Questions about my 2600

[Dreamcast Gamer]

On Christmas Eve, I bought a 1980 4 switch Atari VCS. The controllers seem to be damaged (fire button barely works, joystick only sensitive in one direction and hardly works in another,) but I'm wondering if my system may have other problems. On my TV (not just one) I get a black bar on the right side of my screen. It doesn't seem to affect gameplay, but is this a sign that my 2600 is dying? Also, is it normal for when you hit the reset switch that you see some weird pixels show up for a split second? Thanks.

[masschamber]

black bar is probably normal, need picture

garbage on screen during reset is normal

 

controller is probably just worn, need a rebuild kit

[+SpiceWare]

8 pixel wide black bars on the left, like the ones in this screenshot of Air-Sea Battle, are normal. They're a side effect of repositioning the players(sprites in modern nomenclature). The Atari only has 2 players, so midscreen repositioning is frequently used.

 

Activision games hide the bars by doing a reposition on ever single scanline. You won't notice that on your TV, though you will in emulation:

 

No other controllers to try? You can use a Genesis game pad, button B is the same as Fire on the Atari.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

No other controllers to try? You can use a Genesis game pad, button B is the same as Fire on the Atari.

I'm using a Genesis controller at the moment. It looks like a Super Nintendo Controller and it came with a Retro-Bit 3 in 1 system LOL.

[+SpiceWare]

Is that the controller that doesn't work?

 

Open up the Atari and take a look at controller ports. It's possible the solder has cracked over time as that is a stress point on the board (all the plugging and unplugging of controllers). If that happened then heat up a soldering iron, then touch the solder long enough to melt it. Once it cools the crack will be gone. Also check the solder on the power adapter socket, that can crack as well.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

I seem to get static when a vacuum is on or my PC is accessing the internet. I'm assuming this is normal.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

Is that the controller that doesn't work?

 

Open up the Atari and take a look at controller ports. It's possible the solder has cracked over time as that is a stress point on the board (all the plugging and unplugging of controllers). If that happened then heat up a soldering iron, then touch the solder long enough to melt it. Once it cools the crack will be gone. Also check the solder on the power adapter socket, that can crack as well.

The Genesis controllers work fine. The joysticks are inconsistent, even on my Sega Geneis, so it can't be the Atari.

[+SpiceWare]

Great!

 

One fun thing about the Genesis controller is we've figured out how to also read Button C. A number of games have been hacked to support it, just need a Harmony Cart to play them on your system. Some homebrews support Button C as well.

[xucaen]

I seem to get static when a vacuum is on or my PC is accessing the internet. I'm assuming this is normal.

 

Pretty much. That's RF interference. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, you could modify the console for composite video. That would remove the RF interference.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

 

Pretty much. That's RF interference. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, you could modify the console for composite video. That would remove the RF interference.

Thanks, just wanted to make sure it wasn't my console.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

Sometimes I get static on my screen, and other times I don't! Usually when it does work fine, it stops working right when I hit reset. Also, occasionally during gameplay, a garbage pixel may falsh on my screen. Is that normal? P.S. Sorry for all these questions, but I've never had a real 2600 before.

[CapitanClassic]

I wonder if it could be a bad capacitor.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6exzxDHB2ds

[Dreamcast Gamer]

I wonder if it could be a bad capacitor.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6exzxDHB2ds

Is that possible? If so, what should I do?:

[Dreamcast Gamer]

I've come to the conclusion that I have a bad capacitor after doing some extensive research last night. Once I get it replaced, I can enjoy some Adventure, Pitfall, Berzerk, and Yars' Revenge

[Rom Collector]

Probably not just "a bad capacitor" but a ELECTROLYTIC capacitor. Usually the bigger (higher voltage) electrolytic caps go bad before the smaller (lower voltage) ones.

[Dreamcast Gamer]

Well, I got another 2600 by exchanging the old one. Everything works perfectly, except for the Game Select key as it's not as sensitive as it should be, but I'm fine with it otherwise.