PC Engine Duo-R Crashing on loading screens

[bobrocks95]

I just picked up a Duo-R while I was in Japan, and I've mostly been playing Super Darius so far.

Occasionally the game will crash when loading a boss or level. Sometimes it will hang for 30 seconds or so, and then finally load- other times the crash is nastier with garbage graphics popping up.

I'm guessing this is the laser in the disc drive failing since it's on loading screens...
But I also know Duos (less so Duo-R's afaik) are prone to leaky/dry caps. Could this potentially be cap related, or am i sol?

[nmalinoski]

I believe it's recommended that you recap Duo models in general, assuming it hasn't already been done. I'd pop open the console to see if there's any evidence of cap replacement; if not, and/or there's evidence of cap leakage, have the board cleaned and recapped and see if that fixes your issue.

[Steamflogger Boss]

Duo rs don't generally need to be recapped. This sounds like a laser issue 100%.

[Mobiusstriptech]

Duo R units don't have cap leak issues. They do however encounter all the usual laser related issues. It might even just need a calibration.

[bobrocks95]

Are there any guides for laser adjustment that anyone could recommend?

Not sure what to do if I need a new laser assembly... Don't suppose a factory in China is cranking any out?

[Steamflogger Boss]

Are there any guides for laser adjustment that anyone could recommend?

Not sure what to do if I need a new laser assembly... Don't suppose a factory in China is cranking any out?

I know the CDRom2 used one that was common in various CD players. Maybe this is the case for the duo r as well?

[Mobiusstriptech]

There are actually tons of replacement Chinese lasers available for these. The HOP-M3 laser is very easy to come by. The proper way to adjust these lasers is using an oscilloscope. There are 5 potentiometers to adjust and every laser is different. Console5.com has details on what each pot does and where to connect the oscilloscope for proper reading.

[bobrocks95]

There are actually tons of replacement Chinese lasers available for these. The HOP-M3 laser is very easy to come by. The proper way to adjust these lasers is using an oscilloscope. There are 5 potentiometers to adjust and every laser is different. Console5.com has details on what each pot does and where to connect the oscilloscope for proper reading.

Nice! I found a list of pots on the console5 wiki, but no info on what their readings should be (except one that it said you shouldn't have to mess with unless someone else has)
This was the page I found: https://console5.com/wiki/Turbo_Duo#Ben ... e_CD_Drive

[Mobiusstriptech]

You aren't going to find readings in terms of specific resistance or anything. To properly make adjustments you need to measure the eye pattern with an oscilloscope.

[bobrocks95]

You aren't going to find readings in terms of specific resistance or anything. To properly make adjustments you need to measure the eye pattern with an oscilloscope.

After looking up videos I see that I'm going for the sharpest eye pattern I can generate, measured while the system is reading a disc.

Considering the cost of even a decent used oscilloscope I think I'll just start with a $14 Chinese replacement laser and go from there. Unless a cheap-ass digital oscilloscope would do.

[Mobiusstriptech]

The cheapest one that I know of that can be used for these is the OWON oscilloscope. RetroRGB had a video about it. I believe the price was around $100.