CD-ROM2 Unit seems to work, but the disc won't spin when loading a game :(

Sumez · 03/18/2012, 07:01 AM

I've been trying to search around for similar problems, but it's difficult to find out exactly where to look for someone with the same problem.

Anyway I recently replaced the broken gear in my CD-ROM² unit with this one, and that solution works just fine (I can't recommend it enough), if I just plug the power into drive and put headphones into the Line Out plug in the back, I can play an audio CDs, and all the audio tracks from a PCE game, with no problems at all.

However, once I plug it into my Interface Unit, and try reading game data through it, it's as if the drive isn't even able to spin the disc. When I press the "Run" button, it just starts loading, and the CD drive displays "PC" like it should, but the drive is only able to spin the disc for a couple of millimeters before stopping and trying again, going into a constant "stutter". I could try to record it, but I think you get what I mean.

I think this problem might have existed before messing with my gear repair (I remember being able to help loading get going by tapping/hitting the drive on the side), but it might also be related to me messing with the insides of the unit - I tried messing a little with the pot meters, but I'm not sure what each of them do, so I won't go too far from the current configuration which plays audio tracks fine, after all.

I can actually make the disc spin by opening the lid, giving it a spin manually, and then quickly closing the lid to push the Run button. It's not helping the game load, though.

Samurai Ghost · 03/18/2012, 10:33 AM

Hey there, I deal with these units a lot, although I usually send them off to be repaired/refurbished. But if they disc is spinning and playing audio CDs alone, perhaps the problem is not with the drive itself but the IFU? Just a possibility to eliminate at least. Do you have another IFU or working CD unit to test it with?

thesteve · 03/18/2012, 01:01 PM

these are a cd player first and a cd rom second.
the same functions apply to both.
i expect something on the board is pressed against the spindle assembly when inserted in the IFU.
try to play audio when in IFU

Keith Courage · 03/18/2012, 01:57 PM

One thing you might want to try is to not push the CD drive itself all the way onto the docking station. Sometimes the pins for the I/O port get dirty and backing the drive off a little will let games load.

Sumez · 03/18/2012, 03:16 PM

Wow, seems the problem wasn't with the drive or interface unit at all. It was the power supply that was unable to supply enough power for both the CD unit and PC Engine unit at the same time. Was a pretty easy and stupid fix, too.

But thank you guys for directing me away from the drive itself as the source of the problem!

I am finally able to play PC Engine CD games again, amazing!

turbokon · 03/18/2012, 03:46 PM

I have that same problem too for my TGCD. I'm using a pce cd power supply since I don't have an officially turbo one which output less voltage and current. Takes me a couple on and off to get it spinning whereas it's spins right away out of the base. I'm on the look out for an official power supply.

thesteve · 03/18/2012, 05:05 PM

wow i dismissed that possibility as i thought it was a previously functional setup

Sumez · 03/18/2012, 07:04 PM

I thought so too!

Actually the problem was with the stepdown converter I was using, I thought it was the one I had always been using for my PC Engine.

thesteve · 03/18/2012, 07:57 PM

here in the US we dont bother with the stepdown converters 120V 100V close enough

incrediblehark · 03/19/2012, 10:01 AM

Quote from: thesteve on 03/18/2012, 07:57 PMhere in the US we dont bother with the stepdown converters 120V 100V close enough

Interestingly, the only system (im in US) that I had to use a stepdown converter for is the neo geo cdz. Maybe it has to do witht he system's notorious overheating issues, but it just doesn't funtion properly unless i stepdown the voltage.

Mishran · 03/19/2012, 10:18 AM

Quote from: incrediblehark on 03/19/2012, 10:01 AM
Quote from: thesteve on 03/18/2012, 07:57 PMhere in the US we dont bother with the stepdown converters 120V 100V close enough
Interestingly, the only system (im in US) that I had to use a stepdown converter for is the neo geo cdz. Maybe it has to do witht he system's notorious overheating issues, but it just doesn't funtion properly unless i stepdown the voltage.

That is odd, as I once owned a CDZ and it operated just fine straight from an outlet. Weird. Guess not all like power supplies/systems are made alike. Technology...

Sumez · 03/19/2012, 11:59 AM

Quote from: thesteve on 03/18/2012, 07:57 PMhere in the US we dont bother with the stepdown converters 120V 100V close enough

Yeah, you have that advantage.

I don't think finding a proper 230v substitute should be much of a problem though, but all my Nintendo adapters output AC, and the Sega ones are center positive.

GohanX · 03/19/2012, 03:40 PM

Quote from: turbokon on 03/18/2012, 03:46 PMI have that same problem too for my TGCD. I'm using a pce cd power supply since I don't have an officially turbo one which output less voltage and current. Takes me a couple on and off to get it spinning whereas it's spins right away out of the base. I'm on the look out for an official power supply.

An official supply is always best, but you can buy a power supply that works from Walmart or Radio Shack. The Radioshack one is expensive, but high quality, while the Walmart one is cheap and works but I wouldn't expect it to last. I used it for a few months as a TG16 power supply before getting the TGCD.

Sumez · 03/19/2012, 07:07 PM

Lol

Samurai Ghost · 03/20/2012, 06:32 AM

Quote from: JKM on 03/19/2012, 03:40 PM
Quote from: turbokon on 03/18/2012, 03:46 PMI have that same problem too for my TGCD. I'm using a pce cd power supply since I don't have an officially turbo one which output less voltage and current. Takes me a couple on and off to get it spinning whereas it's spins right away out of the base. I'm on the look out for an official power supply.
An official supply is always best, but you can buy a power supply that works from Walmart or Radio Shack. The Radioshack one is expensive, but high quality, while the Walmart one is cheap and works but I wouldn't expect it to last. I used it for a few months as a TG16 power supply before getting the TGCD.

They are pretty expensive but this site has some adapters with the correct voltage, etc., for NEC systems:

http://www.retrogamecave.com/ac-adapters.html

I've got a bunch of the official adapters but damn are they heavy...

Mishran · 03/21/2012, 11:00 AM

Just today ran into this same problem with the PCE CD I just got over the weekend. I was starting up Exile: WP and it loaded fine up to the title screen. Then I heard a couple of clicks and the CD stopped spinning. I tried turning the system off and then back on and tried again, nothing. The whirring sound of the motor can be heard on closer inspection which leads me to believe something may have happened to my center gear. Those damn things are notorious from what I read on these boards. Only the second time I got to use the damn machine too.

EDIT: Nevermind, figured out the problem...

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turbokon · 04/09/2012, 11:23 AM

Quote from: turbokon on 03/18/2012, 03:46 PMI have that same problem too for my TGCD. I'm using a pce cd power supply since I don't have an officially turbo one which output less voltage and current. Takes me a couple on and off to get it spinning whereas it's spins right away out of the base. I'm on the look out for an official power supply.

I came across a thread on the infamous middle gear seizing up on startup. I decided to take a look on mine, sure enough, it did seem kind of tight. So I took it out, clean off the old grease, add in the some silicon oil in the hole, put it back and lub with white lith grease and now it is working instantly and every time. So mine had nothing to do with the power supply I am using as I originally thought.