Please Insert a Game Disk.

[zaery]

So, I got a Dreamcast and some games for christmas. Shenmue and Tony Hawk have always given me that error. The Phantasy Star Online disk which i received a few days ago, completely new, sealed, worked up until a yesterday Now nothing works.

After quick searching on the internet, i followed a guide to recalibrate my laser. That worked for an hour or so, i played Chu Chu rocket once, but apparently, the fix didn't stick, and when i put sonic adventure 2 in, it failed, and so did my flawless phantasy star online disk.

According to my research, recalibrating the laser would help. After 3 hours of messing with a potentiometer, i got to play Sonic Adventure 2 for about 5 minutes before the audio slowly stopped working, playing things at the wrong time, etc. I turned it off and on, to see if the audio would fix itself, but then it wouldn't work at all.

I have checked all my disks for disk rot, and found that Chu-Chu Rocket is the only disk I have that has absolutely no disk rot that i can see. After finding that out, i played with the pot for another hour, using Chu-Chu Rocket disk instead of Sonic, but to no avail.

Is there any way to fix this, or just replace something? If i do just have to replace something, what do i have to replace, and does any place sell just it without having to buy a whole new dreamcast?

PS and semi-offtopic: Hi, i'm new here! As soon as I get my dreamcast working, I'll get back to playing my lvl 15 HuMar, and then when i find a BBA, I can play with real people!

[Neohound]

My problems is kinda similar. I ordered Skies Of Arcadia off US Ebay for nearly $50 couple of months ago so I could play the game in VGA (pal version doesn't support vga).

I stuck the first disc into my DC last night and it seemed ok, the intro ran fine but then I got the message "not enough free blocks on your memory card". So I pressed a+b+c+y together with the start button - this usually takes me back to the start screen. Nothing happened so I turned off the DC, put in my import disc player, got a new vmu in there and booted the disc...............nothing.

I've tried about twenty times since and still no luck getting it to work. I've cleaned the disc, tried successfully to load other games so it does seem my DC is ok........

Could a disk suddenly stop working like that ? Have I got any rights to a refund off Ebay/the seller ?

Finally, if it is the disk (there a plenty of scratches on it), should I try and get it polished ? Has anyone had any success with that ?

This is turning out to be a real expensive way of playing Skies

[Neohound]

Is there any way to fix this, or just replace something? If i do just have to replace something, what do i have to replace, and does any place sell just it without having to buy a whole new dreamcast?

There are plenty of places who will sell you replacement parts but you have to ask yourself is it worth it. You can get a used DC with 3 months guarantee in the UK for £20-£25.

Did you try cleaning the lens ? A dirty lens can often cause audio to skip like you describe.

[zaery]

I have cleaned the lens, and it didn't help. I found one on Ebay for $20, free shipping, so now i just have to wait =/

[Neohound]

Sounds like you got a bargain. I hope it works ok this time around. When you have it set up make sure you come back here and tell us how you're getting on.

[CD AGES]

zaery: Just make sure you keep your faulty DC for parts! you still have a perfectly working controller board, motherbaord etc. on the console that can be of use down the road!

[medwardl]

If you were having trouble reading disks and recalibrated the laser and then it only worked for a short time you can try to recalibrate again but it also sounds like the laser may have burned out but as a previous user said keep it for parts if you decide to get a new dc.

[zaery]

Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I've been too busy playing my shiny new dreamcast

I'm keeping the old one around, as suggested, and now I can play all my games!

Now I just have to keep an eye on ebay for a BBA that is within my price range, while i get my pso char up a bunch of levels.

[Neohound]

Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I've been too busy playing my shiny new dreamcast

I'm keeping the old one around, as suggested, and now I can play all my games!

Now I just have to keep an eye on ebay for a BBA that is within my price range, while i get my pso char up a bunch of levels.

Nice one zaery ! Now for the BBA.........I've seen the price of them vary wildly over the last couple of months. They do seem to be getting rarer as time goes by.