root42 Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Mappy is my favorite game on the 2600. Today I noticed that the left difficulty switch doesn't work anymore. It should toggle the placement of the loot. The loot is now always randomized, no matter what. The switch still works — for example in Scramble I can toggle the burst mode. I mostly just swap between Mappy and Scramble these days, sometimes with the occasional Harmony or original game (Missile Command) thrown in. I unplug the Atari after every session on the wall socket. Any ideas what might be wrong with the cart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
root42 Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 Update: now it’s working again. Maybe I should double check those switches. Might be they are a bit corroded? Will get some contact cleaner spray from a friend… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Yep, I'd clean your switches and cartridge port while you're at it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
root42 Posted October 31, 2019 Author Share Posted October 31, 2019 Good idea. Any hints for the cartridge port on how to best clean it? Contact cleaner spray? Isopropyl on something? It’s probably hard to get to the contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 Well lotsa ways to clean the slot. I cut down a credit card to size and use it to support a bit of paper wrapped/looped around the edge in a "U" shape. And I always prefer contact cleaner as it is also a lubricant that prolongs contact life. Alcohol/water can cut through some grime, too. It can be used as a pre-cleaner. But it doesn't have any protective/lube capability. So you want to finish up with real contact cleaner. Like Deoxit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 Lazy, easiest way that's quite effective in a pinch... rubbing alcohol or contact cleaner like DeOxit on a Q-Tip, apply to the edge connector of the cartridge, then insert the cartridge wet into the system and insert/remove a few times. Wipe off excess grime on the cartridge afterwards. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 6 hours ago, Keatah said: Well lotsa ways to clean the slot. I cut down a credit card to size and use it to support a bit of paper wrapped/looped around the edge in a "U" shape. And I always prefer contact cleaner as it is also a lubricant that prolongs contact life. Alcohol/water can cut through some grime, too. It can be used as a pre-cleaner. But it doesn't have any protective/lube capability. So you want to finish up with real contact cleaner. Like Deoxit. Pretty much what I do, only I use an old white t-shirt wrapped around the CC section I have cut up. I have two pieces. Once for the 2600 and 7800 main central portion and a smaller one for the 7800s side PCB contacts. I first use alcohol, and then follow up with a spritz of de-ox-id (generic version), into the slot and use a different part of the t-shirt to clean and finish. Best part is that a t-shirt can be used many times in different spots and then tossed in the wash later for cleaning and reuse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.