Originally posted by:
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In this issue:
CD-ROM2 adjustment
Re: CD-ROM2 adjustment
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From: ethylene@viclink.com
Date: Sun Mar 17 14:00:07 EST 2002
Subject: CD-ROM2 adjustment
Well List, I've opened up my CD-ROM2 drive hoping to get it to read
correctly again. Not a dirty lens, it's been taken care of.
What a mess this board is! Forget haphazard layout, I've found solder
points almost touching, bits of pins where they shouldn't be, and what's
this yellow, glue-like substance dabbed onto these capacitors? I hope they
aren't leaking...
Anyway, anyone ever had a temperamental drive they fixed by adjusting the
pots? I see five, VR101 - VR105.
It sometimes has trouble, other times performs great. I don't know exactly
what it's doing, but I'll try to describe it. I'm using new games, BTW, so
discs can't be the problem.
When it can't find what it's seeking (it can happen when trying to find data
*or* music), it quickly stops the rotation of the disc, and the 'PC'
indicator goes out briefly. It then spins the disc back up, the tracking
motor does its thing, and the cycle repeats. On and on.
Oh well, I'm gonna do some *gentle* fiddling. If anyone has experience with
this kind of problem, please post your thoughts...
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From: ethylene@viclink.com
Date: Sun Mar 17 14:54:00 EST 2002
Subject: Re: CD-ROM2 adjustment
Success!
As I type this now, Gate of Thunder is running in a window on my screen :)
If you leave the bottom cover off the CD-ROM2, you can play with the pots
while the system is running. Make sure you use something to cover the
conductors on the Interface Unit, and something to prop up the front of the
drive. I set up my CD-ROM2 system so that it runs in a window on my PC
screen, and set up a very sensitive mic in front of the drive. I mixed in a
*little* sound output from the CD-ROM2 system so I could hear any skipping,
etc...
Then I put in a 'problem' disc. In my case, Bonk's Revenge off the Gate of
Thunder CD never worked. Also, Gate of Thunder sometimes took over a minute
to load the next level. I did a little experimental adjustments on the four
pots you can access on the drive while it's in use, and obtained 'rough
settings' which would allow the game to load.
Then, I put in a music CD and let it play while I fine-tuned the pots. I
just listened to the noises the drive was making, and set it so it runs as
quiet as possible with no skipping, then back just a *little* bit. I guess
I must know what I'm doing, because it's running great now!
Well, I hope this helps anyone out there with a troublesome drive, I think
I'll try adjusting my US drive now :)
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