Dreamcast stopped recognizing controllers

[dante]

As strange as it sounds, my has begun refusing to acknowledge that there are controllers plugged into it. I tested both the first and second slot, and neither worked. Does anyone know why this could have happened, or if it's fixable?

[Brian Moy]

If none of the four controller slots are being recognised, it means your controller port is dead, as all four slots are a single piece.  Its a common thing I've come across when I pick up used  s.  For what its worth, its easier just to pick up a good  , otherwise you need to take apart your  and swap out the bad controller port with a good one.  You can pick up the spare part usually for about $5 or so from stores that sell spare parts.  If you swap it out, make sure the replacement has the same size pin plug as yours, as the controller ports have different size pin plugs on the inside.

My friend, ProtonX might have a spare  controller port as he repairs game systems for game stores.

[dante]

Wow. Is there a reason for this happening? I'm tempted to buy the port just because I usually enjoy trying to fix things like this.  But only if I can find a nice guide online for it, which I'm going to search for now.

[G.A.Pster]

I’ve got a bunch of burned out ones I got from Brian if that helps.
 
I’d also like to know why it happens; I don’t want it to fry on mine.

[Brian Moy]

Wow. Is there a reason for this happening? I'm tempted to buy the port just because I usually enjoy trying to fix things like this.  But only if I can find a nice guide online for it, which I'm going to search for now.

I don't know the reason, but it seems to be a common thing for  s just like many of them have bad laser motors.  (I'm talking about finding used ones at thrift stores/garage sales that is.)

You really don't need a guide, once you get it open its all right "there".  If you know how to install a drive into a computer, its similar to that.  The shell is held together with 4 screws in the corners if I recall.  Once you get em all out, take off the lid.  And then the controller port is held in by 3 screws if I recall, and then there's a pin plug and I think a ribbon cable.  Take em all out, put the new one in and put it back together.

[dante]

I don't know the reason, but it seems to be a common thing for  s just like many of them have bad laser motors.  (I'm talking about finding used ones at thrift stores/garage sales that is.)

You really don't need a guide, once you get it open its all right "there".  If you know how to install a drive into a computer, its similar to that.  The shell is held together with 4 screws in the corners if I recall.  Once you get em all out, take off the lid.  And then the controller port is held in by 3 screws if I recall, and then there's a pin plug and I think a ribbon cable.  Take em all out, put the new one in and put it back together.

ahh so there's no soldering involved? Very awesome.

[Josh Parr]

I definitely like Plug & Play parts on consoles. Makes things much easier to deal with.  I actually have never come across that personally out of the 5 Dreamcasts I have owned at one point or another. My buddy on the other hand has had that happen on every single one of his he has owned. He just buys a new one each time. It's actually quite funny from my standpoint.

[Brian Moy]

I definitely like Plug & Play parts on consoles. Makes things much easier to deal with.  I actually have never come across that personally out of the 5 Dreamcasts I have owned at one point or another. My buddy on the other hand has had that happen on every single one of his he has owned. He just buys a new one each time. It's actually quite funny from my standpoint.

It sounds like my luck with  s is like your buddys.

[dante]

Yeah I generally don't have the best luck with my consoles enduring.

[G.A.Pster]

I’ve never had a console burn out on me; even my is still working, and I think it has the most hours on it of any of them.
 
Now what about the “soft reset” you can do with , I’ve read that you should do that and then remove the disk and turn it off?

[Brian Moy]

I’ve never had a console burn out on me; even my is still working, and I think it has the most hours on it of any of them.
 
Now what about the “soft reset” you can do with , I’ve read that you should do that and then remove the disk and turn it off?

I've had one go out on me.  I can't remember what it was, but I couldn't fix it.

I don't soft reset my  .  I just hit the open lid button (so it stops the spindle motor), take out my disc (or leave it in), turn off the system, then close the lid.  I do the same with my portable  or any system with a lid.