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RIP to BT Garner of MindRec.com... BT passed away early 2023 from health problems. He was one of the top PCE homebrew developers and founder of the OG Turbo List, then PCECP.com. Condolences to family and friends.  |
Recent posts
#31
Console Repair/Mod Center / duo full of problems
Last post by rfernov111 - 02/20/2026, 12:31 PM
Hi everyone,
Found this a amazing community a couple of days ago after buying a duo and felt like I could ask for some help here, sorry if its not the correct place
So...I got this duo on ebay in November. The seller claimed it was recapped which led me to believe it was problem free
I went to play red alert (original disk) and I could play almost-normally but I felt that sometimes it took too long to read the disc.. Since I have some experience in electronics + soldering I decided to open it and immediately found the horrors committed to this beautiful system.
Lots of leaking capacitor fluid still on the board....close to the AV connector it was really yellow. Some capacitors soldered to non-working (now floating) pads. IC506 blackish (even the legs). C315 completely dead. Some vias fully black. The person kinda destroyed VR102. The list goes on and on](/forums/Smileys/default/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
I cleaned whatever I could with a cotton swab and Isopropyl alcohol. I redid some soldering and connected the floating pads directly to their correct place by testing continuity where the traces led. Then I went to the CD.
I tried as best as I could to calibrate the pots by looking at the eye pattern following this guide (https://www.retrosix.wiki/laser-tuning-pc-engine-duo). It still not the best. On Rondo of Blood (CDR) sound test the sixth track stops but the disk keeps spinning. If I try to play Book of Ys, when I get to the talking lady on the first dungeon the laser moves totally to the right and gets stuck there (I have to manually force the track with my fingers in order for it to unstuck). If I turn VR103 CW it stops doing that but also stops reading and the pattern becames a fuzzy mess.
Can anyone give me some tips here? I tried the pots, the eye pattern on the scope looks kinda ok but this problem of getting stuck and the music stopping is very confusing (it sounds like a bad cap because it happens after a while?). Also when playing the CD the music is only coming out on the left channel....
All in all this was a bad experience but it is not completely ruined. I can play HuCard games fine and I was able to install a RGB mod. Thanks for any help
Found this a amazing community a couple of days ago after buying a duo and felt like I could ask for some help here, sorry if its not the correct place
So...I got this duo on ebay in November. The seller claimed it was recapped which led me to believe it was problem free
I went to play red alert (original disk) and I could play almost-normally but I felt that sometimes it took too long to read the disc.. Since I have some experience in electronics + soldering I decided to open it and immediately found the horrors committed to this beautiful system.
Lots of leaking capacitor fluid still on the board....close to the AV connector it was really yellow. Some capacitors soldered to non-working (now floating) pads. IC506 blackish (even the legs). C315 completely dead. Some vias fully black. The person kinda destroyed VR102. The list goes on and on
I cleaned whatever I could with a cotton swab and Isopropyl alcohol. I redid some soldering and connected the floating pads directly to their correct place by testing continuity where the traces led. Then I went to the CD.
I tried as best as I could to calibrate the pots by looking at the eye pattern following this guide (https://www.retrosix.wiki/laser-tuning-pc-engine-duo). It still not the best. On Rondo of Blood (CDR) sound test the sixth track stops but the disk keeps spinning. If I try to play Book of Ys, when I get to the talking lady on the first dungeon the laser moves totally to the right and gets stuck there (I have to manually force the track with my fingers in order for it to unstuck). If I turn VR103 CW it stops doing that but also stops reading and the pattern becames a fuzzy mess.
Can anyone give me some tips here? I tried the pots, the eye pattern on the scope looks kinda ok but this problem of getting stuck and the music stopping is very confusing (it sounds like a bad cap because it happens after a while?). Also when playing the CD the music is only coming out on the left channel....
All in all this was a bad experience but it is not completely ruined. I can play HuCard games fine and I was able to install a RGB mod. Thanks for any help
#32
NEC Console Resource / Re: New user looking to dive d...
Last post by NightWolve - 02/14/2026, 01:02 PM
Hey Otaking_Enos, been a looong time since we got an introduction thread! I didn't think I'd see one again...
Welcome!
Both great CD games to have started. My Turbo Duo arrived with Ys Book I & II which I guess eventually led me to localize Ys IV!
Dracula X was recommended to me by store owners on the back of EGM/GameFan magazines so I bit the bullet and paid the $85 to get it! It was a leap/tough decision into imports because the US library ran out and it exceeded my normal pricepoint/range for what I was willing to pay for a game past $50, but I enjoyed Castlevania on NES, so I really wanted to experience the upgrade in PCECD! I rented all the US HuCards available, I was only left with buying options if I wanted to continue making use of the system.
