Dreamcast freezes at the startup screen

[Dannyc23]

I have six different Dreamcasts in my possession. Two of them I purchased back when they launched in the United States and the other four I bought used later on. All six of them freeze on the Dreamcast startup screen. Someone told me that it had to do with the lithium batteries, so I replaced them with new ones. Still had the same problem. I've tried on different TVs, with and without games in the console, etc. Nothing works. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Just for clarification, the system doesn't shut off. It just sits there at the Dreamcast logo screen forever.

[tom61]

I've never heard of Dreamcasts doing that before, very odd that you have 6 that do it. Have you tried different controllers and AV hookups? Do any other devices in your house have troubles (occassionally, or all the time)?

Based other devices I figure that the following things might be a problem:
Broken controller keeping the final checks from completing.
Broken AV cable so that the Dreamcast doesn't know what video mode (A/V, VGA, etc.) to go into.
Bad house power starving out the powersupply preventing finishing up the startup sequence.

[Dannyc23]

I've never had any type of similar problem with anything. I have also tried with different controllers and AV hookups. I really have no idea what's wrong.

[Macabre]

You purchased two from the US, and four that are not from the US?

Dreamcast systems from different regions run off of different power ratings. You will need a down or up converter depending on what region of system you are using, and where you are using it.

Some systems can bypass this easily (its simple to use a japanese system in the US, as its power is within the US supplied specs), but you shouldn't use a US system in japan, as the conversion is not in its favor.

If all six systems exhibit the same exact problem, its most likely not the systems.

[Haunted360]

It does not matter because it has a built in converter. It can take 100v or 240v. Much like the PS1 (PSX), PS2 and PS3. It even says on the label (as my memory goes), 100v ~ 220v or something...

As for the freezing, open it up and check the fans are working and not blocked. It will not be overheating, but check that there in operation.

It also may have a broken solder joint. So yes. Like the Xbox 360 RroD.

It is also good to make sure that the 240 and 110v lines are not bent. So when it is opened, find the power lines (usually looks like a computer motherboards ATA power plug in the board, except with 4 or 7 or so) and bend them to make better contact. Of course, do this when it is UNPLUGGED.

Make sure there is a controller plugged in and that there is no VMU/VMS or Vibration Pack in it.

Also be sure that the clock / bios battery (like you said) is new and in the correct polarity.

Make sure that the disk drive is operational. I mean, if it can not detect the drive from either a faulty ribbon cable or faulty power line from inside the DC, then that would stop it at boot.


To me, it sounds like the BGA (Ball Grid Alignment) needs to be re-flowed (like the Xbox 360) as you have 6 of them.
It also sounds like the GD-ROM Drive as (since) you have 6 DC's, they may all have a common fault.

Let us know how you go.