Slow load times TG CD

grache · 12/03/2014, 04:26 AM

When I first got the CD ROM, it wouldn't spin disks. So I opened it up and found the gears and rail the laser runs on were bone dry.

I added a moderate amount of white lithium, and now disks spin, and even load games. The problem is they load slow. I took it apart and remove some of the grease, same load times. I poured on grease, same load times.

Testing with Last Alert, it takes 2:18 seconds, consistently, to get to the start screen. On this longplay it takes 1:42.

I *might* have accidentally moved the pots while re-attaching the larger ribbon cable, a quick search didn't find the default settings.

Next step is caps?

P.S.
Is re-soldering the ground to the bottom of the case necessary? Since the PCE CD doesn't even have it.

Keith Courage · 12/03/2014, 05:18 AM

maybe caps but the pots may just need a small adjustment.

grache · 12/04/2014, 04:10 AM

Quote from: Keith Courage on 12/03/2014, 05:18 AMmaybe caps but the pots may just need a small adjustment.

Thanks Keith, when I get some time I'll try adjusting the pots and report back.

Keith Courage · 12/04/2014, 05:30 AM

Usually the two black pots that are right next to one another are the ones to adjust. The white ones hardly ever need to be adjusted.

grache · 12/23/2014, 06:06 PM

So I just tried the same TG-16 and dock with another CD unit . I'm getting the same slow load times.

It appears to be a problem in the dock / power supply. I'll check the power the dock is getting and see if any of the caps are leaking.

Keith Courage · 12/27/2014, 07:57 PM

What power supply are you using? Also, these systems do load some games very slowly. I think some people are accustom to new gen systems thinking things should be faster than they are at times.

grache · 12/28/2014, 07:41 PM

Radio Shack 12v 1.5 amp power supply.

The newest system I own is a Dreamcast, so I'm not used to new gen load times ;)

I'm going off the longplay I linked to load times, plus the load times on a Duo (the Duo load times are in-between the longplay and the TG-CD).

Do different CD models have different load times?

Keith Courage · 12/28/2014, 10:37 PM

Slower than normal loading generally only occurs when the lens needs adjustment or the CD lens itself is starting to get old and weak. Does the drive make any clicking sounds as if the lens is trying to read the CD multiple times during a loading session?