Gambled and Failed - A story of a dead US Model 2

[crazycommie]

Bit stumped on this newly acquired US Model 2 Saturn I got today.  She just doesn't want to display any sort of video or play audio at all.

What's known:

1.  TV definitely sees it's connected (Using known good cable)
2.  CD drive spins up and seeks, acts just my working Model 1 in that regard
3.  Power supply seems to be in good shape (haven't broken out the multi-meter yet though)
4.  Motherboard doesn't show signs of any previous work done to it like a modchip.  Caps look good, no bulges or nasty goop leaking out.  Bit dusty but was aired out

5.  RF Shields did show slight corrosion spots, but nothing significant and doesn't appear to be causing it to short somehow.

So from what I Google'd, it's acting like a fried mobo/memory but was hoping I may have missed you guys could suggest.  Only thing that gives me a VERY slight reason for hope was after changing out the CR2032 battery, for a couple of power ups it actually displayed a bright pink solid screen although this stopped after the 3rd or 4th try.

Bit of a shame, it has a very nice looking shell (missing battery cover though) so I was hoping to clean/buff/polish it up and either sell it or perhaps even just keep it.  What's better than having a Model 1 Sega Saturn?  Having a Model 1 AND Model 2 Sega Saturn.

Worse case scenario, I can just sell the PSU + laser and break even or make a few bucks, then be an idiot and shove a mini-ITX motherboard into the shell.  Don't think a full sized graphics card will fit, but perhaps a discreet sized one can.  Perhaps even a R9 Nano could?

[thewhitefalcon]

I'd be worried an R9 Nano would melt the plastic.

[zyrobs]

May 26, 2016 0:24:51 GMT thewhitefalcon said:

I'd be worried an R9 Nano would melt the plastic.

It's a 170W card with a dual slot cooler on it, it'll be perfectly fine.
No point in buying one when new cards will come out in a month, though.

[crazycommie]

Well, wasn't able to test to see if anything was blown on the board, damn freebie multi-meter from Harbor Freight fell apart (guess that's why they're freebies huh?), but I did have some good news at least. The Genesis Model 2 that came with this eBay deal works just fine even though it wasn't suppose to (just needed a power supply) and this Model 2 Saturn least had a good working laser. Had another Model 2 come in from another eBay auction, was untested, booted up but just could not read any sort of disc at all.. Saw both Model 2s had the same JVC laser and got to wonderin', so slapped dead Model 2's laser into semi-dead Model 2's case and voila. Perfectly working Model 2 Saturn that just needs a new CR2032 battery and some good cleanin'.

So least the dead Model 2 will donor part of itself so another Saturn can live on. Not sure if I'll keep the Model 2 though, I looked at both the 1 and 2 side by side and I'm finding myself quite fond of the Model 1's design.

May 26, 2016 0:24:51 GMT thewhitefalcon said:

I'd be worried an R9 Nano would melt the plastic.

Even the cheapest ABS plastic should be able to withstand 100C and the Nano shouldn't be runnin' THAT hot unless something's quite off.

May 26, 2016 1:00:44 GMT zyrobs said:

It's a 170W card with a dual slot cooler on it, it'll be perfectly fine.

No point in buying one when new cards will come out in a month, though.

I'm hoping prices will go down when it happens, it's not meant to be a super high end build anyways.  Just something stupid for shits and giggles.