I am happy to announce that I am now open for repair requests. If you are interested in sending me your console for repair, reach out to me via my email tooltek.md@gmail.com. I stock many GameCube parts so we will get your console back up and running no matter the issue. More GameCube Videos Can Be Found Here: ruclips.net/p/PLHqAgvKzdD5w8ces_E59yPxM1sqe8d6WK&si=Yz6Fr5RojVBucziY Tools used in this video: Oria Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/43CigEX Multimeter: amzn.to/3x9ckHn GameCube Cable Set: amzn.to/4cXwc0I (Links are affiliate links) I would also like to say thank you to everyone who has watched this video. I truly appreciate all of the positive feedback it has received! I also greatly appreciate those of you who have taken the time to leave a comment sharing your success stories. You never fail to make my day! Having said that, I completely understand why one might be hesitant to tear into their treasured GameCube console. I was there many times myself. If you’d prefer to send it in for repair, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for watching! Your continued support means the world to me. -Morgan
I tried adjusting my GameCube disc reader after it fell off a chair and hit the floor and that was unfortunately somehow enough to jack up the disc reader.
Just wanted to add to the other comments here and say your video helped me fix my gamecube that stopped spinning while trying to read and all it took was one small turn counter clockwise to the potentiometer and it started working like a charm. You are a legend man huge thanks!
Excellent video and fixed my disc reading issue. For anyone who doesn't have the ohms reader, I just kept adjusting mine ever so slightly through trial and error. I had to adjust it 3 times before it started reading, but I got it.
Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment. So glad to hear that you found the video to be helpful. Great work getting your cube back up and running!
That’s awesome! You are very much welcome! So glad you were able to get your system reading again. Your comment made my day. Thank you! Enjoy your GameCube!
First time trying something like this, and it totally worked!! Had to order some tools off Amazon to crack it open but it was money well spent. I didn't have a multimeter so I just did what another commenter suggested and turned the potentiometer a tiny amount until it worked. (about 20 degrees counter clockwise) Thanks so much for the tutorial!
The biggest issue is that these consoles are 20 years old. Adjusting the pot is a bandaid fix but long term you will need to replace the capacitors on the disc drive board. Capacitors from 1997-2008 are notorious for a problem called capacitor plague where they prematurely fail / leak due to bad fluid. I had to order a new cap kit for mine because the laser lights up but the drive will not spin.
As I’ve previously stated this is something that was discovered recently within the last five years or so. The capacitors have began aging out and losing their charge, with the capacitor plague being a major contributing factor, I’m sure. I personally have had some success with capacitor replacement as well. I will be posting a video delving more into the specifics at a later date. However, I have also encountered several consoles where in which cap replacement did not correct the issue. In these systems, I have still had to resort to POT adjustment in order to get the disc drive operational. I still stand behind the POT tweak, as it is in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens. I have systems from years ago that have required no further tinkering after the pot adjustment. Moreover, very seldom have I had a console that I have had to readjust after successfully getting it to read utilizing the pot adjustment. I still stand behind the pot adjustment, because in many cases It serves as a simple and effective way for someone wanting to play their GameCube, to play their GameCube. Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment!
BRO, i just want to say thank you so much i searched for many simple easy videos or guides to fix my gamecube and they all were way to crazy for me yours didnt require nearly half the steps i saw in others and fixed my cube thank you!!!!
7 hours wasted trying ranges from 150-600ohms, when i found a comment that stated, it could just be laser rails, and took the laser and spindle motors off, lubed and retightened them, and viola...🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦
@@morganmend where is the comment about the rails? i did the pot adjust and game wont read. was thinking the next step would be cap replacement but the laser does make a click noise that might be fixed by messing with the rails? thanks
How do you do that? Any video for reference? I at the part when you should remove the metal plate (can't), that's just after the board with the potentiometer.
This worked! Thank you so much! I didn’t have the measurement tool for the potentiometer but just slightly adjusted it and tested it before putting the console back together. Thank you thank you!
Have gotten fed up with waiting for Nintendo to release Windwaker on the Switch so resorted to digging out the GC. I had the cannot read disc error. Your guide helped and I now have a working GC and Windwaker! Thanks.
Awesome video! Didn’t have a multimeter but just gave that potentiometer a quarter spin counter clockwise and it reads games perfectly now first try! Thank you!!!
Thank you for this very well explained video! I am a total novice, so you even having verbally said which setting I needed my multimeter set to made all the difference. I had a Gamecube that straight up crapped out on me (powered up, but did nothing) meant that I needed to repair, or replace - and I found a local GC for cheap that powered up, and you could head the disc drive working; upon getting it home I was greeted with the "no disc" error - and this fix helped me get it going again> Now my kids (and myself) can via the GC-Gameboy player enjoy Gameboy Color & Gameboy Advance titles on the TV (because the Super Gameboy in essence only supports original Gameboy titles).
Hi, my opinionfor reference. there are some videoes mentioned that it should replace the caciptors on the optical driver board, eapecially the c408. In general, after replacement, you can read the disk withouting adjusting the VR.
Thank you so much for making this video. I thought my Gamecube was dead, I had been desperate to show my children it (particularly MGS Twin Snakes) and was gutted to find my GC stopped reading discs. In a last ditch effort to get it working, I followed this video and made the small adjustment and it worked! I spent yesterday afternoon showing off the cube to my kids and I know we're going to share many more happy hours with this great little system. Thank you MoganMend for sharing this knowledge!
This helped me a ton. Thank you for the very practical step by step guide. You have a great presentation style and the video is easy to follow. My only complaint is not knowing the size of the scewdrivers before going into the project, but I managed to find the ones I needed in the end. I may have missed that piece of information though.
Have you tried replacing capacitors instead of tweaking the pot on the laser? Voultar seemed to find that bad caps were the leading cause of laser problems. Plus, tweaking the pot of the laser will shorten its lifespan so it's not ideal even if it is an easy fix of sorts.
Hi thanks for the comment. Yeah it was a relatively recent discovery that the original caps are aging out and causing disc read issues. I have learned more about it recently and have encountered several systems where in which the caps are testing bad. Replacement of the faulty capacitor(s) has solved the disc read issue without pot adjustment in the systems I found to have bad capacitors. However, I have also performed the pot tweak successfully on many consoles and while I understand the stigma surrounding it, I have yet to have one of my personal consoles need further adjustment or laser replacement after the fact. In my opinion it is still a viable solution for someone wanting to play their GameCube. I still stand by the pot tweak as it is much easier and in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens, despite growing popular belief. Thanks again for the comment, and thanks for watching.
