troubleshooting "apparently hopeless" atari 400

[Gradualore]

My second atari 400, as I've mentioned in another thread, appears to be dead. Now that I have the rca-to-coaxial adapter I've tried it on a TV. sometimes it will power on, sometimes it won't. Every so often it seems to be creating some sort of a signal to the TV as it makes some brownish fuzzy colors but that is about it.

 

Is it worth it to attempt to troubleshoot this or would it make more sense to send this one to someone who knows how to repair it, perhaps in exchange for parts for my WORKING atari 400? (controllers, belts, etc.)

Edited January 17, 2011 by Gradualore

[Bryan]

When you say "sometimes it powers on," do you mean the LED doesn't come on? There's a 2nd power switch activated by closing the cartridge door. Try pushing down on the door and see if that's the problem.

 

I wouldn't bother too much with servicing it. 400's occasionally go for $20-25 shipped on ebay.

[UNIXcoffee928]

When you say "sometimes it powers on," do you mean the LED doesn't come on? There's a 2nd power switch activated by closing the cartridge door. Try pushing down on the door and see if that's the problem.

 

I wouldn't bother too much with servicing it. 400's occasionally go for $20-25 shipped on ebay.

 

If that doesn't' work, open it up, remove the power daughterboard, clean the contacts for it, re-attach the daughterboard, then test... it is very likely that the problem will go away.