Utter noob and a PCE - CDROM2 [pics]

[gladders]

Hey folks, I recently acquired a broken CDROM2 from a French eBayer and I hope to repair it or failing that, get it serviced by a third party. Basically the machine when powered up makes a constant whirring sound and won't read discs. So I suspected the problem would be that pesky middle gear.

So I've taken some photos which I think confirm my hypothesis - you should see the gear is actually missing entirely. There was something loose in there rattling round while I was opening the CDROM2, but it turned out to be a loose, and apparently entirely redundant, screw. I'm not sure if anyone's rummaged inside it before and maybe removed the busted gear but never replaced it?

Anyway, I would appreciate if the geniuses on this forum could look at these pictures and confirm if I'm right and all it needs is a new middle gear, just for reassurance. Could you also check over the rest of it and see if it at least looks all present and correct from a mere glance?

Would help this utter layman out entirely thanks

Here goes:

[BlueBMW]

Looks like the middle gear probably broke and fell elsewhere in the case, or someone tried to service it, removed the gear but couldnt find a replacement so they left it out.

Get a gear and you'll be good to go I'd say

[gladders]

Looks like the middle gear probably broke and fell elsewhere in the case, or someone tried to service it, removed the gear but couldnt find a replacement so they left it out.

Get a gear and you'll be good to go I'd say

Awesome. It is just the plastic gear I need? I heard somewhere about some metal stud that caps it in, but I couldn't see one there. Have I been misinformed?

[turbokon]

Yep you're need a little metal clip that holds the middle gear in place but don't know where you can find a replacement though.  You can also go with the two gear system using Keithcourage's which eliminate middle gear.

[gladders]

Damn, that's a blow anyone know where I can find one, or if it's possible to kludge one? Bit of blu-tac maybe?

[Fidde_se]

I had some "fabricated" by myself, discussed that with Chop like a year ago but I don't think that left our inboxes, as it's pretty common people loose it, just pops away...

[gladders]

I had some "fabricated" by myself, discussed that with Chop like a year ago but I don't think that left our inboxes, as it's pretty common people loose it, just pops away...

Could I persuade you to hand one over somehow?

[Fidde_se]

Should be possible, just checked and those few I had premade is not there anymore, probably shipped out a long time ago, but I will get back to you in a couple of days when I have some made.

[gladders]

Fantastic, thankyou!

[gladders]

Should be possible, just checked and those few I had premade is not there anymore, probably shipped out a long time ago, but I will get back to you in a couple of days when I have some made.

Heya, any word on this?

[choijimmy]

regarding the little metal clip, I found the replacement

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=17610.0

[gladders]

regarding the little metal clip, I found the replacement

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=17610.0

The Barley paper idea? That's a neat solution, alas I lack the deft handwork or equipment to make one! I don't suppose you could fashion one for me

[choijimmy]

I can mail a piece of barley paper for you which can make 100+ of rings , just cut by cutter / scissor and you should be able to get it. Pm me your address.

[wolfman]

I can mail a piece of barley paper for you which can make 100+ of rings , just cut by cutter / scissor and you should be able to get it. Pm me your address.

Hey, I´d be in for a piece of paper too - let me know how much you want for it!

[choijimmy]

I can mail a piece of barley paper for you which can make 100+ of rings , just cut by cutter / scissor and you should be able to get it. Pm me your address.

Hey, I´d be in for a piece of paper too - let me know how much you want for it!

I can mail it free, just pm me your address

[wolfman]

I can mail a piece of barley paper for you which can make 100+ of rings , just cut by cutter / scissor and you should be able to get it. Pm me your address.

Hey, I´d be in for a piece of paper too - let me know how much you want for it!

I can mail it free, just pm me your address

Cool, will do!

[clackattack]

Damn Choi, if your feeliong generous enuf, i could use some of that stuff! i actually have a 3do that could benefit from one of those... my cd-rom2 is doing good for now, but also to have some as a spare. Or hell, if you dont have plans for your whole sheet wolfman, maybe you would be interested in splitting it with me? 

[choijimmy]

Damn Choi, if your feeliong generous enuf, i could use some of that stuff! i actually have a 3do that could benefit from one of those... my cd-rom2 is doing good for now, but also to have some as a spare. Or hell, if you dont have plans for your whole sheet wolfman, maybe you would be interested in splitting it with me? 

sure. just pm me your address

[gladders]

Hi ChoJimmy, thanks so much for the paper I've managed to successfully put a piece over the gear's rod, and the gear is now firmly in place. Nice one!

However it seems the CDROM is still malfunctioning. I've tired putting a CD in, and I hear it whirring but it never begins playing. I've moved the laser around and I've noticed the first thing it does when powering on is move straight to the centre, then stop.

So I guess I've fixed the gear problem, but there's something else at work here...any suggestions?

[choijimmy]

Hi ChoJimmy, thanks so much for the paper I've managed to successfully put a piece over the gear's rod, and the gear is now firmly in place. Nice one!

However it seems the CDROM is still malfunctioning. I've tired putting a CD in, and I hear it whirring but it never begins playing. I've moved the laser around and I've noticed the first thing it does when powering on is move straight to the centre, then stop.

So I guess I've fixed the gear problem, but there's something else at work here...any suggestions?

please check
1) once you put the paper over the gear rod, can you still rotate the gear by hand easily ? I worry the gear is too thick/firm due to the paper and unable to rotate ( I am not sure what is the size of your replacement gear... I tried both original gear and my replace gear, they are fine )

2) Is any red  beam come out from the laser? ( watch in 45 degree since laser beam will hurt your eyes )
if not, then I am pretty sure the laser is dead...

If there is laser beam comes out... then I am not really sure... may be the laser is very weak in this case.

Thanks!
Jimmy

[Keith Courage]

Double check you put the lens ribbons back in the correct way. 50% of the time people put the larger ribbon cable back in reversed. The pins/contacts should face outwards away from the center of the drive.

Also, you mention a whirring sound. Is the disc spinning?

[gladders]

Thanks guys. I'll try this out when I get home tonight.

The first time I tinkered with the thing, the disc span, but last night it didn't. Just a whir of the laser head moving to the centre.

I couldn't see any laser, but how best would I be able to check that? Open it up again and run power through it?

[Keith Courage]

Leave the CD lid open while hitting the play button. You will have to use a small screw driver to hold the lid close latch over while doing so.