I just opened it and turned the thing a little bit at a time and plugged it in and tried it each time until it started reading the disc. I don’t have one of those machines for testing it. It took about 4 or 5 tries. I turned the thing in very small increments
I don’t usually subscribe or like RUclips videos but you have absolutely deserved credit for this video. Thank you so much making this such an easy fix! I haven’t even put the GameCube back together-was so excited about thanking you first! Woohoo!
This just worked for me, I don’t have a multimeter so I just turned it back about half of what he did and give it a try and it fired right up, will get it set to the right reading when I get a multimeter.
Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo, les cd ne tournaient plus et grâce à ce tutoriel ma gamecube lit parfaitement les jeux. Je n'avais pas de multimètre donc j'ai juste tourné très légèrement le pluviomètre, j'ai dû m'y prendre à deux fois mais ça a marché ☺️
I just got an incredible 13" CRT TV last weekend from a yard sale for only $8 and it's in immaculate shape, so I wanted to turn on my old Gamecube and have a good time with some of my childhood favorites in classic style without all the weird warping that happens on newer TVs with older systems. Come to find out today that the motor spins, but it doesn't read discs. Luckily I have a multimeter and I just ordered a proper game-bit screwdriver on Amazon so I'll update in a couple of days when I have the tools to make the magic happen. Fingers crossed!
@@morganmend I did! I forgot I left this comment, been too busy playing hahaha I'm probably going to have to open it up and adjust a little more though, as it still doesn't read some discs sometimes. When it runs its fine for the most part, but getting it going seems to be the issue because it keeps giving me the same error of not reading the discs, and it also resets the date and time after almost every fresh boot up. It's a 001 model so I'm ballparking the adjustment window, but its still operational and still seems to be fixable which is what I care about lol.
How’s it working for you now? If it works fine after warmup, it could be a bad capacitor on the optical drive board. The clock function is reliant on a CR2032 battery soldered into the controller board. You mentioned that the calendar keeps resetting, this would be because this battery has gone bad. If you want to restore clock function, this battery will have to be replaced.
@@morganmend I haven't really had an opportunity to tinker around with it honestly. I got it working and played for a couple of days but between birthdays, holidays, and starting a new job I just haven't been able to mess around with it. I still need to go in with a multimeter and get the numbers exact but thankfully I found one like you use in the video at my parent's house so I can make much more accurate adjustments when I do finally get a chance to mess with it. The clock doesn't bother me that much but I do have a couple of watch batteries laying around so maybe I've got a 2032 I can try and swap it out with. A bad capacitor is a little worrisome though I can't lie lol one thing at a time.
Man thanks for this. I finally got it to read discs, I have the 101 version and tweaked it counterclockwise to exactly half a turn without a multimeter, that's when it finally read the disc.
Gonna have to try this because my childhood gamecube just stopped reading discs after years of not using it😢. I’ll try to gather both the tools and the time to try this and see if I can get it back working.
great video i could almost see soldering a couple lead wires to then aligator clip to the multimeter to get more exact impedance reading from the multimeter
I've had GameCube I got for parts on eBay for $20 that was listed as not reading discs and when it arrived in the mail it reads discs, ain't that something?
I've scrolled down pretty fast into the comments, and no one seems to have mentioned this, so I'll just say it: As someone else said, this is a bandaid fix. The laser is dying, and you're increasing the power to it to keep it going, which will cause it to burn out faster, so you lower the resistance, which increases the power to the laser ... If the normal resistance on the pot is 450 ohms and you were reading 229, there's a decent chance someone had done this sort of adjustment already.
My laser keeps moving to just outside of where the disc is spinning before it tells me No Disc. Is it doing that because it has already determined it cant read the disc or is it moving there first and then sensing no disc in the new position and THEN telling me No Disc?
Thanks so much! It is definitely possible without a multimeter. Before touching the POT, take note of its position. This will give you a baseline that you can return to. Dial the POT back in very, very small increments, until you are able to get your system to read discs. I have done it this way several times when I did not have my multimeter on hand. It may take multiple tries, but it is definitely doable. It is not necessary to fully reassemble the console between tries either. You can plug and play without having to reinstall all of the hardware, and this will allow you to easily go back in should you have to. Once you get it to a point where you’re happy, then you can fully reassemble. Also, another thing that I have learned is to pay attention to the “chirp” sound the GameCube makes when spinning up the disc. If the disc is not reading, most of the time you will not hear the chirp. Ideally, when the POT is adjusted properly you will hear a short and sweet chirp, just like the one heard in the video. If the chirp sound is elongated and drawn out, then the resistance is likely set too high or too low, so make small adjustments until the disc is reading and you hear the short sweet chirp upon disc spin up. Short and sweet is what you are after! Hopefully this helps, and please let me know if you have any additional questions! Thank you for watching, and best of luck with your system!
To anyone here looking for a fix: first, pop open the disk tray, shine a light in there, make sure there's no dust built up. I came here for a method to fix it before realizing I should do that, cleaned everything, dabbed a q tip with rubbing alcohol and cleaned off the laser lens, and the console is working like new.
Thank you! Yes, I have had mixed results with capacitor replacement. I will be posting a video at a later date. That said, I still stand behind the POT tweak. It is a simple and effective way for someone wanting to play their GameCube to play their GameCube, and is in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens, despite growing popular belief. Thanks for watching!
Mines doing the exact same thing I have a DOL-101 model I’ve already taken it apart & cleaned it & readjusted the potentiometer like 6 times in the range it should be but it’s still doing the same thing idk what the problem is?
Will you ever need to screw it clockwise? I had a few super small nudges counterclockwise and it worked for a day, next day it's not working so I took it apart yet again and and nudge it counterclockwise, no go. So keep going counter?
Looks like I gotta do this. I have to try 3 to 4 times before it'll decide to read a disc. Once it does though I can switch games and they work just fine. It's like when it sits a day without use it gets finicky. Now, once the system starts this, will it be an ongoing issue that I'll have to keep making adjustments until it just decides not to work at all?
Sounds like this would likely solve your problem. Out of the 50 or so GameCubes I have worked on where in which proper POT adjustment solved the problem, I have had to readjust zero.
@@pikachu896 I was thinking about doing that anyway. Just get some practice in. I'll be new to soldering but I'll have to learn to upkeep all these old consoles I have. I got the bad clock capacitor on the Xbox right now so that's top priority.
Hi! My gamecube is experiencing a similar issue. Can I damage my console during this process, and if so, how can I avoid it? How likely is this to work?
