Dreamcast fault - help anyone?

Osem · 14-01-2010, 13:38

A very very long shot I know but.......

Our eldest's beloved old Dreamcast console has started to play up. It's intermittent but essentially after a period of play - from just a few minutes to more than an hour, the machine suddenly resets/restarts itself. We had a similar problem with a portable DVD played which turned out to be a simple problem with the switch mechanism connected to the disc compartment lid and I thought it might be the same thing but it doesn't appear to be. I've fiddled with the various leads/connections while the machine is on and can't replicate the problem so I'm stumped. I opened it up and and the machine's nice and clean so dust doesn't appear to be the problem.

I know the machine's old hat but he loves it so has anyone any ideas what else might be wrong and how to check it?

TVM

**Kymmy** · 14-01-2010, 13:41

No idea if it has any heatsinks on the chipset but if it hs then you might find that the thermal paste has dried out..

14-01-2010, 13:43

ebay has plenty to risk( try)

Osem · 14-01-2010, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

ebay has plenty to risk( try)

Yeah? Thought they'd be impossible to find now. Will have a look around. TVM.

Still interested in any thoughts on a fix while I do though...

14-01-2010, 13:50

there is one limited signed jobby going for 3 grand lol

Osem · 14-01-2010, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

there is one limited signed jobby going for 3 grand lol

errmmmm right... I might just pass on that one then... lol

---------- Post added at 14:03 ---------- Previous post was at 14:01 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

No idea if it has any heatsinks on the chipset but if it hs then you might find that the thermal paste has dried out..

Soprry didn't see your reply! Same problem as the XBox 360 then? Didn't dismantle the machine that far but I'll bear that in mind if I decide to try. TVM

**Kymmy** · 14-01-2010, 14:51

No idea if they do have heatsinks, but as that's one thing that does go with age I thought I'd suggest it

Hiroki · 14-01-2010, 15:42

You could always pick up a second hand one off ebay or ask on hotukdeals.

I think I might have a dreamcast in the house (no wires) if you want I can see if I can find it and you can have it as long as you cover postage.

**Stephen** · 14-01-2010, 18:27

My DC has just failed as well. The Laser is kaput and won't read discs anymore.

eBay is probably the easiest place to try and get a cheap replacement.

Halcyon · 14-01-2010, 21:13

The fault you describe is a common one and there is something you can do that can attempt to fix it.
Follow the instructions here:

http://www94.pair.com/jsoper/dc_fix.html

Also see here:

http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/unions/...&union_id=3571

Osem · 14-01-2010, 22:12

Cheers guys

Going to give Halcyon's 'fix' a try and will let you know..

Halcyon · 15-01-2010, 17:43

Another problem I had with mine was the lid needing to be pressed really down otherwise it would reset so I'd put a big dictionary on top of it.

Osem · 09-01-2011, 13:37

Just an update on this problem which I'd forgotten about. I followed Halcyon's link and sure enough the problem was resolved.

ChrisLUFC22 · 09-01-2011, 13:51

I loved my Dreamcast! I keep considering whether to buy one "for old time's sake" but can you play them on modern TV's? Sounds daft, but when I got my LCD, my PS2 was unplayable, the graphics were too stretched.

Halcyon · 09-01-2011, 14:19

Wow, thats a bump of a thread lol.

Glad you got it all sorted. Eventually the lasers will give up and then it is cheaper to get one off ebay.
If you find one cheap then it may be a good idea to buy a backup system for when it truly does give up.