Atari 7800 goes black/staticky after title screen

[thetallguy24]

I have a 7800 that powers on fine to the title screen but craps out after. I've tried two 7800 games with the same results. I know the games work because I have another 7800.

 

Any suggestions on the issue?

[CPUWIZ]

First thought, bad/dirty connector, have you tried a 2600 game yet?

[thetallguy24]

First thought, bad/dirty connector, have you tried a 2600 game yet?

 

Yeah I put in Battlezone, which works great on my other 7800. It runs, but its very dark with some funky horizontal lines.

[+Trebor]

I have a 7800 that powers on fine to the title screen but craps out after. I've tried two 7800 games with the same results. I know the games work because I have another 7800.

 

Any suggestions on the issue?

 

Is this (in connection with) the same console(s) that you posted about here?

[thetallguy24]

 

Is this (in connection with) the same console(s) that you posted about here?

 

No, I got that one to work. This is a different unit

[thetallguy24]

After more testing, I was able to get several 2600 games to work just fine. However, I tested 6 7800 games, and only one worked (Pole Position 2). The rest (Joust, Ms. Pac-man, Galaga, Centipede, cut out after the Atari intro screen.

 

Is there a separate chip or capacitor that only affects 7800 games that could be out?

[Jinks]

Voltage regulator maybe? 7800 games running the Maria need more juice. Or not...

[+DrVenkman]

Voltage regulator maybe? 7800 games running the Maria need more juice. Or not...

 

Another possibility is the MARIA chip itself. It's not used in 2600 games at all. If it's getting flaky, some games might stress it more than others and cause problems.