Atari Flashback 2.0 alternate motherboard (please help)

[Akito01]

This struck me by surprise. I got my Atari Flashback 2.0 about a week ago, with the intention of modding it with a cartridge port. I don't have the cartridge connector yet, though I do have a 2600jr coming my way via Ebay, so I figure I'm good to go. In the meantime, I decide to start with installing the switch that will let me go from cartridge to ROM, just as outlined here: http://www.moeproduction.com/atari23.jpg

The problem is, when open up my Flashback 2, I find that my board is completely different from the ones shown in both the Moeproduction site and the Atari Museum instructions. For instance, the instructions on the backside say J3 (short=Game Cartridge) J9 (open=Game Cartridge).

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/akito01/FB2_backside.jpg

On the other side, I find many other things have been moved and changed from the motherboards seen on Moeproduction and Atari Museum as well:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/akito01/FB2_frontside.jpg

So I'm kinda stuck, because I have no idea how I'm supposed to follow Moeproduction's instructions for installing the switch with all these changes. If anyone can help me, that would be awesome.

[Akito01]

Sorry, I found the solution already. It's actually easier to do than with those other mother boards (basically, one side of the switch is meant to bridge J3, the other to bridge J9). I did learn just how tough this job is going to be, though. Stuff on the motherboard is mad tiny, and the wire I was trying to use was way too thick and stiff to remain soldered into place. I'll have to try again with thinner, more flexible wire.

[Akito01]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/akito01/FB2_burnedJ3.jpg

Alright, so, honest feedback -am I completely buggered? As I mentioned before, I tried to solder a couple of wires for the switch, but the wires weren't appropriate for the job. The result of this botched attempt can be seen above. I should point out that the FlashBack 2 is still working perfectly well, and I can play the games from the ROM, so no harm done there. But, if I do want to install this cartridge port mod, is it just a lost cause at this point? Can this scorching be cleaned up somehow? The photo makes it look at bit worse than it seems to be with the naked eye. If I try to solder at those two points again, will it be alright? And what sort of wires are recommended for the job if you can't get your hands on ribbon cable?

[InsaneDavid]

*takes ball and goes home from this thread*

Quotes have it.

[Pantechnicon]

Why would you want to gut a 2600 Jr. for its cartridge port when you can add AV out to that same 2600 Jr. far easier than this mod, and have 100% compatibility with all games? I will never understand the Flashback 2 mod, ever.

This.

Instructions right here (http://www.atariage.com/2600/faq/index.html#composite). I did it a few years ago myself. Cost about $20 for everything including the soldering iron. Much easier and quicker to build this simple circuit than it is to add a cartridge port to a Flashback. More importantly, it keeps an original system more or less intact as opposed to gutting it for parts.

But if you're dead-set on putting a cart port in a Flashback, please just order a new part as opposed to dismantling a working system. You can get them from these guys (http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/) for $10.

[Enigmus]

Why would you want to gut a 2600 Jr. for its cartridge port when you can add AV out to that same 2600 Jr. far easier than this mod, and have 100% compatibility with all games? I will never understand the Flashback 2 mod, ever.


I broke my Flashback 2 a year ago, and I think I'll use its A/V cord for my 2600 Jr. when I get around to modding it. LOL

[Akito01]

Why would you want to gut a 2600 Jr. for its cartridge port when you can add AV out to that same 2600 Jr. far easier than this mod, and have 100% compatibility with all games? I will never understand the Flashback 2 mod, ever.

A 2600jr will fit in this space then?

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/akito01/FB2.jpg

If so, then, yes, awesome, I will probably do that A/V mod instead. Maybe I'll end up doing that anyway, but if I have no useful place to put the system, it almost defeats the purpose.

This is basically why I got a GenCore rather than an original Genesis, and why I use a RetroDuo while my original NES and SNES hardware are stored away on a shelf.

[NayusDante]

2600 Jr is about the same size, maybe flatter. Of couse, it looks like a 7800 with the metal and black.

[Akito01]

2600 Jr is about the same size, maybe flatter. Of couse, it looks like a 7800 with the metal and black.

Then that is indeed awesome. The one I'm getting from EBay is just the console itself, but obviously I've got the controllers covered, and if I can pull off the A/V mod, then I don't have to worry about the RF cord. This just leaves the power cord/adapter/thing, which I can't imagine would be insanely difficult to get. This all assumes the console itself is working, which there is no guarantee of, but I'd have to think the odds are good.

[Akito01]

I guess I can't change the name of the thread title now that the nature of the project has changed, but I'm reluctant to start a completely new thread when this is all kinda part of a singular process.

With the arrival of the power supply today, I theoretically have everything I need for the 2600jr mod, except for the 2600 itself (which is in the mail and should be here soon).

I wanted to get a jump on things, so I crafted something I thought might be useful.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/akito01/RCAplugs1.jpg

There are basically a couple of female-to-female RCA adapters, where the naked wire is hooked around the thin post in the middle of the cylinder, and the ground wire is soldered onto the outer edge, then all of it wrapped in electrical tape to keep it neat.

I figured I could mount these into the case, with the wire stubs being soldered to the wires I'll be using on the PCB. I figured that would be easier to do than chopping off the ends of some A/V cables and having that permanently stuck inside the console. I'm assuming that there should be no problems with this method, but I thought I'd get some feedback before doing anything permanent.

I'm also looking for any feedback about the mod itself. I think I understand the directions, with the single wire jumper from the Chroma to the Luma and so forth. But, you do a search, and you hear people talking about lifting the leg of the resister, or removing that nearby chip for better picture quality, and I'm curious for any feedback on this procedure and what I need to do beyond the specific instructions.

[InsaneDavid]

*takes ball and goes home from this thread*

Quotes have it.

[ooXxXoo]

↑.....That early mod doesn't work quite well in many of the newer CRT Tv models, sadly....

[InsaneDavid]

*takes ball and goes home from this thread*

Quotes have it.

[ooXxXoo]

I was waiting for you to come out of the woodwork and harsh on my mods once again. How many times did you refresh this thread before finally seeing my post and deciding to add nothing to the conversation? :roll:

...........

"What the heck are you even talking about"?..

Actually, I was referring to Ben's Heckendorn early Atari 2600 AV mod (since that's the one you said you always use)...The circuit with the two pots and the 22 ohm resistor (again, as seen on your pic).....My most sincere apologizes if I hurt your feelings :wink 2: