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View Full Version : Atari Lynx - A button not working



titanzguard
06-13-2008, 09:44 PM
Need some help...

I recently bought an Atari Lynx from a flea market. The guy told me it worked great, just needed batteries. Well at the time I did not have any batteries to test it so I went ahead and bought it. Today I install some new AA batteries and load up 1 of the 3 games I got with the system. It turns on, game loads up, GREAT!!! UNTIL... I am playing Batman returns and notice I cannot punch. I continue to hit the A button but it does not respond. I figured maybe it was the game so I switched it with another game -STUN Runner. Never heard of the game but the great part is at the start screen it asks you to press A or B to start game. I start hitting A - nothing happens. If I hit B it imediately loads the game. At this point I am pissed. I start to google to see if this is a known issue but I cannot find anything about bad A buttons. So what I did was try to flip the screen and see if the other A button works. I figured heck ill just live with it being goofy. I flipped the screen and still nothing. So both A buttons do not work. Does anyone have any idea what the prob might be OR how to fix it. I did notice one thing. While playing Batman Returns when I hit the OPTION 1 button while playing it switches my action from punch to some kind of weapon. As soon as I hit that button Batman starts throwing this weapon like as if a button is stuck. He continues to throw the item until its all out. Like I said, seems like the button is stuck but when its set to punch he doesnt do anything. I checked around the button and its not stuck, or doesnt seem to be. Also this is the Lynx II model.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Frankie_Says_Relax
06-13-2008, 11:00 PM
Sounds like there's something between the rubber and the contact point, or it's just plain damaged.

LYNX is an awesome portable. I'd say that it's worth opening it up and cleaning the rubber and the metal contact area underneath, check for any corrosion or damage while you're in there. Not sure if it's rescuable if it is rusted, corroded, or if anything leaked in there (like battery acid ... since the LYNX batteries reside over the buttons, it's possible) but it's worth trying....nothing to lose.

OR you could play it lefty if the bottom buttons work, just use the screen-flip mode.

titanzguard
06-13-2008, 11:05 PM
Ya, I tried flipping and the bottom A button did not work either. Do u happen to have a HOW-TO on opening the system up and checking it out?

Frankie_Says_Relax
06-13-2008, 11:15 PM
Ya, I tried flipping and the bottom A button did not work either. Do u happen to have a HOW-TO on opening the system up and checking it out?

Nope, I don't have a repair guide ... but the fact that BOTH A buttons don't work is worrying, and probably signs of problems above your basic cleaning issue.

titanzguard
06-13-2008, 11:22 PM
Ya I think u may be right. It really irritates me cause I have been wanting one of these systems since I was in 5th grade and I thought I was getting an awesome deal. I guess Ill have to wait and see if any one else has any ideas. The only part that has me curious is the fact that when I play that batman game and click option 1 he starts shooting his weapon non stop, like something is stuck. I have no idea at this point.

Frankie_Says_Relax
06-13-2008, 11:34 PM
Well man, you literally got little to lose by opening it up and giving it the visual once-over.

I would imagine it's just standard philips head screws.

If you do get it running, I advise picking up the following games :

Electrocop
Blue Lightning
Rampart
Xenophobe
Road Blasters
Xybots
Wings
Battle Wheels