+atari2600land Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 It usually takes several attempts at pushing the power button to turn my 7800 on and off. I was wondering if there was an easy fix for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 The power switch might be getting worn out (unsurprising, given the age of the console). Fortunately, those switches are still being made and sold today, so it shouldn't be difficult to open your 7800 and replace it. Here is the correct part number from Mouser Electronics. All four 7800 console buttons use the same switch, so you might as well order a few extras in case you need to replace one of the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Does this involve soldering at all? I'd need to buy a soldering iron as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 I put some contact cleaner on mine and pressed several times and it always works now. Mine rarely worked b4. No need to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Where do I get contact cleaner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsy Doodleheimer Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Where do I get contact cleaner? Any hardware store like Ace, Lowe's, or Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIO2 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Does this involve soldering at all? I'd need to buy a soldering iron as well. Replacement would require desoldering the old part and soldering in the new part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Stardust Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 My 7800 came from Best NOS with AV mod. They refurb the old switches before shipping it out so they are like new. Regardless I would try contact cleaner first before outright replacement which involves desoldering. You can get a can at Radio Shack and they are generally plastic safe. I had a set of 2600 paddles that worked jitter free after spraying into the pots and vigorously rotating the swiping blade. I did however get Best NOS replacement switches for my 2600 and a pair of replacement pots for my 2600 paddles but have yet to install them. I still get sparkle with the old switches but since spraying contact cleaner inside the switches, I get much less signal bunce, which is a PITA on the select switch when you're trying to flip through like 80 variations and it skips the one you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 My 7800 came from Best NOS with AV mod. They refurb the old switches before shipping it out so they are like new. If it was new old stock why would they referb the switches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78001987 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 If it was new old stock why would they referb the switches? because oxidation is what ruins these switches, not use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 The more you use these switches the more they work I found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Stardust Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 because oxidation is what ruins these switches, not use. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@RealActorRob Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Rubbing alcohol and compressed air worked for me too. And I already had it. Mine had what looked not quite like a spill inside, but it might have been related. Reset button wouldn't work but it's the same. It's easy: https://rcbullock.blogspot.com/2018/10/easy-fix-for-atari-7800-buttons-not.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicViper Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Where do I get contact cleaner? Deoxit isnt cheap, but it is god like in its awesome power https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-Laboratories-Mini-Spray-Nonflammable-Solution/dp/B000RGD9PK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1540323933&sr=8-10&keywords=deoxit+d5+spray+contact+cleaner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 While cleaning the switches does help I usually find it quicker and easier to just replace them out. They aren't that expensive as I get them in small bulks from console5.com when clients want original like switches. I also use more expensive Alps brand ones and those I do order from Mouser when I need them. https://console5.com/store/tactile-switch-12mm-x-4-5mm-atari-7800-power-pause-select-reset.html These switches also fit in the Sega Genesis to replace worn out reset switches as well. But I also normally use a higher grade switch for those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah98 Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 I replaced all of my switches because the problem always eventually returned after cleaning them. The hardest part for me was desoldering the old switches. They were quite stubborn! Putting the new ones in wasn't so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariNerd Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 *ducks* Some slightly larger, smoother-edged switches/buttons might have been nice in the design phase. They're usable enough, but a little more use-testing and a few more pennies spent, would have helped with the aesthetics and feel. It's a small thing, but it's just one little extra that can act as an incentive / disincentive to play. Maybe something around the size of the Genesis Model 2 power / reset buttons. Still pretty small, but nicely rounded. Have the same feeling about the choices around the Jag power button... it was originally meant as a CD/Console all-in-one, wasn't it, before cost issues came into play - the power button being the CD eject button? I can just feel it. Or rather I've instinctively pressed it, thinking it was...my fault, but yeah. *grumble* I'm a fussy person. Anyways, if Curt gets around to implementing his work-alike console, with added goodies, some things need not be dogmatically adhered to. Find some comfy buttons, from other consoles or wherever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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