Odyssey 2 troubleshooting

[dofphoto]

So i am new to collecting.. I have 17 systems at the moment and my newest purchase was an Odyssey 2 its pretty much mint in box.. when I start it up I get crazy characters on the screen with or without a cart inserted.. the only one being different is KC munchkin which goes black screen and never starts.. I have had no luck on the internet finding a solution.. seems like there are some very experienced people here so does anyone know what to do about this?

[GroovyBee]

Can you solder?

[dofphoto]

Can you solder?

not really

[Hatta]

17 systems is pretty good for someone new to collecting. You're going to want to know how to solder eventually, so this is a good opportunity. Whether it's video modding, repairing switches/connectors, installing mod chips, building cables, what have you, soldering is an essential skill for this hobby.

[GroovyBee]

not really

 

In my opinion it'll be far cheaper and less stressful to buy another off ebay. However, you might try cleaning the cart connectors as a first attempt.

[SoulBlazer]

not really

 

In my opinion it'll be far cheaper and less stressful to buy another off ebay. However, you might try cleaning the cart connectors as a first attempt.

 

I'm curious as to what your advice WOULD have been if he could solder.

[GroovyBee]

I'm curious as to what your advice WOULD have been if he could solder.

 

I'm no Philips G7000 expert but...

 

Download the schematic here :-

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/g7000_1.jpg

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/g7000_2.jpg

 

And a picture of board here :-

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/magnavoxo2boardpic.jpg

 

- Clean cart's connector and test again. Repeat for all the carts you have for the system.

- Check cart connector on the motherboard in the console looks OK e.g no bent pins etc.

- Check you can see power at the cart connector.

- Check the motherboard PSU is OK e.g. 4.75 to 5.25 volts on power supply pins on chips, no rail drooping, no excessive noise etc. If any problems replace caps and linear reg (if it has one).

- Reflow all joints on the cart connector and test carts again.

- If that doesn't work reflow the RAM chip.

- If that doesn't work check the CPU comes out of reset (pin 4 on 8048) and address/data/control lines are active. Check the CPU has a clock.

- Check the address/data bus multiplexer is working OK.

 

You'll also need a voltmeter and a logic probe as a minimum. A scope or a logic analyser would be good too.

 

If nothing works get a new one from ebay .

[dofphoto]

I'm curious as to what your advice WOULD have been if he could solder.

 

I'm no Philips G7000 expert but...

 

Download the schematic here :-

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/g7000_1.jpg

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/g7000_2.jpg

 

And a picture of board here :-

http://www.alpinecom.net/phackmann/O2/magnavoxo2boardpic.jpg

 

- Clean cart's connector and test again. Repeat for all the carts you have for the system.

- Check cart connector on the motherboard in the console looks OK e.g no bent pins etc.

- Check you can see power at the cart connector.

- Check the motherboard PSU is OK e.g. 4.75 to 5.25 volts on power supply pins on chips, no rail drooping, no excessive noise etc. If any problems replace caps and linear reg (if it has one).

- Reflow all joints on the cart connector and test carts again.

- If that doesn't work reflow the RAM chip.

- If that doesn't work check the CPU comes out of reset (pin 4 on 8048) and address/data/control lines are active. Check the CPU has a clock.

- Check the address/data bus multiplexer is working OK.

 

You'll also need a voltmeter and a logic probe as a minimum. A scope or a logic analyser would be good too.

 

If nothing works get a new one from ebay .

So what you are saying is it's trial and error.. no one has actually had this problem?

[dofphoto]

17 systems is pretty good for someone new to collecting. You're going to want to know how to solder eventually, so this is a good opportunity. Whether it's video modding, repairing switches/connectors, installing mod chips, building cables, what have you, soldering is an essential skill for this hobby.

yeah it's alot of newer systems ps1 saturns and such -- i do have an odyssey 300 and a couple ataris but i dont have a vectrex so i feel incomplete

[GroovyBee]

So what you are saying is it's trial and error.. no one has actually had this problem?

 

Its not trial and error its being methodical. The carts and cart slot have the most mechanical abuse so check them first. If they're OK, check the PSU (caps degrade with age). If the PSU is OK check the RAM (games need it to run) and so on...

[dofphoto]

not really

 

In my opinion it'll be far cheaper and less stressful to buy another off ebay. However, you might try cleaning the cart connectors as a first attempt.

and do you recommend the windex or alcohol method for cleaning contacts?

[Hatta]

No windex, it leaves a film. Alcohol is better. Contact cleaner/TV tuner cleaner is the best. Get it at radio shack or auto zone.

[GroovyBee]

and do you recommend the windex or alcohol method for cleaning contacts?

 

I'd recommend some Isopropyl alcohol and one of those rough pen ink erasers (the ones that feel gritty) if that doesn't work. Make sure the carts are bone dry before you put them back in the console.

[dofphoto]

and do you recommend the windex or alcohol method for cleaning contacts?

 

I'd recommend some Isopropyl alcohol and one of those rough pen ink erasers (the ones that feel gritty) if that doesn't work. Make sure the carts are bone dry before you put them back in the console.

you guys are awesome, thanks for all the advice, seems i have my work cut out for me. but i am going to get another system and play with this one for the experience.