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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: masamuneGTO on April 06, 2012, 06:14:54 PM
Title: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 06, 2012, 06:14:54 PM
Hi I am relatively new to this forum and just purchased a pc engine duo rx off of ebay. Sadly the system has not been used in 3 years, so i do not know if the cd rom drive functions. Is there an easy way that i could get a bin/cue file set to test my sytem's functionality?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: Keith Courage on April 06, 2012, 06:17:43 PM
Just pop in any audio CD to test the CD player functionality.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 06, 2012, 06:27:41 PM
Just makes some noises and gives please set disc! error message. I bought the system off ebay, and the system was listed as functioning as originally intended. Just makes a loud whirring noise.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: thesteve on April 06, 2012, 07:18:36 PM
try cleaning the lens
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 07, 2012, 08:43:09 AM
Thanks steve, I will try this later today with 100% isopropanol. The system was used 3 years ago to play Rondo of Blood, and apparently worked then. The seller is willing to pay up to $200 repair costs for me, since the item had been listed as fully functioning. So if it is more complicated I may be looking for someone to help me out.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 07, 2012, 09:22:33 AM
Just cleaned the lens using a q-tip and some 2-propanol 100% lab grade. Still not reading an audio cd.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: BlueBMW on April 07, 2012, 09:37:53 AM
Try and run the system without a disc in it and the lid open. Press down on the lid close switch and start it up and press run. The laser should move towards the spindle, then bob up and down a few times and you should be able to see the laser turn on. Verify that this is happening. If the laser isnt returning to center then we know its probably a lubrication / gear issues on the laser sled mechanism.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: incrediblehark on April 07, 2012, 10:14:53 AM
sometimes the laser gets stuck (can happen during shipping). I would check to see if its moving on its track using BlueBMW's method. I have had mine get stuck sometimes and a little nudge will fix the situation. Not saying this is your problem but just a thought.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: Keith Courage on April 07, 2012, 12:54:50 PM
Yeah, you might have to open up the system and manually move the lens gear with your finger a notch or two then try it out again.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 08, 2012, 02:21:43 PM
I tried BlueBMW's method, here is what happens when I cycle the laser. Red laser turns on, bobs up and down, moves a hair to the right, bobs some more, and then moves a hair left. The laser remains near the spindle the whole time it is not near the center.
I still have not had a chance to "nudge" the laser.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: BlueBMW on April 08, 2012, 02:26:58 PM
hmmm....
if its near the spindle, that's good, and if its bobbing its at least trying to read. If you've already tried a music CD and got nothing, then we might be dealing with a bad laser. No big deal really, you could probably replace it yourself if you wanted. OR I'd contact thesteve or keith courage and have one of them change it for you. I'm out of lasers right now so I cant help :(
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 10, 2012, 07:06:00 PM
Here is a video of the laser in action when I press run with the lid propped.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: thesteve on April 10, 2012, 07:32:50 PM
that looked right. i couldnt tell if the laser was lit, but you said it was. the movements were all correct for a no disk attempt.either the laser is bad or the unit badly adjusted other possibility is bad caps in the cd drive (uncommon in the -R (-RX))
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 10, 2012, 07:55:47 PM
There was also a rattling sound inside the system, but I found it to be this broken tiny plastic piece (screwdriver for scale).
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, but need a bin/cue file set to test cd drive
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 10, 2012, 08:08:26 PM
Here is a clearer shot of the laser (red light) on with the system top removed. The system definitely has been worked on in the past because the security screws were replaced.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: BlueBMW on April 11, 2012, 02:01:04 PM
That little piece just looks like part of the casing....
I'd guess like thesteve said, you've either got a bum laser (pretty common actually) or one that's WAY out of adjustment. If someone got in there and didnt know what they were doing, they could mess it up pretty bad.
Are you wanting to try and fix it yourself? OR send it off to someone to have it done?
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 11, 2012, 03:38:24 PM
That little piece just looks like part of the casing....
I'd guess like thesteve said, you've either got a bum laser (pretty common actually) or one that's WAY out of adjustment. If someone got in there and didnt know what they were doing, they could mess it up pretty bad.
Are you wanting to try and fix it yourself? OR send it off to someone to have it done?
If I had more time I would try to fix it myself, but I am a full-time PhD student at UCSF in a biophysics program, so I don't have a to of spare time. Keith Courage has offered his services, so I am planning on taking him up on the offer. I am in San Francisco. Like I mentioned previously, the seller I bought the system from is willing to pay for repairs up to $200.
Everyone has been so helpful.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: thesteve on April 11, 2012, 04:44:05 PM
no prob. i have new lasers tested and ready to go
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 16, 2012, 07:07:15 PM
Thanks for the offer, but Keith Courage got to me first.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: Keith Courage on April 17, 2012, 05:54:41 PM
Got the DUO-RX going again. The middle spindle for the motor had been pushed down too far and also the 3 plastic poles that hold the lens assembly in place had fallen apart. It's a nice looking system by the way. The casing doesn't look faded at all. Too bad it is missing the hu card cover ](*,)
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: BlueBMW on April 17, 2012, 06:32:45 PM
Ahh excellent! An easy fix!
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: thesteve on April 17, 2012, 07:29:34 PM
Got the DUO-RX going again. The middle spindle for the motor had been pushed down too far and also the 3 plastic poles that hold the lens assembly in place had fallen apart. It's a nice looking system by the way. The casing doesn't look faded at all. Too bad it is missing the hu card cover ](*,)
Yeah, I am a little sad about the missing hucard cover. I have access to a 3d printer, so I could design a replacement piece, but I would need to know the dimensions etc. There is also a system for parts available in San Francisco, so I may pick it up for the hucard slot cover.
Thanks again everyone!
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: BlueBMW on April 19, 2012, 12:36:27 AM
That parts system is probably repairable hehe.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: masamuneGTO on April 20, 2012, 08:51:42 PM
Thanks to Keith Courage the system is fully back up and running. Now onwards to acquiring some great cd based games.
Title: Re: Just bought a PC engine duo rx, not reading cds [need support]
Post by: incrediblehark on April 21, 2012, 03:02:01 AM