Misbehaving CD32 - Odd Problems

[Fingerlickin_B]

Hi all,

My CD32 starting acting very strangely today.

Some game CDs won't load at all, some load to the first screen then reset loop & others load but there is either sound or graphics corruption.

Audio CDs work fine, as does NeonLight's WB3.1 CD...but that's it.

Ok, so I thought it was probably the laser...then trying to load Alien Breed Tower Assault or Alien Breed II I see this:



Hmmm, maybe the Kickstart ROM needs replacement?

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Hi all,

My CD32 starting acting very strangely today.

Some game CDs won't load at all, some load to the first screen then reset loop & others load but there is either sound or graphics corruption.

Audio CDs work fine, as does NeonLight's WB3.1 CD...but that's it.

Ok, so I thought it was probably the laser...then trying to load Alien Breed Tower Assault or Alien Breed II I see this:


Hmmm, maybe the Kickstart ROM needs replacement?

PZ.

Id maybe go with CD control board.

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by FOL

Id maybe go with CD control board.

Cool & thanks FOL

I'll look for anything obvious, but are there any common failures in this area that I should be aware of?

PZ.

[Fingerlickin_B]

Ok, looks like the laser has indeed had it...sh*t!

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Ok, looks like the laser has indeed had it...sh*t!

PZ.

You tried cleaning lens with IPA?

[Fingerlickin_B]

Yep, that's the first thing I did.

Have since tried calibration & it will read some of the discs some of the time (read: rarely), the rest not at all & everything takes AGES...

*Edit* It also cannot play a burned audio CD cleanly (sound is fuzzy no matter how much fiddling with calibration).

PZ.

[Loedown]

Weren't the lasers the Sony KSS-210B?

Either way, I can still get them.

Paul

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by Loedown

Weren't the lasers the Sony KSS-210B?

Either way, I can still get them.

Paul

Cool Paul, how much?

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Yep, that's the first thing I did.

Have since tried calibration & it will read some of the discs some of the time (read: rarely), the rest not at all & everything takes AGES...

*Edit* It also cannot play a burned audio CD cleanly (sound is fuzzy no matter how much fiddling with calibration).

PZ.

Calibrating???

Please clarify, I hope you dont mean the focus, bias, tracking pots??
If so, then it will never ever be right again.

[Fingerlickin_B]

That's exactly what I mean. Following Ian Stedman's instructions, I have done this before to another bad CD32, with excellent results too

Anyway, I just juiced up the laser by turning "down" the variable resistor on it's side & there has been some improvement. Not totally fixed, but more CDs work now & some totally non-working ones from before semi-work now.

Now the next step is replace the stupid thing...hopefully Paul can get a good price

PZ.

[Loedown]

Greetings,
According to my source, they'd be around $45 + shipping. Shipping is from Mornington, 3931. I could have one here as early as Tuesday. I just need the spec of the old laser, whether it's a standard KSS-210, or a high output KSS-210B

Paul

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

That's exactly what I mean. Following Ian Stedman's instructions, I have done this before to another bad CD32, with excellent results too

Anyway, I just juiced up the laser by turning "down" the variable resistor on it's side & there has been some improvement. Not totally fixed, but more CDs work now & some totally non-working ones from before semi-work now.

Now the next step is replace the stupid thing...hopefully Paul can get a good price

PZ.

Thats why your having problems, I have already said not to follow that guide, those pots are not ment to be turned. You will never get it perfect once they have been adjusted.

If you turned the laser power down, then that tells me, by following that guide, you have screwed the focus bias up.

Originally Posted by Loedown

Greetings,
According to my source, they'd be around $45 + shipping. Shipping is from Mornington, 3931. I could have one here as early as Tuesday. I just need the spec of the old laser, whether it's a standard KSS-210, or a high output KSS-210B

Paul

Ouch that price is well over the top.

[Loedown]

Originally Posted by FOL

Thats why your having problems, I have already said not to follow that guide, those pots are not ment to be turned. You will never get it perfect once they have been adjusted.

If you turned the laser power down, then that tells me, by following that guide, you have screwed the focus bias up.




Ouch that price is well over the top.

For a new laser, it's not bad at all, but if you have a better source in Australia, I'd like to hear about it?

Paul

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Loedown

For a new laser, it's not bad at all, but if you have a better source in Australia, I'd like to hear about it?

Paul

Dont know, how about farnell. They do copy lasers (which are 1000x better then the original sony lasers) for around £6. Maybe with the shipping it would be cheaper.

[Loedown]

Originally Posted by FOL

Dont know, how about farnell. They do copy lasers (which are 1000x better then the original sony lasers) for around £6. Maybe with the shipping it would be cheaper.

