The CD drive on my PC Engine Duo is misbehaving...diagnosis?

[GoldenWheels]

New thing as I've had the unit a couple years and it's been solid....was playing Super Air Zonk last night, played first three stages left to right, then selected fourth stage. Music continued to play, but it never loaded.

Disc continued to spin up, make a noise, then stop, and didn't sound awful, but then it repeats over and over. I waited almost 10 minutes and finally turned it off.

I then had a similar problem with Dracula X (PCE works repro version) also.

But then I played some random CD games (Addams Family,  can't remember what else) for like 20 minutes each and they all seemed to load OK. Addams Family loaded all those shitty audio clips like a champ.

Any way to figure out my issue here? Do I have a bad gear? I've read that can be an issue. Laser alignment? Any way to further diagnose this so I can fix it or get it fixed? Thanks.

[Keith Courage]

Might be a bad gear but no way to know without opening up the system. Also, it could be that the lens might just need a minor adjustment. This sounds like something that could be fixed by slightly turning the V102 pot counter clockwise. I would just barely turn it to the left. Not much at all.

Could be a sign that the lens is starting to go out but unfortunately only time will tell for that. No way to really test it if it's still technically working.

[MobiusStripTech]

If it's a Duo, it's likely not gear related, could be but not as common as the cd-rom2 gears. Honestly it could be a lubrication problem or the laser might just be failing. If you have had a recap already then I would focus on laser adjustments and possibly a laser replacement.

[GoldenWheels]

Crap! Thanks guys. Recaps already done (I bought this from Keith recapped, LOL) so I guess I'll just see how the CDs play for a while. It's a very inconsistent problem right now.

Part of me wishes it would just shit the bed so I could send it out (Keith you do new lasers?) because not knowing if I'm going to get screwed progress-wise mid game on a load screen really sucks. ALmost makes me want to stick to hueys ANYWAY.

[schweaty]

This could probably be fixed with some pot tweeking

[Keith Courage]

Crap! Thanks guys. Recaps already done (I bought this from Keith recapped, LOL) so I guess I'll just see how the CDs play for a while. It's a very inconsistent problem right now.

Part of me wishes it would just shit the bed so I could send it out (Keith you do new lasers?) because not knowing if I'm going to get screwed progress-wise mid game on a load screen really sucks. ALmost makes me want to stick to hueys ANYWAY.

I do replace the lens with a new one if it's bad. I can't remember when you got the system from me but I'm sure I thoroughly tested it and all was working great at the time. you are always welcome to send the system back to me so I can adjust the lens or replace it.

also, has anything changed with where you use your system location wise? the reason I ask is because sometimes Duo CD drives can act funny when placed next to other CD drives.

[GoldenWheels]

I do replace the lens with a new one if it's bad. I can't remember when you got the system from me but I'm sure I thoroughly tested it and all was working great at the time. you are always welcome to send the system back to me so I can adjust the lens or replace it.

also, has anything changed with where you use your system location wise? the reason I ask is because sometimes Duo CD drives can act funny when placed next to other CD drives.

Oh heck Keith I've had it almost two years and this just started this week, so I am sure it is just a normal use thing. It's been working 100% until now.

(Haven't changed the system location or anything though)

I'll roll with it for a while and see what happens. Maybe I crack it open and tweak the pot, worst comes to worst I'll send it to ya for service.

[GoldenWheels]

This could probably be fixed with some pot tweeking

Is there a VERY visual guide on tweaking this pot anywhere?

[schweaty]

This could probably be fixed with some pot tweeking

Is there a VERY visual guide on tweaking this pot anywhere?

Read the pinned thread about laser adjustment under repair and modification guides

[Keith Courage]

The symptom you are having could also be a lens motor going bad. When they start to die they will sometimes get stuck when traveling back and forth. When they get stuck the CD spins up really fast. So this might be the problem altogether. You should try some more games to find out if the CD only spins up when loading in between stages or different screens of a CD game. This can also happen when loading up a game from a cold start as well. Basically you should listen to hear if the lens motor runs and then see if the CD just spins up really quick like. So I would do a little more testing first before trying to adjust potentiometers.

Now if the CD spins up really fast immediately with no lens motor sound then probably move onto pot adjustment.

The only two pots that could help your situation would be the V102 or the V103. This are located on the mother just below the CD drive assembly. I would start with V102. Simply turn it slightly counter clockwise a little and see if things improve. If they do not then try going to other direction a little. If neither help then put it back where it was to start with and then try the same with the V103. 

Also, you probably already tried this but you might want to try cleaning off your lens with a q-tip.

If at any point this gets annoying and you would rather send it to me instead of messing with it just let me know.

[GoldenWheels]

jeez I didn't even think to clean the lens...I've never done that with any CD tech. Plain dry q tip? some alcohol?

I'll see how long I can put up with this. A few more messed up games/lost hour of play is really going to try my patience.

[Keith Courage]

I like to put a little rubbing alcohol on one end of the Q-tip. Gently wipe off the lens with the rubbing alcohol end of the q tip and then wipe it back off with the dry end afterwards.