exodus
Punkic Cyborg
Posts: 160
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Post by exodus on Jan 30, 2023 18:32:20 GMT
I'm wondering what the common things are that break on a PC-fx - I know duos all need recaps, does the PC-fx generally? Do the lasers go bad?
what's happening is my PC-fx has been freezing up and staying stuck on one image - I FEEL like it happens often on video, but that could just be because the PC-fx is so often doing video! Anyway - I've got a repair guy nearby, but knowledge on PC-fx is generally weak everywhere, so I was hoping for some info about common fixes, like is there a recap kit out there? If the laser needs replacing, is that purchaseable, or do I have to harvest from somewhere, like how there are certain walkmen you can harvest for a Sega CD laser?
Thanks for any insight!!!
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majors
Punkic Cyborg
Have cabs, will travel
Posts: 158
Fave PCE Shooter: Parodius
Fave PCE Platformer: Legendary Axe
Fave PCE Game Overall: Spriggian
Fave PCE RPG: Ys
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Post by majors on Feb 1, 2023 18:50:00 GMT
We run a FX at MAGFest and last year it kept freezing when we ran burns, so I just assumed it was poor CD-R's since it would run the one original disc we had fine. This year, I re-burned the shooter and it seemed to run all weekend, so could have been a better blank media. I'm not an expert, but I think the laser just gets outta spec over time...but I read that taking the PC-FX apart is not as easy as other consoles. We wish you good luck on the fix! (or should I say PC-FiX )
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exodus
Punkic Cyborg
Posts: 160
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Post by exodus on Feb 2, 2023 18:44:47 GMT
thanks, maybe it's a laser adjustment. I did first notice it on burns, but now it's happening with official stuff! I'll just have to start investigating...
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Post by dshadoff on Mar 17, 2023 21:03:35 GMT
I pulled my second machine out of storage and tested it, and while te laser was able to read the disc (original media), it struggled and kept readjusting. I made a capacitor map for the daughterboard, and put it here: github.com/dshadoff/PC-FX_Info/blob/main/FX_Capacitor_chart.mdReplacing the capacitors didn't solve the problem with accuracy reading, but it *DID* make the laser a little less noisy when it went to do its re-syncs. Finally, I watched this video for some pointers on laser adjustment: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZymVnylftUAfter I turned the trimpot the smallest amount that I possibly could (probably about 20 degrees), the issues were gone. I may need to revisit the tuning at some point (I didn't test with burned discs at all), but this seems fine for now.
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exodus
Punkic Cyborg
Posts: 160
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Post by exodus on May 15, 2023 18:21:17 GMT
Forgot to say thanks for these links - was able to determine it was just a laser adjustment issue indeed, much obliged!!
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