Atari 5200 Guy Posted April 29, 2016 Report Posted April 29, 2016 The VCS/2600 I got recently received some mail today...and a "doctor's" appointment. So I took it apart and started the process of... ...replacing all four main switches and one difficulty switch. The others were fine so I didn't need to replace those. The removal process was not all that difficult. And it sure did make a difference in how each switch performs. I have always wondered why those main switches were so stiff when I would find them in the wild. They were worn out! So now my 2600 has new main switches (aren't they shiny?!?) and the left difficulty switch has been replaced. It's like a brand new unit!! Thanks for reading!
Atari 5200 Guy Posted April 29, 2016 Author Report Posted April 29, 2016 The only thing left to do is find the foil tape that grounds the switches to the RF shield over the processors. Man, just changing the switches did a world of miracles. I'm not experiencing as much interference as I was before. It wasn't bad but there was some static from something. And everything that was on before is still on...no changes. Thanks, Rick, for the comment. I feel like I did a good thing. I just wish I knew what color that edge is suppose to be around the four switches.
Arenafoot Posted April 29, 2016 Report Posted April 29, 2016 did they just pop off and pop on the new ones? or did you have to solder them? Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne
chas10e Posted April 29, 2016 Report Posted April 29, 2016 http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sharpie+paint+marker+orange&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=91332160949&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17883468853649635835&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_63kiczcd57_b they have these @ local arts & craft shops .... I don't know what the original paint code is but this should touch it up nicly don't toss them old switches ... sometimes someone just needs a spring off'n them or something to replace a borked handle ... the foil tape you can get a roll for duct work ... I wanted to toss some in RJB but was pressed for time
Atari 5200 Guy Posted April 29, 2016 Author Report Posted April 29, 2016 http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sharpie+paint+marker+orange&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=91332160949&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17883468853649635835&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_63kiczcd57_b they have these @ local arts & craft shops .... I don't know what the original paint code is but this should touch it up nicly don't toss them old switches ... sometimes someone just needs a spring off'n them or something to replace a borked handle ... the foil tape you can get a roll for duct work ... I wanted to toss some in RJB but was pressed for time Thanks! I will check it out!! I never throw away parts unless they are absolutely beyond working/repairing condition. Those switches still can function if the time comes I should need them. Hopefully by then I will have new spares ready to be installed but I expect this 2600 will outlast me...and maybe half a generation after that. The 2600's may have issues but for the most part they are built like a tank!
Atari 5200 Guy Posted May 2, 2016 Author Report Posted May 2, 2016 Well, since the switch restoration this 2600 has faulty components somewhere. I will be starting a new thread for that.
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