PC Engine DUO-RX That Reads some discs but not others

[DirtMonkey]

This system has been region unlocked for card based media but that really doesn't matter as the issue I am having is with CD based media.  I picked up a bunch of mint condition discs and there are a bunch that just won't read while a bunch of others with scratches will read.  I know the RX systems are more immune from capacitor problems and I would assume that the scratched media would be the first ones to suffer from a weak laser.  One of the games in question is Exile which was sealed when I purchased it.  Works fine on my Duo but not on this Duo RX. 

What do the PC Engine gods recommend I try first to get this system up-to snuff?

[Keith Courage]

I bet the lens just needs some adjustment. Try adjusting the V102 potentiometer on the motherboard.

[PCEngineHell]

All sorts of factors can come into play causing some disc to read better then others, regardless of scratches, and also, no system is immune. It's simply that the RX has better quality caps that have a better chance of lasting longer. This will still depend on how many hours of play the system has been put through. Also, a dying laser, or one that is not calibrated well, may be able to read some areas of a disc at certain speed rotations fine, but not at others, or have issues with certain disc that have a tad bit more wobble then normal due to focus issues.

You can try to re-calibrate the laser first, and if that wont work, then replace it and calibrate the new one that gets installed. If the laser is still failing then the problem may be the caps or some other component. If you have no prior experience with repairs or this sort of thing then send it to one of the people here who does. Proper calibration especially takes a bit of know how and a certain level of persistence, along with having a good set of disc, both music and game wise, perfect for calibrating lasers to get things performing tip top again.

[incrediblehark]

BlueBMW had a great laser adjustment guide on here if you look around a little bit. My word of advice on laser adjustments:  Less is more. Only adjust a little at a time and mark your starting point.

[wilykat]

elaborate won't read.  Does it just sit there and claim no CD or something?  If so, laser adjustment mentioned above and also check the lens for dirt or something.  If it does read but shows garbled graphics or something, the problem is likely somewhere else.

[DirtMonkey]

Its been a while since I could sit down and work on this system but here is some more information.  Without any adjustments, it will try and read the disc for about 2 mins and give a "load error" message.  During that time the LED light will flash every 15 seconds or so and the laser makes a resetting noise each time. 

I have attempted to adjust the VR102 little increments at a time and still nothing.  Once I get so far one way it gives me a "set disc" error.  The other way it just keeps giving me a "load error".  One thing I will mention is that sometimes it doesn't give me a "load error" until a LONG time has passed. 

As mentioned, it will read a lot of different discs except for these two friggen discs that I have and one of them is brand new.  EXILE is the one that is annoying me. 

I have a new laser on order and will give that a shot when it comes in.  I have reset VR102 back to the original position.

[ginoscope]

Yeah I had similar issues on my PC Engine Duo and my TG16 CD.  In both situations a new laser solved all the issues and it started reading all kinds of disc (original, cd-r).  I didn't really have to adjust the DUO much but the TG16 CD took quite a bit of pot adjustments to get perfect.

[DirtMonkey]

Thanks!  Looking forward to being able to play EVERYTHING with it.  Hoping that a new laser will get it working properly.  Should be here by next week!