Gen 1 Japanese saturn. No boot. Disk doesn't spin.

[metalistik]

Hello everyone.
Been searching the forum for a while now and still no luck. Maybe you saturn enthusiasts can lend some advice. I bought, what I believe, a first generation (gray with oval blue buttons. Model HST-3200). Plugged it in. The power light comes on, but nothing happens beyond that. TV doesn't flicker. Disk doesn't spin. Lazer doesn't move. Menu doesn't come on.
I opened it up and checked if everything was looking OK (meaning no obviously fried parts or disconnected cords). Replaced the lithium battery, (i know is not critical for power up, but still did it for good measure) but still nothing.
Can you guys give me some advice as to what the problem could be and how to fix it? I studied electronics for a couple of years so I'm OK to do any repairs. I just need to know where to look since I have never worked with this kind of system before and don't want to just blindly start poking around with the meter.
Thanks in advance

[mick_aka]

Hi there metalistik, welcome to the forums
I'm sure one of the more hardware savvy guys will chime in shortly with something more technical, bit concerning that there's no video output whatsoever not even a flicker, cable definitely alright?

[metalistik]

Jun 17, 2018 7:26:10 GMT mick_aka said:

Hi there metalistik, welcome to the forums
I'm sure one of the more hardware savvy guys will chime in shortly with something more technical, bit concerning that there's no video output whatsoever not even a flicker, cable definitely alright?

HI. Thank you. The cable is brand new actually. It has S-Video and regular yellow component connector. Tried them both, but no luck. I could probably try a different cable, but not sure if it will make a difference. Really hoping that some of the community members could help.

[bultje112]

spray silicon spray or another grease like product on the rails moving the lens.

[zyrobs]

If you move the optical pickup to the edge and then boot the console, will the pickup automatically move to the center?

[metalistik]

Jun 18, 2018 10:51:32 GMT bultje112 said:

spray silicon spray or another grease like product on the rails moving the lens.

Tried that earlier, but unfortunately still nothing.

[metalistik]

Jun 18, 2018 11:51:56 GMT zyrobs said:

If you move the optical pickup to the edge and then boot the console, will the pickup automatically move to the center?

It does not seem to be. Except for the power light coming on when I press the power button , I get no life from the unit.

[zyrobs]

If the pickup doesn't center, then either the CD drive is dead, or the CD block is not working. On those early models, the entire unit doesn't do a thing unless the CD drive is connected and working (later units at least go as far as the boot menu, in case the cd drive is not connected).

Of course it could still be other problems beyond those, but I'd try it with a separate CD drive, or a separate SH1 board first.

[metalistik]

Jun 18, 2018 21:06:17 GMT zyrobs said:

If the pickup doesn't center, then either the CD drive is dead, or the CD block is not working. On those early models, the entire unit doesn't do a thing unless the CD drive is connected and working (later units at least go as far as the boot menu, in case the cd drive is not connected).

Of course it could still be other problems beyond those, but I'd try it with a separate CD drive, or a separate SH1 board first.

Thanks a lot for the tip. Will try to do that. Is the CD drive the same on all models or do I need to get one specifically for that model? Is there a way to check if it's indeed the drive? Also, what is a SH1 board?