Help! Intellivison wont work!

[ZippyRedPlumber]

So earlier today I decided to hook up my Inty after 3 years of collecting dust (I cleaned it of course) somehow no matter what I did it kept displaying static or a black screen. What am I doing wrong?

[mr_me]

Static would mean there's no signal getting to the TV. A black screen would mean the TV is receiving a signal but no program is running. Test several cartridges, clean the cartridge contacts if necesary, until you are confident it's not the cartridge connection.

[HunterZero]

There can be several reasons for black screen. Does the screen flash when pressing reset? Is it an original brown Intellivision 1, or grey Intellivision 2?

 

As said above, clean the cartridge slot (isopropyl alcohol or Deoxit are best to use), try a different cartridge, or try backing out the cart a touch instead of pushing it all the way in.

 

Failing that, it's time to open the unit. If you have a multimeter, assuming it's a brown Intellivision 1, check the ribbon cable for continuity, and power supply board output voltages.

 

Try disconnecting one hand controller and seeing if it works, then disconnect the other.

 

If it still black screens, you may have a logic board issue.

[ZippyRedPlumber]

There can be several reasons for black screen. Does the screen flash when pressing reset? Is it an original brown Intellivision 1, or grey Intellivision 2?

 

As said above, clean the cartridge slot (isopropyl alcohol or Deoxit are best to use), try a different cartridge, or try backing out the cart a touch instead of pushing it all the way in.

 

Failing that, it's time to open the unit. If you have a multimeter, assuming it's a brown Intellivision 1, check the ribbon cable for continuity, and power supply board output voltages.

 

Try disconnecting one hand controller and seeing if it works, then disconnect the other.

 

If it still black screens, you may have a logic board issue.

 

Yes, it did flash from time to time.

 

Yes I have cleaned the cartridge slot using window cleaner & a q-tip & I do have an Intellivision 1.

 

Is there something wrong with the unit itself?

[HunterZero]

 

Yes, it did flash from time to time.

 

Yes I have cleaned the cartridge slot using window cleaner & a q-tip & I do have an Intellivision 1.

 

Is there something wrong with the unit itself?

 

Very likely there's either a poor/oxidised connection, power issue, controller issue or possibly a logic board issue.

 

First, I would not recommend cleaning electrical contacts with window cleaner, as these often contain soaps or fragrances or ammonia that could contaminate or corrode the contacts. Get some >90% isopropyl alcohol and clean the contacts again.

 

The controllers are a common point of failure. If one of the buttons is shorted, ie, permanently pressed, then it prevents the unit from starting.

 

If you do disassemble the unit to disconnect the controllers or test the power supply and disconnect the ribbon cable, DO SO WITH EXTREME CARE. The ribbon cable that connects the power supply board to the logic board is fragile, and can easily disintegrate or go bad. Missing power rails can cause black screen. Testing the power supply requires a volt/multimeter. You can rule out the controllers without opening the main unit by opening each controller, and removing the mylar insert (again treat these with care), which has a similar effect to disconnecting them at the logic board.

 

There are a number of common logic board faults that can cause black screen too. Getting to the logic board requires soldering skills to desolder the shielding encasing the logic board (breaking the casing off is not recommended). Most common parts that go bad are the RA-3-9600 RAM chip, AY-3-8900-1 STIC chip, AY-3-8914 audio chip, or transistors Q1/Q2.

 

If you're not comfortable with troubleshooting 70's electronics, you might find someone here why is nearby, and able to take a look for you.

 

- J

Edited April 2, 2019 by HunterZero