StormSurge Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Looking for some help!When I played Circus Atari a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that after a few minutes of playing, the screen would go from a perfectly normal picture to the color becoming washed out & almost staticky (sp). I was playing some Home Run last night & the same thing happened. When I jiggle either cable, the picture quality changes. It turns out, just moving the whole console has an effect on the picture. What's wrong with my machine?!?! Before: After:
Rowsdower70 Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Is there anything you are moving to or away from that could have some signal interference? "For you - Rowsdower from the 70 - have been appointed Omnivisioner of the Game Grid." ~ Atari Adventure Square
StormSurge Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Posted October 20, 2015 Is there anything you are moving to or away from that could have some signal interference? Nope, not a thing. After about three minutes, it goes. If I turn it on & off, it comes back fine.
Rowsdower70 Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Have you tried a different TV by any chance? "For you - Rowsdower from the 70 - have been appointed Omnivisioner of the Game Grid." ~ Atari Adventure Square
Rowsdower70 Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Barring that, I'm guessing there's a loose connection somewhere with your R/F. Do you have a 2600? "For you - Rowsdower from the 70 - have been appointed Omnivisioner of the Game Grid." ~ Atari Adventure Square
StormSurge Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Posted October 20, 2015 Have you tried a different TV by any chance? I have not. That's the only CRT TV I have. Should I try it on an LCD?
StormSurge Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Posted October 20, 2015 Barring that, I'm guessing there's a loose connection somewhere with your R/F. Do you have a 2600? Do you mean do I have ANOTHER 2600?
RickR Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 I have a hard time typing on a tablet, so I'll have more to say when I get home. These machines are approaching 40 years of age, so it isn't unusual. The timing of this problem indicates heat is the culprit. I would assume either the power adapter is going, or the voltage regulator inside the 2600. More info later.
StormSurge Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Posted October 20, 2015 I have a hard time typing on a tablet, so I'll have more to say when I get home. These machines are approaching 40 years of age, so it isn't unusual. The timing of this problem indicates heat is the culprit. I would assume either the power adapter is going, or the voltage regulator inside the 2600. More info later. Thanks Rick! Interesting. I do believe I have another power adapter, so I can try that. But based on the fact that the interference changes when I move the console has me thinking it's internal. Ugh...
AlamoAtari Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Here's something from left field, is it on the same circuit as an air conditioner or something like that can draw a lot of power. Sometimes you have interference that way. Or the cord could have a loose foot or connection. Run a piece of 800 grit over the rf adaptator and the frogs and make them snug it might be easy.
StormSurge Posted October 21, 2015 Author Report Posted October 21, 2015 Here's something from left field, is it on the same circuit as an air conditioner or something like that can draw a lot of power. Sometimes you have interference that way. Or the cord could have a loose foot or connection. Run a piece of 800 grit over the rf adaptator and the frogs and make them snug it might be easy. Good thinking Alamo, but I don't think that's the case. There is nothing nearby that should cause interference. And I have no idea what grit is, let alone the 800 version.
AlamoAtari Posted October 21, 2015 Report Posted October 21, 2015 Sand paper, was what I was thinking. lol.
StormSurge Posted October 21, 2015 Author Report Posted October 21, 2015 Sand paper, was what I was thinking. lol. Ha! That makes sense.
StormSurge Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Posted October 27, 2015 Okay, so I played a bit more last night & I only noticed the issue once, with E.T. It didn't happen with any other games (I suppose I should have tried Home Run again). Is it a cartridge issue? Also, when it does happen, it goes away once I turn off the console & turn it back on. If it was a heat issue, wouldn't it still be hot when I turn it back on?
AlamoAtari Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 Check out the cable and see if it has a short on it.
StormSurge Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Posted October 28, 2015 Check out the cable and see if it has a short on it. How would I check that? And which cable? The power or video?
AlamoAtari Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 Do you have a multimeter, I am thinking that it might be the video cable if it intermittently does that. A simple test could be turn on the system and bend the cord around to see if there's a change. It looks like interference in that picture.
StormSurge Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Posted October 28, 2015 I do not have a multimeter. If it was interference, wouldn't it happen all the time, assuming the source of the interference was still present? I'm not saying your thinking is wrong, I'm just trying to understand this mess.
nosweargamer Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 If it is a 4 or 6 switch system, to see if it is the av cord, I might try opening the system, and playing with both ends of the cord while the game is on to see if I could replicate the issue. The No Swear Gamer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtJuo040EOCTVziObIgVcg Host of The Atari 7800 Game by Game Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and YouTube
AlamoAtari Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Not necessarily, there might be a crack in the wire causing the problem, since it was intermittent it might be replicated by messing with the cord. The coax has a solid copper core, and the jacket that covers it might have a crack in it to cause a film end to touch it periodically.
StormSurge Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Posted October 29, 2015 She's a 4-switch. Should I take it apart & share a picture?
StormSurge Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Posted December 2, 2015 I'm not sure if it's been resolved or not. I've only played a few times since and I don't recall it happening. Once I start playing Centipede for the Squad Challenge, I'll report back. Thanks for checking in!
Atari 5200 Guy Posted December 2, 2015 Report Posted December 2, 2015 Check you cartridge slot for foreign objects or corrosion. While it is on jiggle the RF cord from the Atari in short, rapid movement. If the TV flickers with the movement it may be worn out from age. If you are not afraid to take it apart you might check the solder joints of the RF switch box inside the Atari as the might have came loose. Hope that helps.
StormSurge Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Posted December 2, 2015 Will do! Thanks! And I'm not afraid to take it apart, but other than blowing dust out of it, I'd be afraid of touching anything inside there.
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