Flipsideunder Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Hello, I'm new here and I hope I'm not breaking any rules. I know how these forums can be. I recently saved an Atari 2600 from the dump and am trying to give it the second life it deserves. I've bought about 10 games and a new power cable. The problem is the picture is just not right. I've messed with the color dial and looked for YouTube videos. Please someone help. I have attached screen shots of a couple different games. (sorry about the quality) Thanks so much for even reading my boring post but any help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHATETHEBEARS Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you. Hopefully someone will. I'm just curious which games these are. Is that second one Robot Tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalloonFighter Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Welcome! I wish I could help you out, but try checking the Hardware section of the forums. I'm just curious which games these are. Is that second one Robot Tank? The first game appears to be Mouse Trap and the second one is Battlezone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Since you already know that you have misadjusted the color dial, why don't you revert your changes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mef Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'd say you shouldn't worry about the colors, but about obviously messed up/glitched sprites and background gfx... Did you tinker with it some more, besides the adjustment pot? Did it look like that (disregarding the palette) when you first tried the system/games? You can try one of those titles via emulation and will instantly see the difference in actuall shapes of the objects. On your pics they look like you were frying the console... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipsideunder Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you. Hopefully someone will. I'm just curious which games these are. Is that second one Robot Tank? Thanks for the reply. The first game is Mouse Trap and the second is Battlezone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Eyeball Mural Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Did the OP get any more help elsewhere? Anyway, here's some basics to start with: ► Make sure you've cleaned the console very well inside and out. Used compressed air (canned air is great because the velocity is less risky for electronic components) and electrical contact cleaner (or diluted white vinegar, which is cheaper). Camera brushes are also handy. ► The same applies to the cartridge circuit board contacts. Circuit interruptions caused by dirt or damage, or shorts caused by metal debris, can cause glitched images like yours. ► You say you bought a new power cable. Do you mean a new power adapter? If you have a new adapter, make sure the voltage and polarity of the adapter match the Atari's needs. We'll have to rely on some of the real hardware gurus here to enlighten us on what those parameters actually are, my knowledge fails me on that point. But a mismatched adapter might cause the kind of glitched images you're getting. ► Inspect the performance of the power toggle switch. If it is not making and breaking contact cleanly, then glitches might result. If the switch is wiggly, or if it obviously contributes to activating glitchy start screens, that might isolate your problem. ► As another reply above said, reset any adjustments you've made, since they didn't solve the problem and might be contributing. In other words, eliminate those variables. If you actually hardwired a power cable with a plug on the end, consider analyzing that modification. And maybe you can answer these questions: Q: What is the nature of the new power cable? Is it hardwired into the console, or is it a replacement adapter? Is it a vintage Atari-branded adapter? Or did you just pick up an adapter that you thought would work? Q: Why did you use a new power cable? What was wrong with the old one — or — what led to your decision to replace the old one? Q: Do I understand correctly that your colors seem off and you have glitchy sprites / random noise patterns? Or are the colors now known to be OK, with or without your color adjustment? Q: Have you tested the game cartridges on a system known to be good in order to evaluate the possibility that the cartridges are the problem, and not the console? You can also repost your request for help in the hardware forum if you haven't already: http://atariage.com/forums/forum/8-hardware/ We'll help get you up and running, but we'll need more info first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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