Dreamcast works then shuts off, tried stuff..need help

[alwaysnever67]

I cleaned/applied pressure on the pins that go into the powerboard. I got some play out of it & was able to go through ShenmueII disc1 with no problems. But it was still intermittent... which is ok but right now it just turns on, then off after 2-3 secs. If you wait a while it'll turn on & do the same.

The fan is working, & i'm leaving the cover off all the time.
I really want to play on it cuz i can't ebay & ship another to where i live overseas right now. Could it be the small battery near the LED ? It's giving 2.9V. The power switch is working correctly..Tried cleaning it with alcohol & letting it dry.. dunno what else to do. I've had it for 10 years by the way, but it started doing this after 2-3 years. The DC fever came back though.
Appreciate the help,
Eric

[Macabre]

How did you clean the pins on the powerboard connection? If you've cleaned them multiple times in the past, and any residue was left over, it could easily have gotten a little corrosion inside of the pin holders.

You said your overseas? What is the make of the dreamcast / are you needing to use a power converter? Some times it doesn't make a difference (you can use Japanese systems + power cables in the US, and -sometimes- use US systems + cables in japan, although its best to use an upper, but if your in euro or uk, and your using a system from another region, then you need a power conversion setup).

Are you using any odd parapherials? Like the wireless ps2 -> dreamcast ems setup? Sometimes if your using a particular controller with that, even the slightest nudge on the adapter will cause a power drain in the system and force it to reset itself.

Have you made any adjustments to your system that would cause any difference in the power performance (like LED mods or alterations to the hardware like the gdrom reader? Iirc if your not careful when your adjusting the disc reader in heavy-used dreamcasts, it could cause a power malfunction in the entire disc part of the system.

Have you had to replace the controller port section yet? If you have in the past and it wasn't properly done, it could be causing a short.

[Bob Dobbs]

True story:

Smith told me to clean those same pins, but then told me to tighten the screws to the Power supply board AND the two screws in the very back of the Dreamcast. I have not had a problem since.

[oopsmyseamandied]

Is there a diagram or tutorial for this? My refurb is doing this. I was deep between item boxes in RE3 when it started happening

It has sentimental value, so I'd like to try working on the pins and screws.

[oopsmyseamandied]

Doh, nm found it the second time through the list.

[oopsmyseamandied]

Man I love this website. The tutorials are AWESOME. It's a simple repair but it's my first and I'm proud of having done it.