I have purchased quite a few GameCubes that were unable to properly read discs, and in my experience this is all that is needed to get them working again roughly 90% of the time. I have had great success utilizing this pot tweak. I would consider completing this job very low risk. The only real harm that could be done would be to the laser if the resistance is lowered much more than needed. The effects would not be immediate, but this could cause the laser to burn out prematurely. Stick to the ranges highlighted in the video for your model GameCube, handle all of the components with care, (I.e. be gentle with the ribbon cables ect.) and you will be absolutely fine. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Wow this video is helpful I’m trying to this when I have free time since my method of getting it to read disc is open and listen for spin then close then open listen for buzzing noise then close then repeat for a while and then it read disc 😂
So I got my childhood gc, been playing Pokemon Colosseum since I recently bought it, been playing a ton but recently my cube is sometimes not reading the disc, I know it's not the disc since I tried other games, wouldn't read them. I pop out the disc a couple times and put it back in and it reads them, you think if I do this fix that you showed in this video (great vid btw) it can potentially fix this inconsistent disc reading for my gc?
I just implemented this fix without the multi-meter and after nudging the screw a little it worked on the first try. But now I am a little worried. I heard other videos talk about the risk of burning out the laser if you overdo it on the adjustments. And I want some second opinions if I should try and finetune it by turning it back a little bit to hit a safer mark.
You definitely wouldn’t hurt anything by trying to fine tune the POT, if it makes you feel more comfortable. Having said that, a multimeter might be in your best interest.
@@morganmendThanks for the reply! I will definitely have to pop it open again in hindsight anyway and do a better fine tuning. It's working but I have to meticulously clean my disks every time I boot up the GC until it reads, so I guess the power isn't strong enough after all. Will see if I can get my hands on a multimeter.
Hey, thanks so much for making such an easy to follow video. My cube still isn't reading discs, and I've been tweaking the little laser adjustment for a while. Any tips? I don't have a multimeter.
I've done the same I've adjusted it many times now I've forgotten how much. All it does is spin then says no disc. You can see the laser move back and forth.
Thanks for watching. I greatly appreciate the compliments! It sounds like your are almost there, but not quite. Sometimes the laser can be very sensitive. I would ultimately suggest a multimeter in this scenario, this way you are able to obtain a baseline reading and adjust accordingly. You don’t need an expensive multimeter to obtain a resistance reading. Many retailers offer basic multimeters at surprisingly low prices. They all read the same, and that’s all you need! If you are unable to get the laser to read the disc even after lowering the resistance below the highlighted range, it is possible that the laser has gone bad and may require replacement. I plan to post a tutorial on this procedure very soon. If I think of anything else I will add it here. Please feel free to reach out should the need arise, and keep me posted! Best of luck with your system!
What's weird with mine is that it sometimes reads the discs, sometimes not. When I do get it to work, I don't see any errors while playing. Mine is also a very old one because the rotating cubes on the menu are pink instead of purple like on the later models.
Mine did the same thing. Mine is dol-001. I fixed 6 GameCube already setting them to the numbers he showed in the video but this one that’s doing the same thing as yours nothing worked. Im pretty sure laser will need to be replaced I end up setting mine to 82.5 and it starts up every time.
@@TheSanchezFamily1062I have a dork-001 and mine won’t read discs. I had it set at 450 ohms, no luck. Before that it was around 380. I’m a complete newb, I’m thinking of trying 300…. Any tips or ideas?
So I did this to my old GameCube DOL-001. Doesn’t read any discs. The potentiometer was at 517 ohms, which I would think would work. Lowering it slightly did not solve the problem. Laser moves and discs spin just fine. Is my laser completely dead? What’s the next step?
It sounds to me like it is just on the cusp of being properly adjusted. You have a baseline reading of 517 ohms that you can always revert back too. DOL-001 can range from 300-600 ohms. First try lowering the resistance a bit more and see if there is any improvement. You may have to repeat several times. If you are unable to get the laser to read within the specified range, you may try going lower, but know that this may cause premature wear to the laser. If there is still no change, I would thoroughly inspect the laser track. Sometimes the slightest bit of debris can cause an offset, and it won’t read properly. It goes without saying but be sure that the lens is clean. You can use a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to gently clean it. If you’ve went through all of the aforementioned steps and there is still no improvement, then it is possible that you may need to replace the laser. Don’t fret though, they are fairly cheap and It is actually quite easy to do. If I think of anything else I will gladly add it here. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your GameCube!
@@morganmend thanks for the response. Adjusting to around 280 ohms did work. However, I still have 2 discs that it struggles to read. They both boot up instantly with no issues on a fully functioning GameCube that I’m testing against. These discs might be slightly more scratched than some of my others. This is after replacing the capacitors as well. My only theory so far is that maybe the laser is indeed failing, but the adjustment at least has helped extend the life a bit longer.
If you don't have a multimeter, I suggest just turning it ever so slightly and then plug gamecube and check if it works. Repeat the process until you hit the sweet spot
Morgan, Quick Question, my gamecube is doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately my tools are not here since I'm stationed in down south in Texas. Is there a way I can send you my GameCube?
Have a DOL-001 model. Was originally at 408 ohms. Tried adjusting in 30-50 ohm steps all the way down to 150 and up to 600. It did not fix my issue of the disc not reading.
@@morganmend thanks for the quick response. Just got done putting it back together (after giving up) maybe tomorrow I'll open it up and try lower. I saw the comment about lubricanting the rails, have you had to do that before if adjusting the potentiometer didn't work? If so do you have a video posted on how to do that?
That is the optimal range. However if you are still unable to get your GameCube to read discs you may try going lower. The laser won't go bad per say but lowering the resistance too much can cause additional wear overtime, which could lead to eventual laser failure.
There are a number of things that can cause a sudden disc read error. Bad or failing capacitors, failing spindle motor, debris in the laser track, laser degradation or failure, to name a few. These are some of the more common issues. The good news is that all these aforementioned issues can be resolved through either repair or replacement.
Yeah, tried to fix my GameCube and it didn't go well. Luckily I was able to send the whole mess to WarioParty and they picoboot (sd card) modded it and sent it back. So, worked out well in the end
Hey, can’t knock a guy for trying! Not everything goes my way either, believe me. Picoboot is an awesome mod, I have done it to a few consoles and have really enjoyed it. Enjoy your system!
I can’t get my optical drive to work even with proper ohm readings. I’ve got a multimeter and have tried a variety of adjustments between 100-600. The disc spins and the laser moves forward and back but I cannot get it to work. Any ideas on what could resolve this?
