I do know a guy! But here‘s the full story:

Back around 2017 or 18 I went to a now defunct site called pcenginefx.com, where I heard there was a user named Keith Courage who buys junk PC Engine systems in bulk, recaps, retrobrights, polishes, and restores them to absolute glory. He also works on the cd systems, replacing cogs and moving parts like a pro! To top it off, he provides them at reasonable prices. This man would certainly be capable and willing to fix your console.

I purchased a full PC Engine CD System2 briefcase unit, reasonably priced. It was indeed glorious. I later resold it for more than I purchased it for, and bought a second PC Engine unit from the same guy, Keith Courage.

Now, that site is gone, but I still have my e-mail threads with Keith Courage.

After some quick googling just now, I heard that the forum had it’s issues as well, with crazy admins and such. Typical stuff tbph. Apparently many users moved to https://pcengine.proboards.com/ , and it‘s worth searching for user Keith Courage there, although I would be unable to verify that it’s the same dude, so it would require reading threads a ton.

Unfortunately the e-mail thread I have is all notifications of Private messages from the pcenginefx forums, and I'm unable to acces any of the information exchanged.

So, try that new forum, use your own discretion. I also have connects to several other dudes-at-large in the retro gaming scene who do excellent repairs, but they have very long wait times, months and months.

Like Syzygy mentioned, it is worth a shot asking a cell phone or computer repair store to see if they can do it.

A couple of years ago my fat ps3 broke, and a friend recommended me to take it to a local lan center/net cafe to repair it. They were willing to try to fix any console you brought them. The cost would change depending on how hard it was to find replacement/compatible parts.

I haven't gone there since the pandemic, but they still seem to be around.

VVV - To clarify, of course you'd want a retro specialist. This is more of a plan C. Use your judgement on how much risk you wanna take.

https://twitter.com/GameRepublik/status/1351677704815468551

I respectfully have to disagree. As someone who does mods and repairs myself, there is a vast spectrum from individuals who will permanently damage the device just to get it working to persons who will treat your PC Engine like it‘s the last on earth. Only absolute Retro Game specialists should work on legacy hardware. There are only so many CD units left in the wild, plus it’s imported! and you can‘t trust a local CD player repair person unless you really know that they’re going to respect the hardware. There are tons of retro game repair guys, and a few really amazing ones that I can recommend direct from the big boys of the retro community:

MobiusStrip Technologies

Dragon’s Hoard Gaming

https://twitter.com/Cruzlink2

https://twitter.com/FBXGargoyle

All these guys are top of the game but they do have a waiting queue of about 4 months average. They work with preservationists like Frank Cifaldi's nonprofit.

Shipping legacy hardware is safe as long as you do it properly. lots of bubble wrap.

The PC Engine CD System2 is known for having cogs/moving parts go bad, and there is tons of discussion in various online forums about it. You want someone who is aware of the PC Engine and these faults already. You definitely want someone specialized. A local repair person will not know where to look nor will they find these info sources and do all the necessary reading before moving forward.
All that aside, if you don't care and just want it to work right now, I guess take it to your local brick and mortar store.

@flcl4evr#12842

I just sent you a message! I do freelance games repair, mostly Sega stuff with my local game shop so I can totally work on things for you.

That's why I recommend finding that Keith Courage guy. Because he does it for reasonably cheap. He does PC Engine CD specifically. And with PC Engine CD units usually they require a recap, plus replacement cogs and belts. and whistles.

The only good repair for a CD console is one of those ODE's

I had an extremely good guy when I lived in florida; Geo, proprietor of CD Trader.

Reach out to @cdtraderdavie and tell them Jaffe sent you!

@Jaffe#14444 I have a CD Trader Florida story!

When I was like 13, amidst a custody battle between my ilegally adopted parents and my biological father, my evil adopted parents took away all my earthly possessions as punishment for flunking most of my courses in HS.

I then walked into CD trader in my town and purchased, for twenty dollars, a Sega Genesis Model 2 complete with Sega CD add-on, Sonic CD, NBA Jam CD, and a grip of sonic cartridges. I would use it, in the year of 2008, to listen to Frank Zappa CDs on my television. LOL! Thanks CD Trader!

@Nemoide#14503 I‘ve been modding and repairing PSP’s since high school, 2007! My recommendation would be to install a custom firmware, which is quite easy with guides, and then you can remove the disk assembly altogether and run all games from memory stick, which there are now SD card adapters for. Your PSP will be lighter, use MUCH less battery, and have access to all sorts of things!

But if you really want a stock console and have a large collection of UMD's, the PSP itself is quite modular and serviceable, just order parts on ebay and replace it yourself!

Reviving this thread to see if anyone has any recommendations in 2026. I have a PS2 that I took to a local repair person who made it worse!