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Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement

Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement

Darren Chan

Darren Chan and 4 other contributors

Last updated on January 9, 2017

10 - 20 minutes
Difficult
Inconsistent Images

Introduction

Go to step 1

Replacing the F1 fuse on the controller board of the Sega Dreamcast. Soldering is required for repair.

Required parts
  • 5 Ohm 1/2 watt fuse resistor OR two 10 Ohm 1/4 watt metalized resistors
  • Controller board

What you need

Tools

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  1. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Expansion Bay: step 1, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Expansion Bay: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Verify that the console is disconnected from the AC outlet before you begin.

    • Flip the console over on its back.

    • Take note of your model number, in case replacement parts are needed.

    Edit

  2. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the expansion bay by applying pressure to the small clip on the expansion bay while prying it away from the console.

    Edit

  3. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Top Cover: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Locate and remove all four black 12mm Phillips #02 screws from the underside of the console.

    • Note: Remove the expansion bay to locate the fourth screw

    Edit

  4. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Internal components can be loose. Be careful that they do not fall out when removing the cover.

    • Turn the console right side up.

    • Remove the top cover by gently lifting the upper portion of the console.

    Edit

  5. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Controller Port: step 5, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Controller Port: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Be gentle with the white controller cable as it can be a bit fragile.

    • Disconnect the white controller cable by gently pulling the the cable while wiggling it back and forth until it detaches from the controller board.

    Edit

    Note that on some Dreamcasts the power board (on the left) overhangs slightly over the controller board, meaning one must also remove the power board at this stage. This is relatively straightforward, fortunately. Remove a screw each at the top left of the power board and at the bottom left of the power board, remove the white clip at the top left, pop out the white clip on the left of the power board and lift the power board out from the front where you have the white block containing eight pins that connect the power board to the sub board. Then proceed per the rest of this guide. Hope this helps.

    JP Asher - Reply

  7. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the four 14mm Philips #02 screws located on the controller board.

    Edit

  8. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the white fan header from the controller port.

    Edit

    Perhaps list the battery type an battery holders that allow for easy replacement in the future?

    Brett Kampf - Reply

  9. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the controller board by lifting it up from the controller port.

    Edit

  10. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement, Controller Port: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Flip the controller board on its underside so that the solder joints are exposed.

    Edit

  11. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the F1 fuse by using the soldering iron and desoldering wick.

    • The F1 fuse is clearly indicated on the topside of the controller board.

    • If the F1 through-hole of the circuit board is not visible, you may clean the it by removing the excess solder by using the soldering iron and desoldering wick.

    Edit

  12. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • If you are not using a fuse resistor, skip this step. Otherwise, continue.

    • Insert and solder the new fuse resistor to F1 socket.

    • The fuse resistor should sit on the topside of the board and the leads should be exposed on the underside. Orientation of the fuse resistor does not matter

    • The 10M 1/2 watt resistor in the picture is used to depict what a fuse resistor might look like.

    Edit

  13. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • If you have already used a fuse resistor to complete the previous step, you may omit this step.

    • Insert and solder the parallel 10 ohm 1/4 watt resistors to the F1 socket.

    • The resistors should be laid out on the top side of the circuit board and the leads should poke out from the underside. The orientation of the resistor does not matter.

    • The 1/4 watt resistors shown in the picture are used to depict what parallel resistors should look like.

    Edit

  14. Sega Dreamcast Controller Port Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Verify that the resistor(s) leads do not touch other components on the topside of the circuit board. Otherwise, a short circuit may occur when you power on the system.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

6 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Darren Chan

Member since: 10/28/09

5,371 Reputation

2 Guides authored

Badges: 18

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 5-1, Regan Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 5-1, Regan Fall 2009

CPSU-REGAN-F09S5G1

5 Members

21 Guides authored

6 Comments

Hello, Darren. I am having the utmost difficulty doing this with two 1/4 watt resistors, as you have demonstrated. I have three dreamcast systems, I would like to repair (all with a bad controller port.) What would be the chance that I could send you the ports, packs of resistors and and solder and pay you to do this to all of them?

djresree - Reply

I would even be willing to give you two of them! I just want one working system!

djresree -

I can help with this, email me at yahoo address

rhedayi - Reply

bonjour Darren. Ma question est surement bête mais est- ce que cette manipulation est nécessaire quand seul le premier port de la Dreamcast ne fonctionne pas ??

etra782a - Reply

I need this board, were do I find one?

Andrew Trumbo - Reply

easy job if you know how to solder

Alex Pyyaho - Reply

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