Just bought a Dreamcast... few questions

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

Well, I just picked up a Dreamcast at a used music/movies/game store for $20. It came with the game "Eighteen Wheeler: American Pro Trucker" inside it (without me knowing ). When I plugged everything in and tried it out, the game wouldn't load; I got no video whatsoever. I looked at the disc and realized it was scratched up pretty bad. So I have a few questions:

1. Does the Dreamcast give out a video signal if there is no game in it? (If it does, then it means mine is dead.)

2. What are some good Dreamcast games?

3. What is some good Dreamcast homebrew?

Thanks.

If this Dreamcast turns out to be dead, I can return it for a new one . The place I got it from has some sort of guarantee about it (All items guaranteed to work like new!).

EDIT: Woo! 700th post!

[PeglegJimmy]

1. Yes
2. Soul Caliber, Sonic Adventure, Shenmue..ect. Look on Google for more.
3. Not sure as I don't play any homebrew really, search Google again

Good luck with your new addition to your gaming family

Do you hear a sound from the laser sounding like its going to explode and kill you and your family? Thats good because it means the DC laser is working (No really it sounds like its gonna die its like weeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr! wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr weeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr!)

Does the orange light go on when you hit power? if it does, try rubbing the contacts on the A/V wire, and the A/V plug-in place with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. If that doesn't work and you don't hear the laser sounding like its going to eat you alive then it's probably dead
You should get this when you turn it on (or a screen like it asking for date/time)


READ MY EDIT OR PERISH!

Pull on the wire lightly, and bend it. Mine was messed up in my first wire, it was a rf box, I'm not sure if you have A/V or rf.

Random info you don't really need to know. --> (I got a new one that I thought was doing the same thing, but that was just the TV the second time dang broken connection!)

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

Thanks for the quick reply.

When I turn it on, it does give the I'm-going-to-kill-you sound and the orange light does come on. I'll try cleaning the A/V cord; I hope that works.