I think its underdog status made it more appealing to me since I was the only one in the neighborhood for miles that knew about/had it. If not for the contest winning me a TG-16 with Bloody Wolf, I would've just stayed on the NES/SNES path. I didn't have the money to be chasing every new console on the scene, so I skipped Sega output for example with the exception of a friend once letting me borrow a Genesis for a bit.
Welcome!
Both great CD games to have started. My Turbo Duo arrived with Ys Book I & II which I guess eventually led me to localize Ys IV!
Dracula X was recommended to me by store owners on the back of EGM/GameFan magazines so I bit the bullet and paid the $85 to get it! It was a leap/tough decision into imports because the US library ran out and it exceeded my normal pricepoint/range for what I was willing to pay for a game past $50, but I enjoyed Castlevania on NES, so I really wanted to experience the upgrade in PCECD! I rented all the US HuCards available, I was only left with buying options if I wanted to continue making use of the system.
I think its underdog status made it more appealing to me since I was the only one in the neighborhood for miles that knew about/had it. If not for the contest winning me a TG-16 with Bloody Wolf, I would've just stayed on the NES/SNES path. I didn't have the money to be chasing every new console on the scene, so I skipped Sega output for example with the exception of a friend once letting me borrow a Genesis for a bit.
#33
NEC Console Resource / New user looking to dive deepe...
Last post by Otaking_Enos - 02/14/2026, 12:26 PM
Hey everyone! I'm super excited to hopefully become a part of this community. The turbografx was a little before my time, but my older brother did have one which is how I would end up becoming so interested in it. I have a turbo grafx mini that I absolutely love. My favorite games for the console for the console so far are Castlevania: Rondo of blood and Ys book I and II.
I'm actually on a journey now where I'm playing through games on my backlog in release date order, and I'm about to really get into the turbo grafx. If anyone plays games on retro achievements, I would love add you so I have someone to compete with on the leaderboards
.
I'm actually on a journey now where I'm playing through games on my backlog in release date order, and I'm about to really get into the turbo grafx. If anyone plays games on retro achievements, I would love add you so I have someone to compete with on the leaderboards
. #34
Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboRip v1.46: The PC Eng...
Last post by NightWolve - 02/12/2026, 03:15 PMNews: Well, I guess I should update this thread too. Firstly, TurboRip went open source, in time for its 20-YEAR anniversary - you can find it at its new, permanent home here:
https://github.com/NightWolve75/TurboRip
Secondly, I learned from user feedback very recently that there were many custom PREGAPs, including for Emerald Dragon and Ys IV, that prevented TurboRip from working! Given the Emerald Dragon patch release, I hustled for a temp fix so it works, but for many years I always wanted to finish proper PREGAP/Q subchannel detection/scanning so I could bring TurboRip closer to CloneCD/ReDumper. That day has FINALLY come! If you download the new TurboRip 2026 build it will now be 100% compatible with all PC Engine/TurboGrafx CDs, and can also be certified for SegaCD and NeoGeo game CDs since those use PREGAPs as well for audio/data track type transitions!
https://github.com/NightWolve75/TurboRip
Secondly, I learned from user feedback very recently that there were many custom PREGAPs, including for Emerald Dragon and Ys IV, that prevented TurboRip from working! Given the Emerald Dragon patch release, I hustled for a temp fix so it works, but for many years I always wanted to finish proper PREGAP/Q subchannel detection/scanning so I could bring TurboRip closer to CloneCD/ReDumper. That day has FINALLY come! If you download the new TurboRip 2026 build it will now be 100% compatible with all PC Engine/TurboGrafx CDs, and can also be certified for SegaCD and NeoGeo game CDs since those use PREGAPs as well for audio/data track type transitions!
Code Select
Last Armageddon with an odd/pointless 6:03 PREGAP/INDEX 00!
FILE "01 Last Armageddon {BRCD0001-7-0904-R1D} (J).wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "02 Last Armageddon {BRCD0001-7-0904-R1D} (J).iso" BINARY
TRACK 02 MODE1/2048
PREGAP 00:03:01
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "03 Last Armageddon {BRCD0001-7-0904-R1D} (J).wav" WAVE
TRACK 03 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:06:03
INDEX 01 00:00:00
Just an example, but the point is TurboRip will accurately detect/record that sector/time value in the CUE, and determine the true start/end LBA of such tracks so they're ripped/sized correctly! It was about time this feature was added. In the past I had to assume the standard PREGAP 3:00/2:00 Yellowbook guidelines were followed, most cases that was true, but a "guideline" isn't something burning software had to follow 100%... I dunno why some of the people mastering these CDs decided to pointlessly play around, but they did! Anyway, it was about time to learn how to detect/deal with these cases. #35
Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Pc Engine Super CDROM2 - Z...
