I just recently received a JagCD unit for what I thought was a great price. However, it doesn't work. When I power on the Jag, the CD unit's startup screen shows up but then shows the picture of the CD with a ? on it. Also, whatever CD is in the drive does not spin at all. Cartridges work fine when plugged into the CD unit.
My question to you all is this: What would be the best (and cheapest) way for me to get this unit refurbished? I don't want to have to buy a new CD unit, as all of the Atari retailers on the web charge WAAAY too much for them. Do any of the dealers offer decent prices for fixing the CD unit? Or are there any enterprising individuals who would do it?
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My quest for a WORKING JagCD unit continues...
Started by Sauron, Aug 21 2002 5:44 PM
18 replies to this topic
#1 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Wed Aug 21, 2002 5:44 PM
#2 OFFLINE
Thunderbird
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Posted Wed Aug 21, 2002 8:11 PM
Sauron said:
I just recently received a JagCD unit for what I thought was a great price. However, it doesn't work. When I power on the Jag, the CD unit's startup screen shows up but then shows the picture of the CD with a ? on it. Also, whatever CD is in the drive does not spin at all. Cartridges work fine when plugged into the CD unit.
My question to you all is this: What would be the best (and cheapest) way for me to get this unit refurbished? I don't want to have to buy a new CD unit, as all of the Atari retailers on the web charge WAAAY too much for them. Do any of the dealers offer decent prices for fixing the CD unit? Or are there any enterprising individuals who would do it?
My question to you all is this: What would be the best (and cheapest) way for me to get this unit refurbished? I don't want to have to buy a new CD unit, as all of the Atari retailers on the web charge WAAAY too much for them. Do any of the dealers offer decent prices for fixing the CD unit? Or are there any enterprising individuals who would do it?
Did you buy it "as-is"? Or could you tell the seller it ain't working?
It sounds like the drive mechanism is bad. Does it spin up? Sometimes they get jammed in the plastic and don't spin.
If it does spin, then you probably have a bad mechanism. You might be able to get a drop-in replacement from philips.
Come to think of it, does ANYONE know what other products used this mechanism? It could be easy to find in some other piece.
#3 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Wed Aug 21, 2002 8:14 PM
I pretty much bought it as-is. The seller has offered to refund my money provided I send the software back that came with it. However, that's not what I want. I WANT A WORKING JAG CD UNIT! If there is ANYWAY I can get it fixed, I will.
The mechanism doesn't spin up at all.
The mechanism doesn't spin up at all.
#4 OFFLINE
Thunderbird
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Posted Wed Aug 21, 2002 9:19 PM
Sauron said:
I pretty much bought it as-is. The seller has offered to refund my money provided I send the software back that came with it. However, that's not what I want. I WANT A WORKING JAG CD UNIT! If there is ANYWAY I can get it fixed, I will.
The mechanism doesn't spin up at all.
The mechanism doesn't spin up at all.
The mechanism may just be jammed or unplugged. Are you adept with a screwdriver? I can talk you through checking it out.
#5 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Wed Aug 21, 2002 9:35 PM
Fairly adept, yeah. I'm all for it just as long as there's not too much that can get screwed up inside the drive.
#6 OFFLINE
atarifan49
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:20 AM
If the CD spindle inside is not easy to spin around (feels like it has some resistance) then its just the spindle got push down just a little too far.
To remedy this requires a small flat blade screwdriver and a philips screwdriver (#1 type). Need to open up the drive unit case to get to the inside. Then using the flat blade screwdriver carefully pry up the spindle on the CD unit. Using some careful pressure you should feel a pop or click as it is moved up slightly. If done right the spindle should spin very smoothly.
When putting the top case back on make sure the plastic lid close pin is lined up with the upper case hole it goes through. And then mate the two halves together. Re-install the screws.
Glenn
To remedy this requires a small flat blade screwdriver and a philips screwdriver (#1 type). Need to open up the drive unit case to get to the inside. Then using the flat blade screwdriver carefully pry up the spindle on the CD unit. Using some careful pressure you should feel a pop or click as it is moved up slightly. If done right the spindle should spin very smoothly.
When putting the top case back on make sure the plastic lid close pin is lined up with the upper case hole it goes through. And then mate the two halves together. Re-install the screws.
Glenn
#7 OFFLINE
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:46 AM
Sauron said:
Fairly adept, yeah. I'm all for it just as long as there's not too much that can get screwed up inside the drive.
To get the drive apart to inspec the internals, you have to take all the screws out of the bottom of the case. After you do that, carefully pull arpart the plastic shells but do so with the unit inverted. There's a plastic pin/actuator that presses a leaf spring contact inside (the door-close detect switch) and it also has a coil spring to assist the tension. You want to carefully remove the covers so that you can see the pin and how the spring goes on it so you can remember how it goes back todether.
It's a good idea to take it apart with the CD Door/Cover in the open position, as this reduces the tension on the spring and it's less likely to fly out.
When you get that far, you can inspect the cabling that goes to the drive and look for loose wires Also check the spindle turns freely and see if it can be unjammed.
Let me know how what you find.
#8 OFFLINE
Thelen
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 2:35 PM
the laser could have gone bad. the first thing a cd-player does is when the door is closed is to check if there's a cd (by the laser). if there is, the cd will begin to spin, if not it won't. but there could be more problems, try cleaning the lens.
Thelen
Thelen
#9 OFFLINE
atarifan49
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 5:21 PM
Also check the spindle friction problem.
I fixed a Jaguar CD unit for B&C at CGE that was giving the exact symptom originally described - CD wouldn't spin and got the CD? icon on the screen.
Glenn
I fixed a Jaguar CD unit for B&C at CGE that was giving the exact symptom originally described - CD wouldn't spin and got the CD? icon on the screen.
