Dreamcast R7 Lid Problem!-I am cry:(

[analog dog]

Hi fella's I did a search but the main problem seemed to be the dreaded reset issue and whilst other answers touched slightly on my issue I didn't get the answer.

Anyway...the lid doesn't close properly and as such the machine thinks there is no disc in it.
If I push down on the lid (at the back right hand portion) it's fine and boots the game as normal,if I take my hand off it voila it's kaput.

Does anyone know how to fix this properly?
My machine currently has a bag of flour wrapped in a tea-towel resting on top of it!
(Don't mock me-it works!)

Thanks brothers

[wakka]

I had this problem with my Dreamcast, fixed it by taking the machine apart (very easy, just unscrew the bottom and the two pieces come apart) and cleaning dust off the plastic 'trigger' which is pushed down to tell the machine that the lid is shut. Mine was covered with fluff and stuff, I haven't had a problem since.

[analog dog]

cheers man
Im a cackhanded freak though and the thought of pulling my beloved R7 apart fills me with dread.

[wakka]

So am I, I'm totally useless. Taking a Dreamcast apart is just so easy though. Unscrew the bottom and the top pops right off, then you can just see all the insides. It's a motherboard with a few bits like the PSU soldered on basically, there's no way you can mess it up. If you want to fix the problem you have to take it apart, really.

[Skull Commander]

Not specificly your problem, but may be of some use.

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/dc-reset.htm

I'm cack handed as well and terribile at anything like this BUT have managed to fix my Dreamcast twice. It's easy!

[Link83]

If you dont feel comfortable taking it apart (Expecially with it being an R7 ) then perhaps the easiest way to try and fix it without opening it would be to try and spray some compressed air where the switch is under the right side of the lid.

It wont definitely work, but its worth a go. If you do decide to try though please remember not to tilt the can at all, as otherwise liquid compressed air can spray out, and you really dont want that! Always keep the can upright and tilt the Dreamcast console instead

Also, sometimes the contacts inside the drive lid switch can get dirty/corroded, in which case compressed air wont really fix it. You can take apart the actual switch itself and clean the contacts but this is VERY tricky due to the tiny parts inside, and you would need to take the console apart. I have done this myself and highly recommend doing it inside a box, as when I opened my switch it flicked the metal contacts into the air and I spent almost 2 hours scouring the carpet trying to find the tiny thing

Alternatively ask someone who's familiar with fixing Dreamcasts to take a look. At worst it would just need a replacement GD drive board, or the entire GD drive could be swapped from a donor Dreamcast (Its a self contained detachable part)

[speedlolita]

I think it might just be something wrong with the bit of plastic that detects if the drive door is open or not.

I wouldn't worry about opening it either, just do it on a bed or something. They have no warranty stick to void right?

[Link83]

I think it might just be something wrong with the bit of plastic that detects if the drive door is open or not.

Not trying to be funny but that sentence really doesn't make sense - a piece of plastic does not 'detect' anything Its the actual lid switch that determines if the drive lid is open or not. True enough some parts of the switch are made of plastic, but thats not really relevant.

I wouldn't worry about opening it either, just do it on a bed or something. They have no warranty stick to void right?

I dont think they are concerned about a warranty (Which would definitely have expired by now) but more the fact thats its a limited edition 'R7' Dreamcast console which is quite valuable/rare and it would be a shame to damage it in any way.

[speedlolita]

How is opening the console going to damage it. Sound to me like it's already damaged.



As you can see from the attached image, that's the "bit of plastic" that determines if the Dreamcast knows the console is open. Perhaps something is preventing it from being pushed back easily, which would explain why pushing down the top of the console makes it boot.

I'm pretty sure I'm right.

[Link83]

It could be seen to be already damaged, but I think what analog dog is worried about is that when trying to fix it they could possibly put it back together wrong, or even damage it further, etc. Not everyone feels comfortable taking consoles apart - although please note that I dont want to put words into analog dog's mouth.

The circled part in the picture is the drive/lid switch thats likely the problem, but what i'm trying to say is its not just a 'piece of plastic' I am not trying to argue here, but that is a switch, there are metal contacts underneath that plastic prong, and they are what determines if the lid is 'open' or 'closed'. If I took out the metal contacts from that switch it would not do anything, even if you pressed that piece of plastic.

I very much doubt there is anything wrong with the plastic prong part itself - there could be some dust/dirt preventing it from moving freely but I think its much more likely that the metal contacts inside the switch either have dust/dirt inside or have slightly tarnished/worn, preventing a reliable connection from being made without putting pressure on the drive lid. The switch might just need to have the internal metal contacts slightly stretched.

Any way, I was just trying to help analog dog, so thats all I have to say on the matter

<EDIT> Just noticed analog dog also mentioned in the first post that the lid doesn't close properly, if that means it just 'pops-up' again instead of staying shut by itself I would try looking at the lid catch first, not the drive/lid switch - although the mention of needing to press down at the back right hand portion does suggest its the drive/lid switch at fault.

[speedlolita]

The guy's going to have to take it apart.

[Oldgamingfart]

I agree, the lid's gonna have to come off. Be careful about turning the unit upside down without the top cover on, as IIRC the GD-ROM drive can fall away very easily.
You could also try keeping the Open button depressed and continuously opening and closing the lid. That might help to move any dust or dirt build-up.

[Jei]

If ur really nervous about opening it up then so long as you cover postage or live near me then il do it for you.

Pop me a pm pal

[dosucol]

cheers man
Im a cackhanded freak though and the thought of pulling my beloved R7 apart fills me with dread.

It's easy buddy,easier than when i had to open up my divers to chip it !

[Brad]

Mine doesn't work if the lid is full closed but is fine if the lid is open half an inch. Enter Blu-Tac! Also, One of my controllers only works if it is pushed just halfway into the socket! lol!