Time For One

[Atari 5200 Guy]

I tell my 2600 that I have time for one game.  I don't think my 2600 understood me.

Shortly after taking this picture my 2600 just shows a black screen now.  Tried multiple games and same thing.  I'm going to try replacing Stella, RIOT, and TIA to see if that helps.  I'm guessing it's either TiA or faulty 7805 regulator because it at times acts like it's not getting power.  Tested same games on a Junior model with same power supply and they are all fine.

[Atari 5200 Guy]

It was all three chips.  Replacing them one at a time did nothing, replacing all three fixed it. It should be good for another 40 years.

[DegasElite]

That's good you were able to repair the A2600. Those Woodies are worth their weight in gold. I had one, but it got stolen. No worries, as I have an A2600 Junior Short Rainbow that works well. It just needs some cosmetic repair. I can do that, but I need to decide how. I am researching that. :O)

[DegasElite]

By the way, where did you get the replacement Stella, TIA, and RIOT chips? Were they from a system or unused? I suppose they were cannibalized from an old system that didn't work anymore. That's my guess.

[Atari 5200 Guy]

A parts board. I had a board that worked but had no difficulty switches or controller ports.  I use to tinker with it but now I needed it's 3 ICs.

[RickR]

I'm glad you got it fixed, but there is no way all three chips blow at once without some kind of power issue.  I would for sure replace that 7805 voltage regulator and double check your power adapter.

 

[DegasElite]

Agreed. The power regulator may need to be replaced, too. Just for safety, anyway. :O)

[Atari 5200 Guy]

5 hours ago, RickR said:

I'm glad you got it fixed, but there is no way all three chips blow at once without some kind of power issue.  I would for sure replace that 7805 voltage regulator and double check your power adapter.

 

I think I'll double check those chips again because you are right.  No way all three blew at once.  If none of the chips I pulled work I'll replace the regulator.  

[Atari 5200 Guy]

Using a testing board I tested all three processors.  The original 6507 went bad, the other 2 chips are fine.

[DegasElite]

I didn't think they were socketed in. I thought they needed soldering. Cool. :O)

[CrossBow]

1 hour ago, DegasElite said:

I didn't think they were socketed in. I thought they needed soldering. Cool. :O)

Depends on when it was made. I think all the JRs for instance those chips are soldered in. But on all of the sixers and many of the 4port models, they still used sockets for them.

 

[DegasElite]

Sounds logical. I can see soldering being a thing with the older A2600s. I think socketing, especially ZIF socketing, is a more recent innovation. But, is there an issue with chip creep on those socketed chips? I wonder.

[CrossBow]

9 minutes ago, DegasElite said:

Sounds logical. I can see soldering being a thing with the older A2600s. I think socketing, especially ZIF socketing, is a more recent innovation. But, is there an issue with chip creep on those socketed chips? I wonder.

Biggest issue with the sockets they used was that most of them were single wipe and so over time they have worn a bit loose and corrosion can start to cause the chip and socket to want to become 'one'.

 

[DegasElite]

I see how that could happen. Interesting. That makes sense.

[Atari 5200 Guy]

The only issue I have with these sockets is the one for RIOT.  It's literally butted up against the cartridge ports, making it a bit difficult to get to.  

 

[DegasElite]

I see how that can be an issue.