Last post by NightWolve - 02/04/2026, 12:04 PM
Sorry I can't be of help here, sounds pretty bad!
#36
Console Repair/Mod Center / Pc Engine Super CDROM2 - ZD301...
Last post by Carlito - 02/03/2026, 03:10 AM
Hello,
I am trying to fix some PC Engine console and I recently got stuck with a Super CDROM2.
The Caps leaked so much that the liquid corroded part of the PCB.
I tried to gently clean it but several components unsoldered during the process. (not mentioning that I have to create some bridges to repair some damages)
Q304
ZD301
ZD302
I cleaned them and tried to put them again since they seemed fine.
However for ZD301, corrosion removed one of the legs.
I would like to buy a new part but I was not able to find any information regarding the value I should get for it.
I tried with a different Super CDROM2 and I measured a value of 10.78V which seems a little high (I was expecting something around 5V)
Do you know where I can get some data sheet regarding this type of part?
Or perhaps somebody can measure the value on their device so I can get a better understanding what I shall buy?
Thank you for your help.
I am trying to fix some PC Engine console and I recently got stuck with a Super CDROM2.
The Caps leaked so much that the liquid corroded part of the PCB.
I tried to gently clean it but several components unsoldered during the process. (not mentioning that I have to create some bridges to repair some damages)
Q304
ZD301
ZD302
I cleaned them and tried to put them again since they seemed fine.
However for ZD301, corrosion removed one of the legs.
I would like to buy a new part but I was not able to find any information regarding the value I should get for it.
I tried with a different Super CDROM2 and I measured a value of 10.78V which seems a little high (I was expecting something around 5V)
Do you know where I can get some data sheet regarding this type of part?
Or perhaps somebody can measure the value on their device so I can get a better understanding what I shall buy?
Thank you for your help.
#37
Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: Emerald Dragon Localizatio...
Last post by pixeljunkie - 01/06/2026, 12:44 PMLoving Emerald Dragon!
Oh jeez, forgot about the whole Saber Riders mess...ugh
Oh jeez, forgot about the whole Saber Riders mess...ugh
#38
News / 2025 PCEFX Newsletter Archive
Last post by NightWolve - 12/31/2025, 07:10 AMHello everyone, happy new year!
Well, not much to report for 2025, I've always had trouble with the email system (sorry if you received this twice) and it didn't prove a popular idea, BUT, there is BIG breaking news which hopefully you may hear first from PCEFX! Supper the Subtitler has struck again after Far East of Eden/Tengai Makyou: Ziria by completing an Emerald Dragon English patch 100% by himself!!! He timed it for a New Year's Eve release!
5/3/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Zero4 Champ is released by Supper the Sniper!
https://stargood.org/trans/zero4.php
10/16/2025 - I joined Forrealsyalls' ambitious plan to localize Popful Mail by porting my Ys IV Dub Kit on his behalf. He has made great progress, so keep a look out on this project!
https://www.castingcall.club/projects/popful-mail-pc-engine-english-dub
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/1978706948032696480
10/18/2025 - My TurboRip source code for ripping PC Engine/TurboGrafx CDs to ISO/WAV/CUE format went open source to whom it may concern. Thank you to everyone that helped over the years.
https://github.com/NightWolve75/TurboRip
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/1979743400539910329
12/13/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Fortress of Necros localization is released! This is the quirky one with the psychedelic flashing colors during battle animations that requires an epilepsy warning!
https://www.romhacking.net/translations/7454/
12/31/2025 - Limited Run Games announced they're localizing Tenshi No Uta I & II for the Switch console! They're working for Edia, so expect similar quality to the Cosmic Fantasy Collection!
https://x.com/LimitedRunGames/status/2006077951024955701
12/31/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Emerald Dragon is released by Supper the Subtitler having gone turbo mode by spending every waking minute of the last 6 months to do it for a New Year's Eve release! Simply unstoppable, NOTHING can prevent him from TOTAL PCECD localization domination!!!!
https://stargood.org/trans/emdr.php
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/2005181632693813576Regards,
The PCEngine-FX.com Team.
