Changing colors and other issues

[Scatman94]

I seem to be experiencing some strange color changes on at least a couple games, notably pitfall. While the trees are green sometimes they turn brownish for a majority of play time. I tried the whole tuning the color thing with a flathead screwdriver but that didn't do anything. What could it be?

Also, completely unrelated but another atari I have has fire button issues. When I'm playing river raid it fires everywhere but straight and actually destroys the buildings on the side which is mildly amusing but it does this with berzerk as well. Any ideas? Sorry, I've just recently discovered atari I love it but I know jack shit about what's going on inside and how to fix it. Thanks

[+-^CrossBow^-]

For starters it sounds like the TIA chip is the main culprit for the color issues.. Could also be that the wheel itself (Potentiometer) is bad since you stated moving it didn't adjust anything color wise.

 

Another possibility is...

 

Have you checked the voltage coming off your power supply into the Atari? I've found that if you get to about 7volts the Atari will do odd things like this.

[Scatman94]

Could you provide a link for a TIA chip? Are those even possible to get these days? Tried some auction sites but no luck. I'd rather spend 10-15 on that and replace it then buy a different console. I'll see about checking the voltage as well

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Here you go...I'm sure Best Electronics has them in stock as well but their website is kinda "fun" to navigate to look for stuff. And I've dealt with the guy that owns this site personally and he is excellent to do business with. Used to be the best source for cheap pokeys until he ran outta those...ugh.

 

http://www.arcadecomponents.com/catalog/item/3054735/3622586.htm

[Osgeld]

I almost bought one from him then he wanted like 10 bucks for postage, so I just got a pair off ebay for like 12 bucks free postage, look around

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Didn't know his shipping was that high? I sent him my Galaga game board set about a year ago and he repaired it and rebuilt it for $125 shipped. So I didn't realize his shipping was so much on the smaller stuff. Interesting...

[Osgeld]

ya I was all prepared to buy a single tia from a known source, but damn, seriously when I can send an entire atari system and games for 10 bucks to anyone on this side of the Mississippi, all of a sudden its a shock to see a single chip, most likely in a cut off tube shoved in a bubbleope for 2$ quoting darn near 10

 

F that

 

edit

 

I guess its come down a little but but still JEEZ its 1 ounce shipped via snail mail

 

 

 

vs I got 2 from this yahoo on ebay, and both worked great (ok it wasnt 12 bucks for 2 free shipping it was 13 free shipping FOR 2)

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CO10444-11D-DIP-2-PIECES-qzty-/281960344735

 

buy 2 get your system working and help someone else out for cost of postage at that point AND STILL SAVE A COUPLE BUCKS, which is exactly what I did, I needed one, gave the other away to a atari brother for the price of postage and it was cheaper

Edited August 18, 2017 by Osgeld

[+DrVenkman]

Used to be the best source for cheap pokeys until he ran outta those...ugh.

 

http://www.arcadecomponents.com/catalog/item/3054735/3622586.htm

 

When did Best run out of POKEY's? His site still shows them at $20 each (and in fact the "Limit 1" that was there last year is gone). They're not cheap but they're there.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Didn't state that Best had run out of Pokey's. I mentioned Best but I linked to Arcade Components. And yes, at one time Arcade Components had Pokey's on hand but are currently out of stock.