Help with broken CD-ROM2

[Domino82]

Hey everyone! Long-time lurker, new member, rabidly trying to amass a collection with some bonus money I got this year. Unfortunately, a CD-ROM2 I bought off eBay listed as Like New is not working. The seller was kind enough to refund $54.99 out of the $99.99 I spent for it, but I would love to get it working.

I've put out some feelers via PM to people who seem to know about these things, but figured I might as well make a thread. When I attempt to play a game, I get the red PC indicator and the Just a Moment screen, but no humming or noise whatsoever, and the disc does not spin. I opened it up and the middle gear is in perfect shape, no missing teeth whatsoever. Took a short (and probably useless) video of the inside here:

Any suggestions? I really want to either get this working or trade it to someone who fixes them (plus some cash) for a working one. I'm comfortable with basic soldering so if it's just changing a cap or something, I can probably manage. Just don't know where to start.

Thanks!!

[HercTNT]

Domino, there is a modding and repair thread just a few above this one. there are plenty of guys that would be willing to help you. post your question there, or have a mod move your question.

Welcome to the forums. One of our talented repair guys will get you back up and running.

[burn_654]

Are there adjustment potentiometers (small, surfacemount ones) in the CDROM2? If there are they might need calibrated - I calibrated a Duo recently and in the wrong positions they caused the spindle motor to not move at all. Something relatively easy to just spend a little time with and see if it changes anything. In the Duo there were two that influenced this for me.

If not you may be looking at a cap replacement or a laser swap which someone here might be able to do for you.

[HercTNT]

Steve here in the forums will tell you that the pots are the last thing you should touch. Usually problems can be fixed with a cap replacement. You need to pm thesteve, bluebmw, or keith courage and they will be able to help you.

[Domino82]

Hey thanks and sorry if I posted in the wrong spot.

I PM'd BlueBMW, just waiting to hear back. Also saw there is a guy "Turbografxfan" on eBay who offers a repair service for around $50. Do you know if that's comparable to what these guys charge?

Honestly, I don't care who fixes it, so long as it gets fixed. I'm fairly comfortable soldering, and it would be nice to be able to say "I fixed it myself," I just don't know which caps typically crap out, etc.

[HercTNT]

No need to be sorry. I cant speak for ebay, i can only speak for the people here. Price isnt everything, its quality that matters as well. I have had Thesteve do work for me and i can vouch for

him. I guarentee you though that blueBmw and keith courage are also highly respected and very good choices. If it were my dollar i would trust the people here. thats my two cents

[Domino82]

Haha, nevermind... Now that I'm in the right forums and have seen the cap diagram with all the replacements involved, I think I'll leave this one to a "pro." Kinda wish I could "apprentice" with one of them though. I'm a wannabe fix-it dude.

Blue (or anybody willing to fix me up) let me know what the cost is and where to send this puppy and I'll put her in the mail Monday. Thanks!

[Domino82]

No need to be sorry. I cant speak for ebay, i can only speak for the people here. Price isnt everything, its quality that matters as well. I have had Thesteve do work for me and i can vouch for

him. I guarentee you though that blueBmw and keith courage are also highly respected and very good choices. If it were my dollar i would trust the people here. thats my two cents

Gotcha thanks for the input. I will definitely use someone here! Like I was saying in that last reply, it would be nice to be able to say I fixed her myself, but looking at how many caps there are, this looks like a job for... Well, anyone but me. Maybe someday if I feel adventurous, I'll buy another junk unit to play around with...