9 replies to this topic

[Jacko.1010]

Hi all,
I have no idea what is causing the c13 error,iv`e tried different disks and still i geta c13 errorand the machine ejects the disk .the deck really is in mint condition it would be criminal to take it to the council tip,Ihave a Pioneer MJ-D508 Minidisk Deck it`s not a patch on the sony,I v`e a Sony Walkman
Mz-R700 minidisk ,and a sony Mz-50 Walkman.I would be grateful for any advice,help ETC.Thanks in Antipipation
Ron

[sfbp]

C13 means it can't read the TOC.

Probably the laser is blown, needs adjusting, or somehow the NVRAM has lost the critical IOP value it would have been programmed with that matches that particular read-write assembly.

If you can record a completely NEW virgin blank disc, then the worst thing you need is a new laser assembly. The least will be an adjustment of some kind.

Jim Hoggarth here on the board has a deck repair service he runs via Ebay that is quite reasonable, and since you are in the UK, eminently convenient.

[jim.hoggarth]

Hi. Almost certainly the spindle motor. It is a common problem on the MDM-7 disc drive units. Although I have seen occasions where the laser focus coil is open circuit, so if the laser cannot even focus on a disc the firmware doesn't even bother firing up the spindle motor and just ejects with a C13.

I have parts, if you want it repairing just send me a Personal Message.

Regards
Jim

[sfbp]

To be fair, Jim, my C13 saga started with a unit that tried to read the disk, I replaced the motor, no change, and even after a head replacement still gave me (at least) C13.

To OP: it's never simple, because the MD system is all based on servos and feedback loops to position the head and read the data. One component dead or misaligned, and you get the same C13 (or C14) error. It *is* still possible that it's only the IOP value. But not all that likely unless you sometimes see C14. Certainly you can check if Jim is right - by taking the lid off and watching. But don't be tempted to poke it

[jim.hoggarth]

Yes, that's right. Use a disc with a clear case and it is even more obvious. I have a special disc on which I have drawn a red line with a permanent marker on the upper side of the disc platter (ie the non-laser side) - sometimes these highly reflective smooth surfaces can be turning and yet do not appear to be. Take the top off the unit and watch as a disc is inserted. If the spindle motor does not turn the disc at all, it is usually the motor or the focus coil (or of course the focus servo or motor drive chip, but not very often). I have fitted loads of motors to these disc drive, but rarely are optical pickups needed, and I can't actually remember ever having a faulty driver board (known as the 'BD' board).

Jim

[Jacko.1010]

Hi.First i would like to thank you all for the advice i managed to get
the top off the deck,i put a virgin disk in and it spins ok.I think i will
take Jim up on his offer to repair it,Jim i`ll send a PM now
thank`s everybody.
Ron

[sfbp]

If it spins ok, you may be in line for an IOP (NVRAM value) adjustment and nothing else. But without a Laser Power Meter, it's hard to be certain.

[jim.hoggarth]

Well, if it gets as far as spinning the disc then you know the laser is not dead, and the focus coil, focus servo and at least some of the photo-diodes are ok. It could be that the spindle motor is not actually coming up to speed, one or more photo-diodes are kaput, or the laser intensity needs setting. Or possibly a fault in the RF data amplifier/decoders. I will definitely have to see the machine to diagnose further.

Jim

[Our Kid]

Not particularly relevent to this case, but i was getting the C13 error code on an old disc i was trying to play, and it was down to a sticky label on the edge of the disc which had peeled away. Once i removed the label it played perfectly.

[sfbp]

yeah, that's kind of like the situation where it doesn't spin up because the motor's "gone".