Help! I can't get my Odyssey to work

[Zadoc]

I just bought a 1972 Magnavox Odyssey, finally, and I plug it in and there's no picture. I am using a universal 9v A/C adaptor to hook the system up, but there's no picture. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I tried setting it to channel 3 or 4, but nada.

I assume it's just supposed to have a picture when you plug it in? I don't see an on/off switch.

[Zadoc]

Okay, I spent $15 on batteries and nothing.

Someone help out, please.

[Zadoc]

http://www.pong-story.com/peritel.htm


Is it possible that this answer is in this article and I am missing the solution?

[chadtower]

Is there any indication at all that it works? A light or sound? And are you sure that's the right AC adapter?

[Zadoc]

Is there any indication at all that it works? A light or sound? And are you sure that's the right AC adapter?

I've tried batteries now. There is no indication of anything. As far as I can tell, the Odyssey doe snot have a light or speaker located on or inside of the control deck. Nothing happens when I connect it to my TV.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

In your other thread you said something about it not working on a 90s-or-later NTSC television. My 2002 model TFT LCD TV begs to differ:


Did you get any of the "game cards" with the unit? Those literally serve as the conductor that powers the thing up. If you don't have a card to plug into the slot, you will not be able to power the Odyssey up. Pulling the cart out of the slot powers the machine down.

Also, be aware that the entire game is analog, and it's therefore literally possible to move every screen element off the screen manually. If you're missing either hand controller, you won't see that controller's paddle, either.

[Zadoc]

In your other thread you said something about it not working on a 90s-or-later

Did you get any of the "game cards" with the unit? Those literally serve as the conductor that powers the thing up. If you don't have a card to plug into the slot, you will not be able to power the Odyssey up. Pulling the cart out of the slot powers the machine down.

Also, be aware that the entire game is analog, and it's therefore literally possible to move every screen element off the screen manually. If you're missing either hand controller, you won't see that controller's paddle, either.

Yes, I understand how to operate the machine, (thanks to the booklet). I have game cards 1-8. I don't even get a black screen, only snow.

[Zadoc]

New development!!!


Okay, I was frusterated so I began to insert the game cards in and out of the Odyssey, hoping that just the pins were dirty.

When I insert a game card, any game card...

When I insert a game card diagonally, so that just the bottom left corner of the game card is inserted, the screen will turn black and I can use the controller to move a white square around the screen.

If I insert the game card all of the way, back to snow.

I am wondering...

Does this mean:

A) The pin contacts are really dirty

B) Current isn't getting to all of the pin contacts, time to bust out with the sodering gun!

C) Neither A nor B.



Damn, I am confussed now.

[chadtower]

It most likely means A. Solve that, then if the problem persists, you look into B. Always check the simplest potential causes first.

[Zadoc]

What is the best way to clean it?

I tried rubbing some 99% isopropyl alcohol on the game cared and repeatedly inserting it.

[SuperShark]

I've always found a good way to clean a cart input to be taking a very good, clean, small, soft cloth, like one that somebody may use to clean their glasses with, dab a tad bit of rubbing alchol on it, wrap in on a credit card, and sticking that credti card in the cart input and carefully swipping it back and forth.

This is a first step kind of thing that I do on systems that I get with very bad or dirty cart inputs, as ther are better ways to clean them even more, but this has always seemed to be a very good first step. Your method souds like it might work to, but some of the liquid may come off you game and go into the cart input more easily than from a cloth, and with the carts not being adsorbant like a cloth, you would not be able to get the liquid back out easily. This could damage your system, primairly in gameplay as the cart input will be wet.

[Zadoc]

I don't think that I am going to get this system to work on my own.

Are there any DPers here who have experience in repairing systems such as this?

If so, I would be willing to pay to have someone fix this.

PM me if interested.

[Jibbajaba]

PM Omnedon. He has a business fixing consoles.

Chris

[SuperShark]

PM Omnedon. He has a business fixing consoles.

Chris

Yeah, Omnedon is THE MAN when it comes to fixing ALL systems!!!

He's never actually done any of mine, but I know that he does a lot of this with almost 100% good feedback, and I've seen him on the Roundtable telling people what is wrong with their systems and how to fix the, and he is always right! I've even taken a few of his tips before to fix some systems of some friends, and I'll proably be looking up posts by him when I need to fix one of my own systems someday, if that day ever comes.

Omnedon Rocks!

[Zadoc]

Thank you. I shall PM this Omnedon person.

[SuperShark]

YES! Do That!!!

[Zadoc]

PM Omnedon. He has a business fixing consoles.

Chris

He says I should keep asking here.


Does anyone have any hands on experience with this system who can help?

[chadtower]

If I had one, I could help, but I don't.

[omnedon]

*sigh*



I don't have an Odyssey 1 either. Never seen one. Never used one. Have no games or accessories for it. That's one of the reasons it's not listed at my site as a system OSG services.

That said, I would be willing to look at it (for free of course). Unfortunately, I'd need *everything*. AC, RF, all the games, conrollers and system.

I'm game to give it a go, and a free estimate, if you're willing to risk the price of shipping. If I fail, I can always return it for the price of actual shipping as well.

PM me!

And Thanks all for the kind words. I will do my best to be worthy of such kind praise.