New Life Games LLC
NLG Users Repair Logs and Other Ramblings. Request your very own topic. Just ask any site staff. => Channelmaniac's Arcadecomponents' Old School Repair Logs => Topic started by: channelmaniac on May 04, 2014, 05:34:48 PM
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Model: Atari 2600
Symptom: Controller doesn't work properly
If the controller doesn't work properly and the problem stays with the board (doesn't follow the controller) then check for bent pins in the DB9 connector. These could be bent over or pushed back inside the shell to where they don't make good contact with the joystick.
If that's not it then replace the 6532 RIOT (RAM, I/O, and Timer) IC. Atari part number: CO10750
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Model: Atari 2600
Symptom: Resets at random
If the 2600 resets at random or if it resets when bumped then check for cracked solder joints on the power jack and clean the power switch. Dirty switches are a very common problem with this game.
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Model: Atari 5200
Symptom: garbage on screen, unit may hang
Replaced a bad 4516 DRAM IC. These are 5v only DRAMs, unlike the 4116 type that take +5, -5, and +12v to operate.
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Model: Atari 5200
Symptom: Missing sounds
Not all sound effects present on system. Replaced bad POKEY IC and tested game.
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Model: Atari 5200
Troubleshooting controller issues
The Atari 5200 is a troublesome unit when it comes to the controllers. They are junk. Commonly the keypad and fire buttons stop working due to problems with the flexible circuit board or the carbon nubs on the bottoms of the buttons. Replace these first. Replacements can be found on eBay.
If the keypads still are not working and you are SURE it's a system problem replace the POKEY IC.
The sticks themselves are analog and rarely give trouble. If you are SURE it's a system problem replace the 4052 IC first. If that's not it replace the POKEY IC.
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Model: Atari Video Music
Symptom: Dead. Missing capacitor.
It's not a computer... not a game console... but I'll put it in this thread anyway. :)
The Atari Video Music as a box that hooks up to your stereo and your TV and puts graphics on the TV that move to the music.
Removed incorrect 16v transformer and installed a 16v center tapped transformer. Replaced missing 1000uf axial capacitor in the power circuit. Tested.
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Model: Atari 5200 4-port
Symptom: Joystick port 1 broken
Replaced DB15 jack on the game board and tested.
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Model: Atari 5200 2 port.
Symptom: Joystick port 1 dead
Replaced 2x CD4052 multiplexers and tested.
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Model: Atari 2600
Symptom: Player 1 fire button stuck on
Replaced bad CD4050 IC and tested. No sound. Adjusted the audio circuit frequency coil and tested.
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Model: Atari 7800
Symptom: Dead. Will not power on
Common issue for the 7800. It uses big square tactile switches that are poorly sealed from the elements. Replaced all 4 tactile switches, cleaned the cartridge slot, and tested both 7800 and 2600 modes.
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Model: Atari 2600
Symptom: Dead. Garbage on screen
Disassembled and cleaned the intermittent power switch and cleaned the dirty cartridge slot. Games would play but could not select them or reset them. Disassembled and cleaned the select and reset switches. Retested.
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Model: Atari 5200
Symptom: Turns off. Video chops
Replaced defective power switch and adjusted the RF modulator. Tested.
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Model: Coleco Gemini
Symptom: Garbage on screen
Cleaned Cartridge slot to fix the garbage on screen. Game controllers were dead and cartridge slot was finicky. Resoldered multiple cracked solder joints on the joystick ports and cartridge slot. Retouched a few cracked joints on the custom TIA chip. Tested playing Atari Centipede.
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Model: Atari Video Music
Symptom: Dead
Customer had recapped PCB.
Board was missing +5v. Replaced shorted LM3401 Quad Op Amp and tested.
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Model: 2600
Symptom: Crashes
Loop tested the RIOT chip in a Neoloch Inquisitor and disassembled and cleaned the cartridge slot manually. Reassembled and replaced the RIOT chip socket. Tested.
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Model: Lynx II
Symptom: Dead
Replaced the mylar button strip and carbon button contacts. Recapped console and installed power supply rebuild kit. Cleaned game system and cartridge slot. Cleaned cartridge contacts. Tested.