It is possible that it could be bad or on its way out. Of course there could be other issues, there is a capacitor known to go bad, or it is possible there could be debris in the laser track. My advice would be to look it over thoroughly one more time, and to turn the resistance up to around 300 ohms, and try slowly lowering it from there. If you still have no change, and find no other issues, it may need the laser replaced.
hahaha dolphin diving with double pistols is what i remember most. I didnt think they made violent games like that on gamecube... and then i got this haha. I also remember looking for a motorcycle everywhere@@morganmend
My resistance started in the 500’s and I incrementally lowered it, using a multimeter, probably 10 or more times until it was basically 0. The disc spins and the laser acts quite differently almost every time, but usually ends with it going out to the edge of the disc and quitting. What’s my fix?
in case you're still left hanging, I had a working gamecube that i stripped and put the laser into the broken gamecube, and it fired up perfect. So I think you need a new laser. I recommend getting one from xyab@@Mikeshitboxes
Sounds like there could an issue within the laser track. Disassemble the optical drive assembly (the plastic housing will split in the center, there are three clips that secure it together, just be mindful of the wire for the disc motor, and be sure to unplug the ribbon cable from the board). Thoroughly inspect the laser track. I have had GameCubes in the past act very similarly, and most times it has either been due to the fact that one of the laser guides have come out of adjustment, or due to the fact that debris are preventing the laser from making its full travel. If nothing abnormal is found, it may require a laser replacement. Best of luck.
Yes it is supposed to automatically launch the game at startup. Yes I checked multiple times, and in multiple ways, and as seen in the video, the GameCube was not reading discs.
I did but 60 incremental adjustments between the levels shown for my model and nothing changed. The laser reads the middle then out a bit, out a bit more, then past the disc edge and it stops. I have 4 cubes doing the same thing.
Try lowering the resistance beyond the highlighted range. Lowering the resistance further may get them up and running, but replacement may be necessary down the line. There is also the possibility of bad caps. That said this is where I would start. Thanks for watching!
I have a DOL001 and it was reading like 460 when I tested the pot and I dialed it back to310. It’s spinning now but still not working. Any suggestions?
Dial it back slightly further and see if that solves the problem! Sometimes it will just be on the cusp of being properly adjusted, and will spin but still not read.
In my experience, whenever a GameCube reads some games, but encounters an error reading others, it is actually the disc drive spindle motor which is failing. You will likely need to replace your disc drive spindle motor.
I am happy to announce that I am now open for repair requests. If you are interested in sending me your console for repair, reach out to me via my email tooltek.md@gmail.com. I stock many GameCube parts so we will get your console back up and running no matter the issue.
More GameCube Videos Can Be Found Here: ruclips.net/p/PLHqAgvKzdD5w8ces_E59yPxM1sqe8d6WK&si=Yz6Fr5RojVBucziY
Tools used in this video:
Oria Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/43CigEX
Multimeter: amzn.to/3x9ckHn
GameCube Cable Set: amzn.to/4cXwc0I
(Links are affiliate links)
I would also like to say thank you to everyone who has watched this video. I truly appreciate all of the positive feedback it has received! I also greatly appreciate those of you who have taken the time to leave a comment sharing your success stories. You never fail to make my day!
Having said that, I completely understand why one might be hesitant to tear into their treasured GameCube console. I was there many times myself. If you’d prefer to send it in for repair, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you again for watching! Your continued support means the world to me.
-Morgan
Do you fix it in Australia, or just the United States?
I tried adjusting my GameCube disc reader after it fell off a chair and hit the floor and that was unfortunately somehow enough to jack up the disc reader.
What is your price for this repair? I have this exact same problem on my GameCube that I recently bought off eBay as well.
Do you still work on GameCubes?
Just wanted to add to the other comments here and say your video helped me fix my gamecube that stopped spinning while trying to read and all it took was one small turn counter clockwise to the potentiometer and it started working like a charm. You are a legend man huge thanks!
That’s awesome! So glad to hear that you got your GameCube working again. Great job! Also greatly appreciate your kind words! Thanks so much!
Dont ever delete this video! Thank you so much for the information. My gamecube is now able to read games
I will be sure not to! Glad to hear you found it to be useful! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video and fixed my disc reading issue. For anyone who doesn't have the ohms reader, I just kept adjusting mine ever so slightly through trial and error. I had to adjust it 3 times before it started reading, but I got it.
Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment. So glad to hear that you found the video to be helpful. Great work getting your cube back up and running!
did u adjust it counter clock wise?
I just wanted to thank you sir. Because of your video i fixed my gamecube i had since 2002 and thanks to this my daughter can enjoy it as well
That’s awesome! You are very much welcome! So glad you were able to get your system reading again. Your comment made my day. Thank you! Enjoy your GameCube!
You are a God-send, just fixed my gamecube that I've been trying to fix for months!🙌
Awesome job! Appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching!
First time trying something like this, and it totally worked!! Had to order some tools off Amazon to crack it open but it was money well spent. I didn't have a multimeter so I just did what another commenter suggested and turned the potentiometer a tiny amount until it worked. (about 20 degrees counter clockwise) Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Great to hear! Glad you found the tutorial useful! Enjoy your GameCube!
The biggest issue is that these consoles are 20 years old. Adjusting the pot is a bandaid fix but long term you will need to replace the capacitors on the disc drive board. Capacitors from 1997-2008 are notorious for a problem called capacitor plague where they prematurely fail / leak due to bad fluid. I had to order a new cap kit for mine because the laser lights up but the drive will not spin.
As I’ve previously stated this is something that was discovered recently within the last five years or so. The capacitors have began aging out and losing their charge, with the capacitor plague being a major contributing factor, I’m sure. I personally have had some success with capacitor replacement as well. I will be posting a video delving more into the specifics at a later date. However, I have also encountered several consoles where in which cap replacement did not correct the issue. In these systems, I have still had to resort to POT adjustment in order to get the disc drive operational. I still stand behind the POT tweak, as it is in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens. I have systems from years ago that have required no further tinkering after the pot adjustment. Moreover, very seldom have I had a console that I have had to readjust after successfully getting it to read utilizing the pot adjustment. I still stand behind the pot adjustment, because in many cases It serves as a simple and effective way for someone wanting to play their GameCube, to play their GameCube. Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment!
BRO, i just want to say thank you so much i searched for many simple easy videos or guides to fix my gamecube and they all were way to crazy for me yours didnt require nearly half the steps i saw in others and fixed my cube thank you!!!!
You’re very welcome! Glad you found it useful!
7 hours wasted trying ranges from 150-600ohms, when i found a comment that stated, it could just be laser rails, and took the laser and spindle motors off, lubed and retightened them, and viola...🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦
Was that by chance my comment? I remember telling quite a few different people about the laser rails. Glad you got it figured out.
@@morganmend where is the comment about the rails? i did the pot adjust and game wont read. was thinking the next step would be cap replacement but the laser does make a click noise that might be fixed by messing with the rails? thanks
How do you do that? Any video for reference? I at the part when you should remove the metal plate (can't), that's just after the board with the potentiometer.
This worked! Thank you so much! I didn’t have the measurement tool for the potentiometer but just slightly adjusted it and tested it before putting the console back together. Thank you thank you!
Great to hear! Glad you found the video useful!
