The MilkMan

This 2600 has seen some rough weather kids, it just needs some good old fashioned TLC. And maybe a new power box. And maybe a new RF cable. Well, maybe it needs a lot more help than I thought!

Thanks for the input Mitch! Is this peice available at a Radio Shack? If so, what do I ask for, or is there a part number? Thanks!

by looking thru the side of that power box, I can see the that the plug is making a solid contact. It's pushing that little spring down a bit too. But, I still have no picture. Any other areas I should look while I'm under the hood?

Duh, I found it. I just inserted the power jack into the power box (on the board) its dead. I know the power supply pack is in working order, but nothing is firing up. The hole of the power box seems a little large too. It doesnt "snap" in like my other 2600. Maybe once I put that little plastic peice back on. maybe that has something to do with it. ?

3 - It's the side of the power connecter box, you don't need it for it to work but it would probably be good to put it back on. Where do i find the power box?

cool. thanks! Huh. Doing a complete tear down here... never knew then faceplate (panel) poped off. Hmm, interesting.

oh yea, whats with the little paper taped to the metal box. need to be there?

OK, I think I have officially began "collecting". Today I bought a third 2600 blind. I guy who runs a junk shop said he could get me some Atari games. Great I said. In a couple of days he calls, "I found an Atari and some games with it, $35 bucks...you want it?" and thats ALL the info he would give. "lots of games...looks used...want it?" I agreed. It is used! There is a rental sticker on the back of this thing. Its dirty! Really dirty. 2 Joysticks. Paddles. 23 games all common (repeats to me) except for Towering Inferno and Space War. And these carts are rough! Some look like they had sat in a litter box for some time!! Ah the joys of collecting right? Now the questions:please refer to the photos.... 1. I'd like to put the "jerry rig" TV plug back original. is that possible? 2. When I took this unit apart, does the board just lay like that? And whats with all the extra wire curled up under the hood? Pull it out? 3. I took it apart to clean, and this little "thing" was ratling around loose. Where the hell does this thing go!? Is it vital? Newbie here on the disasemble process, appriciate any feedback!

Witchfynde, I love your line! "You're hurting my elbow!" LOL, my friend and I use that line all the time to each other! Glad to see some else out there gets it!

I happen to have a horrible story and a great one all in one week. Our house was broke into one time, my Atari was among some of the things missing. (Least of my parents worries of course) Devastated, my folks took me out to replace it. This is the great part. I believe we were at K-Mart talking with an employee. You know.."Yes, could you help us with getting one of those Ataris please." As the employee started to get a box down, some guy shopping had overheard my parents. This guy approches my dad and said "I've got one at home I'll sell you, alot cheaper than buying from here." My Dad agreed, and we to this guys house. He wanted to show us it was complete and in perfect working order. He fires it up and ask me if I wanted to play Combat with him..."I'm pretty good at this, so don't get mad if I beat you" he said smiling. If he only knew what was about to happen...about 5 minutes and a couple of tank games later, the poor fellow didn't score once. "Well you see that it works great!" He blasted out. I'm sure he was pissed that an 10 year old just kicked his butt! They exchanged money, and I went home a champion and owner of a new-to-me replacement Atari!

Went to Adrian's Blue Period website. I plastered my desktop with Blue Period photos...Adrian, consider me one of your internet groupies! lol!

Any of your favorite bands out there using Atari to enhance (heh heh) the sound of their music? One of my favorite bands is Mindless Self Indulgence. The use of Atari's quirks and chirps are heard thoughout their music. And they kick a$$ to boot. Anybody else ?

Just wondering if anyone knows or remembers the $amount$ that the Atari went for back in the day. As a kid myself, I think I got mine for a birthday or something, so I don't think I ever knew the original purchase price.

Here is a close-up of panel #2. Other pic didn't really show the detail. Typo's are fixed. And I scaled the panel down 2%. We should be groovy now!

Opps! I jumped the gun. I just found a couple of typo's...so I guess it's not complete yet. GEEZ! I suck at typing. Have it finished tomorrow.

I have the 2 overlays for Activision's Space Shuttle game finished. This pic is the finished product. I have PDF files available for those in need of new or replacements overlays for this game. (you can PM me) The larger overlay is just a bit large...I'd scale it down maybe 2-3% before printing. Other than that, they turned out dandy. Better than what I had before...nothing. Cheers!

I've been tinkering around making a new overlay for Activion's Space Shuttle game. This is basically the same as the original, with only slight color mods. There were originally 2 overlays for the game, and the other one is next on the to-do list. I'll post it as soon as it's done. I'm also going to make some other versions, same layout, but maybe more tech looking. Maybe with lights, and other cool gadgets to fill up the space. I'll print it on some hard stock paper, cut the sucker out and see how she fits over the weekend... Anyhoo, just wanted to share my labors of love with everyone. If anyone needs one let me know, you all are welcome to it! (original file is 300 dpi)

It seemed to do this to anything I played, Fire Fighter (IMAGIC) Air Raiders (M NETWORK) Sky Divers (ATARI). I had read in one of the earlier threads that there are color adjustment under the hood of the 2600, thats way I was hoping for horiz/vert dial in the same place. Gonna have to tear my old TV apart to find that Horzizontal Dial!

My games seem to be a little off center when displayed on the TV. Shifted a bit to the right, the image is cut and black is exposed (about an inch) down the left side. This is not the case when I'm watching TV. Is there a horizontal adjustment inside the Atari? I would just adjust it on the TV while playing, but I can't find the flippin' knob! (old 70's TV) Side note: this also happens when It's hooked up to my new TV.

I mentioned something like that earlier...A thrift store near me also wanted 4.99 for their carts. All common stuff. Its weird because all the other thrift stores around me sell 'em for about a buck a peice. 4.99 is still cheap, and the proceeds help out the unfortunate, and you don't have to pay for S&H.

There is a Thift shop near me that I think is running a racket. All the other stores sell carts at about 1-2 bucks tops. This one store sells 'em at 4.99 each, and commons at 2.99. I think somebody knows or researches their product. (no rares to be had - 4.99= 3s or 4s on AA rare scale). I know, 4.99 is chump change, but it can add up when see they have about 20 carts you need. The last time I was there, they about 50-60 titles, and only a couple repeats.

So I find Coleco's Mouse Trap. Take it home and start to clean it when I notice this sticker on the back..."Bouns cartridge included with Gemini purchase. non-refundable". Was this just stuck on my cart from something else, or did some special offer really exist? Anyway, though I'd pass this along to everyone. Cheers.

Cool. Thank you all for your help. I was hoping there would be some games out there...I like the idea of using multiple controls. Another game that this keypad should have been made to be used with, is Activision's Space Shuttle. I'm all about steering this, pushing buttons, flippin' switches...oh well. Thanks again.

Iv'e got Star Raiders which came with the KeyPad. I'd like to find more games that utilize this device. Any input?

I'm a new guy around here too! Don't forget to check out the thrift stores. New stuff comes in all the time, might be lucky there