Tg16 noob here!

in99flames · 10/09/2014, 01:57 AM

Hello everyone. I am very glad i found this forum....if anyone can help.....me its you guys!
Just got a tg16 and a tg16cd with the dock and original power adapter for both. No issues with the tg16....but having issues with the cd and dock(big surprise) . I am not totally familiar with how these work in tandem yet since ive owned it for 4 days. Here is what is going on(forgive the length):

The cd player alone was not reading cds(this part refers to the cd part ONLY, not while it is in the dock) they were just not spinning, but i did see the laser light up. After looking around i did the grease cleaning fix. I got some white lithium grease, cleaned the old crap and re-lubricated the tracks. My gears were functioning normally and did not need replacing at this time.
***should i lubricate these gears at all?(i have not yet)
After re-lubrication of the tracks, i got the cd player to finally spin and read cds. Its only been tested with music(no cdrs, actual copies). I did a long cd and went from track 13 to track 1 and back again. It skipped the audio on occasion. I then let the cd play through the entire cd(almost 90 minutes). It didnt skip after that.
--Here is where my first problem starts. If i unplug the cd unit's power cord and let it sit for a bit(still not in the cd dock) it will have trouble reading cds again. I would have to fight with it for a few minutes. Sometimes id move the laser on its track or spin the spindle by hand. Eventually it will read the cds like normal and not give me any issue until i let it sit for a bit again. Not sure about how to fix this.

--Second issue, my cd dock appears to not have power reaching it. I am using the official original power adaper made by NEC for the turbo cd dock. When i dock the cd unit into the cd dock and attach it to the tg16....i do not get any power anywhere(i made sure all locks were designated as "locked"). I have a turbo cd hu card coming in the mail and I know that i cant use the cd games in the dock without this card...but i figured that i should still see signs of life from it plugged in. The cd player does not light up in the dock. No spinning, nothing with everything hooked together, i tried a normal tg 16 HuCard game...no power or picture. I suspected maybe the turbo cd power adapter, but i can use that plug in the tg16 by itself and it will power up the tg16 without issue. I did attempt to take apart the dock...visually i did not SEE anything bad, no bleeding or bulging caps. No frayed or loose plugs....not sure what i should be looking for in this one.

If anyone can provide help, i would greatly appreciate it!!! Thank you all!

clackattack · 10/09/2014, 02:11 AM

Someone else knowledgeable around here will chime in soon im sure, but IIRC someone on here had very similar issues and found thier +5v power regulator was faulty...?

cjameslv · 10/09/2014, 02:22 AM

Welcome aboard! I also had an issue with my cd addon at first and also tried lithium grease. Wasn't a help and still had the issue spinning up. Turns out i had to replace a gear that had worn out. They are pretty inexpensive and fairly easy to find.

Quote from: choijimmy on 09/03/2014, 09:23 AMHi Guys,

Eventually, I am able to find a gear manufactor to make the CDROM middle gear for me in relatively small quantities ( around 100+ ) in reasonable price. I used 3 of them to save my 3 broken cdrom. Let me know ( or pm ) if you want some. I can sell each of them for USD$ 8 ( or $15 for 2 ). The more you buy, the more discount I can give...
...The shipping is around 2 bucks. Free shipping if you buy more.

Thanks!
Jimmy

As for no or low power to dock i would suggest checking the exp port pinout and testing the pins with a multimeter to see what voltage is coming out of them. The pinout can be seen here: http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/pcebp.php Your main point of focus will be the Vout pins to see if they register +5v. Hope this helps getting you pointed in the right direction.

in99flames · 10/09/2014, 10:36 AM

Oh definitely a start. I will look into the dock. As far as the gears go....i looked at the mesh and condition of the 3....they seemed to be fine. Nothing was chipped or destroyed. I suppose it could still be problematic based on the history of these things. Thank you for that thread with the gear too!! I may be making a purchase very soon haha

cjameslv · 10/09/2014, 11:18 AM

Quote from: in99flames on 10/09/2014, 10:36 AMOh definitely a start. I will look into the dock. As far as the gears go....i looked at the mesh and condition of the 3....they seemed to be fine. Nothing was chipped or destroyed. I suppose it could still be problematic based on the history of these things. Thank you for that thread with the gear too!! I may be making a purchase very soon haha

Well that middle gear has a step down on one side to it. So its 2 gears in one. I'd double check (not sure if there is a way to see that part short of removing it?) and if it's good then it could something random like a motor issue or maybe a component piece like a capacitor, regulator or something.

