Atarimax Cartridge Not Working

[Hank Rearden]

All of a sudden my Atarimax cart is acting like an Activision cartridge and doesn't seem to want to boot up at all.

All my 5200 Atari made cartridges work fine. The River Raid (Activision) is being problematic as well but I had that problem when I first got that cartridge but if I fool with it enough I can get it to work.

The Atarimax cartridge seems to be very loose since I got it. When I was fiddling with it I pressed on the SD cart and the light on the cart same on and I got a garbled screen briefly, now I get nothing at all.

What can I do?

[Hank Rearden]

Correction, when I press lightly on the SD card the Atarimax light comes on but won't boot up. Poor solder joint perhaps??

[jaybird3rd]

A weak solder joint is certainly one of the things that could explain the behavior you're seeing. The first thing to do might be to open the cartridge and see if there's anything obviously wrong that you can repair yourself; if not, contact AtariMax to see if they can arrange a repair or replacement.

 

(Activision seems to have used circuit boards in their 5200 cartridges that were a bit too short; even with the cartridge fully inserted, the contacts in the 5200's edge connector wipe the gold fingers on the board less than halfway up. Atari's cartridges sit more deeply in the slot, and as a result don't seem to wobble as much. It's usually possible to get Activision cartridges to work, but it requires that the fingers on the board are rigorously cleaned.)

[CPUWIZ]

You could try to open it and take the board out, then stick it in the oven, according to a youtube video you can google to reflow solder. People repair expensive video cards like that, so make sure to grab a video that makes you feel confident.

[Hank Rearden]

I will try cleaning the contacts on the 5200 itself. I've already reached out to the Atarimax guy. I don't want to open up the cartridge and void whatever warranty they may have.

A weak solder joint is certainly one of the things that could explain the behavior you're seeing. The first thing to do might be to open the cartridge and see if there's anything obviously wrong that you can repair yourself; if not, contact AtariMax to see if they can arrange a repair or replacement.

 

(Activision seems to have used circuit boards in their 5200 cartridges that were a bit too short; even with the cartridge fully inserted, the contacts in the 5200's edge connector wipe the gold fingers on the board less than halfway up. Atari's cartridges sit more deeply in the slot, and as a result don't seem to wobble as much. It's usually possible to get Activision cartridges to work, but it requires that the fingers on the board are rigorously cleaned.)

[+Mitch]

Atarimax is pretty good about replacing failed devices. I had my Colecovision one die a few years ago and he replaced it with no problem.

 

Mitch

[rayik]

Steve is very good about guaranteeing his carts. I had a 5 year old cart which didn't work right. I emailed Steve and he offered to exchange it. I had no expectation he would offer that since the cart was so old. I highly recommend buying his products.

[Hank Rearden]

I hope so. I just sent another email to his other email address (there are 2 of them). The next one will be via Ebay. It's killing me, I just get back my s-video modded console and can't play some of the games I want to play. All my other carts work so I do have those at least for now though.

Steve is very good about guaranteeing his carts. I had a 5 year old cart which didn't work right. I emailed Steve and he offered to exchange it. I had no expectation he would offer that since the cart was so old. I highly recommend buying his products.

[Hank Rearden]

So far no response to emails! Ugh!

[nick3092]

Steve is a bit slow to reply, but he will. Atarimax isnt his primary job in life. So unfortunately it takes a back seat to other more pressing things.

[Hank Rearden]

This is really starting to pissed me off!

[CRTGAMER]

You could try to open it and take the board out, then stick it in the oven, according to a youtube video you can google to reflow solder. People repair expensive video cards like that, so make sure to grab a video that makes you feel confident.

 

That much heat cannot be good for the chip and capacitors. Based on the OP description, likely the SD slot damaged. Might need to resolder the SD Card connector slot non the Atari Max PCB. If the connector is damaged from say accidentally popping the SD Card in the wrong way, it can be desoldered and replaced.

[Hank Rearden]

I was sent a new Atarimax cart. This one won't work either. All my 5200 cartridges work.

 

The Atarimax is acting like River Raid, which didn't work at first but after really working at cleaning the contacts it seems to work fine.

 

The Atarimax doesn't seem to fully seat. I barely tug on it and it pops out way too easily. If I wiggle the cart back and forth I can get the Atari logo screen to appear but it is a little garbled.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I was sent a new Atarimax cart. This one won't work either. All my 5200 cartridges work.

 

The Atarimax is acting like River Raid, which didn't work at first but after really working at cleaning the contacts it seems to work fine.

 

The Atarimax doesn't seem to fully seat. I barely tug on it and it pops out way too easily. If I wiggle the cart back and forth I can get the Atari logo screen to appear but it is a little garbled.

