I"m an embedded engineer. I'm the type of guy who builds the things you repair. I love your videos. It's so awesome to watch a non-engineer guy troubleshoot the system and repair it.
Actually, you're better than half the engineers I know. Troubleshooting and debugging isn't something that's taught in school. You either learn it through experience or you don't.
I love the longer videos, in my opinion they are more entertaining and better flowing if you get what I mean. Besides that, good to see you back, can't wait for part 2.
As terrible as they were, I actually had a lot of fun with my CD-i 450 when I got it for Chrimbo whatever year it was. 'Burn Cycle' in particular was awesome at the time. Can't believe how much it's worth now, especially as I had both the dreaded Link & Zelda games.
Watching your videos and seeing how all of these different systems are designed has persuaded me to change my major to either electrical engineering or computer engineering. Still have a year before I have to make my decision due to prerequisite classes. Enjoyed it sir!
I love seeing these repair videos. I'm looking into repairing my Sega Genesis (Mega Drive). The console turns on, but nothing displays on the TV. I also believe the Sega CD disc drive burned out
***** I'll have to double check, but I don't think it does. It is a Model 2 Genesis and Model 2 Sega CD. I also have the 32X, but no way to tell if that still works or not. I've tried the Genesis with the 32X on and off.
It actually makes me extremely angry to see the box ruined. You could have literally just purchased it for the box and throw away the rest to put together a "Complete" version with another console you had or something, the fact that (as you say) the seller had the box shown in the auction without tape is absolutely absurd. You were within grounds to request a refund, I think, if the box was actually shown bare in the photos.
Looks like a bit more challenging repair than just a simple cap replacement or a cracked solder joints. Already looking forwards for the later part(s).
Nice to see you back. As for 20 min later, aye right with that CD drive assembly! Ha. I look forward hopefully to some more videos from you, I was a Snes guy btw, cheers man.
seriously love watching your videos i hope you upload more often and i really wanna see you fix the 2ds,ps3,xbox 360 from the other video i hope to see them soon c:
Always great to see a new video from you man, whatever the topic. Personally I'd love to see you go through those GameBoy games you picked up. Fixing that CDI looks like a pain in the arse.
I've heard a few people mention this. Maybe in future I should do a dedicated video just for people who enjoy watching for that reason. Could be fun, haha
Are you sure the spindle hasn't been pressed down into the motor? I wonder if it got jammed with a disc at a funny angle - that could push the spindle down so it wont rotate.
Was thinking the same thing. The belt being rubbish also wont fully engage the cd mechanism even if you manually push the tray closed. Engaging and disengaging that assembly is more stressful on the motor/belt than the drawer opening.
the thing with the damn belt there is that it doesnt only operates the door but it is also responsible for getting the cd tray lifted up to catch the magnet... so maybe that's why you didnt get any noise when you closed the door manually... try lifting that bound spindle a bit cause the axis of the motor might have just shifted... the spindle seems to be bound up by someone's stupidity trying to get it to spin or something... nice overview! love the the videos keep it up and if possible more often please :)
The spindle motor should be fine. As a test, take it out and apply 6 volts to it. If it spins up, then it looks like the spindle itself has lowered due to the glue or pressure fitting becoming loose. Try prying it upwards to create more of a gap between the drive deck and spindle hub assembly. Gluing it back in place is then a pain, but if both parts are metal (which they seem to be), a metal based 'bondo' or epoxy filler should do well there.
This one looks like it might be a bit of a wild adventure to fix. Good luck, Martin! Also, since you do take a long time between item purchase and video recording, perhaps you should keep .doc files containing the original eBay descriptions of the item when you win/buy it? Just a suggestion.
You should be able to remove the tape by using hot air. It softens the adhesive most of the tapes use to a point when it can be removed without damaging the box. But that's a lot of work, just in case this item becomes super-rare and valuable or something. I guess the seller just didn't feel like wasting too much time with a 20 pounds item :d
I had someone ship an SNES like that once. Managed to get most of my money back for it, and still got to keep it. Glad eBay tends to side with the buyer.
I have had two units similar to yours, and had to replace that belt on both of them. No problems with the motors or lasers though. Hopefully your laser will be fine.
Hey, Ed! That's good to hear! I ended up finding a motor online way cheaper than I mentioned in the video. So that's already on it's way. It just worries me whenever I see signs of someone having already opened up a faulty system. Did you keep yours, or flip them? Any good games you can recommend?