Same I did the same too lol
Have gotten fed up with waiting for Nintendo to release Windwaker on the Switch so resorted to digging out the GC. I had the cannot read disc error. Your guide helped and I now have a working GC and Windwaker! Thanks.
Glad you found the video helpful!
Good man. Nothing wrong with the original game anyway. Hope you have a crt still
Thank you so much for this video! I don’t have a multimeter but I was still able to fix my GameCube with trial and error. I really appreciate it!
You are very much welcome! So Glad that you found the video to be helpful. Have fun with your GameCube!
Just fixed my GameCube I got as a gift wasn’t reading discs but this video was straightforward! Thank you
Glad to hear you got it working!
Thank you so much, your video saved Christmas! Now that it's working again it will be under the tree for my kids to open tomorrow. Thanks again!
So glad to hear! That’s awesome! Merry Christmas!
Awesome video! Didn’t have a multimeter but just gave that potentiometer a quarter spin counter clockwise and it reads games perfectly now first try! Thank you!!!
Thank you! Awesome work getting your cube working again!
Just repaired my gamecube thanks to your video. A big thanks!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching.
Watching this a year later and this worked like a charm, I appreciate you!
Great to hear!
Thank you for this very well explained video!
I am a total novice, so you even having verbally said which setting I needed my multimeter set to made all the difference.
I had a Gamecube that straight up crapped out on me (powered up, but did nothing) meant that I needed to repair, or replace - and I found a local GC for cheap that powered up, and you could head the disc drive working;
upon getting it home I was greeted with the "no disc" error - and this fix helped me get it going again>
Now my kids (and myself) can via the GC-Gameboy player enjoy Gameboy Color & Gameboy Advance titles on the TV (because the Super Gameboy in essence only supports original Gameboy titles).
That’s awesome! So glad you found the video useful. Enjoy your system!
Thank you! Was able to fix my childhood gamecube in 15 minutes thanks to this video :)
You are very much welcome! Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment!Never fails to make my day! Great work! Have fun and enjoy your GameCube!
Hi, my opinionfor reference.
there are some videoes mentioned that it should replace the caciptors on the optical driver board, eapecially the c408. In general, after replacement, you can read the disk withouting adjusting the VR.
I replaced C408 and C401 to my 2 GameCube not reading disc and after replacing the two caps it can now read disc
Thank you so much for making this video. I thought my Gamecube was dead, I had been desperate to show my children it (particularly MGS Twin Snakes) and was gutted to find my GC stopped reading discs.
In a last ditch effort to get it working, I followed this video and made the small adjustment and it worked! I spent yesterday afternoon showing off the cube to my kids and I know we're going to share many more happy hours with this great little system. Thank you MoganMend for sharing this knowledge!
Absolutely Awesome! Your comment made my day. Great work getting your cube back up and running! Keep making those memories!
Thank you so much for your help! Spent 8 dollars on the screw drivers and saved me about 65$ + shipping!
You are very much welcome! So glad to hear your repair was successful, and that you found the video useful. Never fails to make my day. Great work!
Did what you said and my GameCube works! Thanks for going through one step at a time.
Did u check the ohms with that device or did u just open it up and turned it? Bc I don’t have those machines
This helped me a ton. Thank you for the very practical step by step guide. You have a great presentation style and the video is easy to follow.
My only complaint is not knowing the size of the scewdrivers before going into the project, but I managed to find the ones I needed in the end. I may have missed that piece of information though.
Thank you! Glad it helped
Thanks for the tuto!! You saved my beloved GameCube!!
@@oluharyu524you are very much welcome!
Here to say thanks like all the others. I fixed my kids gamecube thanks to this video.
You are very much welcome! Thanks for the comment! I greatly appreciate it!
Thank you so much! this fixed mine by dropping resistance from 480 to 330.
Nice work! Glad the video helped!
Truly appreciate you dude. Wasn't a boring vid at all. Had fun following along and this fixed my issue. Got to learn something new ☺
Thanks man! That’s awesome to hear!
Have you tried replacing capacitors instead of tweaking the pot on the laser? Voultar seemed to find that bad caps were the leading cause of laser problems. Plus, tweaking the pot of the laser will shorten its lifespan so it's not ideal even if it is an easy fix of sorts.
Hi thanks for the comment. Yeah it was a relatively recent discovery that the original caps are aging out and causing disc read issues. I have learned more about it recently and have encountered several systems where in which the caps are testing bad. Replacement of the faulty capacitor(s) has solved the disc read issue without pot adjustment in the systems I found to have bad capacitors. However, I have also performed the pot tweak successfully on many consoles and while I understand the stigma surrounding it, I have yet to have one of my personal consoles need further adjustment or laser replacement after the fact. In my opinion it is still a viable solution for someone wanting to play their GameCube. I still stand by the pot tweak as it is much easier and in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens, despite growing popular belief. Thanks again for the comment, and thanks for watching.
I just opened it and turned the thing a little bit at a time and plugged it in and tried it each time until it started reading the disc. I don’t have one of those machines for testing it. It took about 4 or 5 tries. I turned the thing in very small increments
you literally saved me $150 today! thanks for the info! pain in the butt to take apart but super easy fix! thank you thank you thank you!
Happy to hear the video helped you out! Never fails to make my day! Great work getting your Gamecube working again. Thanks for watching!
Mine is doing the exact same thing. Thank you so much. Now I need to buy a super small screwdriver like yours haha
Thanks for watching! Glad I could help. If interested in a set like mine I do have it linked in the description. Good luck with your GameCube!
thank you, it worked. Got it to 198 and my discs are reading fine so far.
Awesome!
I don’t usually subscribe or like RUclips videos but you have absolutely deserved credit for this video. Thank you so much making this such an easy fix! I haven’t even put the GameCube back together-was so excited about thanking you first! Woohoo!
Wow, thank you! Great work!
This just worked for me, I don’t have a multimeter so I just turned it back about half of what he did and give it a try and it fired right up, will get it set to the right reading when I get a multimeter.
Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo, les cd ne tournaient plus et grâce à ce tutoriel ma gamecube lit parfaitement les jeux. Je n'avais pas de multimètre donc j'ai juste tourné très légèrement le pluviomètre, j'ai dû m'y prendre à deux fois mais ça a marché ☺️
De rien et merci
I just got an incredible 13" CRT TV last weekend from a yard sale for only $8 and it's in immaculate shape, so I wanted to turn on my old Gamecube and have a good time with some of my childhood favorites in classic style without all the weird warping that happens on newer TVs with older systems. Come to find out today that the motor spins, but it doesn't read discs. Luckily I have a multimeter and I just ordered a proper game-bit screwdriver on Amazon so I'll update in a couple of days when I have the tools to make the magic happen. Fingers crossed!
