Troubleshooting help?

[jeffslot]

Hello,

I've got everything on my atari 2600 project from the book "wired" Here is what is going on. When I turn the unit on, I can see that the white LED mod is working OK, however as soon as I insert a catridge the lights go out. Also If I 1st turn onthe unit (the white lights will go on), & then stick in a cartridge, then hit the "reset" button, everything will turn off. Any ideas? I'm really excited to play this thing. Thanks again.

Jeff S.

[SpongeBuell]

you know you are supposed to put the cart in before turning on the system, right? The reset button really starts the game.

[jeffslot]

SpongeBuell,

Of course I realize the game cart is supposed to go in first. I was just trying to describe the symptoms of the project. But now I've gotten past that, I can actually see the game sometimes, before it disappears. I think it may be the wiring. I'm going to re-do the wiring, unless I get some helpful advice. Thanks.

Jeff S.

[SpongeBuell]

Well, it sounded like you turned it on first, based on your post.

When I turn the unit on, I can see that the white LED mod is working OK, however as soon as I insert a catridge the lights go out. Also If I 1st turn onthe unit (the white lights will go on), & then stick in a cartridge, then hit the "reset" button, everything will turn off.

[S q u e e !]

No, he is just saying, that even when he puts the cart in first, it doesn't light up. If he tries it without a cart in, it lights up fine.

[SpongeBuell]

hmm, maybe there is a problem with the cartridge, like it's shorting something on the atari that wasn't meant to be shorted?

[S q u e e !]

Maybe squishing a wire?

[jeffslot]

Hi guys,

I'm getting closer. See the picture below:

http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/5788/img02379vc.jpg

But my problem remains. I can't put the cartridge in 1st & then power on. For some reason, I need to power on & then insert the cart? Any ideas? Help would be super cool. Unfortunately, I think I need to re-create my button control board, as some of the buttons don't seem to "click" any more. But I think I'm getting closer.

Also I'm a bit confused on where to hook up the audio to. I had to perform an audio / video bypass. Thanks.

Jeff S.

[SpongeBuell]

could it just be dirty contacts?

[nos_slived]

Sounds like something can't handle the power spike.

[jeffslot]

Any recommendations?

[nos_slived]

Do you have it on batteries right now, or are you using the power adaptor?

[jeffslot]

batteries, also the contoller isn't 100% connected.

Jeff S.

[SpongeBuell]

that shouldn't matter, the only kind of controller that can really be detected is the paddle, and that's when it's not all the way on one side.