Atari 5200 Trakball Unresponsive

[InsaneDavid]

I picked up an Atari 5200 Trakball at the flea market today in beautiful shape for $2. Got it home and everything works - with the exception of the trakball itself. I popped it open and took a look inside, everything appears in good order and I didn't find any breaks or bad connections on the internal PCB. In fact there wasn't a speck of dirt or dust inside - it looks brand new. The wheels and optics look to be fine cosmetically. I tested it with different games designed to support the trakball with no difference, I get nothing at all. Any advice on where to start diagnosis or an easy fix? I have a 4 port 5200 if that makes any difference. Thanks.

[cyberfluxor]

I have a 4-port and the Trac-ball works fine, what game are you testing it on? Some games aren't playable with it. Here's a good reference to the lil thing:
http://www.atarihq.com/danb/52trakball.htm

[InsaneDavid]

Super Breakout for starters, I know it's supposed to work for that game. Also tried it with Football (another game confirmed to work) and Pole Position. No response in either. Thanks for the link though.

[ApolloBoy]

I would try replacing the cable, it might have a broken connection.

[InsaneDavid]

I would try replacing the cable, it might have a broken connection.

I unplugged the part of the cable that runs to the trakball PCB and shorted a couple of the connections here and there and the paddle moved in Super Breakout, so I'm guessing the cable is fine. Starting to think one or more of the IC's is dead.

[gcl1984]

u can get a small paddle that will let you check ir leds as used in the sensors on it.it will reflect ir light so it is visible and they r cheap.

[InsaneDavid]

u can get a small paddle that will let you check ir leds as used in the sensors on it.it will reflect ir light so it is visible and they r cheap.

The optics are fine, I'm leaning more toward something wrong with the analog to digital IC's on the PCB.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I've got a 5200 trackball that still works ... though my 5200 controllers, those are a different story ... the button contacts are totally dead (dried out?)

And, while I don't have any real advice ... I'm going to nominate the 5200 for being the classic system with the worst component shelf-life. Even when not being used, the things just ... like, expire!

Running a close second is the Microvision and it's wacky aluminum foil "cartridge" connections.

[InsaneDavid]

I've got a 5200 trackball that still works

Thanks for all the help.