Odyssey 2 will power up but won't play

[dcescott]

I got a mint Odyssey2 for a guy for 10 bucks with 9 boxed games. He also gave me the switch box. It powers up but no game play. I get horizontal lines then a clean black screen. When I press 1 or anything I get a response, like the reset horizontal lines and sometimes a horizontal flipping screen. I turned it to channel 4 and I heard all the blips and bleeps. I will clean the carts good I guess, but I think it's something else. Do you guys have any advise?

[dcescott]

I forgot to mention that the power supply is a magnavox power supply but it doesnt match on videogame.net.

[dcescott]

I'm not impatient. I did try an Atari 2600 power supply, since they fit the same, I got the same results.

[ozyr]

I got a mint Odyssey2 for a guy for 10 bucks with 9 boxed games. He also gave me the switch box. It powers up but no game play. I get horizontal lines then a clean black screen. When I press 1 or anything I get a response, like the reset horizontal lines and sometimes a horizontal flipping screen. I turned it to channel 4 and I heard all the blips and bleeps. I will clean the carts good I guess, but I think it's something else. Do you guys have any advise?

Well, if your getting sound on channel 4, then the thing is working, to some degree.
-What type of TV is it hooked up to?
-Have you checked all the connections?
-Do other older systems work on this TV?
-Have you tried it on another TV set?
-Tried letting it warm up for a while (sounds strange, but I've come across enough units that do this).
-also, try a different TV switch box if you haven't already.
(these are just starter questions, but you have to start someplace).

[dcescott]

Okay I'll do that.
As far as the rf switch, I have the original and it's the old 70's type not the Atari one. What is a replacement for that? I read somewhere I can av it out very easily, but I don't see an easy way to open it without prying it open. I have another tv that's older this one is brand new . I'm gonna get 99% alcohol cleaner advised on other threads during lunch. It's frustrating! But I have never played this system and I'm impatient! Thank for your help.

[chadtower]

The o2 is prone to dried out components on the board... a lot of them, if not rebuilt, simply need time to warm up. I've seen them need as much as a half hour. I doubt this is the external RF box if you're getting a clear but incorrect signal on the TV.

This one may simply be gone and need someone to TLC it back to life.

[dcescott]

I'm screwed 10 bucks right? Lesson learned. I'm guessing I should keep it as a museum piece and just look at it. I will hook it up tonight on my old tv and fire it up for 30 minutes. No wonder they go cheap on ebay. As far as rebuilding couldn't I open it up and jjust clean it out or is it more complicated than that? I have a retro gamer close by who has one and I'm awaiting his email response. He's very knowledgable so lets hope this will be functional.
Thanks for your input

[chadtower]

No, if it's really what I have suggested, the only way to bring it back would be to replace failing PCB components (soldering).

Don't toss it, there are lots of folks around here who will take dead hardware and revive it or use it as parts to revive other consoles.

$10 is only $10, most of us have paid far more for stuff that turned out to be dead.

[kirin jensen]

You know, I was using an Rf switch for my O2, but then someone -pointed out that you can just use standard audio/video jacks to plug into a modern TV. Don't know if that helps, but it's worth a try.

The O2's a pretty indestructible unit. Are you sure you're plugging the carts in all the way?

[chadtower]

You know, I was using an Rf switch for my O2, but then someone -pointed out that you can just use standard audio/video jacks to plug into a modern TV. Don't know if that helps, but it's worth a try.

The O2's a pretty indestructible unit. Are you sure you're plugging the carts in all the way?

It has a lot of components that age and fail. It stands up to abuse, yes, but time is not kind to it.

[dcescott]

I want to try the av input but I can't figure out how to pry it open without breaking it. There are no visible screws I saw to open it last night.
Thanks for all your input everyone. I gotta get home and try it out again.