Fixing two Atari 2600s

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:10 pm

Hello, I have just recieved two Atari 2600 consoles, and they are brocken: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 8262344927
Well, I don't know what kind of info to give you, other than what's on the above link. All I know is that the guts of the bottem one (newer I think) look great, no curosion, nothing physicaly "broken", it just doesn't run. So does anyone have any ideas? Just tell me if you want any more info, I'll try and get it for you.

Oh! Btw, I was thinking of using the older one (the one with the "wood" strip at the bottom) for a portable, and leaving the newer one as is (but in working condition preferably).

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:22 pm

To start, I'd say to get video out perform one of Ben's video mods. The old one is here in the forum (do a search). The other thing is after opening the cases check to see that nothing is burned out, like resistors, capacitors, the 7805 IC or any of the chips. If none of the chips that run the Atari are damaged you should be able to fix it, and then I'd have to say you got a good buy.

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:24 pm

A burnt out powersupply could be the culprit.

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:59 am

How can I tell if somthing is burned out? The second Atari (the one on the bottom of the pic) looks almost new inside, but it has that little 8 lead IC at the upper right.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:09 am

This isn't going to sound that great but, smell the board. Even if it's silicon it still has a burnt smell to it that you should be able to pick it up. One thing you could to to help use a little better is to post pictures of the inside.

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:00 am

You might see if the cartridge slot is clean - odds are it isn't. I got two SNESes off ebay for cheap just because they didn't bother cleaning the slot.

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:27 am

There's no burnt smell. Here are some pics:

1st (newer) Atari:
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/2729/100577220wc.jpg
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9106/10057766of.jpg

2nd (older) Atari:
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/481/10057811fo.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/629/10057797eq.jpg

Marshalh: The Ataris won't run at all. Like, as in, nothing on the screen but the snow that's always there. But if I fix it and the slots are dirty, how would I go about cleaning them?

EDIT: sorry about the sucky pics, PM me your emails and I will send you better ones.

EDIT2: I have tested the newer Atari's power with my mutimeter, and the DC input gets to the regulator with a resistance of .000, and the ground is, well, grounded, and the power from the regulator goes to all of the +5v spots on the mobo with a .000 resistance also, so the power is great.

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:26 pm

Do you have a battery pack (>= 7.2v) that you can hook up to the input of the 7805? The problem might be with the power plug.

BTW, are you using a Kodak camera?

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:54 pm

marshallh wrote:You might see if the cartridge slot is clean - odds are it isn't. I got two SNESes off ebay for cheap just because they didn't bother cleaning the slot.

How do you go about cleaning them? I've always setlled for compressed air.

Check the power connections with a multimeter like everyone is saying. and if you still have trouble it might be the RF plug. I know those things wear down after a while, and it might not be gettgin a good connection (same thing might have happened to the power plug)

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:26 pm

I bought new everything for the Ataris from http://www.electricquarter.com so it all works. I have my adapter set for 9v dc output with a positive tip, I think that's the Atari setup. And I got a new RF shielded cable with an adapter thing (look at the website). So I am set to go with hookup supplies.

Marshalh: Yes it's a Kodak. It take really nice pics, but I had to resize them to store them on http://www.imageshack.net

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:20 pm

Use a 9V battery to see if you can get them to run. I believe tip is positive?

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:44 am

The battery idea didn't work.
Sorry it has taken so long for me to respond, I have been dealing with a ebay shark

.

A.J. Franzman · Post by **A.J. Franzman** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:41 am

.|.
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Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:43 am

Wow, you take your Atari seriously don't you?

A.J. Franzman · Post by **A.J. Franzman** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:09 pm

I'm always serious.

</Egon>

I also repair 2600 consoles, but most people don't bother because of their ready availability from eBay at low prices, and shipping costs to get a bad console to me and back.