PCEngine-FX.com

Had all the caps changed in December and had the board scrubbed with cleaning formula. Had a new HOP-M3 put in and had the pots tweaked.

Made an English patched Startling Odyssey II. Wouldn't boot. Now the Duo won't move at all. Put in my regular Gate of Thunder disc. Won't spin. Nothing will spin, not even audio CDs (Still have a spare HOP-M3 lying around ... but I think it's been tweaked too)

Anyone know how to fix this? Is a gear stuck or did my little old laser eye die?

I believe you have a stuck gear.  Been talking about it with chop in chat.  He will most likely chime in here for ya.

Yeah, this is a textbook "the CDR put my laser too far out" issue. Open the door, is the laser on the end of its travel? If so, just shove it back a little bit, like 1cm. The system will take it from there.

You can take the system apart and wind it back, or you can just...shove it a bit. Either way works fine. This seems to be an issue with black Duos and CDRs. It's never happened to me on my IFU or Duo R systems.

I have ENG patched Xak3 and Ys4. They always work fine. Even my SFZ worked fine. Guess I didn't write the patched SO2 properly.

You're right. The eye is as far right as possible. Kind of afraid to just push it with my fingers. Don't want to apply too much pressure and break something.

Quote from: jayamine on 02/14/2012, 09:51 PMGuess I didn't write the patched SO2 properly.

It doesn't have anything to do with proper or improper burns.

You simply roll the dice every time you play a CDR in a Duo. The fact that it happened on your SO2 burn and not the others owes more to coincidence than anything else.

Yeah the main lens gear could be getting stuck. You can just manually move it with your finger to get it going again. If it starts getting stuck more and more over time you should replace the motor that moves the gear.

I'm afraid to actually touch the lens. Not sure where exactly to apply pressure and push. Tried firmly but gently, wouldn't budge, Was afraid to push any harder.

Don't touch the lens itself. Spin the motor with your finger. It is a white spiral looking thing.

Oh you mean I have to get inside it? I don't have a screw bit for that.

Yes, unfortunately you have to get inside and I can't think of any hardware store that sells that kind of bit. maybe someone else here can think of a place? It is a 4.5mm security bit http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-5-MM-Security-Screw-Removal-Bit-Sega-Genesis-Game-/390308285279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae02fcb5f

There are some cheaper ones out there that you can buy but this one is made so much better and will last much longer.

When I had my caps changed, I replaced the screws with regular phillips head. I can borrow a bit small enough. Sounds easy enough, I might try to do it myself. Are there instructions posted anywhere so that I dont accidentally destroy something in the process?

Oh and I read another post about putting a better gear in place while its open. How much more skill does that require and where can I find a bronze gear in the right size?

To my knowledge there is no reason to replace gears in a Duo. Maybe you are thinking of CDROM2 drives?

Anyway, don't touch the lens itself, just find something thin to pry the sled just one notch over closer to the spindle. Something like...I don't know, a X Acto knife or something. It just has to be shoved the slightest bit so that it can get back into the range of travel.

Or just take the top off, wind the gear just a little bit so that the laser moves back a bit.

yeah, no reason to change a gear in a DUO. If it gets stuck at all it is either due to a bad CDR making the lens move to far or the motor that drives the gear wearing out.

Honestly, I know you're a little freaked out, but from my experience with the white CD ROM drives, they're actually pretty sturdy.  I doubt you'll actually break anything.

Dude, *I* opened a CD unit and fucked around inside.

I've got about as much finesse as a rhino.  You'll be fine.

Tried shoving it with an exacto knife like Zeta said. Barely moved it a half centimeter. Couldn't get it to move any further. Turned it on and tried to boot a game. Still wasn't back on the track. Guess I'll try and borrow those screw bits from my friend tomorrow and open it up Thursday night. BigJoeRoy sent me a pic of what it looks like and what to do. Looks like a very simple fix!

One question. I unscrew from the bottom, but I remove the case from the top? (So have to gently flip it back over once its unscrewed?)

Yes, you unscrew from the bottom and then turn over to lift off the top.

I did it! Hooray for me!

Quote from: jayamine on 02/15/2012, 04:29 PMI did it! Hooray for me!

Its fixed?

Yep! Will even still play my English patched Ys and Xak no problem. Not going to put patched Startling Odyssey back in there though.

Was quite easy and quick to fix too.

Quote from: jayamine on 02/15/2012, 04:33 PMYep! Will even still play my English patched Ys and Xak no problem. Not going to put patched Startling Odyssey back in there though.

Was quite easy and quick to fix too.

lol.  I dont blame ya.  Sorry ya couldnt get it to boot in your Duo.  I've had hitnmiss burns like that too.  When I hear it trying to boot longer than normal, I instantly reset the system.  BlueBMW sent me some of those gold CDrs, and Ive never had issues with those however.  My Startling Odyssey II patch is burned to one, and it boots fine.  :)

Can you give me the info on those Gold CDRs so i can go get some?

Quote from: jayamine on 02/15/2012, 04:45 PMCan you give me the info on those Gold CDRs so i can go get some?

PM BlueBMW.  He normally orders them since they are kinda high in price, and people grab a few from him.  Makes it cheaper on everyone.  Also, PM me about the bin/cue format we talked about.

Any yet another user is saved. Fine work gentlemen!  Whats this about gold cdr's btw?

Quote from: HercTNT on 02/15/2012, 10:33 PMAny yet another user is saved. Fine work gentlemen!  Whats this about gold cdr's btw?

Yeah... intriguing...

Quote from: HercTNT on 02/15/2012, 10:33 PMAny yet another user is saved. Fine work gentlemen!  Whats this about gold cdr's btw?

More info here.  http://www.mam-a.com/goldcdr_product_list

These are also really good if you're going to be using any burned media in your system.  http://www.gotmedia.com/prodisc-cdr-shiny-silver-diamond.html (http://www.gotmedia.com/prodisc-cdr-shiny-silver-diamond.html)

Quote from: geise on 02/16/2012, 10:40 AMThese are also really good if you're going to be using any burned media in your system.  http://www.gotmedia.com/prodisc-cdr-shiny-silver-diamond.html (http://www.gotmedia.com/prodisc-cdr-shiny-silver-diamond.html)

Those may be adequately reflective, but their size is what makes the blazing lazer end up in no man's land.  Stick to the 74 minute discs - your Duo will thank you.

Yes I had the wrong link.  This is what I bought last year.  http://www.gotmedia.com/mam-a-cdr-40383.html (http://www.gotmedia.com/mam-a-cdr-40383.html)

Thanks for the info guys!!