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Can someone please instruct me in hooking up my Sega CD?
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:55 pm
by Missing
I just purchased a Sega CD recently, and throughout all the frustration I've had so far trying to get the thing to work, I'm fearing inevitably that either the Genesis or the Sega CD itself isn't function properly. Still, I don't want to give up just yet, not until I've at least asked someone who's used the system and can instruct me on what I'm doing. Now as far as I can tell so far, I've hooked everything up as it should be, but some things I'm still unsure about.
When I bought the Sega CD, it came with three metal pieces (and no instruction manual, unfortunately) -- a larger silver-colored piece (which I already know attaches to the base of the Sega CD where the Genesis rests on top of), and two smaller copper-colored pieces of which I'm unsure as to where I'm supposed to attach either of them, or if it's even necessary. Also included was a small screw, of which it seems I have two options as to where to insert, either on the bottom of the Sega CD or on the bottom of the Genesis. So far, I've inserted it in both spots and it hasn't made any difference in getting the system to operate, so I figure it really doesn't matter.
Now when I turn the Genesis, I can tell it's functioning properly, as it does respond the way it should. The Sega CD does not however, and I wonder if there's any other method of getting it to start aside from having the Genesis attached to it and turned on. I have both AC adaptors (one for the Genesis and one for the Sega CD) plugged in, but I'. unsure as to whether this necessary. Should I only have the Sega CD plugged in? Also, does that small Access button (at least, I think it's a button) do anything? I've been fooling around with that thing for a while now also, but haven't had any luck. If any of you guys can give me some information beyond that, I'd appreciate it.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:59 pm
by Marc
Which model of Genesis and Sega CD do you have? Can you provide any photos?
Anyway, you need both adaptors plugged in for the Sega CD to work. Let me take a look at mine and get back to you.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:10 pm
by 87th
I bought the Mega CD 2 for my Megadrive 2. That was easy. Just plug it into the expansion port, plug everything in, take out the Megadrive cart, switch the Megadrive on. No screws, no extra pieces, just plug in and play!
I'm assuming that you have a different set-up, though.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:21 pm
by Missing
I have a Genesis Model 2 and Sega CD Model 2. The way you describe it 87th, my set-up isn't very different. I assumed all I had to do was connect the Genesis through the expansion port for it to work, but apparently, that's not the case. Though it's more likely that one system is defunct, which would really piss me off. I only wish the Sega CD would respond to let me know it works. There's no little light which would indicate that it's getting power, so I don't even know what I should assume from it.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:33 pm
by Artemio
The first step would be to boot a genesis game, rto check if that unit is working. If that one is alright, you need to boot without a cart, and you'd get the Sega CD screen. If it doesn't show up, then either the connection is at fault, or the sega cd unit is not working.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:49 pm
by Missing
That would require that I actually buy a Genesis game. I don't know if all this troubleshooting is worth the effort or the money. If the Sega CD is busted though, I really have to chew out the asshole who told me the thing had been tested and worked fine. I do believe the Genesis functions properly, but if there is a fault in the connection (on the Genesis' part), I don't know that testing the cartridge slot would tell me anything. Since the area that connects to the Sega CD is exposed, it would have been very easy for that to be damaged. And if you never hooked it up to a Sega CD, you probably would never know. But considering that the Sega CD was the more costly of the two, I fear that to be the cause of the problem. It's not worth a thing if it won't function.
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:49 pm
by 87th
Based on the fact that the Sega CD isn't powering up at all, you might just have a case of a faulty power cable. See if you can find something with the same connection and voltage, and replace the cable (I did this with my SNES and the adaptor for an old scanner).
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:26 am
by Ghaleon
You shouldn't have any trouble finding a Genesis game for cheap -- $1 or $2.
You could test if one AC adaptor was bad by testing a Genesis game with one AC, then try the other with the Gen -- you can swap them interchangeably btw Gen/SCD.
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:01 pm
by Missing
Ghaleon wrote:You could test if one AC adaptor was bad by testing a Genesis game with one AC, then try the other with the Gen -- you can swap them interchangeably btw Gen/SCD.
Actually, neither AC adaptor is compatible with each other's console. The Sega CD adaptor doesn't fit into the Genesis 2 port. Would that make any difference?
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:37 pm
by Ghaleon
For real? I have a Gen 1 and they're compatible, I just assumed.
A 32X adaptor might be the same as the Gen 2 ver. Anyway, if you know any Exchange-type places just try to find a replacement AC. I still see them new-in-box.
Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:34 pm
by 8bitsonic
I once bought a third-party Genesis 2 AC adaptor from Toys 'R' Us. Remember how even in he late 90's, Toys 'R' Us still had tons of 16-bit stuff, and it was all going for dirt cheap? I bought my SNES, a model 2 from there- still use it to this day. And it hasn't turned piss-yellow like the hideous original (US) model. God damn them for not using the stylish, original Japanese design, like the Euro version.
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:44 pm
by Missing
Yeah, I remember those days. I purchased a Genesis Model 3 for only about $20 at Toys'R'Us myself. With the Model 2 I'm using now, I have it connected with a third-party adaptor, but as I said, it seems to be working fine. The Sega CD adaptor is the original Sega brand, though, so I don't see why it should be such a problem. Then again, Sega has never been one for solidly manufactured consoles. I can still recall how quickly it took for my Nomad to break down.
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:45 pm
by 8bitsonic
Missing wrote:Sega has never been one for solidly manufactured consoles. I can still recall how quickly it took for my Nomad to break down.
Bought a CDX on eBay a few months ago. Mint condition, real nice. Now it no longer reads CD's. Fuck.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:29 am
by epitaph
8bitsonic wrote:Missing wrote:Sega has never been one for solidly manufactured consoles. I can still recall how quickly it took for my Nomad to break down.
Bought a CDX on eBay a few months ago. Mint condition, real nice. Now it no longer reads CD's. Fuck.
Perhaps a stupid suggestion as you've probably already tried it, but here goes anyway: have you tried to clean the lens with alcohol? This helped me when my Saturn (and my PS2) got picky about what discs to accept.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:20 am
by Ghaleon
SEGA not solidly made?? Gotta take offense to that

