JacobZu7zu7 #1 Posted July 5, 2010 Hi all, I got both a Sears 6 switch and an Atari (both light). The problem is Sears plays some Atari games wrong... (20th century fox) I tested Alien and Porky's and they play different on Sears then my other two Ataris! "SEARS CONSOLE", I dunno if the Sears is half-broken.. but Alien when I hit the power pills in the 4 corners, nothing happends! The Aliens are still invincible/full power. Porky's on the Sears, plays odd as well... the sheriff goes from one side of the ladder in the SWAMP stage to the other... also climbing the scaffolidng on the easy novice setting doesn't work, the green arrow doesn't appear straight up to the top... I was unable to climb it, I coulnd't get another green arrow. I also notice the color is weaker and different on the Sears, it's hard to even see things flying around... and just is different AGAIN. I am aware that you can adjust color from that wheel inside the console but still seems kinda weird. ATARI VCS Star Wars Jedi Arena... plays on the Sears perfectly, but with the Atari VCS... it appears in "morphed graphics" and flickers from b&w to color. (this is only game that failed on my Atari) but yet looks fine on Sears. I know nothing about making video games or design. Does anyone know what these glitches are all about? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benzman66 #2 Posted July 6, 2010 Yep, one of the CPU chips is bad. Swap each one out starting with the TIA first (the one closest to the bottom of the board). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tetrode kink #3 Posted July 8, 2010 *Ahem* With all due respect to Mr. Mercedes Man, there is only one CPU in the Atari. The TIA is a special-purpose interface, sound & video generating chip, not a CPU. With that out of the way, among other things, JacobZu7zu7's VCS problems could very well be caused by a bad TIA, especially the Sears. It sounds like collision detection is intermittent/failed. -tet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benzman66 #4 Posted July 8, 2010 Well, there is also the RIOT chip (top)and the 10745 (middle chip). I call them all CPU chips because they are what makes up the "computer". Of the many units I have repaired over the years, sometimes it is one of these two ending up being the culprit while the TIA is totally ok. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A.J. Franzman #5 Posted July 9, 2010 Well, Benzman66, calling them all "CPU chips" makes you sound like an idiot to those of us who know better, because two of them are not CPU chips. Just call them "chips", or "IC chips", if you don't know their actual types. Otherwise, you're spreading misinformation, which those who don't know any better will pick up and start using, eventually leading to mass confusion, chaos, total anarchy, and the extermination of all life on this planet, perhaps the entire galaxy. Okay, maybe not the whole galaxy -- it will probably just be limited to the outer rim territories. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benzman66 #6 Posted July 9, 2010 (edited) Well, Benzman66, calling them all "CPU chips" makes you sound like an idiot to those of us who know better, because two of them are not CPU chips. Just call them "chips", or "IC chips", if you don't know their actual types. Otherwise, you're spreading misinformation, which those who don't know any better will pick up and start using, eventually leading to mass confusion, chaos, total anarchy, and the extermination of all life on this planet, perhaps the entire galaxy. Okay, maybe not the whole galaxy -- it will probably just be limited to the outer rim territories. I appreciate you calling me an idiot, since most people who know me usually call me an a**hole, di**head, or jerk instead, being I am that and more. It's all because of the silver spoon in my mouth. Haha. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Edited July 9, 2010 by Benzman66 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #7 Posted January 4, 2012 Okay it's been 1 yr. and 1/2 half... ready to fix this puppy... I have 2 sears consoles both have issues... but I only need one to work, (the one with the wonky TIA or so) so, I have so far, taken 3 chips off the board (with a butter knife) of the sears console that has a damaged controller port 1. I want to fix my nicer Sears Console, but it has the damaged TIA or something... Do I need to swap out all 4 chips (from one console to the other), or can I start with just 1, the TIA Chip only and see if that fixes it?? Theres' a small middle chip with Atari named on it but it doesn't budge, I'd hate to replace this one. Any further tips on what I should be doing?? Here's a pic... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #8 Posted January 4, 2012 I probably have to only swap out the broken chip... as I did that with Commodore 64, and its fine since... Just want to make sure though before continuing.... ANYONE home yet today? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlowCoder #9 Posted January 4, 2012 Replace one chip at a time, testing after each swap.. Make sure you insert them in the correct slot and orientation. Don't worry about the single soldered on chip right now. On the other hand, you could just try removing and reinserting all the chips. Could be as simple as a dirty IC connection. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #10 Posted January 5, 2012 Got it... okay I'll try it out, and be back with the results later.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #11 Posted January 5, 2012 well, I took all chips out cleaned them, swaped back and forth through all 3... trying variations like playing a "Chip Swordquest", but I DIDN'T SEE ANY CHANGES... still cannot make the Face Huggers eatable... :\ I have no idea what the problem is... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zylon #12 Posted January 5, 2012 I'd have to wonder if the Alien cart isn't faulty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #13 Posted January 5, 2012 Nope carts is fine, as it works perfect, on the other 2 consoles I have. I dunno maybe there's a small handfull of games, this Sears Console just hates? With the light 6'er, My power chip is getting less and less responsive and now came off, fell in, on my VCS... so I have 3 consoles with problems... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlowCoder #14 Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) With the light 6'er, My power chip is getting less and less responsive and now came off, fell in, on my VCS... so I have 3 consoles with problems... You mean the switch, or the plug? If it's the switch, it probably just needs to be put back together. Check out this link, and scroll to post #5. It shows how to reassemble the switch. If it's the plug, then you'll probably just need to resolder it to the board. Edited January 5, 2012 by SlowCoder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JacobZu7zu7 #15 Posted January 6, 2012 Hehe, I remember reading that post about the bath time... The prob is not with the Power Switch (wish it was), but the plug port on the front side, it caved in and then came off... Even when it was on firmly, it wasn't working right unless I moved the wire around to power on, which started to be less and less effective. Something isn't connecting inside that clear square plug, which sends power through to the chips. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atari2atari #16 Posted January 6, 2012 Hehe, I remember reading that post about the bath time... The prob is not with the Power Switch (wish it was), but the plug port on the front side, it caved in and then came off... Even when it was on firmly, it wasn't working right unless I moved the wire around to power on, which started to be less and less effective. Something isn't connecting inside that clear square plug, which sends power through to the chips. You need to solder on a new power connector onto the board - - Bradley Koda at Best Electronics will happily sell you some: http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/2600_Tech_Tips.htm#based He's got a $25 minimum order. However, from reading up above, it seems like you need a few TIA ICs, or maybe a RIOT and/or 10745, which he has, so I think you can easily spend $25. While you are at it, rebuild your CX40 joysticks - - http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/CX40_REBUILD%20KIT.htm You'll thank me later - - it's an amazing upgrade! Check your firebuttons, too - - if the center plastic "nub" is worn down too far, it doesn't push on the circuit board correctly. Get a couple fresh buttons, perhaps, too. The SEARS console is my favorite . . . love that swirly wood-grain! -a2a Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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