Goldstar 3DO problem

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:22 pm

I'm very glad that I found a good, active forum for 3DO! This is really great. However, that's not the point of this topic. Here goes:

I recently aquired a Goldstar 3DO. The system powers up fine, and the disc tray works. However, I can't get the system to boot any games.

I took the top of the system off and removed the metal casings on the CD-ROM. The laser moves up and down when I turn the 3DO on without a disc. When there is a disc present when the system is turned on, the disc spins clockwise, and the laser makes a little noise every 2 seconds, but the screen remains black after the 3DO logo upon powerup. Sometimes the disc spins counter-clockwise first for a second and then spins clockwise on certain games. Also, sometimes the disc does not spin at all. It is not very consistent.

If I turn the system on without a game inside, and then insert one when the "insert disc" picture shows up, the game does not spin up either.

I've seen this question asked on other forums and places on the internet, but nobody ever got a proper reply. That scares me a little, but I figure you people have a better expertise on the subject.

I'm using an NTSC Goldstar 3DO, and I don't have a controller connected. I'd rather buy one after I knew the system works. Also, I've been trying real (not burned backups), NTSC, unscratched games.

Thanks in advance to any help or information that people can give. I've always wanted to play some of the 3DO exclusive titles.

T2KFreeker · Post by **T2KFreeker** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:47 am

Hmm, have you tried cleaning the laser? Do you know how to adjust the laser? I hate to say this, half the time it sounds like the laser is having trouble finding the disc cue and other times like the motor is on the verge of death. The Goldstar 3DO is the system that really has way too many problems as a console. Try the laser cleaning, if that don't work, you might try and find a website that does repairs as I am sure that Goldstar will not. I personally would shoot for a Panasonic 3DO, they are much more reliable. Hope this helps some.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:34 pm

Thanks for the reply!

The laser is free of dust, but the lens has a reflective-looking finish on it that I figured was on purpose, but some types of glass do get a reflective tarnish on them when they come into contact with skin oils and are left to age. What chemical do you recommend I use to clean the lens?

I disassembled the cd-rom to check and make sure there wasn't any dust under the lens and to make sure the ribbon cables weren't loose or broken in any spots. I checked for an obvious way to adjust the laser but couldn't find one. Does anyone have a picture or diagram? Where is the trim-pot and how should I use it?

The motor could be dying I suppose. I noticed that it gets warm when it spins for a while, but that's normal right? Maybe it just needs lubrication? I could always replace the motor too.

Anyway, I hope that someone here can answer these questions for me. I'm not afraid of a bit of soldering either, so if there is some simple part that needs replacing or a connection that frequently breaks, tell me about it. Thanks again.

T2KFreeker · Post by **T2KFreeker** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:54 pm

I recomend a Q-Tip with Windex to clean the laser. Gentle though, don't want to scratch it.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:38 pm

Thanks again T2KFreeker, I'll try that.

However, that still leaves a couple of my questions unanswered.

This thread has 78 views as I write this, and nobody here can tell me how to adjust the laser or if I can lubricate the cd-rom motor? If I'm doing something wrong with my posts please tell me.

I'd really like to be a part of this scene, but I need a working 3DO first. Thanks in advance for any more info.

Lemmi · Post by **Lemmi** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:43 pm

i viewed this thread alot because im interested also, but i never adjusted a laser before or took apart a 3do system

i would love to help if i could

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:26 pm

I've taken apart the entire CD-ROM assembly, and everything is quite simple and very well labelled, except for the laser adjustment. There were a couple of small screws that I thought could be it, but they were tightly fastened and I assume were not for adjustments.

I'm persuing this 3DO problem so aggressively because I've noticed that many other Goldstar 3DO users have the exact same problem as I do. Since the system works completely other than the disc-reading, it must be one small issue causing this.

T2KFreeker · Post by **T2KFreeker** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:47 pm

All right man, lubricating the laser should not be a problem, although I would wait and see if the laser cleaning works first. As for adjusting the Goldstars laser, give me a little time to see what I can dig up. It has litterally been YEARS since I have worked on oen and frankly, I tried to stay away from the damn things because they really were built assbackwards making things ten times more difficult than they needed to be. Please put it back together and let me know if the laser tracks now that you have cleaned it. If not, I will start the arduouse search through my own personal documents to find the info you seek. If you were to see the unlabeled mess I have to wade through, you would understand what I am talking about.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:55 pm

It's already assembled again. I always put things back together as soon as I'm done poking around inside them. I wouldn't want to forget how it fits together!

I will most likely be able to clean the laser lens tonight, and I might lubricate the motor that spins the disc because it couldn't hurt. I am a bit busy tonight but cleaning a lens takes no time at all really.

I'd really appreciate it if you could in fact dig out your method of adjusting the laser. As much as I'd like for cleaning the laser to be the final fix, I have a feeling that my 3DO will need a little more help than that.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:16 pm

I cleaned the laser lens with a q-tip and windex and while the lens definately looked transparent afterwards and not a blue-ish mirrored finish like it had before, I'm still having the same problem. I still hope to be able to adjust the laser.

I forgot to mention this before, but when the 3DO is first trying the read the disc, after it displays the 3DO logo and the screen first turns black, some slight flickering and white haziness appears on screen. I don't know if this is normal or what, but I thought I'd mention it.

Post by **3DOKid** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:47 pm

How do I put this...? hmm let me think? After my experience today with my cheap-o LG DVD burner... oh - I dunno. Oh I think, erm, yes. Don't buy cheap Korean/Chinese rubbish.

