Help with Skill Screen and controllers

[captcapcom]

I recently picked up a Colecovision from a reputable dealer in town. I never owned a Colecovision before and my only experience with this system is at a friends house YEARS AGO and KOLEKO on the Original Xbox, so if I seem a bit confused please excuse my lack of knowledge.

 

The system came with 2 controllers. One has a stick that only functions sometimes, and the other has buttons that don't work. So, for some games I've been using a Master System Controller and on some I use an Atari 7800 stick. They seem to do the trick, but I really want to use the stock controllers (For pure nostalgia) are they easy to fix?

 

OK now on the larger issues:

 

With KOLEKO, say I am playing my Donkey Kong ROM... there is a Blue skill screen that comes up before the games starts. I usually hit the button I mapped (1,2,3, or 4) and play, but with the actual system, the skill screen flashes for a brief second and the game starts... it happens no matter which controller I use.

 

what could cause this? and can I fix it?

 

 

Second, I also got the Expansion Module #1 with this purchase, and it doesn't seem to fit well into the expansion bay. I got it to play a few 2600 games, but only in Black and White (the switch is set to color) ... but most of the time it doesn't work at all.

 

the module should fit in flush, right? Mine seems to not be in all the way. My friend thinks there was originally a latch of some kind that is now missing.

 

 

anyway sorry for rambling, hope you guys can help me out to make my Colecovision better!

 

--capt.

[ColecoDan]

Yurkie on here is able to fix them and he also mods them to become 100% better than original, however that doesn't help if you are looking to feel and experience the PAIN the old controllers used to deal out to its users

So if you are willing to send them to someone to clean and not have to deal with it then he is very good and I would recommend that.

 

I don't know about the buttons but I would say opening them up and cleaning the contacts should help the other controller respond better. You could always try to clean them yourself and if you can't figure it out then send them to Yurkie:)

I am sure if you do a search on the forum you will find many different times people have talked about how to clean them that would probably give you a lot of ideas.

 

The Atari Adapter I haven't used in a long time so I don't remember if it was totally flush or if there was a little break between them but there was definitely no latch to hold it. You could clean the contacts on the module and the colecovision with alcohol cleaner and maybe that will help you with some of your intermitten problems.

 

 

 

 

[Mark_Coleco]

try unplugging all the controllers and see if the game starts by itself.

 

If it does its probably one or both of the controller IC chips on the main board in the CV itself.

[NIAD]

I recently picked up a Colecovision from a reputable dealer in town. I never owned a Colecovision before and my only experience with this system is at a friends house YEARS AGO and KOLEKO on the Original Xbox, so if I seem a bit confused please excuse my lack of knowledge.

 

Welcome aboard! There is a lot or tremendous information on this CV/ADAM Forum that you can browse through to pick up valuable information concerning the ColecoVision you now own. If you are like me, you will also want to browse through the Classic Gaming General Forum for even more ColecoVision info that was posted dating back to the beginnings of AtariAge/Atari Nexus BEFORE the CV/ADAM Forum was created. No need to apologize around here for not knowing... we all had to start at ground zero, just some of us started way back in 1982 with the CV.

 

Sorry to hear that you got a ColecoVision from a "reputable" dealer that isn't working properly.

 

The system came with 2 controllers. One has a stick that only functions sometimes, and the other has buttons that don't work. So, for some games I've been using a Master System Controller and on some I use an Atari 7800 stick. They seem to do the trick, but I really want to use the stock controllers (For pure nostalgia) are they easy to fix?

 

This hand controller issue is very common... especially since they are almost 30 years old. The stick that functions sometimes sounds like the contacts for the stick are dirty, corroded or partially broken and you would need to open up the controller to verify. You can use alcohol, but De-Oxit is a lot better solution and light sanding of the contacts. If you do not feel up to the task, I strongly recommend that you contact Yurkie for further information on his controller refurbs/mods... it is money well spent!