I was quoting on $34.15 for laser, $9.90 for delivery

$44.05, I make a whole $0.95

CD lasers are getting harder to find, I couldn't find any lasers at Farnell either here or UK.

Paul

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Loedown

I was quoting on $34.15 for laser, $9.90 for delivery

$44.05, I make a whole $0.95

CD lasers are getting harder to find, I couldn't find any lasers at Farnell either here or UK.

Paul

try www.cpc.co.uk

Same company as farnell. As I said, the copy lasers are far more reliable than the original sony ones.

[Loedown]

Originally Posted by FOL

try www.cpc.co.uk

Same company as farnell. As I said, the copy lasers are far more reliable than the original sony ones.

How about a direct link to said lasers, FOL?

Paul

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Loedown

How about a direct link to said lasers, FOL?

Paul

This is the farnell link. http://cpc.farnell.com/_/kss210a-rep...kup/dp/AS00346

Been replacing sony original lasers with these copy ones for over 10 years and never had 1 customer come back. When ever we used sony originals, they always came back, .

EDIT:- Heres another. http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI....m=220484758473

[Fingerlickin_B]

Yeah, I found them on eBay too for around $20AUD including postage.

Thanks for the help Paul, I really do appreciate the offer, but think I'll just grab one of them...saves you the trouble too

PZ.

Edit #1: Sorry FOL, should have been more clear, I turned the variable resistor down in resistance = voltage up.

Edit #2: Just picked up 2x of these for $32.75 including combined postage:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....1#ht_653wt_962

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Edit #2: Just picked up 2x of these for $32.75 including combined postage:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....1#ht_653wt_962

Those are B's not A's. They are 2 different types.

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by FOL

Those are B's not A's. They are 2 different types.

I thought that's what was required?


Did a search & found you saying this in another thread:

Originally Posted by FOL

The laser in question is a SONY KSS-210B.

Am I missing something here?

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

I thought that's what was required?


Did a search & found you saying this in another thread:



Am I missing something here?

PZ.

Hmmmmmmm, Will have to check, mines in the attic at the moment.

[Loedown]

Thank you for your enquiry. CPC can ship to Australia subject to freight and some product restrictions (mainly aerosols).

Please note that Website ordering is currently only available to customers on mainland UK & Ireland.

1 x AS00346

Total including delivery-

Goods . . . : 4.690
Discount. . :
Charges . . : 16.050
Tax . . . . :
Total . . . : 20.740 GBP

Please refer to ‘International Sales Information’ attached.

Live rates at 2010.01.21 21:46:30 UTC

20.740 GBP = 37.3153 AUD

United Kingdom Pounds Australia Dollars 1 GBP = 1.79920 AUD 1 AUD = 0.555803 GBP

So with delivery times, you can see how expensive ordering things from UK is for Australians, not to mention how long it takes.

Paul

[Loedown]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

I thought that's what was required?


Did a search & found you saying this in another thread:



Am I missing something here?

PZ.

Only difference I know is that the KSS210B is the high output laser.

The rule here is that a
KSS210B can be used in place of a KSS210A, but for optimal performance, an A
should not be used in place of a B.

* B versions designed for "ghetto-blasters" (lower drop-out performance and
higher vibration resistance).

* A versions for desk-top models (higher drop-out performance, lower vibration
resistance).

Source of info: Sony Japan Designer who visited me a few years ago. Yes they
actually send their technical staff around the world to get an idea of what
happens to the products after sale! Not often, but it does happen. Over the
years I've met designers, technical managers, technicians, and a load of
marketing folks from Japan and Singapore.

This I picked up from http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_cd...tml#CDFAQA_005

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Loedown

Only difference I know is that the KSS210B is the high output laser.

The rule here is that a
KSS210B can be used in place of a KSS210A, but for optimal performance, an A
should not be used in place of a B.

* B versions designed for "ghetto-blasters" (lower drop-out performance and
higher vibration resistance).

* A versions for desk-top models (higher drop-out performance, lower vibration
resistance).

Source of info: Sony Japan Designer who visited me a few years ago. Yes they
actually send their technical staff around the world to get an idea of what
happens to the products after sale! Not often, but it does happen. Over the
years I've met designers, technical managers, technicians, and a load of
marketing folks from Japan and Singapore.

This I picked up from http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_cd...tml#CDFAQA_005

Finger is right, I stuck a B in mine and it reads every disc I have thrown at it.

Sony still send em to austrailia?, I saw 1 tech rep in 11 years. Spose Autrailia is closer than uk, .