Keith Courage · 10/09/2014, 09:32 PM

Could also be that the inner hole on the middle gear has swollen making it very difficult to spin. This is usually what happens before said gear breaks. Most people think their lens motor or rails need re-greasing when the gear itself is bad.

A quick fix would be to drill out the center hole making it the correct size again instead of getting a new gear.

in99flames · 10/10/2014, 05:43 PM

I see, i should disassemble it and attempt to play a cd and look at the gears work. Ill update this when i do. Any other suggestions?

Keith Courage · 10/12/2014, 06:37 AM

Basically if you can get the gears to work but then the next day they are stuck again after letting the system sit overnight then the gear itself is swollen.

in99flames · 10/12/2014, 09:10 PM

Good point
Getting a new gear!

in99flames · 10/16/2014, 01:10 AM

Ordered and its on its way!! Ill post when its installed and hopefully we it'll be,fixed!

cjameslv · 10/16/2014, 11:14 AM

Quote from: in99flames on 10/16/2014, 01:10 AMOrdered and its on its way!! Ill post when its installed and hopefully we it'll be,fixed!

Yeah i'm sure that will fix it right up.

in99flames · 10/23/2014, 12:49 PM

Update : still waiting for gear.....but i still cannot get this damn cd dock to accept power.

I tested the power adapter and it is outputting properly. Something in the cd dock itself. Ill check out that pin diagram and start poking :-)

Keith Courage · 10/23/2014, 10:58 PM

i've seen power jacks on the cd docks go bad as well as the power switch on the right side next to the cd drive bay.

in99flames · 10/28/2014, 01:41 PM

Ill take a look inside again. Ive browsed...but have yet to find a disassembly chart or guide for the cd dock itself. I may have to do this blind. I did get the gear in and installing today.

in99flames · 10/28/2014, 04:46 PM

Update: gear installed and worked as you all said it would. Starts up and reads discs immediately. Friggian awesome. Now i gotta fix this dock....

in99flames · 11/02/2014, 11:47 PM

I have the dock disassembled.....nothing looks too crazy out of the ordinary. I used a multimeter on many points to check continuity. The power jack does report connection in the multimeter... I plugged it in and tested the current. My original NEC adapter seems to be putting out 18 volts. It states 11 on rhe adapter...maybe my plug is bad? Anybody know of a disassembly guide or know of a list of known issues? I cant believe i could not find anything about repairing the dock....maybe im searching for the wrong thing...

Keith Courage · 11/03/2014, 01:13 AM

Check that both power switches work. Meaning the one on the front of the unit and the one under where the CD drive sits. Both have to be switched on for it to work.

Fidde_se · 11/03/2014, 06:36 AM

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=15656.msg319816#msg319816

in99flames · 11/03/2014, 10:52 AM

aahhh. Thank you keith. Ill examine them more. Thank you Fidde too...i was looking for something like that. I must have been looking for the wrong keywords. Ill post again after looking at it today

in99flames · 11/03/2014, 02:59 PM

Ok...I think it is the main power switch but unsure. I think I need further guidance on this. Just as an FYI: I am just starting to get into electronic repair and whatnot so I may be making obvious mistakes or say things I believe to be correct that are not. PLEASE CORRECT ME. I want to learn this stuff. Here is why I believe it to be the main power switch(located in the front of the dock). When i check continuity going from the board through the switch in the "ON" position, it does not seem to get back to the board. I tested voltage going to the port on the main PCB, one pin has voltage going to it(Orange wire). It gets to the switch but whether the switch is in the "ON" or "OFF" position, the continuity does not follow back to the main PCB through to the other 2 pins(Brown and Red wires). Also, The metal mesh connecting the metal shields together throughout the enclosure needed to be cut for me to fully disassemble the dock. For conductivity, should I re-solder these back together(see pic)? Thanks again for the help