sega genesis troubleshooting

I bought two sega genesis systems at a swapmeet the other day with five games and two controllers (from a couple vendors). they didn't come with the power connectors or the video cables. I looked at the power input on the genesis systems, and they said that they use 9v 1.2a, and they should be able to run off an rf connector. The closest I have to the power adapter is an old NES adapter (9v 1.3a), and I used an rf connector (also from my old NES system). I tried out both consoles, and didn't get anything... The only thing that happened was the snow moved down about 1/8 of the screen down the tv, and had lighter snow on the upper 1/8. It did this on BOTH consoles, which makes me doubt that they're bad (because the problem is identical with both) Could the power adapter play a factor in this? I'm pretty sure the rf switch is good.

You should be posting this in the Tech Support forum.

Anyway, a possible problem is the power adapter polarity, you have to check if the + and - are set correctly (look for a symbol similar to + ----(o--- - and see if it's the same in both the console and the power adaptor). If they are the other way round you can damage the console.

I just figured that, since this wasn't neo-related, it didn't belong in the tech support forum... ok... next time I'll put things like this in there... Anywho... I don't see where any +s or-s are... This is an american machine (if that makes any difference), and the only polarity that I know of would be on the prongs going into the wall (which are differently sized to avoid damage like you mentioned) As I understand it, the positive should be the inner section of the power adapter, and the outer metal should be the negative/ground right?

Is it a Genesis 1 (original large rectangle) or Genesis 2 (redesigned smaller squarish)?

bones said:

Is it a Genesis 1 (original large rectangle) or Genesis 2 (redesigned smaller squarish)?

Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure... it doesn't say rev 1 or 2... the serial is 39S99992, and the dimensions are 8"x11"... it boasts "high definition graphics above where you put the cartridge in, and 16-bit below... it's probably a rev.1.

stuffmonger said:

I just figured that, since this wasn't neo-related, it didn't belong in the tech support forum... ok... next time I'll put things like this in there... Anywho... I don't see where any +s or-s are... This is an american machine (if that makes any difference), and the only polarity that I know of would be on the prongs going into the wall (which are differently sized to avoid damage like you mentioned) As I understand it, the positive should be the inner section of the power adapter, and the outer metal should be the negative/ground right?

Click to expand...

Well, definately this isn't arcade related and we always have dealed about non-Neo related Tech questions, but anyway it doesn't matter.

I was not talking about the prongs going to the wall, as they are for AC current and actually polarity changes there 60 times a second. I meant the plug that goes from the power adaptor to the console carrying DC, it should be a round one that has two wires, one goes to the inside of the plug and the other to the outsied. One is positive and the other is negative. It is indicated by these symbols:

http://www.accesscomms.com.au/polarity.htm

Polarity needs to be the same in the power adaptor and console in order to work.

Amano Jacu said:

Well, definately this isn't arcade related and we always have dealed about non-Neo related Tech questions, but anyway it doesn't matter.

I was not talking about the prongs going to the wall, as they are for AC current and actually polarity changes there 60 times a second. I meant the plug that goes from the power adaptor to the console carrying DC, it should be a round one that has two wires, one goes to the inside of the plug and the other to the outsied. One is positive and the other is negative. It is indicated by these symbols:

http://www.accesscomms.com.au/polarity.htm

Polarity needs to be the same in the power adaptor and console in order to work.

Click to expand...

Ok... I don't see one of the polarity sybols on either the ac adapter or the genesis...