Problems with my 2600 6 switch

[unite]

Being 36 I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I only recently in the last month got my first 2600. Someone local was giving it away so being a part time collector (is that even a thing) of consoles I jumped on it. Nice 2600 junior and a handful of games. Moon Patrol and Centipede being my favorites by far. The Junior is a great machine but last week the another console popped up, this time for £10, and its the above mentioned 6 switch wood grain 2600. Was sold as seen having lay in the ladies roof space for some years. The layer of dust more than confirmed this.

 

Anyway, brought it home, took it apart, gave it a good clean but it doesn't work properly. The games appear to start but the graphics scroll on the screen, are missing nearly all detail and there is no sound. In the likes of moon patrol I can see the ground and a part of the ship, if I press the button you can tell that the games running OK as the graphics start to move as they should. My initial thought was dirt as being honest the junior when I first got it has similar problems but after a good clean it came back to life. I've cleaned the woody as best as I can though and its no better. So far I've done:

 

- Cleaned as best I can without desoldering the cartridge port

- Re-seated the 3 chips (they are all in sockets)

- Re-flowed the cartridge and all chip sockets

- Tested the voltage regulator, its putting out 4.9v so should be ok.

 

My best guess now is one of the chips is dead, maybe the graphics one? Sorry but I'm not good with the names of them yet. I suppose I could desolder these from the junior and try but I don't really want to risk killing another console.

 

Sorry for the long winded post but I'd be keen to pick the brains of the community and learn what else I should be looking for.

 

 

[Cambouis de l'Atari]

Maybe the tv channel isn't exactly the same on the two consoles ? Did you try to fine tune your tv ?

Edited April 3, 2017 by Cambouis de l'Atari

[unite]

I'll have another go at the TV tuning and maybe try to post a video link (if I can) showing the problem.

[Keatah]

Being 36 I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I only recently in the last month got my first 2600. Someone local was giving it away so being a part time collector (is that even a thing) of consoles I jumped on it. Nice 2600 junior and a handful of games. Moon Patrol and Centipede being my favorites by far. The Junior is a great machine but last week the another console popped up, this time for £10, and its the above mentioned 6 switch wood grain 2600. Was sold as seen having lay in the ladies roof space for some years. The layer of dust more than confirmed this.

Many "collectards" like to think so. But in reality it's just another name for hoarding. Makes'em feel good, you know..