3 Not Working Atari 2600 Systems!

[fdurso224]

Hi Guys:

 

I have 3 (three) Atari 2600 game consoles that are not working. 2 are the 4-Switch woody systems and the other is a 6-Switch System. If anybody would like to fix these systems, (at a real cheap price) please let me know. But first, let me explain the situation on each of them.

 

1. The first 4-Switch system powers up normally however, it only shows a black, blank screen. If I play Adventure, or Pitfall. The black, blank screen is still there.

 

2. The second 4-Switch system powers up and everything works, expect there is terrible static on the television screen in which you can barely see anything at all. You can see objects on the screen (slightly) but the static makes it different to see anything.

 

3. The 6-Switch system is the bigger hassle of the bunch. The system doesn't power up, the switches don't work and because of these problems, the system is nothing more then a paper weight. In other words, this system is dead and I can't tell if anything else is broken.

 

If anybody can fix these systems at a real cheap price, please let me know. There just part of my collection which I purchase on ebay on a huge Atari System lot. They were a 50/50 chance of working and that the seller didn't have any equipment to test them on. I have gone to far deep with these systems to go back and fixing them is my chose so far. Like I said, if anybody can fix them at a real cheap cut throat price (used parts are prefered) please let me know. Thanks..

 

Anthony...

[igg1na]

PM & hopefully help sent. You should check with A.J Franzman he seems to be the residing GURU ( NO sarcasm intended ). I have read a few of his tips & responses. Good luck

[A.J. Franzman]

Thanks igg1na for your words of support! I'm currently overloaded with repaired consoles that are short a few parts. Did you ever sell those extra 4-switch motherboards that you had?

 

Right now I need about 6 RF cables and 4 TIA chips just so I can sell off or trade away these consoles. About 30 of the black foam dust discs for the switches would be nice too...

[A.J. Franzman]

1. The first 4-Switch system powers up normally however, it only shows a black, blank screen. If I play Adventure, or Pitfall. The black, blank screen is still there.

This is most likely a bad chip (or two). A clear black screen means the TIA is producing a picture, but it isn't getting any info to display.

 

 

2. The second 4-Switch system powers up and everything works, expect there is terrible static on the television screen in which you can barely see anything at all. You can see objects on the screen (slightly) but the static makes it different to see anything.

This could be a bad RF cable (try swapping with one of the other consoles), or the RF module in this unit is mistuned, or it could be bad. This kind of problem can be tricky to track down.

 

 

3. The 6-Switch system is the bigger hassle of the bunch. The system doesn't power up, the switches don't work and because of these problems, the system is nothing more then a paper weight. In other words, this system is dead and I can't tell if anything else is broken.

No or minimal change in the (static) TV picture when you power on the console could be any of several different problems, from a bad AC adapter (again, try swapping with one of the other consoles) to a bad power jack or switch, dead voltage regulator, or bad RF modulator.

 

 

If anybody can fix these systems at a real cheap price, please let me know. There just part of my collection which I purchase on ebay on a huge Atari System lot. They were a 50/50 chance of working and that the seller didn't have any equipment to test them on. I have gone to far deep with these systems to go back and fixing them is my chose so far. Like I said, if anybody can fix them at a real cheap cut throat price (used parts are prefered) please let me know. Thanks..

I can most likely fix them all, but I don't know what you consider "real cheap". Due to the USPS rate increase, my base charge for repairing a single console is now as follows: $10 basic service, which includes labor and inexpensive common parts like resistors, diodes and small capacitors. $15 toward other parts and return shipping -- any excess will be refunded. Total = $25. Any needed special parts like the plastic cartridge guide, switches, the three main ICs, etc. will cost extra per Best Electronics prices, as they seem to be the only reliable source. As you can see, once you factor in your cost to ship it to me, it will cost you about the same to have me fix *one* console as it does to buy another one of those 50/50 deals from eBay. But if you have several to fix (and thus save by combining shipping), or a more valuable Heavy Sixer/2800/SVA II console, it starts to become worthwhile. Edited June 7, 2007 by A.J. Franzman

[Atari2600Lives]

AJ, I have several dead units as well and i think I am more interested in making sure they live on longer than I am in throwing them away and buying working ones on eBay. PM me with details to get the units to you. Maybe we can work out a deal where i get one working unit back and you use the others for parts etc.