Microswitch

Arrrrrr yes... PAL vs. NTSC board revisions that would explain it, it's always so obvious after someone tells you. Thanks alex_79, shame the PAL manuals aren't online. Cheers Stephen, that's a great trouble-shooting post you linked to... I got small kids and not much spare time so highlighting the most probable causes is a big help! I'll post back once I get it working (prob a week or 2). I'd like to say that this is one awesome community, very helpful... I spend most of my time in Commodore land over at the Lemon 64 forums (username: Addicta Balls) they're a great bunch too, I urge you to check them out if you ever need any hardware help: http://www.lemon64.com/

Right-o So... retro gaming was never supposed to be easy. Continuing on from my previous thread: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/249036-pal-vader-comp-mod-getting-scrolling-interference-pics-ideashelp/ All was working well... or so I thought then after 30min of gaming everything stops working, all carts tested, no sound, no picture? Leave it off for about an hour and then everything works fine again, crazy stuff! I should note that, I've replaced the voltage regulator and 2x of the 3x caps with the following (C201 is missing, I'll explain)... C243 = 2200uf 16v C214 = 4.7uf 35v C201 = " On my Rev 6 Vader board C201 seems to be completely missing (see picture)... with a nice neat connector in place making me think that this is how it left the factory, intentionally missing? I checked Atari domestic field service guide: http://www.atariguide.com/pdfs/atari_2600_vcs_domestic_field_service_manual.pdf PDF (page 24) shows Revs. 1-13 as having C201 in place... my question is: does anyone know if I should cut the trace and just put C201 in? Could that be causing the 2600 to turn off? My other thoughts are to resolder/reflow the cartridge connector points, perhaps something is expanding with the heat and a bad solder joint is failing. Who knows? I guess it could be my power supply but these things usually either work or don't work at all. Any thoughts are most appreciated.

Good pic... taken at night with a crappy phone... but it looks good!

SOLVED! Thank you so much! Wow how frustrating, I wonder how many Atari newbs out there get a system, AV mod it and have the exact same problem after buying a new power supply off eBay... I bet many (otherwise good) Atari's end up in the bin this way. I used an old cordless phone power supply I had and got a near PERFECT image: Panasonic KX-TCA1AL Australian AC Adapter 9VDC 350mA for KX-TCA256 phone (Note: I had to switch tips and reverse the polarity) I should also mention that this power supply is not regulated, which is why I'll be replacing the 35 year old voltage regulator in the console before playing anything.

Well I remade the little AV circuit, spacing the parts further apart and gave the colour pot a blast of compressed air, and re-soldered the video to the main board but the end result is exactly the same. That would be an easy fix, I hope it's just the power supply. This is the seller I got it from... seems like a semi professional guy with good feedback, I'll ask if he has the specifications of the power supply: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131452642606

Thanks for the insights SwapFox56, I have spare parts so 1st thing I'll try is to remake the little AV circuit.

Greetings All... Been a lurker for a while and finally got myself some REAL hardware instead of using emulators. I've been dying to play my all time favourite Atari 2600 games... Kung Fu Master, HERO, River Raid, Gravitar! Anyway, I got a nice clean Vader (Pal) console with no power supply. Bought a new power supply and new components for a basic composite video mod. All went well and I'm really happy with the sound, colours and clarity of the image EXCEPT I get some kind of horizontal interference pattern that slowly scrolls upwards? I've tried multiple TV's and even ran it through a PVR/DVD's A/V input... exactly the same problem. I'd love to hear if anyone has experienced this before and what worked for them regarding a fix. Pictures and further details below (my 1st post so apologies if I'm doing anything dumb): BASIC MOD: http://mrpjevans.com/2014/05/composite-modding-the-atari-2600/ PARTS USED: 1 x 2N3904 Transistor 1 x 3.3K Resistor 1 x 2.2K Resistor PARTS I REMOVED: RF BOX R222 R209 C209 Q201 (three-pin) Q202 (tall red plastic thing) MY AMATEUR ELECTRONICS THOUGHTS: - Power related interference replace caps (all?) - Somehow shield the video signal cable on my mod - Voltage regulator (read somewhere that they almost always need replacing) - Bad TIA...I really hope it isn't this