Need info Atari CX-2600 Machine

[Sean39]

Hello

My name is Sean. When I was younger my father did work for Atari,and I am not sure if he was sub contracted at the time.

 

My father pass away in 2003 so I cannot ask him this question,but I am hoping someone can.

 

I notice alot of Serial numbers followed by the letter E which I am assuming those are the oldest.

 

I have two machines that date in 1977 ,but I need to know something about the physical construction inside of them.

 

I will up load pictures so every one can see what I am talking about too.

 

First I have notice some machines have the Red ribbon cable that runs from the main CPU board to the swithch board.

 

Also some of them have the clear like green tinted color ribbon cables.

 

Which cables did they use first the red ribbon cables or the clear ribbon cable that seem to have a green tint to them.

 

Please take a look at my pictures to see what I am talking about. I also notice on the red cables they are not

solder both ends plug into a socket while the green tinted cables are solder on the CPU board and plug into

a socket on the switch board.

 

 

Well I am hoping that someone knows the answer to this question or worked at Atari and saw what cables were used first.

 

Thanks Sean

[zylon]

The clear ribbon cables were first. Be careful with those because they separate when moved much. I've seen them socketed on both ends and soldered on the bottom. I guess it was up to the person doing it then.

Edited January 15, 2010 by zylon

[Sean39]

Thank you so much. I have seen so many with the red cables and then the clear cables. Well I really did not know which

ones they were using first when they Started to make thes machines.

 

Sean

[A-T-A-R-I]

There was also the grey ribbon cable which plugged into a socket on the switchboard. That is what mine has.

[zylon]

There was a memo to atari service personel advising them to replace the plastic laminated ribbon with the cable type(red first, then grey later) whenever a system was sent in for service. I've seen many of these ribbon cables and wires. More than half are ok, but they start falling apart if moved much. The white plastic ones were made in Reading, PA.

Of these 3, the grey cable is the best to use.

Edited January 16, 2010 by zylon

[seanhq]

I just checked my heavy sixer (E serial number) and it also has the clear ribbon cable. I just opened it up and took the attached picture. I've also seen different board colors inside various heavy sixers too, so that could be another question, which boards were used first?

[zylon]

The oldest I've seen in person are the green switchboards. Also the earliest motherboards I've seen have a green plastic inside the tape slot. I have also seen light sixers with these components as well so the use of old stock when needed clearly took place.

[Sean39]

Hi Everyone

 

Thanks for the Info. The one with the Clear ribbon and Green Board is Serial # 57020E..

 

Which if you look at the Heavy Sixer List this unit would fall into being the Oldest one on the List.

 

The First one on the List makes no sense since Atari Followed their Serial numbers with the Letter E on

The First Heavy Sixers made in 1977..

 

Sean