[Loedown]

I don't think Sony cares about anyone, customer service, yeah, they've heard of it.

[Fingerlickin_B]

Cool, well I'll report back when the new laser is installed

Thanks again guys!

PZ.

[Fingerlickin_B]

New lasers arrived today (purchased one extra for future use).

The groove these ones slide on was too tight & the whole thing was binding, so needed opening up. A small scraping with a sharp blade did the trick.

I haven't reset the "danger" pots yet, but works a lot better already!

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

New lasers arrived today (purchased one extra for future use).

The groove these ones slide on was too tight & the whole thing was binding, so needed opening up. A small scraping with a sharp blade did the trick.

I haven't reset the "danger" pots yet, but works a lot better already!

PZ.

Good news, so the A and B are interchangable, .

[Fingerlickin_B]

Yep, just like you said

Originally Posted by FOL

I stuck a B in mine and it reads every disc I have thrown at it.

PZ.

[chiark]

Just out of interest, are these lasers the same as in the CDTV?

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by chiark

Just out of interest, are these lasers the same as in the CDTV?

Nah, sorry

PZ.

[chiark]

Damn . You don't happen to know the laser in the CDTV, do you?

[Fingerlickin_B]

Not me, but I'm sure someone will reply...this is EAB after all

PZ.

[FOL]

Originally Posted by chiark

Damn . You don't happen to know the laser in the CDTV, do you?

You tried cleaning the lens with cotton bud and IPA??

[chiark]

Not yet, no... What's so annoying is I had the thing in bits yesterday and forgot to do that.

Back apart it comes. Bloody hate those leads for the front panel

[chiark]

Quick guide to cleaning a CDTV laser:

1. Remove case lid. (4 screws, spring open top lid at back and lift up)
2. Remove TV card and SCSI card (2 screws each)
3. Disconnect all connectors (2 power to middle. CD and CD-audio on left. midi, power, card reader, other things on right. Power switch x2, headphone and 3 wire connectors (push down on back of connector to remove)
4. Remove screws from mobo. (You do not need to remove the screws in outline of CN10 and CN11)
5. Remove mobo.
6. Unscrew drive assembly (4 screws) and remove drive by careful manipulation
7. Remove drive from cage (4 screws underneath)
8. Remove lid of mechanism (6 screws on top)
9. Clean lens with cotton bud and isopropyl alcohol. Be slightly amazed that you see the cotton bud change colour
10. Remove right hand rail from CD mechanism.
11. Reattach to lid, putting spring end in the obvious place it fits at the back of the rail.
12. Replace right hand rail with lid on carefully

Refit everything .


FOL, you genius! I hug you, in a properly manly way.

CDTV now reads any disc, and plays audio

Perfect!

[FOL]

Originally Posted by chiark

Quick guide to cleaning a CDTV laser:

1. Remove case lid. (4 screws, spring open top lid at back and lift up)
2. Remove TV card and SCSI card (2 screws each)
3. Disconnect all connectors (2 power to middle. CD and CD-audio on left. midi, power, card reader, other things on right. Power switch x2, headphone and 3 wire connectors (push down on back of connector to remove)
4. Remove screws from mobo. (You do not need to remove the screws in outline of CN10 and CN11)
5. Remove mobo.
6. Unscrew drive assembly (4 screws) and remove drive by careful manipulation
7. Remove drive from cage (4 screws underneath)
8. Remove lid of mechanism (6 screws on top)
9. Clean lens with cotton bud and isopropyl alcohol. Be slightly amazed that you see the cotton bud change colour
10. Remove right hand rail from CD mechanism.
11. Reattach to lid, putting spring end in the obvious place it fits at the back of the rail.
12. Replace right hand rail with lid on carefully

Refit everything .


FOL, you genius! I hug you, in a properly manly way.

CDTV now reads any disc, and plays audio

Perfect!

Awesome and you didnt even have to butcher the adjustments your not ment to touch, .

Cleaning the laser is always first port of call. Second and final is adjusting the laser power pot (laways located on laser).
Never follow any guides telling you to mess with hardware adjustments.

[chiark]

cheers FOL. I get the impression you're not keen on random messing with lasers?

[FOL]

Originally Posted by chiark

cheers FOL. I get the impression you're not keen on random messing with lasers?

Nope as pointed out on many occassions, that guide was all guess work.
I have worked on cd laser mechanisms for over 11 years.

Messing with stuff you dont know aint a good idea. If people really insist, then they should mark the pots before messing (even then you can never get it exactly right, as it was before). If the laser is not working after cleaning then its faulty. Replace it and it will work.