Glenn
#10 OFFLINE
jaysmith2000
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 7:05 PM
I bought a large quantity of Jaguar CD's that were store returns. Many of them had this issue. I never took the cases apart, I just pried up the grey spinner in the middle. It should click and then you should be good to go!
#11 OFFLINE
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 7:14 PM
jaysmith2000 said:
I bought a large quantity of Jaguar CD's that were store returns. Many of them had this issue. I never took the cases apart, I just pried up the grey spinner in the middle. It should click and then you should be good to go!
You have any "dead" ones left?
#12 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 7:33 PM
Thanks for the advice, guys.
The spindle does spin pretty easily, so I don't think the problem is with it being stuck. I'm not with the unit right now, and won't have a chance to take it apart until this weekend. In case I'm not able to get it to work on my own, do any of you guys specialize in fixing or refurbishing Jag CD units? Like I said before, I don't want to have to buy a new one, as they're just way too expensive from the different retailers. Again, thanks!
The spindle does spin pretty easily, so I don't think the problem is with it being stuck. I'm not with the unit right now, and won't have a chance to take it apart until this weekend. In case I'm not able to get it to work on my own, do any of you guys specialize in fixing or refurbishing Jag CD units? Like I said before, I don't want to have to buy a new one, as they're just way too expensive from the different retailers. Again, thanks!
#13 OFFLINE
jaysmith2000
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:35 PM
Quote
You have any "dead" ones left?
Sorry T-bird, there was 5 left over that I couldn't fix and I sold them about a year and a half ago. I bought 75 units in all, you don't even want to know what I paid for them. I was selling them in the newsgroups for a very long time for $35 complete in box w/4 CD's. E-bay they would sell for around $50. Now, well, we all know what they go for now....Wish I would have saved more than the 2 I have left....
Jason
#14 OFFLINE
Thunderbird
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 9:14 PM
jaysmith2000 said:
Quote
You have any "dead" ones left?
Sorry T-bird, there was 5 left over that I couldn't fix and I sold them about a year and a half ago. I bought 75 units in all, you don't even want to know what I paid for them. I was selling them in the newsgroups for a very long time for $35 complete in box w/4 CD's. E-bay they would sell for around $50. Now, well, we all know what they go for now....Wish I would have saved more than the 2 I have left....
Jason
Please tell me what you paid for them!
I love these stories!
#15 OFFLINE
jaysmith2000
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Posted Thu Aug 22, 2002 9:23 PM
Quote
Please tell me what you paid for them! I love these stories!
Well, you asked for it. $5.00 each. Almost every one was boxed and most had all 4 discs. Some were literally like brand new. They were all Babbage returns. I bought over 2000 LYNX games from the same guy. I sold LYNX games on e-bay for years......He owned the Fremont Game Exchange (California). He didn't have a storefront but worked the flea markets. He's still there, but all he has these days is PS, PS2, X-Box and GC. Occasionally he'll surprise me with a nice Atari item....but those are far and few between these days.
Jason
#16 OFFLINE
jaysmith2000
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Posted Fri Aug 23, 2002 5:44 PM
Sorry, please ignore...
#17 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Mon Dec 9, 2002 9:21 PM
Just to revive a dead thread....
I FINALLY opened up my Jag CD unit, and tried everyone's suggestions. The CD spindle didn't seem to be stuck, but I tried popping it up anyway. No dice. I put the unit back together and tried powering it on, and noticed something different. The laser seems to be trying to move, but moves maybe a milimeter or two several times and each time moves back to it's original position (close to the spindle). Any ideas on what can be done now?
I FINALLY opened up my Jag CD unit, and tried everyone's suggestions. The CD spindle didn't seem to be stuck, but I tried popping it up anyway. No dice. I put the unit back together and tried powering it on, and noticed something different. The laser seems to be trying to move, but moves maybe a milimeter or two several times and each time moves back to it's original position (close to the spindle). Any ideas on what can be done now?
#18 OFFLINE
Brian R.
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Posted Mon Dec 9, 2002 10:02 PM
I hesitate to say this - because I thought I'd reached the point where I would never sell anything - but....
I have a second Jag CD unit that I may be willing to sell, if the price offered catches my eye. I don't want to be unreasonable, I'm not sure what to ask which is why I'm not putting a price on it myself - but if I am made a good offer I may bite. It's the CD unit only, no box, but it does work, I can confirm that. Found it at a garage sale at my apartment building - someone left a Jag and the CD when they moved out.
ALSO, and this I am more willing to part with - if anyone would like to buy my copy of Skyhammer, make an offer. I bought it new and it's complete. I never enjoyed this game like I thought I would and it's been pretty much sitting in my storage case unused. I know Carl still sells it, but you could get it from me complete for a bit less - I dunno, $60 plus shipping?
I have a second Jag CD unit that I may be willing to sell, if the price offered catches my eye. I don't want to be unreasonable, I'm not sure what to ask which is why I'm not putting a price on it myself - but if I am made a good offer I may bite. It's the CD unit only, no box, but it does work, I can confirm that. Found it at a garage sale at my apartment building - someone left a Jag and the CD when they moved out.
ALSO, and this I am more willing to part with - if anyone would like to buy my copy of Skyhammer, make an offer. I bought it new and it's complete. I never enjoyed this game like I thought I would and it's been pretty much sitting in my storage case unused. I know Carl still sells it, but you could get it from me complete for a bit less - I dunno, $60 plus shipping?
#19 OFFLINE
Sauron
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Posted Mon Dec 9, 2002 11:44 PM
Email me about that Jag CD unit, I'm definitely interested.
sauron846@yahoo.com
sauron846@yahoo.com
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