shear_xear Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 Hi everyone. I have an Atari 7800 that I can play 2600 games on just fine, but 7800 games wont load at all. The BIOS screen doesnt even show, just a black screen. The pins in the cartridge slot look fine, so I dont think its that. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this? Is there a separate BIOS chip on the 7800s board that might be faulty? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 BIOS or a bad Maria chip! Any sound? Wait a bit and see if reset does anything. There's a company that sells a new BIOS with Asteroids built in! Could also be a bad trace or line to the cartridge slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Or dirty pins in the cart connector. 7800 uses 8 extra connector pins that aren't used in 2600 mode. If the console can't detect the pins there or read the code correctly, it assumes 2600 mode by default. 7800 games however will not work in 2600 mode so you'd get blank screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shear_xear Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 I dont believe the pins are dirty, and cleaning them was the first thing I did. I have a spare board that I use for parts, but I just dont know the location of the BIOS (if it is separate from the Maria). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 The BIOS is a seperate chip. 24 pins, between the TIA chip and the 2 24 pin ram chips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shear_xear Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 Thanks! I will swap that out and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shear_xear Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 (edited) SoundGammon, who sells the replacement BIOS chip with Asteroids built in? Does the 7800 load up Asteroids like the Vectrex loads Mine Storm? Thanks! Edited May 9, 2018 by shear_xear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 ...who sells the replacement BIOS chip with Asteroids built in? Does the 7800 load up Asteroids like the Vectrex loads Mine Storm?... Best Electronics. Yes, it loads Asteroids if no cartridge is detected, similar to the way a Vectrex would load Mine Storm. The web page design is not great, but the hardware and service quality is top notch. The appropriate section and item reference number are noted below: =============================================== Items Supplied with the Best 7800 OS Upgrade Modification: -8 page Installation Instructions with 9 color photos -New 7800 OS chip -Jumper wire -New 7800 28 pin OS I.C. Socket -New Interface I.C. -A New set of shorter 7800 Case screws. Atari 7800 US Consoles OS Upgrade Kit CB102669 $17.95 =============================================== Contact Info... E-Mail: bestelec@concentric.net Phone: 408-278-1070 (1:30 - 5 PM, PST*, M - F) *Take note referenced hours are Pacific Standard Time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shear_xear Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 Yes, the Best page is very difficult to navigate, but this is too much to pass up. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Yes, the Best page is very difficult to navigate, but this is too much to pass up. Thanks! Just send an email....Bradley answers very fast. greetings Walter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shear_xear Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thanks! I will give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Just to point out there will be additional charges if the total is below minimum for certain services like Paypal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 I just want to be nit-picky and point out that regular carts do not load at all, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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