Busted Out the Tool Set

After all the success with fixing up the two LaserActive systems, I thought I'd try my hand at a couple other old machines. First up was an old Video Disc (VHD) player. I picked up a player made by National. The model was a DiscLord DP-800. When I first got the machine, the power would turn on and the front flap would open, but it was not possible to insert a disc. For some reason the plate inside the player would not open up like it is supposed to when you press a VHD cartridge up against it. So I took the top and the front panel off the machine to see what could be done. I found some latches around the opening of the machine that were dirty, so I cleaned them off. Prodded around with other moving parts in the machine and blew out some dust. Then I tried loading the Empire Strikes Back and wouldn't you know it - the disc loaded up and started to play!!! You can see video of it here on Youtube!!

The next thing to try to fix was an old Nintendo Famicom Disk System. This one was more of a challenge because it actually has to be disassembled piece by piece and put back together again. The slightest mistake and you have to go back and try it again. Very time consuming. Well I was able to replace the rubber belt on the system and get it to play Zelda 2. But I had another game (3D Hot Rally) and the system was unable to read this. Here's a video of the refurbished disk system in action. Going to try fixing a couple more and hopefully get a little better at it. Tough little bastards!

Was also able to refurbish a 3rd LaserActive system which makes it 3 for 3. I'll have to post a video someday showing how to get one up and running again.

This week I have a ton of music laserdiscs starting on Ebay. Too many to list so I'll just throw a collage picture up here on the blog!

Some highlights of this weeks music laserdiscs include:

Queen / Live in Rio TOLW-3275
Now That's What I Call Music Volume 8 - SM068-3145
Jason Donovan / The Videos -35BZ-4
We're All Devo (sealed) - SM058-0027
Bananarama / Video Singles - W48L-3007
Patricia Kaas / Tour de Charme (sealed) - ESLU-134
New Order / Substance - TELP-42036
Deborah Harry / The Complete Picture - TOLW-3094
Video Waves (80s Music Video Compilation) - SM068-0032
Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas - JM038-0028
Rick Springfield / Platinum Videos - JM038-0026
Iron Maiden / The First 10 Years - TOLW-3075
Lisa Stansfield / Real Life - BVLP-65

Fixing LaserActive Machines! Famicom Gyro Robot, and, yes, More LDs in Stock!

Konnichiwa minnasama! It has been a busy couple of weeks as usual for the squid! Lots to report so let's get to it. First off, Goodsquid is finally on Twitter! Was very reluctant to join it as I don't like the idea short messages going out bothering everyone, but the I realized that the squid needs to get with the times. Feel free to follow me if you want.

Been delving into the world of LaserActive recently with some game titles and some systems as well. What I have found twice is that these old CLD-A100 and NEC-PC1 systems did not spin the laserdiscs. Somewhere on the web I was reading about laserdisc player repair and it was mentioned on a message board somewhere that the laserdisc spindles sometimes 'freeze' after not being used for a long time. Since there was nothing to lose I decided to try to open the machine up and see if I could fix one. Opened up the cover and unscrewed some other components inside the machine which revealed the motor, spindle, lens, and some other components. There were some plastic gears, latches, and springs in there as well. I manually spun the spindle and tinkered with all the moving parts that I could see. Took the tray out, cleaned it off, and put it back in. Well something worked because after that the discs would spin on their own after pressing 'play'. It worked so well that I decided to get a second system and try it again. The second machine had the same problem of not being able to spin the discs, but the refurbishing process went well with that one too!

Was able to find some games for the LaserActive as well:

Ghost Rush Mega-LD PEASJ1018	3D Museum Mega-LD PEASJ1012
Triad Stone Mega-LD PEASJ5014	Hyperion Mega-LD PEASJ5019
Manhattan Requiem LD-ROM2 PEANJ5004	Pyramid Patrol Mega-LD PEASJ5001
Virtual Cameraman 2 Mega-LD PEASJ5020

Also in stock is a bunch of vintage video game stuff including Nintendo Famicom's Gyro Robot.

Gyro Set HVC-GYS	Blockset HVC-BLS
Famicom Gyro Robot HVC-012

And of course this week's laserdisc offerings:

Thunderbirds ITC Memoria Box Volume 1 BELL-410	Lost Empire G88F0170 (Jim Wynorski)
Philips Projection Television Demonstration Disc	John Carpenter's Starman PILF-7235
SAEC Laser Vision Lens Cleaner LLC-3LD	Small Soldiers PILF-2768 (AC-3)
Felix the Cat Laserdisc MRLA-90005	Elephant Man PILF-2720
Laserdisc for Industrial Use (Demonstration disc in Korean)	The Making of Star Wars SPFX FY539-24MA
Mad Max Trilogy LD Box Set ML-9	The Ultimate Oz - Wizard of Oz LD Box Set PILF-2281

Laseractive Mega LD, Old School Sega Afterburner, Super Hang-On, Space Harrier

OK first off, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Hope everyone brought the new year in with a bang. Who's sleeping their hangovers off while browsing the web from their bed??? Hmmm?? Here in Japan we stayed out late, went to the nearby otera and smacked the bronze bell with a pillar. Had some snacks and drinks inside, then made our way over to Hakusan Jinjya. Threw some coin into the collection trough and then got our omikuji. This year it is predicted that I will have somewhat good fortune, but not the best. It also suggested that I should hurry up and move somewhere. A new Goodsquid office perhaps??????

Rocket Coaster PEASJ5013

Pyramid Patrol PEASJS5001

The Great Pyramid PEASJ5002

Space Berserker PEASJ1003

Hyperion PEASJ5019

Just a few ebay offerings this week including a lot of vintage video game related items. Above are the pictures for a set of beat-up Laseractive Mega LDs. Man those things were ugly and scratched up, but 4 out of 5 played through despite the scuffs. I'm pretty surprised that my LD player could read them but I guess LDs can really take a beating before going out of commission.

Sega After Burner / Super Hang-On G68X0228

Sega Space Harrier 50LS-5009

Also a few of these walk-though demo discs for the Sega games After Burner, Super Hang-On, and Space Harrier. Otakutachisama! Nice dorky stuff for you dudes!