if I was turning the screw but it worked! It died and came back all in one morning.
wile not Saturn build quality, the Dreamcast is still a mighty durable peice of hardware regardless of what everyone else says. and even if you experience an propblem it can be very easily fixed due to how well organized the system was put together in its design assembly. everytime I purchase a DC out in the wild, I always disassemble it and clean it thoroughly. Great video btw, although your Joker shirt scared me :(
Try getting the disc cleaned.
Sure thing bro, thanks for watching.
I'm not sure off hand, it very well could be.
Thank you for watching.
Yes, a company called Docs made some. They're beyond awful. I don't have them, but I've never heard anything even remotely positive about them. I have the same ones for the PS1, and truly, they are pure shit.
One: I'd have to know how to do that to teach someone how.
Two: I corrected that miscommunication with an annotation right after I put the video up.
I may be 8 years late, but seriously, THANK YOU. I've been following since I was like 12 and I finally got a Dreamcast today with this same issue. Now I'm looking forward to getting a nice little collection going.
You're a good man.
Nice video Mr. Koralik My Dreamcast random resets and Ive tried cleaning the pins didnt really work but not closing the lid all the way but just so the disc will spin seem to work
Dreamcast batteries are rechargeable, it's very rare that they actually die. I have like 20 Dreamcasts and 0 of them have dead batteries. The recharge them, you just need to play it for a while.
WOW Thanks MAN IT WORK. First time I ever fix any of my game consoles. THX
im sure with your dreamcast vids, that alot of people are bieng helped.
thanks for making these video's!
Haha thanks man. Now im gonna take it a apart, use some paper towels, a toothbrusth, and qtips to completely restore it. Its the most dirty dreamcast ive ever had
Good luck!
It should be fine, no worries.
I'd bet it was the disc. Try getting the disc resurfaced if you can.
Are they burned games?
I have not. I don't have the time that game undoubtedly deserves.
You have to download a file off the internet and transfer it to your VMU and it unlocks them.
Make sure the VMU is blank at the time, because it formats it.
Thanks for watching.
Thanks for watching.
My guess is they thought "the Wii is a household name, so this makes sense." But they were dead wrong.
All this Shenmue talk has me looking to buy it. Yup I've never played it and I want to see what the hype is about. I just purchased a Dreamcast but haven't got Shenmue yet. Unfortunately I still need an Xbox for the sequel. I'd rather get the Xbox than a Japanese Shenmue 2. I love that console anyway. But it's because of you that I'll be buying one and I'll let you know what I think. Take care.
herohunter81 now it’s finally on Next gen consoles!!!!!
It's not fake, Japanese Dreamcast came like that for a while.
After a few days of reading numerous forums and articles about this, I finally agree. It seems the cheaper your CD-R's the more stress it puts on the laser. After using crappy Dynex Discs for two weeks, my Dreamcast stopped reading burned games. I only burned PSO v2 to play Online and Japanese games. Screw burning games, I'll just do the region mod.
My bad, I meant diode. I don't know why I said that. They're two totally different things.
It's been done, but it's apparently rather difficult.
The best method isn't something you can do at home unless you have a ton of money unfortunately. Getting this disc resurfaced is the way to go. But since the machines are insanely expensive, what you should do is find a used CD or game store. Typically they have the machines and will clean the disc for you if you give them a couple dollars. That's what I do.
by analog controller you mean wired right,because the way of how the "Wire" of a dream-cast controller works also allows saved data to be transferred between between the Vmu and the console itself,
The Wii saved them.
After the GameCube everyone said Nintendo was done, and now that the Wii U is doing poorly, they're saying the same thing.
i remember when i opened a dreamcast lol i left it plugged in and touched the main 2 power prongs im sure i shit myself
Ouch, damn man.
LMAO
I honestly couldn't stop laughing reading this comment, oh my god 🤣
Just fixed mine that I bought a week ago 😂 thanks dude
The fact that it didn't spin discs before sounds really odd, how can that be related to the resistance of the laser? It sounds like you were having my same problem of mine, my lid didn't push that switch that tells it it's closed because the spring on it is slighly bent. Anyway, are you sure it's a diode? Because it should be a potentiometer (550 ohm stock i've heard, lowering it usually gets it to 520). It's not sure it'll die soon, the voltage is not that higher and should be within its range.
Thanks for this, i actually opened up my faulty dc, and fixed the power button today, as a result. )
after a few tests, i notice bad boots etc on cdrs. Basically it wasnt kind to the cdrs, being too low@times. The best solution is 3 orings+ 1 washer per oring under the lens, not the lens card reader itself. U want that after u scrap the heater. U actually want it leveled, but i had a really badly scratched game working that never works with it slanted.
You may want to get the discs resurfaced.
Fair point, though I'd hope my visual demonstration would have made that obvious.
I really don't know, I'd check EBay to get an idea.
Thanks.
Your lid detection mechanism isn't functional, I'm not really sure how to fix that.
Scrap the aluminum casing, then replace with 2 small orings. The third oring or washer on the left side is basically replaced by cushioning on the left pin under the
laserdisc reader. You don't want to hit that plastic.
Possibly, or someone has opened it before.
Nice video man! It's sad that it only works 6-12 months after the repairing. Not too bad though. When yoy said "Thats how you bring your dead Dreamcast back from the dead I remember you saying some weeks ago: "The ultimate zombie console!" XD
i had that issue a few weeks back. I fixed it by taking out the PSU of the dreamcast and i cleaned the pins that went into the psu. There are a good few videos on youtube tutorials out there that could help you fix the problem.
thanks for the quick response! :D
It never would be. Sega had creativity. A quality Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony all seem to lack.
I tried this method it only read some of my games mostly the bad shape discs which was weird wouldn't read any of my new mint games discs. Sadly had to get a replacement drive on ebay for my sports edition since my Yamaha laser failed. Great tutorial fix video.
Sadly yes.
Though seriously, stop playing CD-Rs, that's what kills these things most of the time.
Pretty close to it, 80 out of 200.
80 out of 241 if you unlock the extra space.
Wouldn't surprise me.
The system wasn't designed to read them. It's an exploit that people took advantage of.
The result is poorly made CD-R rips that stress the laser out.
Thus, killing it.
Maybe after I do a video about it. I haven't even listened to that podcast. Though I am aware of it.
Thanks.
Thanks.