Cool find! Best of luck getting your GameCube back up and running!
@@morganmend I did! I forgot I left this comment, been too busy playing hahaha I'm probably going to have to open it up and adjust a little more though, as it still doesn't read some discs sometimes. When it runs its fine for the most part, but getting it going seems to be the issue because it keeps giving me the same error of not reading the discs, and it also resets the date and time after almost every fresh boot up. It's a 001 model so I'm ballparking the adjustment window, but its still operational and still seems to be fixable which is what I care about lol.
How’s it working for you now? If it works fine after warmup, it could be a bad capacitor on the optical drive board. The clock function is reliant on a CR2032 battery soldered into the controller board. You mentioned that the calendar keeps resetting, this would be because this battery has gone bad. If you want to restore clock function, this battery will have to be replaced.
@@morganmend I haven't really had an opportunity to tinker around with it honestly. I got it working and played for a couple of days but between birthdays, holidays, and starting a new job I just haven't been able to mess around with it. I still need to go in with a multimeter and get the numbers exact but thankfully I found one like you use in the video at my parent's house so I can make much more accurate adjustments when I do finally get a chance to mess with it. The clock doesn't bother me that much but I do have a couple of watch batteries laying around so maybe I've got a 2032 I can try and swap it out with. A bad capacitor is a little worrisome though I can't lie lol one thing at a time.
Dude I cant believe that worked so easily, MVP! thanks for the vid! I just said "what the hell" and went for it and it worked on the first try!
You’re very welcome!
Hello thank you for this video.. i just fixed my gamecube because of you : )
Thank you my friend! Now i can enjoy some old Mario and Sonic games i have
You’re very welcome. Enjoy!
This helps me 100%. Tutorial on cleaning inside GameCube next
Glad to hear it! A restoration of my Uncle’s GameCube that I grew up playing is in the works!
Man thanks for this. I finally got it to read discs, I have the 101 version and tweaked it counterclockwise to exactly half a turn without a multimeter, that's when it finally read the disc.
You are very welcome. Great work!
Thank you for making this fix so easy! Quarter turn counter-clockwise worked for me 😊
Awesome to hear! Great job 👍
Perfect tutorial! Fixed the GameCube I got at the thrift store!
Glad it worked for you! Thanks for watching
You’re how to video is very well done! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much!
This video helped me out a lot and now my gamecube is working again ! Awesome video. Thank you!
Great to hear! Excellent work! Appreciate your kind words. Thanks for watching!
Thanks to you I have a working gamecube again 💪🏼
Great to hear!
This legit worked and am able to play on my gamecube. Thank you very much.
Glad to hear you were able to get your system up and running! Thanks for watching and commenting, made my day!
Oh you saved my gamecube, it worked, many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad I could help!
Gonna have to try this because my childhood gamecube just stopped reading discs after years of not using it😢. I’ll try to gather both the tools and the time to try this and see if I can get it back working.
great video i could almost see soldering a couple lead wires to then aligator clip to the multimeter to get more exact impedance reading from the multimeter
Thanks! Glad you found it useful! Yeah that’s definitely not a bad idea. Thanks for watching!
I got the potentiometer down to 188 ohms and it still won't read. Is that still a little too high? Would you recommend lowering it just a hair more?
Definitely worth a shot!
Do you want a low reading for the digital multimeter? I have the d001 model and my laser doing the same thing
I've had GameCube I got for parts on eBay for $20 that was listed as not reading discs and when it arrived in the mail it reads discs, ain't that something?
Sure is! Lucky find!
Great video my man 💪 i have 2 gamecubes at home im gonna tear down tonight
Will it work if u don’t have a Multimeter thing?
thank you so much! this helped me fix my gamecube!
Glad I could help!
Thank you, fixed my system, appreciate it so much!!! 😊
You are very much welcome. Great work! Enjoy your GameCube!
Damn u saved my life. Like a wonder it worked for me. Diddnt know if i had spin clockwise or anticlockwise. Choosed Anticlock.
I've scrolled down pretty fast into the comments, and no one seems to have mentioned this, so I'll just say it:
As someone else said, this is a bandaid fix. The laser is dying, and you're increasing the power to it to keep it going, which will cause it to burn out faster, so you lower the resistance, which increases the power to the laser ...
If the normal resistance on the pot is 450 ohms and you were reading 229, there's a decent chance someone had done this sort of adjustment already.
You’re greatly misinformed.
My laser keeps moving to just outside of where the disc is spinning before it tells me No Disc. Is it doing that because it has already determined it cant read the disc or is it moving there first and then sensing no disc in the new position and THEN telling me No Disc?
Great video, just purchased one from Japan with the same issue. Just one question though, is all this possible without an ohm's reader?
Thanks so much! It is definitely possible without a multimeter. Before touching the POT, take note of its position. This will give you a baseline that you can return to. Dial the POT back in very, very small increments, until you are able to get your system to read discs. I have done it this way several times when I did not have my multimeter on hand. It may take multiple tries, but it is definitely doable. It is not necessary to fully reassemble the console between tries either. You can plug and play without having to reinstall all of the hardware, and this will allow you to easily go back in should you have to. Once you get it to a point where you’re happy, then you can fully reassemble. Also, another thing that I have learned is to pay attention to the “chirp” sound the GameCube makes when spinning up the disc. If the disc is not reading, most of the time you will not hear the chirp. Ideally, when the POT is adjusted properly you will hear a short and sweet chirp, just like the one heard in the video. If the chirp sound is elongated and drawn out, then the resistance is likely set too high or too low, so make small adjustments until the disc is reading and you hear the short sweet chirp upon disc spin up. Short and sweet is what you are after! Hopefully this helps, and please let me know if you have any additional questions! Thank you for watching, and best of luck with your system!
@@morganmend thank you so much for your detailed reply, it worked!! You're the best
@@danhoad Thank you for your kind words! So glad to hear you got your GameCube back up and running! Great work!
To anyone here looking for a fix: first, pop open the disk tray, shine a light in there, make sure there's no dust built up.
I came here for a method to fix it before realizing I should do that, cleaned everything, dabbed a q tip with rubbing alcohol and cleaned off the laser lens, and the console is working like new.
Worked perfectly for me, thanks so much!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching! Glad to hear it worked for you.
great video! do you know if changing the capacitors helps with this as well?
Thank you! Yes, I have had mixed results with capacitor replacement. I will be posting a video at a later date. That said, I still stand behind the POT tweak. It is a simple and effective way for someone wanting to play their GameCube to play their GameCube, and is in no way an immediate detriment to the laser lens, despite growing popular belief. Thanks for watching!