Well, not much to report for 2025, I've always had trouble with the email system (sorry if you received this twice) and it didn't prove a popular idea, BUT, there is BIG breaking news which hopefully you may hear first from PCEFX! Supper the Subtitler has struck again after Far East of Eden/Tengai Makyou: Ziria by completing an Emerald Dragon English patch 100% by himself!!! He timed it for a New Year's Eve release!
5/3/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Zero4 Champ is released by Supper the Sniper!
https://stargood.org/trans/zero4.php
10/16/2025 - I joined Forrealsyalls' ambitious plan to localize Popful Mail by porting my Ys IV Dub Kit on his behalf. He has made great progress, so keep a look out on this project!
https://www.castingcall.club/projects/popful-mail-pc-engine-english-dub
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/1978706948032696480
10/18/2025 - My TurboRip source code for ripping PC Engine/TurboGrafx CDs to ISO/WAV/CUE format went open source to whom it may concern. Thank you to everyone that helped over the years.
https://github.com/NightWolve75/TurboRip
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/1979743400539910329
12/13/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Fortress of Necros localization is released! This is the quirky one with the psychedelic flashing colors during battle animations that requires an epilepsy warning!
https://www.romhacking.net/translations/7454/
12/31/2025 - Limited Run Games announced they're localizing Tenshi No Uta I & II for the Switch console! They're working for Edia, so expect similar quality to the Cosmic Fantasy Collection!
https://x.com/LimitedRunGames/status/2006077951024955701
12/31/2025 - PC Engine Localization for Emerald Dragon is released by Supper the Subtitler having gone turbo mode by spending every waking minute of the last 6 months to do it for a New Year's Eve release! Simply unstoppable, NOTHING can prevent him from TOTAL PCECD localization domination!!!!
https://stargood.org/trans/emdr.php
https://x.com/NightWolve75/status/2005181632693813576Regards,
The PCEngine-FX.com Team.
#39
Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: Emerald Dragon Localizatio...
Last post by NightWolve - 12/28/2025, 03:17 AMBUMP
https://stargood.org/trans/emdr.php
I decided to share a pre-patched English CD image (BIN/CUE format) of Emerald Dragon after requests for help and then seeing how tough it is to patch it yourself (wow, even I had a lot of trouble!)! Feel free to share the ZIP link around:
Protips: Don't use the BizHawk emulator with this patched game! The the voice-acting/lip-movement versus animation/cutscenes is wildly out of sync! I can confirm MESEN, MagicEngine work correctly. Analogue FPGA Duo does the same thing as BizHawk whether you use a SD card & ripped image via the jailbreak firmware or a burned CD-R via normal firmware, just badly out of sync... And I don't think Analogue cares about the product anymore, I doubt it'll get future updates.
pcengine-fx.com/downloads/
pcengine-fx.com/downloads/EmeraldDragon(T-Eng).zip
https://stargood.org/trans/emdr.php
I decided to share a pre-patched English CD image (BIN/CUE format) of Emerald Dragon after requests for help and then seeing how tough it is to patch it yourself (wow, even I had a lot of trouble!)! Feel free to share the ZIP link around:
Protips: Don't use the BizHawk emulator with this patched game! The the voice-acting/lip-movement versus animation/cutscenes is wildly out of sync! I can confirm MESEN, MagicEngine work correctly. Analogue FPGA Duo does the same thing as BizHawk whether you use a SD card & ripped image via the jailbreak firmware or a burned CD-R via normal firmware, just badly out of sync... And I don't think Analogue cares about the product anymore, I doubt it'll get future updates.
pcengine-fx.com/downloads/
pcengine-fx.com/downloads/EmeraldDragon(T-Eng).zip
#40
Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo Monitor - Capacitor C5...
Last post by NightWolve - 11/19/2025, 02:09 PM
I looked around for you via reverse Google-image searching and found that iFixRetro also bought one and did a capacitor replacement job on it! He made posts on X/Facebook/Instagram, so here ya go. I already asked him for you but you should too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLd-DX4R6kf/
https://www.facebook.com/ifixretro/posts/pfbid0bQieaWjmbZvjuEYXs4YDgT1ATcWXpjExEAzu3YJfh6JwxZSfdUr6HESG1Mc8AH7Dl
This is a high res photo, but overhead so not much help in identifying cap values unfortunately:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLd-DX4R6kf/
https://www.facebook.com/ifixretro/posts/pfbid0bQieaWjmbZvjuEYXs4YDgT1ATcWXpjExEAzu3YJfh6JwxZSfdUr6HESG1Mc8AH7Dl
This is a high res photo, but overhead so not much help in identifying cap values unfortunately: