These two Atari VCS 2600’s came in together for repairing and servicing. Both in largely unknown condition having spent some years in storage but one was reported to have smoked the last time it was used.
They came with an original power adapter too, which is quite unusual for these. It appears as if the adapter has had a new plug fitted onto the cable at some stage.
Neither console initially came on when tested. Luckily though, they both turned out to have only minor issues.
The pics show the “woody” in all it’s glory. This was the first real games console I had, growing up. Apart from a Binatone, and that doesn’t really count. It makes it special though, so it’s always a pleasure to revive one – or two this time.
They have two circuit boards. The large light coloured one holds the famous 6 switches, the voltage regulator on a small heatsink and the RF modulator. There’s a long smoothing capacitor on here too. These will both be recapped, as they’re going to be opened anyway, but they don’t tend to go bad in them. There are only 3 to worry about.
The main board, with the ICs and output circuitry is well hidden inside a cast aluminium casing. They really took RF shielding seriously back then. Digital signals were something new though and most TVs and radios were still being made of wood, with no internal shielding, so interference was a thing. It was just new technology I think and an abundance of caution.
The two boards connect together with a loose ribbon, terminated with a plug at the top. This allows the boards to be separated to work on. It can be a failure point but was OK in both of these.
The issue with both was that the 9V power was not reaching the voltage regulator. There were different reasons but the same symptom – just dead.
In one it was a dirty power switch, not making a good contact and allowing power through. The other also had a dirty switch but also a bad solder joint on the power socket of the bottom board. Just minor faults thankfully.
With power restored, both Atari’s came to life once more. All the switches and the cartridge slots were cleaned and the capacitors replaced. The top plastics were also treated to a scrub in the sink before they went back together. They were already quite clean though and just general fluff’n’stuff inside.
Oddly, the RF modulators in the two were tuned to different TV channels. I didn’t notice whether they were actually different modulators. With Atari no. 1 already being back together and packaged ready to go home it will remain a mystery. They were clearly from different factories though, with different labelling on the bottom.
There was no obvious reason for the smoke that was seen, before they were placed into storage. I suspect it could possibly have been from the plug or wire from the power adapter, rather than the console itself. That may explain the new plug being fitted. Just pleased to have them both back up and running for their owner.
High Score: 3345 .. wdyt?
Interestingly, there is a glitch with the Space Invaders game. If you hold the reset switch as you turn on the power, you end up with rapid fire when it starts.
Me? I would never.. How very dare you.