Youre the man! thanks for this, good video, very clear explanation thanks.. I enjoyed fixing my gamecube
You are very much welcome! Great work fixing your GameCube! They are fun systems to tinker with. Thanks for watching and enjoy your system!
YOU ARE A LIFESAVER!!! Thank you so much!!!
You are very welcome! Very happy to hear it worked for you. Thanks for watching!
Worked like a charm, great video!
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
Mines doing the exact same thing I have a DOL-101 model I’ve already taken it apart & cleaned it & readjusted the potentiometer like 6 times in the range it should be but it’s still doing the same thing idk what the problem is?
Will you ever need to screw it clockwise? I had a few super small nudges counterclockwise and it worked for a day, next day it's not working so I took it apart yet again and and nudge it counterclockwise, no go. So keep going counter?
Any recommendations for an all in one screwdriver kit to work on video games? The set in the video looks extensive. Thanks!
The blue set is an Oria 125 In 1 tool kit. Very reasonably priced. I would highly recommend it or one similar to it.
Looks like I gotta do this. I have to try 3 to 4 times before it'll decide to read a disc. Once it does though I can switch games and they work just fine. It's like when it sits a day without use it gets finicky. Now, once the system starts this, will it be an ongoing issue that I'll have to keep making adjustments until it just decides not to work at all?
Sounds like this would likely solve your problem. Out of the 50 or so GameCubes I have worked on where in which proper POT adjustment solved the problem, I have had to readjust zero.
@@morganmend good to know! Thank you.
@@ModeSOLOgaming you’re very welcome!
This is a sign of failing capacitors. They can no longer hold a charge properly, and will need to be replaced eventually.
@@pikachu896 I was thinking about doing that anyway. Just get some practice in. I'll be new to soldering but I'll have to learn to upkeep all these old consoles I have. I got the bad clock capacitor on the Xbox right now so that's top priority.
Hi! My gamecube is experiencing a similar issue. Can I damage my console during this process, and if so, how can I avoid it? How likely is this to work?
I have purchased quite a few GameCubes that were unable to properly read discs, and in my experience this is all that is needed to get them working again roughly 90% of the time. I have had great success utilizing this pot tweak. I would consider completing this job very low risk. The only real harm that could be done would be to the laser if the resistance is lowered much more than needed. The effects would not be immediate, but this could cause the laser to burn out prematurely. Stick to the ranges highlighted in the video for your model GameCube, handle all of the components with care, (I.e. be gentle with the ribbon cables ect.) and you will be absolutely fine. Let me know if you have any other questions!
@@morganmend Thank you for the prompt response, I will be trying this out soon, thanks again for the tutorial!
@@FFacepalms you are very much welcome. Thanks for watching!
Im curious about your monitor. What is it model wise?
Wow this video is helpful I’m trying to this when I have free time since my method of getting it to read disc is open and listen for spin then close then open listen for buzzing noise then close then repeat for a while and then it read disc 😂
Glad it helped!
So I got my childhood gc, been playing Pokemon Colosseum since I recently bought it, been playing a ton but recently my cube is sometimes not reading the disc, I know it's not the disc since I tried other games, wouldn't read them. I pop out the disc a couple times and put it back in and it reads them, you think if I do this fix that you showed in this video (great vid btw) it can potentially fix this inconsistent disc reading for my gc?
I just implemented this fix without the multi-meter and after nudging the screw a little it worked on the first try. But now I am a little worried. I heard other videos talk about the risk of burning out the laser if you overdo it on the adjustments. And I want some second opinions if I should try and finetune it by turning it back a little bit to hit a safer mark.
You definitely wouldn’t hurt anything by trying to fine tune the POT, if it makes you feel more comfortable. Having said that, a multimeter might be in your best interest.
@@morganmendThanks for the reply! I will definitely have to pop it open again in hindsight anyway and do a better fine tuning. It's working but I have to meticulously clean my disks every time I boot up the GC until it reads, so I guess the power isn't strong enough after all. Will see if I can get my hands on a multimeter.
Hey, thanks so much for making such an easy to follow video. My cube still isn't reading discs, and I've been tweaking the little laser adjustment for a while. Any tips? I don't have a multimeter.
the disc I'm using works; I tested it on my Wii
I've done the same I've adjusted it many times now I've forgotten how much. All it does is spin then says no disc. You can see the laser move back and forth.
@@raylaknight6753 I have the exact same problem
Thanks for watching. I greatly appreciate the compliments! It sounds like your are almost there, but not quite. Sometimes the laser can be very sensitive. I would ultimately suggest a multimeter in this scenario, this way you are able to obtain a baseline reading and adjust accordingly. You don’t need an expensive multimeter to obtain a resistance reading. Many retailers offer basic multimeters at surprisingly low prices. They all read the same, and that’s all you need! If you are unable to get the laser to read the disc even after lowering the resistance below the highlighted range, it is possible that the laser has gone bad and may require replacement. I plan to post a tutorial on this procedure very soon. If I think of anything else I will add it here. Please feel free to reach out should the need arise, and keep me posted! Best of luck with your system!
What's weird with mine is that it sometimes reads the discs, sometimes not. When I do get it to work, I don't see any errors while playing. Mine is also a very old one because the rotating cubes on the menu are pink instead of purple like on the later models.
This is a common occurrence. A slight POT adjustment would more than likely remedy this issue.
Mine did the same thing. Mine is dol-001. I fixed 6 GameCube already setting them to the numbers he showed in the video but this one that’s doing the same thing as yours nothing worked. Im pretty sure laser will need to be replaced I end up setting mine to 82.5 and it starts up every time.
@@TheSanchezFamily1062I have a dork-001 and mine won’t read discs. I had it set at 450 ohms, no luck. Before that it was around 380. I’m a complete newb, I’m thinking of trying 300…. Any tips or ideas?
@@Pinball_Jurist believe it suppose to be set between 450-600. I was mistaken the 6 I fixed were dol-101
Thank you this helped fix my problem it wasn’t reading the disk at first I was like great the game I bought is junk
Glad to hear it
So I did this to my old GameCube DOL-001. Doesn’t read any discs. The potentiometer was at 517 ohms, which I would think would work. Lowering it slightly did not solve the problem. Laser moves and discs spin just fine. Is my laser completely dead? What’s the next step?
It sounds to me like it is just on the cusp of being properly adjusted. You have a baseline reading of 517 ohms that you can always revert back too. DOL-001 can range from 300-600 ohms. First try lowering the resistance a bit more and see if there is any improvement. You may have to repeat several times. If you are unable to get the laser to read within the specified range, you may try going lower, but know that this may cause premature wear to the laser. If there is still no change, I would thoroughly inspect the laser track. Sometimes the slightest bit of debris can cause an offset, and it won’t read properly. It goes without saying but be sure that the lens is clean. You can use a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to gently clean it. If you’ve went through all of the aforementioned steps and there is still no improvement, then it is possible that you may need to replace the laser. Don’t fret though, they are fairly cheap and It is actually quite easy to do. If I think of anything else I will gladly add it here. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your GameCube!
