Disc switching issues concerning multi-disc games

[skyrunner14]

So, recently I got a copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga, and after getting through disc one, I want to switch the discs. Easy, right? Except I've got a problem. I open the tray, but the disc keeps spinning regardless, which according to the on-screen text it maybe shouldn't be doing (You know, it says the system will go to the bios once you press the tray open button)? Undeterred, I stop the disc and switch in Disc 2, then close the tray. I wait for a while, and nothing happens. I press reset, and that seems to be working, I get the SEGA license screen, then the "Team Andromeda presents" screen, and then... black screen. I wait for a bit, but then it just goes back to the bios screen. I choose "start game", and then the last part of my description just repeats.

Am I doing something wrong here? Looking it up, I'm suspecting that maybe someone might have done that boot trick thing to the Saturn, where you use tape or whatever to trick the system into thinking the CD tray is always open. Would that stop me from being able to properly switch the discs? My system's always done that, so I'm assuming the previous owner might have done it, assuming that's the case.

Can someone help me figure this out? I'd really appreciate it.

[zyrobs]

Just undo the tape locking down the CD lid sensor.

Or just save, turn the machine off, switch discs, turn it on, load the save.

[skyrunner14]

Er... how would I go about doing that? Is there any kind of online guide you could point me towards? I'm always a bit finicky when it comes to opening up systems.

[martiniii]

Dec 12, 2014 4:52:02 GMT skyrunner14 said:

Er... how would I go about doing that? Is there any kind of online guide you could point me towards? I'm always a bit finicky when it comes to opening up systems.

Here's an except from Ichiro's Swap Trick Guide, explaining how to apply the tape:

This step is essentially making your Saturn think the lid is always closed. Unplug everything. Get your screwdriver and find a carpet. Set your Saturn on the carpet upside-down and unscrew all five (5) screws (bottom left, middle left, next to battery, next to plugs, lower right). Now, flip over your Saturn CAREFULLY, holding it together. Tap the open button. See the left knob under the lid? Good. Now just take the lid off (it should come right off) and find the little tower where the left knob was. Get some sort of tape (I like masking myself...) and tape around the tower in a circle, in a way that keeps the little button down. Done with that? Good. Now put it back together and test your licensed game from the same country as your Saturn (known from here on as CD1).

Please note that I've never opened up a Saturn myself, so I can't vouch that this is the safest method of doing so. Since a few days have gone by since you asked this question, I figured this would be better than no answer at all.

[smithyz]

Apologies for the crummy pictures - they're not mine, I found them on the net.

It's very easy to check for this taped switch. Remove the 5 screws as previously mentioned. The cover will come off easily. THAT IS THE SUM TOTAL OF THE DISASSEMBLING YOU NEED TO DO. You do not need to touch the Saturn internals at all, so it's very unlikely you'll mess anything up.

Look for the switch located to right of the PSU (red arrow in this pic)



The switch looks like this in close up





If the previous owner performed this "mod" there will be tape wrapped around the tower to keep the switch closed. Simply remove the tape and slap the cover back on and you should be good to go.