Kind request for HELP - Strange Coleco Happenings...

[gooddealgames]

I need to pick the AA Coleco communities brains as I am about to tear all my hair out!

I have a problem and no matter what I do I do not seem to be able to find a solution.. or even the problem.

Whenever I put a cart into my Colecovision and start the game, it starts fine but then stramge things happen...

Such as the game character sprites moving up automatically. Or the fire buttons will not work.

 

At first I thought that it was the controller extension cord that I use to make the cords longer. I bought two more – no luck.

So then I figured that the controller extension cords were causing some sort of interference and dropped them completely.

Then I deduced that it might be the controllers, so I bought many more including Collectorvisions/Tobie’s awesome monster joystick. The problem still exists no matter what controller I use. I now have six controllers all acting in the same manner.

 

So, I figured that it must be the input 1 on the Colecovision, so I bought another Coleco unit. The same thing happens on the second unit. I just received a third unit – same thing, the characters move up automatically. or the fire buttons are not recognized.

 

Even though it should not make a difference, I have changed and rotated power supplies. Problem still exists.

 

I can’t play anything and am very frustrated.

Have any of you encountered such a problem? Any ideas for a solution?

This is getting expensive and I'm getting nowhere...

 

Thanks,

Michael

Edited December 14, 2012 by gooddealgames

[ColecoDan]

wow everything I would have thought you bought a new one of

 

You must be possessed by a pissed off atari ghost.

 

First thing I would have done is decided it was the tv and bought a new 70 incher

 

 

There is nothing else new in the environment around your play area that was not there when everything was working fine before?

[Pixelboy]

I will just repeat here what I told you privately: I think you have a defective controller that is messing up the joystick port of each console you plug that controller in.

[gooddealgames]

Luc, if that may be the case, how do you think that I should proceed? I'd hate to throw away ten coleco controllers, three extension cables and three coleco units! Are the controller ports repairable? Could I strip ports from one machine and put into another. I never used port two on any of the machines, so they should be all good.

[thegamezmaster]

I've had weird stuff like that happen. Don't know if this is related but could it have something to do with cleaning and relubing the power switch? Pardon me if I'm wrong. Just trying to help.

Edited December 14, 2012 by thegamezmaster

[kelrodjr]

I never used port two on any of the machines, so they should be all good.

 

Verify this. If the second port works properly then what you have is a blown 74LS541 controller chip on port 1. Static electricity is a big problem for the controller ports and it is not uncommon to have a messed up controller chip. They can be replaced with a bit of soldering.

Edited December 14, 2012 by kelrodjr

[Pixelboy]

Luc, if that may be the case, how do you think that I should proceed? I'd hate to throw away ten coleco controllers, three extension cables and three coleco units! Are the controller ports repairable? Could I strip ports from one machine and put into another. I never used port two on any of the machines, so they should be all good.

 

If I'm right about the defective CV controller scrapping the joy ports, then here's what you should do: Send one of your defective CV consoles to Yurkie (or someone else who can fix the joystick port) along with ALL your controllers. The guy can then test the controllers (probably on port #2) and find which one is damaging the joystick port. Once the problem controller is found and isolated, the joy ports can later be repaired on all your CV consoles.

[+5-11under]

Try it without a controller. Does the same thing happen?

 

Controller chip replacement: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/163446-diy-modifications-for-colecovision/#entry2018922

[gooddealgames]

I have turned on the power to the units without a controller, and the the oddities happen. For instance, if I have the flash cart in the cartridge slot, when i turn on the power, it scrolls through the menues automatically (Signalin a continued up movement).

 

You guys are AWESOME!

[+Allan]

I have turned on the power to the units without a controller, and the the oddities happen. For instance, if I have the flash cart in the cartridge slot, when i turn on the power, it scrolls through the menues automatically (Signalin a continued up movement).

 

You guys are AWESOME!

 

Same things were happening to my system and it was the controller chip. I think this is a common failure.

 

Allan

[Pixelboy]

I have turned on the power to the units without a controller, and the the oddities happen. For instance, if I have the flash cart in the cartridge slot, when i turn on the power, it scrolls through the menues automatically (Signalin a continued up movement).

 

You guys are AWESOME!

 

Okay, so now we're sure that it's a joy port problem. Statistically-speaking, it's highly unlikely that all three consoles would get the same problem practically at the same time (and on the same port) unless they are exposed to an unusual amount of static electricity in their immediate environment. So I still think one of your controllers is a joy port killer.

[gooddealgames]

Okay, sounds like we might be there. Thanks for everyone's time and help. Does anyone know how I can contact Yurkie to see if he is willing to help?

[ColecoDan]

Okay, sounds like we might be there. Thanks for everyone's time and help. Does anyone know how I can contact Yurkie to see if he is willing to help?

 

I am sure pm him is the easiest he is usually paying attention.

[+grips03]

Okay, so now we're sure that it's a joy port problem. Statistically-speaking, it's highly unlikely that all three consoles would get the same problem practically at the same time (and on the same port) unless they are exposed to an unusual amount of static electricity in their immediate environment. So I still think one of your controllers is a joy port killer.

 

I agree with Luc

 

I once had a KVM cable (for PC servers) that fried 3 system boards, before we caught on to the issue.

 

Problem here is CV joystick ports should not have a power on them. But stranger things have occurred. If you switch carts, is the issue still present?

Can you remove power to the controller ICs?

[+evg2000]

I've heard that plugging in a controller with the power on can kill the js controller chips.

If you want to repair yourself, the parts are cheap:

http://console5.com/store/kits/controller-port-kits/colecovision-controller-chip-repair-kit.html

 

charles

[+grips03]

I would send it out unless your very good at soldering, as CV pcb pads like to come off.

 

If you do it yourself:

 

snip the CV controllers IC's legs (Xuron angled micro flush cutter type helps - don't try anything else)

make sure to use fresh solder wick, else apply flux to the solder wick first and then use above and below the pcb

don't drag the iron / solder wick over the pcb pad

use (Xuron) tweezer nose pliers to remove the IC leg while the iron is on the solder

go back over one more time with the solder wick

Make sure you have the right type of flux remover spray, and clean up the board

put in the socket and solder it

snap in the new IC

Edited December 15, 2012 by grips03