What would you scavenge from a 2600?

[SlowCoder]

I have a couple mainboards that I have tried multiple times to get to work. I think I will scavenge them and toss the remains. What I can think of to take off ...

- TIA, RIOT and CPU chips

- Chip slots (I know what they are called, but for frickin' heck, I can't conjure up the name right now). Maybe it's not worth the time/effort to do so since they're pretty cheap.

- RF module

- Cartridge slot

- Power connector

- Joystick ports

 

Would you take off the:

- Color adjustment pot. In my limited experience I haven't seen one that was bad.

 

What else might you remove? I'm guessing not much is left that's worth anything.

[jaybird3rd]

In my opinion, the easiest and most important components to save would be the chips (if they're socketed) and the cartridge guide and dust guard assembly. The switches would be worth saving, too, if you can desolder them easily. The chip sockets can still be bought new and would be a pain to desolder anyway, and the same with the power plug. I'd try to salvage the joystick and cartridge card-edge connectors only if you're handy with a desoldering tool; otherwise they're not worth the trouble.

[zylon]

I salvage ports, chips, rf modulator, all switches, cart slot, power socket, color pot, & couple other small items.

[mtshark7]

How about the switchboard? As long as it works great...or do you ONLY have the mainboard?

Edited June 29, 2011 by Mark T

[+20ohm20]

I usually take out all socketed chips, the switchboard assembly (if the PCB is damaged I remove the switches from it), the RF modulator, joystick ports, power connector, ribbon cable between the switchboard assembly and mainboard and the cartridge slot. I haven't had any 2600 Jr's pass through my hands that have been beyond repair, so I have no experience in removing parts from them.

 

I also save both halves of the case and the bezel, if they're not damaged.

[SlowCoder]

How about the switchboard? As long as it works great...or do you ONLY have the mainboard?

 

I believe the switchboards are ok. It's the mainboards I'm concerned with.

 

I found that the pot is pretty cool. It appears to be a 400k ohm dual resistor. What's neat is that it actually decreases resistance on one circuit while increasing another one. That would be excellent for a gradient effect on something like a dual LED.

[Benzman66]

I salvage everything or anything that is salvageable.

Very rare you can't get a board to work, unless there is a hairline crack somewhere undetectable.

[zylon]

I salvage everything or anything that is salvageable.

Very rare you can't get a board to work, unless there is a hairline crack somewhere undetectable.

Agreed I've had a few not worth fixing that were best used for salvage, but none that were terminal short of physical damage.

[SlowCoder]

I salvage everything or anything that is salvageable.

Very rare you can't get a board to work, unless there is a hairline crack somewhere undetectable.

Agreed I've had a few not worth fixing that were best used for salvage, but none that were terminal short of physical damage.

 

These 2 seem to have lots of leaking capacitors. I'm guessing they were bad batches when they were manufactured. Unfortunately, one of them is a heavy board. So now I will be looking for another board.

[zylon]

I salvage everything or anything that is salvageable.

Very rare you can't get a board to work, unless there is a hairline crack somewhere undetectable.

Agreed I've had a few not worth fixing that were best used for salvage, but none that were terminal short of physical damage.

 

These 2 seem to have lots of leaking capacitors. I'm guessing they were bad batches when they were manufactured. Unfortunately, one of them is a heavy board. So now I will be looking for another board.

I have a disembodied one currently.