Get the Panasonic FZ1 or FZ10 made in Japan. Actually - my own personal FZ1 was made in France, either way, what you are buying is a production methodology. Seriously. "Made in the USA" has some weight. As does "Made in Japan" and "Made in Germany". After that you are on your own. As I learnt at Uni (or somewhere) Ishkawa's seven laws of production something or other.. it means something. Don't buy British. Unless we designed it, but not if we built it.

Seriously. Buddy, don't waste your time with it. My 4, 15 year old FZ1s have been bullet proof. Go to eBay buy the the Panasonic unit.

3DO Kid.

3DO Kid.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:10 am

If I had the choice, I would be using a Panasonic unit right now. However, I don't have one.

I am interested in electronics and would very much like to repair my 3DO or attempt it before I sink more money into buying a new one. Besides, I think it would be very worthwhile for the community if the methods of repairing this common problem with Goldstar 3DOs, or at least adjusting the laser, was posted here and copied for posterity. It can't hurt right?

And hey, 3DOKid, if you have 4 working 3DOs in your hands, care to donate one?

Right now my interests in 3DO are more geared towards the functionality and design rather than the gaming. I've already played many of the 3DO games before. Now I want to focus on the hardware rather than the software.

And as such, my quest continues to repair my 3DO, with the help of this friendly board! I've been tinkering with it and cleaning it very thoroughly, and I have made some progress. The system definately seems to try harder and longer to boot a disc, and there is less interference on my screen and in my speakers. I'm getting there, but it still seems like the laser can't quite "see" the disc.

So once again if anyone has any ideas, please speak up! And I am hoping that you will be able to find your notes on how to adjust the laser, T2KFreeker.

T2KFreeker · Post by **T2KFreeker** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:54 am

All right dude, I am looking into it now, but so help me, If I get ONE papercut, it's on like Donkey Kong!

Seriously though, I'll see if I can find the notes I have kept over the years.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:35 pm

I'm sorry for my late reply! I was away this week and I just got home a few hours ago.

Thanks T2KFreeker. If you get any papercuts I'll personally send some band-aids to you

Gunstar · Post by **Gunstar** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:38 am

3DOKid wrote:How do I put this...? hmm let me think? After my experience today with my cheap-o LG DVD burner... oh - I dunno. Oh I think, erm, yes. Don't buy cheap Korean/Chinese rubbish.

Get the Panasonic FZ1 or FZ10 made in Japan. Actually - my own personal FZ1 was made in France, either way, what you are buying is a production methodology. Seriously. "Made in the USA" has some weight. As does "Made in Japan" and "Made in Germany". After that you are on your own. As I learnt at Uni (or somewhere) Ishkawa's seven laws of production something or other.. it means something. Don't buy British. Unless we designed it, but not if we built it.

Seriously. Buddy, don't waste your time with it. My 4, 15 year old FZ1s have been bullet proof. Go to eBay buy the the Panasonic unit.

3DO Kid.

3DO Kid.

I have to agree 100% here. I first owned an FZ-1 and it never failed. I sold it when I moved across the country. Later, I wanted to buy a 3DO again, but the only model I could find was the Goldstar, so I bought it. It worked fine for about a week and then started having problems which grew progressively worse day-by-day. It finally got so bad that I took the thing out to my driveway and smashed in on the cement into tiny, tiny bits, then promplty drove to a local game shop who luckily had an Panasonic FZ-10. The FZ-10 I had for 10 years and never had a single problem with it. But I wanted an FZ-1 again becuase they are just the best, and I wanted a sliding door model. I've had my used 13 year-old FZ-1 for about 8 months now with it working flawlessly. Stay away, far, far away from Goldstar 3DO's or like 3DOkid said, anything that's not made in the U.S.A, Germany or Japan. I'm sure there are some other countries with good manufacturing, but I don't know who they are. Sorry to hear that British products are shite too, I've never owned anything British yet, but I had assumed British products=top quality too...

It's true though, the Brits DESIGN some amazing stuff...like the Atari Jaguar!(which was then built in the U.S.A by IBM!) Jaguar CD unit? It was designed and built by Philips, built in the U.S.A. 3DO? Designed in the U.S.A(IIRC) and Pansonic model built in Japan.

Lemmi · Post by **Lemmi** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:59 am

pfft... you just bought someones lemon

my original Goldstar i bought from Funcoland is still kicking, and i used mine like crazy for an entire year and transported it to many other houses to play, untill i found a brand new FZ10 at media play for $42.54 in 1997 and it hasnt been unhooked since, i would have bought more then one but it was the last one

and my LG CD-i has been used like crazy also

maybe someone needs to document the guts of the different models of the goldstar 3do to see if anything was changed inside

i want one of those all grey Goldstars tho, they look cool

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:28 pm

So, T2Kfreeker, any news on if you found your notes?

T2KFreeker · Post by **T2KFreeker** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:57 pm

bullis1 wrote:So, T2Kfreeker, any news on if you found your notes?

Part of the problem is that I moved in April, so it may take a bit bud as I'm not quite sure where they are at. I did run accross a pretty common problem in my research though! Have you made sure that the ribbon connections for the Goldstar are tight and clean? Tarnish on them are a bigger problem than most people think. I was even a little surprised to see this being listed as a major problem.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:49 pm

One of the first things I did was check to make sure that all the ribbon cables were inserted firmly and didn't have breaks, but I never checked for dirt or tarnish, or for damage in the sockets. That's another thing to check.

Thanks for that tidbit. There are at least two (I think three) ribbon-style cables involved with the CD-ROM so that leaves plenty of room for error.

pitsunami · Post by **pitsunami** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:08 pm

If i remember correctly,there is a ribbon cable that goes to the laser. That ribbon moves with it and gets cut. You should check with a multimeter which one is cut and if it can be fixed.

bullis1 · Post by **bullis1** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:07 pm

I'll break out the multimeter then.

Thanks for the tip.