 

Then the issue is with your cartridge slot itself. The pins inside are bent too far back and aren't making proper contact to the cartridge edge connector. Activision carts are really bad about this because Activision cartridge PCBs were made a bit thinner than Atari ones so as a result, they don't make as tight a contact in the slot. It could be the same with your AtariMax. You could try and bend the pins out a little using a dental pick or other similar small curved object. Or it is were me, I would contact Best Electronics to see if they have replacement 5200 cart connectors and just replace it out.

[Hank Rearden]

But the Activision cartridge does now work. Only the Atarimax cartridge doesn't work. I was considering trying to bend the pins a little but haven't really seen where anyone has tried that before. I have done it on an NES though.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Well, I understand all your other cards seem to be working fine, but then I look at what are the odds that two AtariMax carts does seem to fit properly into your 5200? Far as I know there isn't any difference in the cart port design between the two different models of the 5200. My AtariMax seems to seat down the same as my other carts and is just as snug as the other carts as well.

 

You said yours pops out way to easily? Can you take good well lit pics of the cart slot on your 5200 and the cart edge connector of one of your normal 5200 games and your AtariMax? Keep in mind you will have to use a toothpick or other small object to open the cart slot covers on the carts to see the PCB cart edges.

[Hank Rearden]

I removed the board from the shell and it works perfectly now outside of the shell. The board is loose in the cartridge shell so when I insert the cartridge into the 5200 I think the slack (for lack of a better word) won't allow it to fully seat.

 

I emailed Steve last week and still have received a reply. Maybe I'll try the phone # tomorrow.

[CRTGAMER]

I removed the board from the shell and it works perfectly now outside of the shell. The board is loose in the cartridge shell so when I insert the cartridge into the 5200 I think the slack (for lack of a better word) won't allow it to fully seat.

 

I emailed Steve last week and still have received a reply. Maybe I'll try the phone # tomorrow.

 

Please post detailed pictures with the cart shell taken apart.

 

If reading correctly; the game cart PCB works just fine without the shell due to looseness of shell as described? Possibly a plastic peg inside broke? Maybe you can add plastic supports inside the shell to keep the PCB in check. Just gluing in a couple plastic ribs inside and let dry before assembly should be an easy fix.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I removed the board from the shell and it works perfectly now outside of the shell. The board is loose in the cartridge shell so when I insert the cartridge into the 5200 I think the slack (for lack of a better word) won't allow it to fully seat.

 

I emailed Steve last week and still have received a reply. Maybe I'll try the phone # tomorrow.

 

See I'm not understanding this because my Atarimax Ultimate SD is in a standard 5200 cartridge shell donor. So as a result it sits just like any other 5200 game would and I've never had a problem with it fitting in properly. Are the Atarimax carts not using standard 5200 cartridge shells anymore?

 

Unless like was mentioned, and you are missing one of the pegs on the side of the cartridge port cover?

[Hank Rearden]

Here are several pics.

 

2 pics showing results before removing it from the shell and only after wiggling it around and holding it in a very specific spot/angle.

3 pics of the shell taken apart. I did break one of the tabs holding the shell together. That was unfortunate but should easily be able to live without it.

There are 2 different pics showing it laying in the shell and you can see there is some play based on the gap at the top. Maybe normal, maybe not.

Also, included some pics showing that it works fine without the shell.

 

I don't know why it is rotating my pics. UGH!

 

Any thoughts?

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Hmm..my guess is there is too much play allowing the cat to rotate on the center post left and right a bit making it loose contact or at least not sit very flush. Where is the spring dust cover on your cart? Mine has that still and is literally like a standard 5200 cart minus the SD slot at the top of it and the SD card poking out of it. I don't have mine on hand to compare, but I don't recall my SD card poking how that far at the top on my Atarimax. Could it be the center post has been milled out too low on the PCB causing the edge connectors to sit too high when inserted into the 5200?

 

I will try and remember to take mine apart tonight and compare with your pics to see.

[Hank Rearden]

I do have the spring loaded dust cover. I suppose I could try reassembling leaving that off but I don't think that will help me out too much. I am curious to know if there should be any play on the center post as shown. I'm thinking the 2 stubs on the opposite half of the cover are designed to help lock it in place. Clearly based on some of the original carts I have there should be no play in the PCB once reassembled.

 

I think I will try putting it all back together and leave the dust cover piece off and see if that bring any results.

Hmm..my guess is there is too much play allowing the cat to rotate on the center post left and right a bit making it loose contact or at least not sit very flush. Where is the spring dust cover on your cart? Mine has that still and is literally like a standard 5200 cart minus the SD slot at the top of it and the SD card poking out of it. I don't have mine on hand to compare, but I don't recall my SD card poking how that far at the top on my Atarimax. Could it be the center post has been milled out too low on the PCB causing the edge connectors to sit too high when inserted into the 5200?

 

I will try and remember to take mine apart tonight and compare with your pics to see.

[CRTGAMER]

First off, I have an Atarimax SD for several months and never have issues. My Atari 5200 4 port I have owned since brand new from the 80s. I do take care when inserting carts though once in a while a cart does need reinserted.

