Activision games won't work.

[RhettGodsey]

I'm not real big on Atari, I'm an NES guy, but I had the opportunity to get around 20-30 Atari games in their original boxes (opened and a little crumpled), and an Atari, for free. Soon after, I tested each one, but found that every game made by the Activision company didn't work at all, they mostly just blinked or showed a grey screen. I may have a later model Atari, the top is black not the faux wood grain that I usually see. Maybe it's older, I really don't know, but it is not the real small one they made. Just looking for an explanation and solution.

[+RandomPerson]

Try using a little more force when putting the games into the machine, sound like your not getting good contact. If that doesn't work try cleaning the cart pins and repeat step one. If that doesn't work, well, your gonna need help from someone aside from me..lol..

 

Welcome to AtariAge!!

[Dauber]

Try cleaning the carts -- I got 59 carts off eBay a coupla days ago, and most of the Activision carts wouldn't work. After a good cleaning with a cotton swab and 70% isopropyl, most played great. Activision carts have a couple of things against them in terms of cleanliness: 1) "Actiplaque" (check the glossary on this site), and 2) they don't have the break-away plastic covering inside the carts that the pre-1987 Atari-made carts have...lotsa opportunity to gunk up the contacts.

[+RandomPerson]

70 percent will leave a residue, go for at least 90.

[deathtrappomegranate]

After a good cleaning with a cotton swab and 70% isopropyl, most played great.

 

Vodka also works, in a pinch.

 

 

And the same applies in many other situations!

 

 

 

[Drewman21]

After a good cleaning with a cotton swab and 70% isopropyl, most played great.

 

Vodka also works, in a pinch.

 

 

And the same applies in many other situations!

 

 

 

 

I just use everclear. What else would you use it for?

[jpfalcon2003]

Welcome to the boards. You will really enjoy those activision games when you get them to work. Those are the best ones to play. A good cleaning should do the trick.

[oldgames]

Definitely sounds like they need the contacts cleaned. As previously stated, go with the good stuff - 90%. It's very common for the cartridges with the open contacts to need cleaning. I guess those goofy doors on the original Atari cart design actually help keep the contacts clean. Who knew?

 

The good part is that the open end carts are the easiest to clean. Just swab a little alchohol and then use the other end of the q-tip to dry. You may need to do it 2 or 3 times if they are really oxidized. Better to do it a few times than to soak it down too much. Just use a little alchohol on each cleaning and dry out the excess.

 

Enjoy your great Atari find and welcome to AA!

[the 5th ghost]

I'm not real big on Atari, I'm an NES guy, but I had the opportunity to get around 20-30 Atari games in their original boxes (opened and a little crumpled), and an Atari, for free. Soon after, I tested each one, but found that every game made by the Activision company didn't work at all, they mostly just blinked or showed a grey screen. I may have a later model Atari, the top is black not the faux wood grain that I usually see. Maybe it's older, I really don't know, but it is not the real small one they made. Just looking for an explanation and solution.

 

Clean them the same way you'd clean an NES game that was giving you trouble

[Zach]

If cleaning the cartridges doesn't work, you may need to clean the cartridge slot too. The way I did it was to fold up some scratch paper into a thick strip and soak it in alcohol. That may not be the ideal way since it could leave paper particles inside.

[shadow460]

I've noticed my own Activision carts tend to dirty up on their own. I cleaned them all when I got them, but they need it again, it seems.

[D.Yancey]

The actual positioning of the cart in the slot is very important. You may have to wiggle the cart a bit while turning the unit on and off a few times to get it right on the very difficult carts. Your Atari is refferred to as the "Darth Vader" or "Vader" model. Any games the you cannot get to work, I will volunteer to pay shipping if you send them to me.

[Rik]

I'm not real big on Atari, I'm an NES guy, but I had the opportunity to get around 20-30 Atari games in their original boxes (opened and a little crumpled), and an Atari, for free. Soon after, I tested each one, but found that every game made by the Activision company didn't work at all, they mostly just blinked or showed a grey screen. I may have a later model Atari, the top is black not the faux wood grain that I usually see. Maybe it's older, I really don't know, but it is not the real small one they made. Just looking for an explanation and solution.

