This order was for the recap and TLC for an original PC Engine, and the recap of a Super CD-ROM 2. Customer reported the Super CD-ROM 2 to read CDs very slowly.
First the PC Engine. The console worked fine as tested with RGB through an adapter on the expansion port. The recap was straight forward.
The recap included replacement of the voltage regulator and replacement of two SMD caps for jail-bar fix. The console’s shell was also washed with warm water and soap, and a magic erased used to remove some of the marks in the plastic
For the Super CD-ROM 2, the console was tested with a couple of CD but while it would spin tentatively, it wouldn’t load the game. Therefore the console was opened up and disassembled completely. That included removing a couple of shields which were soldered to the motherboard.
While removing the caps, a few of them had leaked. No major issues with corrosion were found. This console has both through hole and SMD capacitors. It laos has a daughter board with even more SMD capacitors. The supercapacitor was also replaced.
Although a TLC service wasn’t booked, the CD-ROM drive was serviced. Particularly, the limiter switch was cleaned as it is common for these switches to get dirty and not create a contact when the laser pickup nears the end of the rail, which in turn can make the plastic cog slip and eventually break. In order to reach the switch , the two motors had to be the desoldered. The drive cogs and rails were also cleaned and lubricated.
The console was then put back together and tested with a few games. Games loaded quick and at the first try, including a burnt game