Compare their stuff to the latest generation ... I don't remember people going through three Genesis systems back when. Saturns are indestructible tanks! I've seen DC burnouts though from convertors/MAS sticks.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:46 am
by epitaph
Ghaleon wrote:SEGA not solidly made?? Gotta take offense to that

Compare their stuff to the latest generation ... I don't remember people going through three Genesis systems back when. Saturns are indestructible tanks! I've seen DC burnouts though from convertors/MAS sticks.
Yeah, most Sega-consoles have good build-quality. The exception to this would probably be the Dreamcast, which was somewhat poorly designed in terms of its PSU. Last-gen and current-/next-gen consoles are much worse in this respect - suffering from poor construction in attempts to cut costs (the PS2 DVD drive stands out as an example of this. Worst build ever). Also, console hardware gets increasingly hot with each generation, but consumers don't like the noise additional cooling generates so manufacturers leave the units with minimal cooling - resulting in faster breakdown (see Xbox 360 ring-of-death-problems).
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:54 am
by Marc
The only system problem I've ever had was the screen on my original GameBoy has now come off (the aged glue). I hear all these people with problems with PS2s, for instance... Mine's never so much as flinched, and I bought it right after launch. I just always unplug it when I'm not playing it, like all my consoles. Mind you, I don't have a Wii or 360, which seem to have a high rate of problems compared to previous generations, i.e., not working out of the box.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:01 pm
by Missing
epitaph wrote:Perhaps a stupid suggestion as you've probably already tried it, but here goes anyway: have you tried to clean the lens with alcohol? This helped me when my Saturn (and my PS2) got picky about what discs to accept.
It's not just that the console won't read, it's that it won't do anything. I can't get it to power up. I contacted the person who sold it to me, and they said I need to attach all those small metal pieces in order to get a proper connection. But from what you guys are saying, it would seem that it should work regardless of screwing together a few parts. I'll just have to give it another shot later on and hope for the best.
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:51 pm
by Missing
I got a flicker of life out of the console today, but not enough to actually play on the damn thing. A mere second actually, but it gives me hope that the console at least functions. I have to assume that the person I bought it from was telling the truth, and somehow, those two small pieces of metal that connect on the side of the Genesis are necessary in establishing a proper connection with the Sega CD. But since I still haven't figured out where the two of them insert exactly, I have to ask all of you again if you can possibly provide me with any information in hooking it up.
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:14 pm
by Henry Spencer
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:18 pm
by epitaph
Received my Sega (Mega) CD today and it exhibited the same symptoms as the ones described by the OP -- wouldn't turn on. No bleeping access LED, no boot screen, nothing. The Genesis it was attached to worked fine however (fired up Sonic and it ran fine). Having had no luck with a replacement AC adapter I went googling for a solution. From various reports I found I gathered that my problem was most likely due to a bad fuse on the motherboard. I opened up the unit, used some wire to bypass the fuse and sure enough, when I powered on the Genesis this time the LED started blinking and I was presented with the Mega CD BIOS screen. Now all I've got to do is get a suitable replacement fuse (the one on the board is rated for 2A/250V but I've heard 1A's sufficient) and I'll be able to experience some SCD goodness.

The motherboard. The fuse in question is located in the top right corner.

Close-up of the fuse and my bypass.
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:18 pm
by Missing
Thanks for the link Henry, but those guys didn't go into any details of assembly. They were too busy arguing power cords. Jesus Christ, I hope I don't have to go through so much trouble as replacing fuses or any of that shit. I'm still determined to find out where that second metal piece attaches before I attempt anything else, but the prick I bought the system from has stopped replying to my messages.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:47 am
by Henry Spencer
I think it would be best if you enquired at a local game store; say Gamestop or something? Maybe someone working there may be at a helping hand; since I bet at least one of the staff is a retro gamer.
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 2:07 am
by shidoni
Ok, so a Sega CD can be powered with a PS1 adapter, what about a Genesis? Can I be cheap and do a switchy with one of my other systems/home appliances if I happened to not have the proper power cord? lololl~
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:54 pm
by Ghaleon
shidoni wrote:Ok, so a Sega CD can be powered with a PS1 adapter, what about a Genesis? Can I be cheap and do a switchy with one of my other systems/home appliances if I happened to not have the proper power cord? lololl~
What you say?
Ah, I read those posts -- I've never seen a PSX that uses that funky AC adaptor personally (is that the first model, that had RCA jacks on it?), but apparently it works with a CDX, according to that guy. It doesn't look like that would work w/ a Genesis/SCD though (which I think uses a different power thing than the little CDX), and I thought the voltage was different.
btw, I used my Gen/SCD for years w/o the metal plates -- I don't think they really do anything major.
Gamestop would be the last place I'd look for help -- unless you're lucky, most chain game places have people that aren't exactly experts on old-school. They're too busy trying to get you to put $10 down on Madden '09 or Halo 4. For a lot of them gaming seemed to start with PSX. *FROWNY FACE*