The 7800 How To Thread

[shadow460]

OK, here it is. If you've modded your 7800, built a controller, made it vacuum the rug, this is the place to post how you did it so that others may learn.

 

Let me start with the basics:

 

Choosing a 7800:

First, decide if you're going to play 2600 games on the system, or just stick to the 7800 titles. But who wouldn't want to use the backwards compatibility?

 

There are several variations of the 7800. For the best compatibility, you should look for one with an expansion port. Some later ones without the port (like mine) are still compatible with most of the 2600 library. It varies from system to system.

If you're planning to upgrade the system internally, get the one with a full expansion port.

If you are attatched to the 2600 version of Dark Chambers, get the one with just a blemish where the port was supposed to be. finally, if you've already got a 2600 hooked up, the 7800's version doesn't matter as much since you can use the 2600 games in the system they were designed for.

Seems to me that the 7800 is running between $20 and $30 US, plus shipping. If you buy at a store, you'll have to pay separate for games most likely, but you won't pay shipping. If you guy online, you'll have a wider selection, but you do take a risk of not getting what's in the picture, or the item getting damaged in shipping.

Still, there are a few things you can do to help get the feel of a system that's for sale online. Ask the seller if it has an expansion port or just the ones for the TV, power, and joysticks. Look to see that the lot has either the Pro Line joysticks, the Atari Joypads, or an equivalent set of controllers, as you will need these for many 7800 games. Also look for cracks in the case which can indicate that it was taken apart before. This can be good or bad--it might have been sucessfully modded or it might have been totally borked, so ask questions.

It's very important that you verify if the power pack is there and working. If not, you'll need to buy one or mod the system to use a common one (more on this in a later post)

 

Expect to spend up to $100, depending on which and how many games are with the lot. If you're just starting your Atari collection, you will do better by purchasing a lot that has a mix of 2600 and 7800 titles. You will need plenty of room for 2600 titles, too, since you'll be able to pick them up and play them on your system.

Shipping may seem expensive, but you'll see why it costs so much when the lot arrives. Arrange to be home when it arrives if at all possible, as you don't want it sitting in the elements.

 

You'll also need to purchase an RCA to coax adaptor of some sort. This allows you to run the RF directly to an antenna input jack on your TV, via the stock RF cable or a coaxial cable (depending on the type of adaptor you purchased).

[CPUWIZ]

I can't post my really good mod, too many kids on this site.

[shadow460]

The Imagic mod:

 

What you need:

Xacto or other extremely sharp knife

Dead 2600 or 7800 cart

#2 Phillips screwdriver

Super glue

Clear tape

Arctic Silver (you may or may not need this...read on)

 

Part 1: Protection

First, gut the dead cart. Remove the ROM board and the dust guard, then reassemble the case. It's going to be a dust "cover" for the 7800's cartridge slot.

 

Part 2: Disassembly

Unhook the 7800 and flip it over. Five screws reside on the bottom. VERY CAREFULLY remove them and set them aside. You might want to tape them together in a bundle if you aren't planning to re install them.

Gently pry the two halves os the 7800 apart, remove the motherboard, then set the two halves of the case aside.

The motherboard is covered in a ginormous RF shield. It's got tabs every couple of inches all the way around it. You'll have to twist the tabes so that they are parallel to their holes, then remove the RF shield. There's a heatsink near the cart slot that you may have to remove, too. If you remove it, use the Arctic Silver when you re attatch it to the componoent it's on.

Once you have the RF shield off, flip the motherboard so that the chips are facing down. Near the bottom of the cart slot, you'll see two cutouts on the motherboard, and they may have masking tape in them. Remove the tape to expose a couple more screws. Remove the screws and the top of the cartridge port will slide off the actual socket and board.

Set the motherboard aside.

 

Part 3, the actual mod:

Hold the top of the cart port the same way it faces when the 7800 is in use. Note that the corners are angled off a bit. This is what causes Imagic cartridges to not fit in the slot. Cut out one of the angled protions on either side of the port using your knife. Be careful not to cut into either the top part of the port (this needs to remain intact to open the dust doors on some older Atari carts) or the bottom. Just cut the sides, and remove a small section of it if you want to. Grab a handy Imagic cart and test it to see if it fits easily into the mow modified port.

If you're going to do the Tigervision mod, now is the time to do it. It's going to be detailed in a later post.

 

Part 4: Reassembly

Install the cart port the exact opposite way you removed it. Take a close look at the motherboard, looking for the presence of sockets under the chips and an extra circuit (more on this later) that makes the unit run 2600 Dark Chambers. this circuit blocks some third party cartridges, including Activision's Robot Tank and the Starpath Supercharger.

Reinstall the RF shield and make sure to twist enough of the tabs to keep it in place.

If you're going to clean the 7800's case, do that now.

Next, reinstall the heatsink (don't forget the Arctic Silver!). Lay the motherboard back into the bottom half of the case. If you're going to do some more mods later, you may want to use the clear tape to hold the 7800's case together. I'd tape the bundle of screws the the underside of the case so that they stay with the unit.

If you're done modding, flip the top half of the case upside down and inspect the screw holes. Glue the busted ones back together.

Lay the top half of the case in place over the motherboard. Holding the 7800 together as a unit, flip it over and drop the screws into their holes. GENTLY tighten each one and do NOT try to torque them at all.

Now hook the 7800 back up and insert your favorite Activision title into the slot. See how easy it fits? I bet you didn't know this mod helps you play Activision games, too.

Now let's try out the Imagic titles. Atlantis II, anyone?

[shadow460]

I can't post my really good mod, too many kids on this site.

 

I'm just looking for a common area to post some info, since there have been several questions asked lately "How do I do this or that?"

Edited August 3, 2006 by shadow460

[Shawn]

I can't post my really good mod, too many kids on this site.

 

 

Please do actually.

[CPUWIZ]

I can't post my really good mod, too many kids on this site.

 

 

Please do actually.

 

Let's just say it involves parts from a breast-pump and leave it at that.

 

[Shawn]

 

Let's just say it involves parts from a breast-pump and leave it at that.

 

 

[jsoper]

Let's just say it involves parts from a breast-pump and leave it at that.

Please tell me it's not an interactive version of Food Fight.

[shadow460]

Come on folks. I can understand joking around a bit, but this is an earnest effort here.

If it's going to get derailed, then I'll just forget about it.

[jaybird3rd]

I'm just looking for a common area to post some info, since there have been several questions asked lately "How do I do this or that?"

Thanks for posting that info. I'll get my RSI joystick mod info together and will add it to this thread as soon as I can.