My VCS died. Can anyone help?

[Jibbajaba]

Tonight, while playing Yar's Revenge, my VCS up and died. In the middle of the game, the screen just cut back to whatever was on Channel 3. I already tried hooking another console up to the TV, so it isn;t the TV that's the problem. Now when I turn the VCS on, I might see an image of the game for a split second, but it will just go to a black screen after that. (Black with some interference). I have never had a console die on me before, so I have no idea how to proceed. Any chance that this is a fixable problem? Any chance it is just the power supply that died? I don;t have another one so I can't test that theory without buying a new one. If I were to get a multimeter, what would I check?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Chris

[omnedon]

Atari AC adapter is standard 9V. Any regular multi adapter can do it. Also, I'd check the power switch. The solder joints get stressed over the years due to the switch design, and can come loose. Ditto for the AC adapter jack.

Wiggle the AC connection, and wiggle the power switch and see what happens.

[Emily]

Rest in Peace Atari....

[digitalpress]

>> shifting <<

...over to Restoration Society where the people who know the answer to this question will get to see it!

[Cauterize]

i can help! I have a spare VCS for trade!
Check out my thread in the buying and selling forum!

[soniko_karuto]

if the wiggling does noy help, the only solution is to try another 9v power source, directly to the board.

[Gapporin]

It sounds like a bad power supply to me as well. You might want to try getting a new one first, and see if that will fix the problem.

[blue lander]

If the AC power adapter isn't the problem, I'd pop it open and check the power regulator. Those things tend to die after a few decades, but are pretty easy to replace.

[Jibbajaba]

OK I took the AC adapter to work today and tested it. It's only delivering about 5 volts, and that's with no load on it. I think we can safely say that the power adapter fried. Right in the middle of Yar's Revenge, too. Who knew that Yar's revenge was a fried power adapter???

Thanks, guys!

Chris