I've bought two of these things and neither of them worked. They're expensive now and I guess they're failing due to age or whatever.
I've bought two of these things and neither of them worked. They're expensive now and I guess they're failing due to age or whatever.
Is it even possible for a VMU to not work? Oh well, I guess it's emulation from now on for you.
If it's plugged into the controller, the controller disconnects.
The main problem has nothing to do with the batteries, as it doesn't need batteries to hold saves. That said, when I do put batteries in it, the batteries never make a stable connection to the terminals.
>The main problem has nothing to do with the batteries,
It doesn't matter whether you think it's a problem with the batteries or not. You change the batteries just to be 100% sure, and cross it off the list of potential problems. It's standard procedure.
Okay? I've made it incredibly clear that I have changed the batteries lmfao
>If it's plugged into the controller, the controller disconnects.
You might need to clean the Dreamcast controller port. Those things were not built that well. Open up the controller, and see if there is any rust or oxidation and clean it with isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.
It's clean, and I can use this third party memory card just fine.
Did you change the batteries?
Have you tried with multiple controllers?
Also the Dreamcast controller port is notoriously iffy. You might need to replace the fuse on it.
I've tried multiple VMUs and multiple controllers, and I'm currently using a third party memory card, which works fine on both.
I think you've just been extremely unlucky
One of them was new in box, and it still didn't work lmao
You know they have a rust issue on the copper areas right?
Open it up and check the wiring as these are known to get rust issues inside
What do
It's this exact problem. I've found other posts detailing the same problem, so it can't be all that rare.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/saiiif/controller_stops_being_detected_after_plugging_in/
I bought one of these things second hand and it didn't work, but then I changed the batteries and it was fine. Have you tried changing the batteries?
Sorry sir I am not understanding this word "batteries"
Could be internal rust, or a battery issue. You may need to open it and clean the contacts
I think the problem is whatever that brown shit at the top of the pcb (left hand side of image) is
Its probably oxidation on the contacts or circuit board. This happens when electronics are stored in a humid environment. He could use isopropyl alcohol to clean areas that look corroded. If it's not the battery or corrosion, then it's a faulty chip on the board.
But either way, clean the board first (including the contacts that connect to the controller) and then test it.
Are there any good alternatives to isopropyl? I'd prefer to get this done today.
Okay so I've cleaned it up but the problem hasn't been fixed.
judging by those images it looks like you might need to change your battery
It's funny you mention that. The batteries make a solid connection now, but when I put it in the controller and turn the system on, they stop powering it and I have to take them out and put them back in.
Different anon here. Clean the entire board. Not just one section. Take a Q-tip and soak it with Isopropyl alcohol and wipe down any parts of the board that have corrosion. Most connections are supposed to be a silver color. Not a dirty brown color.
Also make sure to clean the actual contacts of where the VMU connects to the Dreamcast controller. Look into the connector area from the outside and clean that too. Then put in a new battery and test.
Also clean the contacts on the Dreamcast controller itself too if there is any corrosion from the outside.
This is the only area that still looks like it could be dirty, but I don't think that wants to come off.
XD
Yes
the problem might be on the controller side
Did you clean the area where the battery connects with the VMU?
Dreamcast Vmus can connect to eachother. What happens when you connect this Vmu to another official Vmu? If it works then it might be the controller.
I only have one at this point of time, and the other one that I did have didn't work either.
Clean the outside vmu contacts. It's been exposed to air for 25 years. It might have some rust. Use a can of compressed air to blow air into the port. Then clean it alcohol.
How am I supposed to clean that with alcohol? Squeeze it in and hope for the best?
Anon, it's called a toothbrush. Get a spare (new) toothbrush, soak it in alcohol. Then gently brush the outside port. The alcohol soaked bristles of the toothbrush will go inside and clean it. Use a new toothbrush. Not an old one. You want the bristles to be new and stiff.
Probably the last update - it doesn't work at all now. No beep when it's in the controller, and it doesn't power on with batteries in. Maybe it just needs to dry for longer, but I think it's dead. I'll keep it around so I can put a working vmu in the green casing in the future.
Hmm...anon you got impatient. You were supposed to let the alcohol dry completely before reassembling and using it again. It's probably not dead. But it's need to dry completely. Set it aside for an hour or two.
I did let it dry completely, I'm just saying there /may/ have been /some/ moisture. Even if it isn't dead, it probably isn't fixable.
Let it dry completely. Don't use it with residual alcohol still on it.
How about you learn to read
If you cleaned the contacts like other anon suggested, then they are probably still damp with alcohol. Blow some air in there and let it air dry.
It is completely dry
>It is completely dry
No It wasn't. Not when you tried to reconnect the VMU to the Dreamcast controller. Otherwise it would still be working. There must have been residual alcohol moisture.
Yeah it's completely dry and doesn't work. I'm not too pissed off, because it hasn't ever worked for me, but it'd be nice if it did.
So it kinda worked before. Then you cleaned it and now it's fully broken?
Yes
Did you check the voltage to be sure the batteries are good?
Could be a battery issue, pal.
Have you tried changing the battery?
I feel OP is just trolling us, and using the same old rechargeable battery or something. Like dude, use an entirely new set of batteries. Don't argue with us.
batteries shouldn't matter when plugging it into the controller though
Did you try multiple Dreamcast controllers?