RetroGameTech That's great, but I'm honestly surprised you were able to find a replacement motor for a CD-i in 2016. I sold one of that model, and it paid for both with about $30 profit left over. I also bought, repaired and sold a Magnavox model that just needed a battery. I have yet to find and play any genuinely good games for the CD-i yet, but I have a few that are at least playable: -Earth Command is a strategic simulator that is vaguely reminiscent of Sim City. -Video Speedway is the only game I have that almost plays like a real game, a really boring game. Think Pole Position with bad controls. -Burn Cycle wasn't half bad. I never actually finished it, but I might someday if I have nothing better to do. I have to imagine that Burn Cycle is the best game on the CD-i, but I wouldn't spend much money on it.
...Use a heat gun or blow dryer and the tape will come off perfectly...Goo Gone will remove the remainder stickiness. Ive revived plenty of boxes this way...
I can remember when they were new and being advertised as kiosk systems. Not really clear what you should do with one. It was just "the latest thing". I never saw it advertised as a gaming console. The machine just fell through the cracks. Interactive video never really made a big difference back then. If you have to order a replacement belt, how do you select what you need? I can imagine there are thousands of different lengths, widths and what-not.
I just went with a generic Philips "compatible" DVD tray belt. I'm guessing they're mostly a standard size and can stretch a bit if needed. They're dirt cheap so trial and error is an option.
+RetroGameTech Lol. I definitely was a one off. (Zelda actually was the main character you played as instead of link). But for a kid getting into gaming in the nineties it was awesome. I would hate to replay that today.
before I watch this a 450 lens is hard to find with wire plug and if you do it will be wrong size I had a 450 &,910 the 910 would only show a blue screen no boituo screen noting so after months I demolised both of them keeping some parts
Love your videos, you and 6oodfella make me feel right at home - team Glasgow! :D (you sound glaswegian haha). Also, burn yourself a copy of lost eden on CDI :)
I've had the stiff motor problem before and fixed it without a replacement. Somehow the spindle head has been pushed down and is rubbing the chassis. I fixed mine by prying it up a little with a butter knife until it span freely. Worked fine afterwards. Might be worth a try on yours? Also had to do a belt replacement.
They should of double boxed it when shipping even if it is faulty. I would try removing the motor and applying voltage to it to see if it spins freely, before you order replacement parts, the motor shaft may have been pressed down so the cd spindle is dragging, you may be able to pull it out, or push it from the other side.
Thanks for the tips. All things I'm going to test before taking it apart further. The parts arrived today and were dirt cheap so no real loss if I don't end up using them I suppose :)
That spindle really looks like it's rubbing against the metal base of the optical drive. It doesn't sound like the motor's bad. If you could physically feel something or there was a grinding sound when the motor was spun then it would probably be bad.
You said the motor was bad because it didn't spin on power up, but have you tested for voltage on the motor's red and black wires during that time? Maybe the motor controller on the board is dead, and no voltage is being sent to the working motor. Does the motor spin if you supply adequate power directly to it?
That looks like a Philips swing-arm mechanism (check the model number -- is it a CDM4/xx?) -- these are quite expensive to fix if the laser needs replacing, and they need locking bolts to be installed underneath when transported. Is it possible the seller has installed these? This could result in the whole mechanism being locked -- it's been a while since I saw one of these so can't remember what the symptoms are of a locked mechanism. The belt is a common failure on these (assuming it's the right model I'm thinking of) and replacement belt/pulley kits are available cheaply from ebay.
Where have you been fella? I thought you had gone it's been that long! BTW use Goddard's long term brass and copper polish on that scratch on the front panel and with a bit of elbow grease and a cotton ball it will dissappear! I use this stuff to remove scratches on plastics with a shiny / polished finish and it never fails! I promise you! It's about £3 from tesco
I'm still here :P Have only have time to upload about once a month recently, that's all. Thanks for the tip. I was planning to use a bit of Brasso. I think it's about the same?
don't pull the motor! I believe the motor may be fine. On mine the spindle got pressed down on the motor shaft until it pressed against the body, and couldn't spin. This looks to be the case with yours too. try just prying it up with a knife a bit. That's all it took for me... and replacing the belt for the tray mech but that wasn't even critical to get it to function. Sadly even after you repair this piece of ebay junk its still junk. It is a neat little piece of history though.
