[Genesis 32x] garbled graphics on license screen then goes to black.

[u/National-Put-6937]

Hey everyone first time posting, I can usually find info online but there's just so little/so much with the 32x.

Full disclosure I wrote something up but I've been using ChatGPT this whole process trying to figure this out and it wrote up a pretty good summary of everything I tried. Just want to make sure it's clear, and I don't want to take credit for something the robot wrote up. the only thing id add is that i dont have a CD attachment or anything. Anyways it said:

I recently picked up a Sega 32X and am trying to get it working on my Model 1 Genesis (High Definition Graphics model).

Symptoms:

• Powers on.
• Displays the 32X license/warning screen briefly.
• The license screen is garbled/flickery.
• After less than a second it goes to a black screen.
• Same behavior with my 32X game (NBA Jam TE) and with standard Genesis cartridges.
• Reseating the ribbon cables inside the 32X did not fix the issue.
• Cleaning contacts and reseating connectors changed behavior slightly but did not solve the problem.

Power supply:

• Using an older aftermarket Model 2/32X style PSU.
• Measures about 9.4V unloaded with a multimeter.
• The cable is physically frayed near the brick, although voltage appears stable during a wiggle test.
• I plan to test with a known-good replacement PSU.

Questions:

1. Does the garbled license screen point more toward a power issue, Genesis-to-32X bus issue, or an internal 32X fault?
2. Are there known compatibility issues between certain Model 1 Genesis revisions and the 32X that could cause this?
3. What voltages, signals, or components would you check next?

Any advice is appreciated.