Coretech Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Hello all! I recently received an Atari Jaguar from my uncle that is in pretty pristine condition since it's been in a case for the past 12 years. I was excited to try it out so I put in a game and press the button, I wait a few seconds, and nothing! The red light turned on, but nothing showed up on the screen. Sometimes the screen will show up as a dark green color. I tried wiggling the video cord (The kind with the RF box) but to no avail. I have attempted to blow on the cartridge and reinsert it at least 50 times. I'm still using the original power and video cords for the system. I have opened my Jaguar a few times to find out the problem. Does anybody know what can be the problem and tell me how I can fix it? So basically, It powers on, but no video or sound show up and I'm using the original cords that came with the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Could be a bad RF port. Maybe. Might want to invest in a set of composite A/V cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 How much are the A/V cables? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Not cheap, unfortunately. At least not on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagChris Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 If you only have one cartridge, it might be a bad cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 I have several cartridges that I tried it on so i know it can't be that. I'm just surprised that the RF port could be bad already since the system was rarely used in it's lifetime. Is the RF port going bad a common occurrence for the Jaguar? Is there any possible damage to the actual system? I just want to know all the common possible problems before I spend money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinkoVitch Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 If it's a US jag, have you tried the channel selector switch on the back near the RF port? Also check the tuning on your TV, maybe just out or something. Do you have any spare RF cables? they should be cheap enough to get a spare, if it's the RF lead with a box on it, I'd check that that is set correctly also. Just for info, if the cart isn't seated correctly, faulty or just has a dusty connector, as long as the Jag power light comes on you should have a red screen with "Jaguar" written in the middle, you shouldn't see a blank screen. Good luck, hope you get sorted soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Alright so I got a new RF cable and tried it out but still just a blank screen. Any other possible solutions? The TV is usually static when the Jaguar is off. The screen changes to pure black when the Jaguar on as if it's about to play but nothing happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagChris Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Alright so I got a new RF cable and tried it out but still just a blank screen. Any other possible solutions? The TV is usually static when the Jaguar is off. The screen changes to pure black when the Jaguar on as if it's about to play but nothing happens. Clean the cartridge contacts with the electronic contact cleaner of your preference and a credit card and a piece of t-shirt/pillow case wrapped around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 I cleaned it very thoroughly and dried it off. I also cleaned a couple cartridges to use. Still a blank screen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh3-rg Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Can you try any other TV sets? Have you followed Linko's advice in post 7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Can you try any other TV sets? Have you followed Linko's advice in post 7? I tried multiple TV sets and I did all that Linko said. I have the Jaguar opened up right now to look for the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm just surprised that the RF port could be bad already since the system was rarely used in it's lifetime. Is the RF port going bad a common occurrence for the Jaguar? Not sure if it's a regular occurance or not. I have problems with the RF port on my system though (it displays a picture, but has no audio). The A/V port works fine. If you've done all the troubleshooting listed above, your next best bet is obtaining an A/V cable. Maybe someone can help you out with one here. I was able to get one from a member for a lot less than what buyers ask for them on eBay. If that doesn't work, then you can probably say your system is toast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Jaguar A/V cable on eBay. It doesn't look official, but it's the cheapest: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 320910000942 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 damn...over 30 bucks for a cable that's probably worth $5. Are they that rare?? I think I'll make a homemade one that I saw on YouTube because I don't want to buy this only to find out that my Jaguar is fried anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinkoVitch Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 are there no local (to you) Jaguar fans? or possibly retro computer meets etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 are there no local (to you) Jaguar fans? or possibly retro computer meets etc? I don't believe so. I went to a few retro game stores around me but they had no Jaguar A/V cables. A few employees there didn't even know what an Atari Jaguar was! Do you happen to know anyone who would be willing to sell me an A/V cable? Can I just make a new topic for a request for an A/V cable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh3-rg Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Where do you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 North East, Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerosquare Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Get a cheap RCA cable and solder the wires to the composite video signal inside (see this topic for details). That way you'll know if the Jaguar works or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coretech Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 I don't think it worked. I'm not much of a solderer but i did my best and followed the diagram but nothing shows up on the screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerosquare Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Looks like your Jaguar has more serious problems then. Unfortunately it's a complicated machine with potentially lots of things that could cause a black screen. Finding the problem without at least an oscilloscope would be pretty difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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