PC Engine Repair? Interface unit + CD-ROM2 + CoreGrafx

The place for all discussion on gaming hardware
Post Reply
User avatar
Matskat
Posts: 424
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:12 am
Location: STL 314 USA

PC Engine Repair? Interface unit + CD-ROM2 + CoreGrafx

Post by Matskat »

Hey everyone!

I just got a used PCE briefcase unit about a week or so ago- it works great!

I've been reading up on these units and have found a LOT of forum threads regarding various repairs and mods.
I'm of intermediate skill with electronics, and can most likely complete a number of these repairs as they pop up... BUT:

I'm wondering if the Shmups forum collective knows of someone\somewhere who could "tune-up" my old system?
I'd almost rather pay to get it tuned -up than wait for the inevitable...

Anybody got a guy?

HOLLA!
Mat$kaT
http://matskatcustoms.wordpress.com
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32709
"This is not similation. Get ready to destoroy the enemy. Target for the weak points of f**kin' machine. Do your best you have ever done."
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: PC Engine Repair? Interface unit + CD-ROM2 + CoreGrafx

Post by Fudoh »

The Core Grafx itself along with the Interface are basically unfailable. The interface's capacitor for savegames might run dry, but that's easily fixable and doesn't turn the unit unusable per se.

The two things to fail are a certain capacitor and a little gear wheel inside the CD-Rom² unit. The gear wheel simply deteriorates over time and falls apart. Replacement gears were extremely hard to find in the past, but are now available printed by 3D printers (seen them for about 1,800yen on Yahoo). The laser pick up might also fail over time, but often times it's really just the capacitor. There're extensive guides on the CD repair over on the PCEngineFX board and you'll likely fine somebody there as well to get your CD drive "tuned".
User avatar
Matskat
Posts: 424
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:12 am
Location: STL 314 USA

Re: PC Engine Repair? Interface unit + CD-ROM2 + CoreGrafx

Post by Matskat »

Thanks, Fudoh!

The big thing I'll admit, is the "deterioration of the one gear" issue - I've not been able to find *just the gear* for sale...

If anyone knows of a link, please hook it up :)

Thanks again for the help, Fudoh...
Mat$kaT
http://matskatcustoms.wordpress.com
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32709
"This is not similation. Get ready to destoroy the enemy. Target for the weak points of f**kin' machine. Do your best you have ever done."
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: PC Engine Repair? Interface unit + CD-ROM2 + CoreGrafx

Post by Fudoh »

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b138684175

basically always available since I saw them first a year or so ago.
Post Reply