Disc Error

I have a gamecube that seems to work accept for that fact that I get disc error message. It is not modified at all. I check the ristance on the pot and it measured 600ohms. The laser turns on normally. What can I check to help fix my problem?

 

it may be the disc or the laser, try cleaning both.

 

I used a new disc game. How do I clean the laser?

 

Maybe drop the POT some? Might be so high that it's literally blinding itself when trying to read?

 

The pot was at 10ohms and I adjusted it up to 600ohms. I don't think it is the pot. How do I clean the laser?

 

You do realize that 600 ohms is way over the average value right? The average is around 200 ohms...

And if it was at 10 to begin with your laser is probably already on it's way to crapping out.

 

I adjusted it to 200ohms. Still no luck. The laser does put out a bright red light. It seems ok. How do I clean the laser? Could it be that?

 

It'll always put out a bright red light. That's not really an indicator of it's ability to read discs properly.

Also, you're supposed to adjust your pot relative to your own situation, not to others. Basically, find the "sweet spot" for you GC's pot and fine tune until it works properly.

To clean the lens, get a lens cleaning kit or be cheap and use a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Dip the Q-tip in the rubbing alcohol, and make sure it isn't dripping. Then lightly brush it across the lens. Let it dry first before turning on your GC.

 

If after doing all this it still does not work, how do I determain the condition of the laser? I want to make sure the laser is bad before I go buy another laser. Is there a test I can perform to determain if the laser is bad?

 

I made a mistake, I read the ohm meter wrong. My pot measures 0.5ohms. I can't get it to adjust highter. I turn the pot so many times and it measures between 0.5 to zero ohms. Does this mean that the laser is bad?

 

You turned it a lot?! It only takes a quarter of a turn to jump over 200 ohms.

I think you busted your pot... Which would mean you'd need the whole board or the whole assembly.

Unless you can find someone that can solder as well as the machine that built you GC, it sounds like you just ruined your GC's ability to read discs.

 

How about I remove the pot and solder a fix value resister pads?

 

You're better off using a variable resistor since they can be fine tuned.

Even so, it isn't guaranteed that your laser diode will even read back-ups properly after replacing the pot.

 

Where can I buy a new board?

 

what a whole gamecube board? try some of the links in my sticky