Turbo Duo Repair - 5 Pot Adjustment Info

[BlueBMW]

After fooling with two broken duos extensively, I noticed that the info regarding the 5 silver adjustment pots were buried in several different posts.  Here's all the info I found on them compiled into one place...

As we learned from Charlies post...

These measurement points may help.

VR101 = E/F balance, pin 13 of U101
VR102 = Focus Offset, pin 18 of U101
VR103 = Track Gain (Track error level), pin 45 of U102
VR104 = Focus Gain, pin 48 of U102
VR105 = VCO, pin 30 of U102  (Also known as PLL, CLV)

I found this document, that has a TON of information concerning what these adjustments actually are.

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm

Also it has a pretty good procedure that can be adapted to our Duos here...

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm#cdgensap

[Necromancer]

Assuming you're not using CDRs, it sounds like it's time for a new lazer (preferably blazing).

[BlueBMW]

I've been using an original 4in1 cd.  I also tried a cdr copy of it in case there was something wrong with the original. 

Recommendations on a replacement laser source?

And yes... blazing lazers preferably! 

[Necromancer]

Recommendations on a replacement laser source?

Electronix has HOP-M3s for sale, but you may find 'em cheaper elsewhere.

[BlueBMW]

Awesome, I'll give it a shot!  If all else fails its a nice TG16/booster+ lol.  And thanks for your input!

[BlueBMW]

Ordered a laser today.  I have a second half functioning Duo that wont even play audio cds.  I tried adjusting all the pots etc, but it will only spin the cd and then fail out after about 20 seconds saying to "please set disc"  I swapped the laser out of my audio cd only unit and now this other unit will play audio cds too.  I guess we'll see what happens when the laser comes in.  Thanks again for the help!

[BlueBMW]

Fixed!

My buddy sent me some other original CDs to try and low and behold they all played flawlessly.  So it would seem that my 3in1 cd is no good for whatever reason.  Lucky break on an $80 "broken" Duo!

Thanks all for the input!  And thanks most of all to this forum where I found out about the little adjustment pots!

[Colossus1574]

Congrats man!

I wish i had your mad repair skillz, that's so cool how you resurrected one from the dead! I'd be damn scared to play with anything under the shell.... Well, enjoy you're awesome Duo now! Forget Blazing Lasers (although that's awesome too) and pop in some Gates of Thunder my friend!    You fixed that CD-rom for a reason, so get that CD bgm goin, haha 

[BlueBMW]

A replacement Gates of Thunder is on its way ;-) 

Oh and the second duo is working now with its replacement hop-m3 laser.

Anyone needing a working duo?

[nat]

A little late on this, but I thought I'd add that my 4-in-1 CD does almost exactly the same thing. Usually on a cold boot of the system, the first game selection will freeze after the screen "flies away" and the screen is black. The laser though, in my case, returns to the "home" position and isn't stuck. I just cycle power to the deck and it always works the second time. I have around 300 games, and the 4-in-1 disc is the only one that does this and it's always after the menu selection and nowhere else.

Go figure.

[BlueBMW]

Its good to know that I'm not the only one that ended up bit a flaky 4in1 cd!

[BlueBMW]

I changed the original posting to reflect a change in the original problem.  I also added some info that might be useful to someone trying to adjust pots.

[_joshuaTurbo]

A replacement Gates of Thunder is on its way ;-) 

Oh and the second duo is working now with its replacement hop-m3 laser.

Anyone needing a working duo?

Are you seriously selling?

[BlueBMW]

I have two working units.  If someone us really looking for one i don't need the second one.