Use contact cleaner,any alcohol has a high percentage of WATER,get it at radioshack(The Source,as its now called)or any electronics store,and use SPONGE tip swabs,get at any pharmacy,Q-tips ,COTTON GETS STUCK ON CONTACTS,NOT A GOOD IDEA!.Clean contacts of all your games with this stuff,and chances are high they will work,simple cleaning has worked for me for %99 of the time for my non-working carts,ALSO,you should give the cart slot on the 2600 itself a cleaning by measuring the width of the slot,cut a strong,very thin piece of cardboard,or plastic,credit card type of thing works good,to size you just measured,and wrap a piece of VERY fine emery paper around the end of the card,paper shouldnt feel grainy,should feel pretty smooth,or you could damage contacts with paper that is too rough, and insert in slot a few times,where the contacts of cart go in,then spray some contact cleaner in there to get residue out,one of those paper popsicle stick nail files at the pharmacy work good also.

Edited June 25, 2006 by Rik

[t1n]

Hmm, interesting discussion about cleaning. I have found that a small dribble of servisol super 10 on the contacts, and a couple of insert/removes brings every game that I've seen back to life, while also cleaning the cart slot at the same time. None of this complicated 90%/70%/foam/emery paper lark. Maybe I've just been lucky.....

[Dauber]

BTW -- those of you wondering how to clean the Atari-made carts with the plastic push-away protector...the easiest way I've found, without having to get a flat-head or something, is to actually put the cart into the console -- doesn't have to be completely in, but enough to push the protector all the way back -- then remove the cartridge while squeezing it gently, holding the protector back.

[Jacob Rose]

BTW -- those of you wondering how to clean the Atari-made carts with the plastic push-away protector...the easiest way I've found, without having to get a flat-head or something, is to actually put the cart into the console -- doesn't have to be completely in, but enough to push the protector all the way back -- then remove the cartridge while squeezing it gently, holding the protector back.

 

I just use the smooth end of the lever on a pair of nail clippers to release one side, then the other. Cleaning the contacts inside the 2600 seems more of a challenge to me...anyone have a favorite method?

[jbanes]

BTW -- those of you wondering how to clean the Atari-made carts with the plastic push-away protector...the easiest way I've found, without having to get a flat-head or something, is to actually put the cart into the console -- doesn't have to be completely in, but enough to push the protector all the way back -- then remove the cartridge while squeezing it gently, holding the protector back.

 

I use a pocket knife myself. Using the rounded blade, I press the catch with the knife while pushing down on the door with my thumb. After the catch is released, I use the knife to hold down the door while I'm working on it.

 

Pocket knives are wonderful things. Keep a good one on your person at all times, and you can fix just about anything, anywhere, anytime.

[Dauber]

Except for the X-ray machine at the airport....

[jbanes]

Except for the X-ray machine at the airport....

True enough. I always feel naked at airports because I have to move my knife, change, and several other belongings into my luggage. Thankfully, I don't have to fix much stuff on the airplane, but it's still highly annoying.

[Codysgames]

I'm not real big on Atari, I'm an NES guy, but I had the opportunity to get around 20-30 Atari games in their original boxes (opened and a little crumpled), and an Atari, for free. Soon after, I tested each one, but found that every game made by the Activision company didn't work at all, they mostly just blinked or showed a grey screen. I may have a later model Atari, the top is black not the faux wood grain that I usually see. Maybe it's older, I really don't know, but it is not the real small one they made. Just looking for an explanation and solution.

 

You should try cleaning the carts and if that does'nt work,try cleaning the console cartridge port.

[The MilkMan]

Even after cleaning my carts, my 2 Activision games Dragster and Bridge, still fail to work half the time. I just keep inserting and powering up until something shows up. Your not alone with "iffy" carts my friend.