Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

There are some guides around. Probably some in these forums but you might want to check out this:

 

http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/CX40_REBUILD%20KIT.htm

 

They sell parts also.

 

The switches do wear out in time but are easy to replace. The switches are a metal dome that covers two contacts on a printed circuit board. When you press the dome collapses and connects the two contacts. When you release, the dome should spring back. I have seen the domes develop holes or loose their ability to spring back and release the contacts. I have also seen them get dirty/corroded. Tape holds the domes in place. If they are just dirty, you can cut the tape and lift the dome off. Clean the PCB contacts with a pencil eraser. Same for the dome or, you might use some alcohol on the dome. Then just scotch tape the dome back on.

 

You said your issue was fire buttons so, it could be switches. Sometimes, wires also jar loose or break. Sometimes a cord gets chewed by an animal. If cords have been twisted around someone's finger too tightly (exceeded minimum bend radius) the wires inside might break.

 

Another common failure (not related to fire buttons though) is for the plastic ring around the joystick handle insert to crack. If you are gentle with them the handle will last a long while.

 

 

Excellent, thanks for the advice.

[Cleaning console & accessories? (UK)]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will make a start this week, luckily it isn't that grubby!

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

Any guides on fixing the joysticks? Do the switches wear out after time or is it normally dirty contacts? Can you buy some sort of contact cleaner?

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

Looks like the 2 original Atari Joysticks are faulty, the botton doesn't work on one and the other one seems to want to fire on it's own! Can these things be fixed?

 

I tested one of the none Atari Joysticks and that works fine! Couldn't beat Space Invaders with it though!

[Cleaning console & accessories? (UK)]

Sorry if this a silly question but I am wondering what are the best and safest materials to clean consoles and accessories. I was going to use furniture polish and cotton buds, is furniture polish ok to use on these units?

 

In my case I want to shine up the Atari 2600 Woody I brought today!

 

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

serial numbers were either stickers or glued on. after awhile they just fall off. I have a couple units without serial numbers and the others I've had to re-glue the labels back on.

 

the engraved number were speculated to mean the production date stamp. looks like it was built the 29th week of 1981. I could be wrong about that.

Thanks for clearing that up, shame the sticker has gone! It is strange as there is no sign of any glue residue! At least the 3 digit numbers mean something! 1981...wow she is old!

 

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

Yes guys I am in the UK

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

You have a very nice setup to start your Atari collection! I have an additional question from the pics. What's with the ingersoll name being on the "How to" manual, which is the same name on the power supply? I've never heard that name associated with the VCS before, but it appears it was packaged with that name. Anyone ever see this?

Thanks!

 

I spotted the ingersoll wording on the instruction manual too, that's why I thought the ingersoll AC adapter was what originally came with the console!? Though I would have expected to see Atari on the AC adapter! As I said earlier I know nothing about these consoles, I had one as a kid but that was over 25 years ago!

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

 

 

Not at all. But if this one has the right specifications - why bother? It works.

To be honest I would liked to have had the original AC adapter but as you say it works, and that is the main thing!

 

Can you shed any light on the lack of serial number sticker? Also what do the 3 (2 9 1) engraved numbers mean?

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

Everything looks to be in order, except the AC adapter is not the original.

Great news, thanks for that!

 

I take it the original A/C adapters had Atari stampted on them? are they hard to find?

[Just brought my first Atari 2600 (Woody) What are your thoughts?]

Hi guys,

 

I am new to this forum, it has some very interesting stuff. I wish I had come on here to read up before I rushed and brought my first console!

 

I brought a console today but I am a little concerned about a few things, the first thing is that the console doesn't have a serial number sticker and it has 2 screws underneath with washers! is this correct? I had one of these years ago but I cannot remember if it was like this!

 

Please see pictures of what I brought (as a lot), comments are most welcome as I know nothing about these consoles!

 

 

These items don't have Atari printed on them, the Joysticks and Paddels above do!