 

I do have the spring loaded dust cover. I suppose I could try reassembling leaving that off but I don't think that will help me out too much. I am curious to know if there should be any play on the center post as shown. I'm thinking the 2 stubs on the opposite half of the cover are designed to help lock it in place. Clearly based on some of the original carts I have there should be no play in the PCB once reassembled.

 

I think I will try putting it all back together and leave the dust cover piece off and see if that bring any results.

 

Since you already verified the Atarimax working as bare PCB, this rules out a faulty SD card or connection in the SD slot. I do not think removing the spring loaded dust cover in the cart (unless spring shorting on PCB or interfering full insert) would have any effect. Looking at the closeup picture, I see two things:

 

1. The round center plastic peg keeps the PCB locked in from shifting, though the PCB could still spin on that single peg.

 

2. The back top edge on the SD Slot side of the PCB appear flush with the edge of the cart shell. This keeps the spin movement to a minimum.

From the picture it appears the PCB has very little movement when assembled. A little movement okay as long as the connector pins still line up. Perhaps the pin peg hole keeps the PCB from fully inserting into the console? This normally would not be an issue if the console contacts in good shape, maybe why the Atarimax PCB works (full insert) without the shell.

 

Perhaps your console slot contacts are dirty or bent adding to the problem along with possibly of the Atarimax PCB does not fully insert compared to official carts. Maybe the Atarimax PCB connector is just slightly thinner by a couple thousandths? All the possible issues combined could be giving you the problem just affecting the Atarimax and not other carts.

 

Clean the console insert thoroughly

Unplug the Atari 5200 (4 port not the single RF lead, but the power brick) and insert few times a dampened with alcohol cardboard trimmed to same width of game cart. Be sure cardboard is not thicker then a game cart connector. "Construction paper" smooth cardboard the best; do not force an insert which could bend the pins and leave cardboard fibers behind. Follow thru with multiple inserts of dry cardboard. Can of air or hair dryer at low temperature to thoroughly dry before plugging power brick back in.

 

While you have the Atarimax shell apart, take a soft pencil (not ink) eraser to the game cart contacts. Your picture (maybe lighting) shows maybe dirty contacts; a quick buff to bring out the shine.

Edited March 21, 2018 by CRTGAMER

[Hank Rearden]

As I expected, I put the cart back together and still have the same issues. It's not getting good contact.

 

I will try to clean the contacts again, although I'm skeptical there as well since I've done that not too long ago and have no issues with any other cartridges.

 

If the board is a tad thinner, I was thinking of maybe trying to straighten out the pins of the cart slot on the 5200 itself. I'm a little hesitant to do this but have had success on an NES doing just that. Anyone have any techniques on doing that. Simple toothpick and maybe a little pressure might do it.

First off, I have an Atarimax SD for several months and never have issues. My Atari 5200 4 port I have owned since brand new from the 80s. I do take care when inserting carts though once in a while a cart does need reinserted.

 

 

Since you already verified the Atarimax working as bare PCB, this rules out a faulty SD card or connection in the SD slot. I do not think removing the spring loaded dust cover in the cart (unless spring shorting on PCB or interfering full insert) would have any effect. Looking at the closeup picture, I see two things:

 

1. The round center plastic peg keeps the PCB locked in from shifting, though the PCB could still spin on that single peg.

 

2. The back top edge on the SD Slot side of the PCB appear flush with the edge of the cart shell. This keeps the spin movement to a minimum.

From the picture it appears the PCB has very little movement when assembled. A little movement okay as long as the connector pins still line up. Perhaps the pin peg hole keeps the PCB from fully inserting into the console? This normally would not be an issue if the console contacts in good shape, maybe why the Atarimax PCB works (full insert) without the shell.

 

Perhaps your console slot contacts are dirty or bent adding to the problem along with possibly of the Atarimax PCB does not fully insert compared to official carts. Maybe the Atarimax PCB connector is just slightly thinner by a couple thousandths? All the possible issues combined could be giving you the problem just affecting the Atarimax and not other carts.

 

Clean the console insert thoroughly

Unplug the Atari 5200 (4 port not the single RF lead, but the power brick) and insert few times a dampened with alcohol cardboard trimmed to same width of game cart. Be sure cardboard is not thicker then a game cart connector. "Construction paper" smooth cardboard the best; do not force an insert which could bend the pins and leave cardboard fibers behind. Follow thru with multiple inserts of dry cardboard. Can of air or hair dryer at low temperature to thoroughly dry before plugging power brick back in.

 

While you have the Atarimax shell apart, take a soft pencil (not ink) eraser to the game cart contacts. Your picture (maybe lighting) shows maybe dirty contacts; a quick buff to bring out the shine.

[zylon]

You might have a warped console casing. Try removing the 2 center screws from the casing and then insert the cart. If the top cover is warped, it will hold the cart just a bit higher in the contacts.