@@morganmend thanks for the response. Adjusting to around 280 ohms did work. However, I still have 2 discs that it struggles to read. They both boot up instantly with no issues on a fully functioning GameCube that I’m testing against. These discs might be slightly more scratched than some of my others. This is after replacing the capacitors as well. My only theory so far is that maybe the laser is indeed failing, but the adjustment at least has helped extend the life a bit longer.
thank you so much. I can now play on the gamecube.
Glad I could help!
Do u have to read the ohms or can we just turn it like u did and hope it works I don’t have that machines to do thwt
If you don't have a multimeter, I suggest just turning it ever so slightly and then plug gamecube and check if it works. Repeat the process until you hit the sweet spot
Morgan, Quick Question, my gamecube is doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately my tools are not here since I'm stationed in down south in Texas. Is there a way I can send you my GameCube?
Absolutely! email me at tooltek.md@gmail.com
Hope repairs are going well Morgan! Sent my GameCube to you
Have a DOL-001 model. Was originally at 408 ohms. Tried adjusting in 30-50 ohm steps all the way down to 150 and up to 600. It did not fix my issue of the disc not reading.
Go lower
@@morganmend thanks for the quick response. Just got done putting it back together (after giving up) maybe tomorrow I'll open it up and try lower. I saw the comment about lubricanting the rails, have you had to do that before if adjusting the potentiometer didn't work? If so do you have a video posted on how to do that?
Little note, adjusting the potentiometer is only delaying a fix, it will require replacement at some point.
You’re greatly misinformed
Thanks, my dol-001 was at 525. dialed it back to about 375-400 and now my discs are constantly spinning.
Thanks for watching. Glad to hear it worked for you. Great work!
Mine was around 380 and not working. I’m debating going to 300 but I’m thinking that’s the lowest safest range?
Mine 001 was at 416, I took it down to 360 and it fired right up.
If i have a d001 it said it should be in the 300 to 500 range. What does it mean if you have to go below 300? The laser is going to go bad soon?
That is the optimal range. However if you are still unable to get your GameCube to read discs you may try going lower. The laser won't go bad per say but lowering the resistance too much can cause additional wear overtime, which could lead to eventual laser failure.
how does this even happen? My GC worked perfectly then all of a sudden had this problem.
There are a number of things that can cause a sudden disc read error. Bad or failing capacitors, failing spindle motor, debris in the laser track, laser degradation or failure, to name a few. These are some of the more common issues. The good news is that all these aforementioned issues can be resolved through either repair or replacement.
Yeah, tried to fix my GameCube and it didn't go well. Luckily I was able to send the whole mess to WarioParty and they picoboot (sd card) modded it and sent it back. So, worked out well in the end
Hey, can’t knock a guy for trying! Not everything goes my way either, believe me. Picoboot is an awesome mod, I have done it to a few consoles and have really enjoyed it. Enjoy your system!
I can’t get my optical drive to work even with proper ohm readings. I’ve got a multimeter and have tried a variety of adjustments between 100-600. The disc spins and the laser moves forward and back but I cannot get it to work. Any ideas on what could resolve this?
Sounds like you’ve done very thing you could in terms of POT adjustment. Caps likely need replacement or laser needs replacement.
so what if we go through the range from 200-90 ohms for our dol-101 model and it still doesnt spin up? that mean bad laser or ???
It is possible that it could be bad or on its way out. Of course there could be other issues, there is a capacitor known to go bad, or it is possible there could be debris in the laser track. My advice would be to look it over thoroughly one more time, and to turn the resistance up to around 300 ohms, and try slowly lowering it from there. If you still have no change, and find no other issues, it may need the laser replaced.
My gamecube was already at 180 ish when it started to fail reading discs. I got it to 140ish, think that is maybe too much?
No it is absolutely fine. The ranges varied widely from the factory anyway. Get it to where it is working well for you and call it good!
LOL TRUE CRIME WAS SUCH A GOOD GAME what a nice little surprise
Boy, Was it ever! So many memories playing that game back in the day. Damn that itchy finger!
hahaha dolphin diving with double pistols is what i remember most. I didnt think they made violent games like that on gamecube... and then i got this haha. I also remember looking for a motorcycle everywhere@@morganmend
My resistance started in the 500’s and I incrementally lowered it, using a multimeter, probably 10 or more times until it was basically 0. The disc spins and the laser acts quite differently almost every time, but usually ends with it going out to the edge of the disc and quitting. What’s my fix?
Same issue
in case you're still left hanging, I had a working gamecube that i stripped and put the laser into the broken gamecube, and it fired up perfect. So I think you need a new laser. I recommend getting one from xyab@@Mikeshitboxes
Sounds like there could an issue within the laser track. Disassemble the optical drive assembly (the plastic housing will split in the center, there are three clips that secure it together, just be mindful of the wire for the disc motor, and be sure to unplug the ribbon cable from the board). Thoroughly inspect the laser track. I have had GameCubes in the past act very similarly, and most times it has either been due to the fact that one of the laser guides have come out of adjustment, or due to the fact that debris are preventing the laser from making its full travel. If nothing abnormal is found, it may require a laser replacement. Best of luck.
Is it supposed to boot into the game from start up? Mine makes me go in manually? Did you check to see if it truly wasn't reading the disc
Yes it is supposed to automatically launch the game at startup. Yes I checked multiple times, and in multiple ways, and as seen in the video, the GameCube was not reading discs.
@morganmend Huh, well mine will read the disc, I just have to manually boot it, is there anyway I can get it to boot from start up
I did but 60 incremental adjustments between the levels shown for my model and nothing changed. The laser reads the middle then out a bit, out a bit more, then past the disc edge and it stops. I have 4 cubes doing the same thing.
Try lowering the resistance beyond the highlighted range. Lowering the resistance further may get them up and running, but replacement may be necessary down the line. There is also the possibility of bad caps. That said this is where I would start. Thanks for watching!
this worked thanks!
Glad to hear! Thanks for watching!
I have a DOL001 and it was reading like 460 when I tested the pot and I dialed it back to310. It’s spinning now but still not working. Any suggestions?
Dial it back slightly further and see if that solves the problem! Sometimes it will just be on the cusp of being properly adjusted, and will spin but still not read.
Will this fix my issue with it not reading Luigi's mansion? It reads other games like the thousand year door
In my experience, whenever a GameCube reads some games, but encounters an error reading others, it is actually the disc drive spindle motor which is failing. You will likely need to replace your disc drive spindle motor.