My Colecovision numeric keypad stopped working

[fiddlepaddle]

I was playing Miner 2049er, and using the numeric keypad a lot (trying different combinations of the Big 5 phone number, attempting to find a cheat code with various combinations of things). Finally I gave up and plugged in Q*bert and the game would not respond to level select. I tried different games and now no numeric keys are recognized; only fire buttons. Have tried several controllers now, so I'm guessing it's inside the Colecovision itself. I have a couple of other CV units in storage which I hope still work, but eventually I'll probably need to learn to fix this, or get it fixed, or give up on using real hardware.

 

I saw the "controller chip replace" mod instructions posted by 5-11under. I've done simple soldering, but removing a soldered chip and replacing it would be a major project for me.

 

Ideas/suggestions?

 

(By the way, did I break it by using the keypad too much?)

[+Yurkie]

I was playing Miner 2049er, and using the numeric keypad a lot (trying different combinations of the Big 5 phone number, attempting to find a cheat code with various combinations of things). Finally I gave up and plugged in Q*bert and the game would not respond to level select. I tried different games and now no numeric keys are recognized; only fire buttons. Have tried several controllers now, so I'm guessing it's inside the Colecovision itself. I have a couple of other CV units in storage which I hope still work, but eventually I'll probably need to learn to fix this, or get it fixed, or give up on using real hardware.

 

I saw the "controller chip replace" mod instructions posted by 5-11under. I've done simple soldering, but removing a soldered chip and replacing it would be a major project for me.

 

Ideas/suggestions?

 

(By the way, did I break it by using the keypad too much?)

 

If it is the controller octal buffer chip, I offer socketed replacement for $20.

[+5-11under]

It sounds like it's the controller chip. However, it could be something else... normally I've found that if one of the chips is bad, it acts like one or more of the buttons are permanently pressed. Anyone have the same symptoms as fiddlepadle? Also, if you have an SD or USB flash cart, you could try the included controller test.

 

Good luck,

5-11under

[+Yurkie]

It sounds like it's the controller chip. However, it could be something else... normally I've found that if one of the chips is bad, it acts like one or more of the buttons are permanently pressed. Anyone have the same symptoms as fiddlepadle? Also, if you have an SD or USB flash cart, you could try the included controller test.

 

Good luck,

5-11under

 

 

 

Excellent suggestion to try the controller test 5-11under. I had a bad controller chip that was intermittently pressing #3 on the keypad one time. By using the controller test, I was able to see the # 3 flashing on the controller test screen.

[fiddlepaddle]

Thanks for the replies. I've decided to see about getting an SD flash cart from atarimax; maybe it will help me diagnose this, then I may ask you (Yurkie) to help me, as I see you are relatively close (I'm in Columbus). I am also interested in the no-wait rom and the A/V mod you've offered, but I'm poor at the moment... have to do this in phases, I think. Are you by any chance coming to the Atari Computer Enthusiasts of Columbus swap meet September 11th? It's a small show but tables are free.