elchucko

If the problem is a falied (overheated) IC then assuming the chip is still available, yes it can be repaired. Other problems relate to power or RF output to a TV or monitor. Otherwise without schematics the PCB probably can't be fixed. I don't know how PCBs built much later than early units were constructed to eliminate the heat issue. If the console's video go blank shortly afer the game is turned on, finding the heated chip(s) and applying heat sinks may cool the IC(s) enough to fix the problem although I doubt that. That's about all I can say about the problems.

I just found this thread and thought I'd post some trivia. I bought a "Bally Home Library Computer" in 1977 and received the console in 1978. I turned it on and within a couple of hours it failed. Sent it back, received another unit which failed in a few hours. I received a 3rd unit and decided to figure out what the problem was. This probably is old news, if so ignore the post. Anyhow I found the PCB was sandwiched between 2 foam covers with aluminum attached (I assume to meet FCC requirements for RF emissions). I touched all the IC's, three ran hot. I glued heat sinks to the three and voila, no more heat problems. Later I bought the Basic cartridge and tape interface. Sold it a couple of years later (wish I would have kept it). I'd bet most of the consoles that failed were heat related. Oh, I pitched the covers.