Cant get the Dam Intellivision to work

[orion1052003]

But it worked before! I hooked it up to a crt with channel 3 and next channel 4, tried a channel search with console on, and tried passing signal through vcr. All I get is a black screen, although last time I used it I played a game.

[mr_me]

Is that a black screen or a static screen.  It's hard to tell from the photo.I  If it's a black screen does it flash when reset is pressed?  Did it work last with same TV.  Are you connecting to the RF input and not the composite input?

 

First make sure it's not the cartridge connection.  Inspect the slot for damaged pins.  Try different cartridges.  Clean cartridge contacts and slot pins.  With intellivision off, pull the cartridge back until it makes better contact.

 

Next, check for correct voltages going to the main board.  See here https://console5.com/wiki/Intellivision .  Next take it apart and inspect the mainboard for obvious problems, e.g. bad solder joints, shorts, capacitors, burned out components.

Edited August 30, 2019 by mr_me

[Humblejack]

3 hours ago, mr_me said:

Is that a black screen or a static screen.  It's hard to tell from the photo.I  If it's a black screen does it flash when reset is pressed?  Did it work last with same TV.  Are you connecting to the RF input and not the composite input?

 

First make sure it's not the cartridge connection.  Inspect the slot for damaged pins.  Try different cartridges.  Clean cartridge contacts and slot pins.  With intellivision off, pull the cartridge back until it makes better contact.

 

Next, check for correct voltages going to the main board.  See here https://console5.com/wiki/Intellivision .  Next take it apart and inspect the mainboard for obvious problems, e.g. bad solder joints, shorts, capacitors, burned out components.

Or just turn the TV to channel 4!

[mr_me]

If the static changes to a black screen upon turning on the intellivision, then they've got it on the right channel and hooked up to the TV correctly.

[JasonlikesINTV]

I don't have much tech advice, but I like your Football overlay/Star Strike overlay/Demon Attack configuration.

[IMBerzerk]

Jiggle the RCA cable to the TV... is there any change?  When you have the switch on Ch3 and the TV set to 3, does turning on the INTV have any change at all to the TV.. meaning a flash, a sudden black screen... anything?  Any faded title screen?

[orion1052003]

I had it on channel 3 tv/intellivision and then changed it to channel 4 on the tv and  and vcr. 4,4,4. On either setup of ch. 3 or 4 I got a weak black screen instead of static when powering on. Theres no LED to see if power is actually on. When tapping power button it did make the screen flicker. I think reset made a momentary flash, but never any title screen ir game visible. This tv only has a coax in on it, the intellivision only has rf, so no compisite involved here. It may have been a different crt tv last time. I dont know enough electronics to check for voltages or even less complex stuff than that.

 

I tried channel search on tv and vcr with no channels found (analog) thinking with power on, the intellivision should be found as a channel. Worked with a 7800.

[rietveld]

On August 29, 2019 at 8:32 PM, orion1052003 said:

But it worked before! I hooked it up to a crt with channel 3 and next channel 4, tried a channel search with console on, and tried passing signal through vcr. All I get is a black screen, although last time I used it I played a game.

Since you are using a VCR as the pass through make sure it is working with the TV by playing a tape and seeing if it shows up on your TV. Next hook up the Intellivision to the RF in on the VCR and turn it on. Then press record for a few seconds.   Unhook the Intellivision and play the tape back to see if you see or hear anything 

[orion1052003]

Ah, good advice, I'll try that. Thanks.

[ClassicGMR]

Separate question - what are you using to connect from the console to the tv/vcr? I ran into this waaaaay back when I first got an Intellivision in the mid-90's. I used my NES switchbox to try and connect it but there's not enough juice to run the switcher. Just a thought.

Edited September 1, 2019 by ClassicGMR

[IMBerzerk]

A good investment is the RCA to ANT converter.  If you don't have one already... order one on Amazon (used to be able to run down to Radio Shack, but they're all gone).  I say get one because to properly trouble shoot the video output, you really need to be direct from the INTV to the TV.   

 

I just repaired a 2609 with a bad video modulator.  It had a similar output as yours, however, it was very snowy and you could still see the picture, albeit barely.

 

Not sure it's the same issue, but again... going direct into the TV will definitely rule out a lot of external issues.

[ClassicGMR]

13 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

A good investment is the RCA to ANT converter. 

 

This is the one I use these days. Also be sure you're using a shielded cable not just an off the shelf RCA cable. I learned the hard way a few years ago there IS a difference. I managed to buy some from someone here that was converting 2600's to AV and had a bunch of the OEM RF cables lying around.

Edited September 2, 2019 by ClassicGMR
extra info

[IMBerzerk]

Same here... that's the one.

[GeekDragon]

I picked up a Intv 1 at the Midwest Gaming Classic last year and the only game I was able to get working was Beauty and the Beast.  Everything else wouldn't play.  I ended up getting a model 3 off of ebay for $40 with 2 games and that one works great.

[orion1052003]

I am using a gold plated coax cable and this screw-on rather than RF box.

[orion1052003]

I had no trouble with the same set-up with an Intellivision II. Only about half of the cartridges work. Is that normal? 99% of my Atari cartridges work.

[orion1052003]

[orion1052003]

[orion1052003]

[orion1052003]

[mr_me]

6 hours ago, orion1052003 said:

I had no trouble with the same set-up with an Intellivision II. Only about half of the cartridges work. Is that normal? 99% of my Atari cartridges work.

No it's not normal, 100% of my cartridges work.

 

Which cartridges don't work on your intellivision ii?  E.g. is it all the mattel cartridges?

[+-^CrossBow^-]

20 minutes ago, mr_me said:

No it's not normal, 100% of my cartridges work.

 

Which cartridges don't work on your intellivision ii?  E.g. is it all the mattel cartridges?

I had the same thought... curious to see the answer on this.

[ClassicGMR]

Well at the very least Donkey Kong not working in a II is normal.

[+Lathe26]

10 hours ago, orion1052003 said:

I had no trouble with the same set-up with an Intellivision II. Only about half of the cartridges work. Is that normal? 99% of my Atari cartridges work.

 

I've found that some Intellivision consoles can finicky with cartridges.  I assume you've already tried cleaning the cartridges' gold contacts with rubbing alcohol.  If some games work and other don't then power off the Intellivision, insert the non-working cartridges in as far as it will go in and then back it out about 1/16 of an inch (1-2 mm) by wiggling the cartridge, apply power, and then tap the reset if still nothing appears.  Repeat this process several times per each game.  I have a console that requires this for some specific games.

[orion1052003]

Havent tried cleaning. Reversi (no label) works, Frogger works, Demon Attack, Beauty & the Beast, Microsurgeon, and I think Space Battle works. Havent tried Treasure of Tarmin. No go on Pitfall, Sea Battle, Auto Racing, Baseball, and Astrosmash. Black screen on all when powered. Astrosmash worked on Intellivision 1 last time I tried it before this thread.

Edited September 11, 2019 by orion1052003