buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Hi, I just bought a colecovision and I've been having this problem where when I turn the system on (with a game or not) I will get a black screen with some color in some parts (first picture) but when I use the expansion #1 for playing Atari games it works (second picture). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this a dumb or obvious question im pretty new to this stuff. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milli V Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Bad video ram? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 The Atari Adapter bypasses everything in the CV except the power and RF output so you have actually isolated the problem to either bad VRAM chip(s), the VDP or the Power Switch needing an overhaul. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) Whoops... double post. Edited January 19, 2017 by NIAD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 What do you think would be the most likely or easiest to try first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Popp Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 What do you think would be the most likely or easiest to try first? The power switch on both accounts. Nearly every colecovision that has an original untouched power switch needs cleaned. It also requires no parts, just disassembly, clean, reassemble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 The power switch on both accounts. Nearly every colecovision that has an original untouched power switch needs cleaned. It also requires no parts, just disassembly, clean, reassemble. Would I have to un-solder anything and what should I use to clean it. Like alcohol? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Would I have to un-solder anything and what should I use to clean it. Like alcohol? You can try alcohol, but for mechanical switches the best thing to use is Deoxit D5: https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-DeOxit-Cleaning-Solution-Spray/dp/B0002BBV4G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=atariage&linkId=bdf5ba41556b38efcc82fc865ed44a89 You can also find this in various hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) so you don't have to wait to buy it online. It doesn't look like you need to desolder anything just to clean it. You just need to get the spray into the switch, then work the switch up and down a bunch of times. If it still doesn't work, then it's probably not the switch that's the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 You can try alcohol, but for mechanical switches the best thing to use is Deoxit D5: https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-DeOxit-Cleaning-Solution-Spray/dp/B0002BBV4G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=atariage&linkId=bdf5ba41556b38efcc82fc865ed44a89 You can also find this in various hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) so you don't have to wait to buy it online. It doesn't look like you need to desolder anything just to clean it. You just need to get the spray into the switch, then work the switch up and down a bunch of times. If it still doesn't work, then it's probably not the switch that's the problem. Would I be able to use wd-40 because I don't have the deoxit. If it's better I'll go out and buy that one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Would I be able to use wd-40 because I don't have the deoxit. If it's better I'll go out and buy that one though. I'd get the Deoxit. It works miracles, assuming the switch actually is your problem. WD-40 might work but it will leave a bunch of gunk all over. Deoxit doesn't really leave a trace in my experience. And it's specifically made for this purpose, to clean oxidized contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 I'd get the Deoxit. It works miracles, assuming the switch actually is your problem. WD-40 might work but it will leave a bunch of gunk all over. Deoxit doesn't really leave a trace in my experience. And it's specifically made for this purpose, to clean oxidized contacts. Ok Im gonna go out now to get it, I'll let you know how it works out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Popp Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Would I have to un-solder anything and what should I use to clean it. Like alcohol? You don't need to unsolder, just pry the little tabs holding the top part on, and it should pry off (carefully). There will be 2 metal spring clip contact things inside. Clean those and the metal stubs on the base of the switch, I usually use a pencil eraser and then rubbing alcohol to clean them, be careful not to bend the little metal pieces. I also put dielectric grease in there, but it's not necessary. Deoxit would also be good, and as mentioned above you can try to spray that in first and see if it makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 Ok Im gonna go out now to get it, I'll let you know how it works out Yea it didnt seem to work should i try to return it or can I try something else that wont cost a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 You don't need to unsolder, just pry the little tabs holding the top part on, and it should pry off (carefully). There will be 2 metal spring clip contact things inside. Clean those and the metal stubs on the base of the switch, I usually use a pencil eraser and then rubbing alcohol to clean them, be careful not to bend the little metal pieces. I also put dielectric grease in there, but it's not necessary. Deoxit would also be good, and as mentioned above you can try to spray that in first and see if it makes a difference. oh maybe ill try that first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttermilkgene Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 Yea its still not working unfortunately, im going to try and return it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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