 

OK now on the larger issues:

 

With KOLEKO, say I am playing my Donkey Kong ROM... there is a Blue skill screen that comes up before the games starts. I usually hit the button I mapped (1,2,3, or 4) and play, but with the actual system, the skill screen flashes for a brief second and the game starts... it happens no matter which controller I use.

 

what could cause this? and can I fix it?

 

One of two things, one or more of the keypad buttons could be stuck in a depressed position. Try just plugging in one of the controllers at a time to see what happens. People almost always plug or swap their controllers while the system is powered on, lord knows I used to do this back in the day, but now I always turn off the system when plugging/unplugging controllers in just as if they were cartridges. Why you may ask? Well, there is power running to those controller ports (I know, only -5V) and I have become very cautious about every facet of use in my and the CV advanced age, especially since repairs usually mean packing up and shipping the system to someone out of state. Also, see above about cleaning the keypad and it's fragile plastic connection to the controller PCB.

 

The second thing that could have happened is the IC chips (the input controller chips on the CV PCB... there are two, one for each port) could be damaged and need to be replaced. Again, Yurkie is the man here if you don't have the skills needed to take apart the system, desolder the chips and solder in replacements (preferrable with sockets in case you ever need to replace again).

 

Second, I also got the Expansion Module #1 with this purchase, and it doesn't seem to fit well into the expansion bay. I got it to play a few 2600 games, but only in Black and White (the switch is set to color) ... but most of the time it doesn't work at all. The module should fit in flush, right? Mine seems to not be in all the way. My friend thinks there was originally a latch of some kind that is now missing.

 

The Exp. Mod. #1, when attached correctly, has about a 1/8" or maybe a little smaller gap between the EM #1 and CV. The slide up access door can sometimes be the culprit for the connection not being made completely so use a piece of electrical tape to hold the access door all the way in the upward position and then try again.

 

As far as your issues with it, try cleaning the Expansion Slot connector on the CV with alcohol, but preferrably De-Oxit. Then clean the connector and cartridge slot on the EM#1. If this doesn't do the trick, take apart the EM#1 and give everything a thorough cleaning. If you still experience problems, you can buy tested/working units for very cheap from multiple sources or roll the dice on eBay.

 

anyway sorry for rambling, hope you guys can help me out to make my Colecovision better!

 

--capt.

We'll do our best to help!

Edited June 25, 2011 by NIAD

[+5-11under]

If you choose the DIY route on the controller issue:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/163446-diy-modifications-for-colecovision/page__view__findpost__p__2018922

This will fix your problem.

[Yurkie]

I would not recommend you attempt to replace a controller IC unless you have really good soldering skills and have worked on electronics before.

 

I would strongly recommend taking it back to the "reputable dealer" and demand a refund.

Edited June 25, 2011 by Yurkie

[captcapcom]

Thanks for the help guys. Here's an update.

 

After some light cleaning, I managed to get one controller working better. I can also make the skill screen stay on if I hold down the star key on the keypad. It still skips the skill screen with no controller plugged in, but this system is in almost pristine condition, so I guess it is an age thing... maybe it's just wearing out. All the games I've played work fantastically! Even "It's only Rock and Roll"... which the dealer threw in for free when I bought this set.

 

Spoke to the dealer yesterday (he asked how it was working) and I told him of my minor issues. He's got some more parts coming in this weekend and he's getting me some newer controllers. He may even have another system that might work better, but he doesn't know for sure.

 

I knew I could come here for help!

 

Thanks again Everyone!

--Capt

[captcapcom]

I apologize for Double Posting. But I had a stroke of luck today. I was able to trade in my older CV for a refurbished one, with rebuilt controllers. Everything is working great now! Same dealer as before, he's been looking for a replacement since I first reported issues, and today called me to let me know he scored one!

 

Still have no color with the Expansion Module #1... but its ok cause I also have a 7800, so this is just cool to have one!