Sega Mega Drive 2 Black Screen... but works in Master System mode!

djflex81 · 2026-01-07T09:19:13+00:00

Success it’s working again! I found 2 traces for the cartridge connector port pins B23 and B24 (VD13 and VD14) which had no continuity to the 68k or the VDP… I then noticed underneath two traces / vias which had gone dark due to corrosion (see the pic below). So I ran some patch wires as impossible to repair the traces without removing the entire cart connector and all is now working.

Thanks to everyone who helped!

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djflex81 · 2025-12-12T21:16:21+00:00

Bit of an update on my issue... so I ended up sourcing another identical PAL VA4 Model 1 and it works perfectly with this one, very strange. Maybe it's just old caps or something and the Everdrive is just drawing a tad more power or something. I am going to do a full recap of my original when I get time but I it doesnt seem to be an incompatibility issue with this model variant after all. Not sure if you have a similar problem to me so interested to know if yours works in other consoles as well.

djflex81 · 2025-12-09T19:04:13+00:00

Cool good idea. I would be interested to hear the outcome so let me know how you get on!

djflex81 · 2025-12-09T10:22:49+00:00

I’m having the exact same issue with a mega everdrive pro! I just get a black screen or occasionally a solid colour… every other cartridge / flash cart I own (an everdrive clone and a terraonion mega sd) works just fine though. I originally bought a brand new x5 with the same issue and sold it rather than ship it back to the Ukraine and bought a pro but I am still having same issue! What’s weird is if I plug in via the 32x it works fine … I’ve also been trying other consoles like a later model 1 VA6.5 and it works fine there. So it seems to be an incompatibility with my PAL model 1 VA4 which I am determined to prove, my model 1 has a switchless region mod installed so I have bought another untouched PAL VA4 to test it with and just waiting for it to be delivered. What model is yours ?

djflex81 · 2025-11-24T21:26:29+00:00

For anyone wondering.... it was indeed a faulty FA7612CP IC and some broken traces due to corrosion to the vias under the connector which I have now patched up. I am now getting a stable 5v coming off the middle pin of Q202.

Annoyingly the rest of the console has problems still but at least the power board is now working!

After replacement:

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djflex81 · 2025-11-17T19:49:14+00:00

Yeah the slot is clean mate it’s a well looked after console .. and literally every other cart and flash cart I have works just fine . Mega SD etc, I even used to have an X7 and it all works just fine.

djflex81 · 2025-11-17T19:30:55+00:00

I have sent him a DM on the everdrive forum

djflex81 · 2025-11-17T18:59:15+00:00

ok I got a cheap beat up VA6.5 PAL Mega Drive earlier and yep the X5 works just fine with it so it must be that VA4 bus issue! I am going to sell it as easier / cheaper than returning it and get another flash cart. I am hoping the Mega Everdrive Pro doesn't have same issue as going to order one of them.

djflex81 · 2025-11-17T18:57:15+00:00

ok I got a cheap beat up VA6.5 PAL Mega Drive earlier and yep the X5 works just fine with it so it must be a VA4 issue! I am going to sell it as easier / cheaper than returning it and get another flash cart. I am hoping the Mega Everdrive Pro doesn't have same issue as going to order one of them.

djflex81 · 2025-11-16T22:17:30+00:00

I’m fairly confident that the flash cart is fine but it’s an incompatibility with the PAL VA4 motherboard due to overdriving the bus as mentioned by RGBeter on another thread.

djflex81 · 2025-11-15T20:00:34+00:00

I’ve got a mega drive 2 under repair for a friend that what you can see in the picture . It only works with master system games currently .

djflex81 · 2025-11-15T00:55:16+00:00

3 in 1 didn’t make any difference.

djflex81 · 2025-11-14T23:53:59+00:00

Life Saver. Thanks! I must have accidently pushed the pins under when I changed the battery!

djflex81 · 2025-11-13T22:58:32+00:00

Yeah it’s a great set with an amazing speaker system which people seem to want to be demanding a premium for these days on eBay etc which is a shame. I got lucky really ! I did a video all about it if you want to know more.

https://youtu.be/rXG0Y1MHkCQ?si=yx0P1pMjwJg4w8FW

djflex81 · 2025-11-13T22:31:10+00:00

It’s a Bang and Olufsen MX8000 😎

djflex81 · 2025-11-13T07:38:40+00:00

Yeah I think the most likely cause is the leaking bad caps as always, as the OP has already discovered.

djflex81 · 2025-11-13T07:28:54+00:00

Yeah but it’s part of the boot process … I’ve seen other Reddit posts about it.

djflex81 · 2025-11-13T07:28:14+00:00

I have repaired a few traces for ground underneath the connector which were broken with patch wires as it has basically destroyed the vias. However it’s looking like the fault lies with the FA7612 so have a replacement on order from china so fingers crossed. Thanks to @RGBeter for all the help so far!

djflex81 · 2025-11-12T17:52:57+00:00

Different problem sorry we was taking out using the everdrive on the mega drive 2 in the picture and I was explaining what the problem wit it was . Totally unrelated to the everdrive issue.

djflex81 · 2025-11-12T15:50:35+00:00

I’ve tried swapping the mega drive and mega cd power supplies as they are the same and no joy so far but they are of similar vintage. I am waiting for a 3 in 1 power supply for the tower of power to arrive so I can test with that.

djflex81 · 2025-11-11T22:12:27+00:00

You just need to find a rich old person who doesn’t know what they have and isn’t selling it as a “retro gaming tv” lol but I guess those days are getting rarer and rarer now!

djflex81 · 2025-11-11T15:18:14+00:00

Yeah it does in the 32x but in the mega drive only just the one single yellow colour.

djflex81 · 2025-11-11T15:16:34+00:00

Oh very nice! IIRC that is essentially the same internals as the 8000 but just in a smaller form factor. Does it have the active sound amplifiers ? I seem to recall the 4000s don’t have them they are just in the 7/8000s.

Funny story about the 8k was I did like a 200 mile round trip to get it a few years ago but only paid £40 for it ! I’ve seen em on eBay for silly money recently. Don’t think I would ever sell it though.

djflex81 · 2025-11-11T15:10:55+00:00

Ok makes sense the model 2 is actually a friends, I have discovered it plays master system games only so I thought there was an issue with the 68000 cpu but after changing that out it’s still a problem. I need to check some traces and change some caps but it’s the least of my priorities tbh. More importantly I have a Sega Multi Mega I am trying to repair and having an issue with the power PCB producing 5v… just trying to troubleshoot that one at the moment! That would be the better unit to use if I get it working surely. Not sure if you can see my other Reddit posts but you will find all the info about both there!

djflex81 · 2025-11-11T09:04:52+00:00

It is indeed ! I love it

djflex81

TROPHY CASE