PC Engine Duo-R Repair

[someitalian123]

So I just bought a PC Engine Duo-R from yahoo auctions Japan, the console didn't include a power supply or any hookups and it was listed as untested or "junk". I have no way of knowing if the console works till it gets here which will probably be a while due to international shipping and going through the whole import proxy thingy. But if I find that it doesn't work when I receive it is there anyone on this form I might be able to commission to repair it?

[HuMan]

It's probably just a worn out laser, not really that hard to fix. The difficulty is in finding a new laser that actually works. If you buy a new laser on eBay, buy two.

[wyndcrosser]

to be honest, depending on what it needs, you're probably better off getting a working one. That's what happened to me and my AES, I ended up spending more money on shipping and repairs I couldn't do that made the "junk" buy worthless. However, my Pc-Engine DUO-R that was junk, ended up just needing some solder joints repaired on the power, AV and controller ports.

[thesteve]

actually several of us are experienced on repairing these, and i keep new tested lasers on hand

[someitalian123]

OK so I just received the console today and it won't power on. I'm not using an offical power supply, I'm using this one if it makes any difference

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009ZKWE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

It outputs 9v 1a.

[thesteve]

these dont have power lights, so are you sure it doesnt power?

[wilykat]

Put in any music CD in.  When you turn the system on, press RUN button and see if it tries to spin or if the CD light comes on.  If there's nothing, check the power supply and also check for problem with regulator chips inside as well as switch.

[someitalian123]

I actually already sent it out to turbografxfan on ebay to get it repaired. I thought the pc engine duo-r's had a power light? Is the light just for cd bassed games? I don't have any cd based games yet, I only tested the system with a Japanese hucard before sending it out.

[wilykat]

Yes it is only for CD, there is no power light at all.  I modded my Duo-R to have LED that comes on when the power is on and it goes off when the CD light comes on so I can get red for drive and blue for power/no drive:  http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19491.msg416483

A couple dollars worth of parts and a few minutes is all the mod needs.

[ginoscope]

I like that led mod you did since it's sometimes hard to know from looking if these systems are getting power.

[SegaSonic91]

Yes it is only for CD, there is no power light at all.  I modded my Duo-R to have LED that comes on when the power is on and it goes off when the CD light comes on so I can get red for drive and blue for power/no drive:  http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19491.msg416483

A couple dollars worth of parts and a few minutes is all the mod needs.

What a great idea.  I'd love to do that to my DUO's.  Is there a guide you followed or did you simply do the mod yourself?

[wilykat]

I did it myself using a quick guide for a transistor based NOT gate. I've explained how I did the mod and posted the schematic I ripped from some random site, the 5v and ground is pretty easy. The 3rd spot that goes to transistor base is on one side of the resistor that goes to the CD activity LED.  I'll post a close up picture, it is for Duo-R and probably same on RX.  Black Duo may have the part in different location, you will need to trace and verify that the drive LED has cathode directly to ground and anode goes to a resistor, then tap on the other side of the resistor.

Blue's cool color to use.  Green also works as power on.  Red and orange would be too close to drive LED to be useful and yellow seems ick.  Purple (lighter shade, not dark UV) would probably look best on R and RX due to purple lettering.

[wilykat]

Updated the original thread with a picture of the board showing the LED wire at the original thread: http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19491.msg416483

[someitalian123]

OK so I just got the console back and it powers on fine now. I also had turbografxfan region mod it. And everything appears to be fine but I'm getting this weird issue with Bonk's Adventure. The game is really glitchy and kind of unplayable, I recorded a video on my elgato to show you guys

 https://youtu.be/ueHspUGTLMY

The thing is I cleaned the pins on the hucard multiple times with 91% isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip. Has the game gone bad, should I try to return the game, or can this be fixed?

Also I didn't mention this but there is kind of a pulse on the video, is this because I'm using a shitty genesis 1 av cable?

[blueraven]

Yikes, That looks to be a RAM addressing issue? (Steve please correct me if i'm wrong) Was the system doing this before the region mod? And do you have the same problem with any other Hu-Card games?