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Thread: Atari 2600 6-Switch - Won't Boot Games

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    Default Atari 2600 6-Switch - Won't Boot Games

    I picked up a 2600 today, but all it gives me is a blank screen. It definitely turns on, it just doesn't start the game. Is there a way to get into the cart slot and bend the pins out, like an NES?

    The cart slot looks a bit more open than the ones I've seen before, so I'm not really sure what's up with this one. Also, is it normal for all the chips to be in holders, not just soldered to the board?


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    Kirby (Level 13) Leo_A's Avatar
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    How many times did you try to start it up and what cartridge was it? It's not uncommon to take a few trys to start a game up, especially if it's been disused for many years.

    And if it's an Activision cartridge, they're well known for being cranky due to the thin boards Activision used. Unlike other 2600 cartridges that usually start up on the first try for me, sometimes Activision carts take 3 or 4 trys before deciding to work.

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    I've tried quite a few, actually. None of which were Activision.

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    I don't mean to sound silly or insult your intelligence but did you try cleaning the cart contacts and cart slot before taking it all apart?

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    To the best of my ability, yes.

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    Your best bet is to download the 2600 service manual and follow the flowcharts. It's unlikely to be a pin connector issue.

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    Default

    Could be the switchbox, could you try out a different one? I'm assuming you're using the original switchbox as you said you just got the system. I remember trying out a Model 1 Genesis and having a similar problem, it turned out the RF switch was bad. The TV screen went black so I could tell the system was sending a video signal so I really thought the system was damaged, but luckily it worked when I used a different RF switch. Also, once you turn on the system do you press the reset switch? Try doing that too, some games only start after you do that.

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    Strawberry (Level 2) Compute's Avatar
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    It could be a tumor.
    See my latest arcade repair at the Holodeck 2 Arcade Repair Blog: http://holodeck2arcade.blogspot.com

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    Kirby (Level 13) diskoboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Compute View Post
    It could be a tumor.
    *Doing my best Arnie*

    It's not a too-muh!

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    How come no one has given a thought to the transistors? That board says the unit is now 30 years old, after all.

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    I haven't tried a different video cable yet (not using an RF brick, just a screw-on coax plug like I use with my Vader), but I'm wondering if I'm missing a few capacitors. Look at the board with the switches on it, and notice all the empty holes. The boards I see online have things there, but I can't find pictures of boards from this particular era to reference.

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    Quote Originally Posted by NayusDante View Post
    I Look at the board with the switches on it, and notice all the empty holes.
    The slot of holes on the main motherboard near the video pot and 3rd from the bottom is nothing to worry about. That was a slot that went unused from when they planned to include Combat or Air Sea Battle built-in to the system, back from when it was planned to have built-in stereo speakers.

    The other holes, I have no clue. I use a short-band labeled 2600 Jr.

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    Strawberry (Level 2) Compute's Avatar
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    If the empty holes have solder in them that looks like it has been disturbed in some way more recently than the other solder joints, you may be missing parts. The more likely case is that your board is a different revision than others you have seen. If they decided to not have Combat built in, then they would not need the caps and resistors associated with that rom chip.
    See my latest arcade repair at the Holodeck 2 Arcade Repair Blog: http://holodeck2arcade.blogspot.com

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    Quote Originally Posted by Compute View Post
    If the empty holes have solder in them that looks like it has been disturbed in some way more recently than the other solder joints, you may be missing parts. The more likely case is that your board is a different revision than others you have seen. If they decided to not have Combat built in, then they would not need the caps and resistors associated with that rom chip.

    Described in full detail, courtesy of the Easter Eggs page.

    Yeah, it may be missing parts. Still, I wonder if anyone has attempted to wire in the switch required for a game to be placed in that slot. It'd be fun to have Ms. Pac Man or Asteroids built-in. That, and I wonder if there's a mod someone can do to place stereo speakers inside the unit that can be flipped on by a switch in the back.
    Last edited by Enigmus; 06-20-2010 at 04:53 PM. Reason: Errors, such as a missing use of the word "has." Hail grammar! :P

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    Indeed, there are solder blobs behind those holes. For reference, this board is a C012173 Rev B. Someone may have pulled parts from this one.

    I'm curious about the chips and the white sockets though. Is it normal for them to look shiny and new, and be in those sockets?

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    They used a variety of different sockets from the factory. Yes, old chips can still look shiny too.

    Most likely you have a bad TIA or RIOT chip. Out of all the Atari games I worked on I've never seen a bad transistor or RF modulator... just bad RIOT and TIA chips.

    RJ

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    Default ?

    Very sorry too "bump", but if anyone is still reading this, i have an atari 2600 "Light Sixer", C012173 revision B, and I have the exact same holes. I cant test it (missing ac cord), so i dont know if it works. are these ment to be empty, or are we missing parts?

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    No parts were missing from the photo that was posted, and I suspect none are missing from yours either.

    Check out this tutorial on how to repair VCS/2600 systems:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc6CYLFjKoo
    [SIZE="4"]<< INSERT MESETA FOR SIGNATURE >>[/SIZE]

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    oh. thank you. it looks like ur right because i had to fix the cart slot and make a power cord, but now its working just fine.

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