mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Hi, I just bought an atari 7800 on ebay as a gift. I'm trying to hook it up to make sure it works, and am not able to get it to work. They told me it came with all necessary parts to play it. It came with an automatic tv/game switch from radioshack. I've hooked that up to the best of my ability. I called Radioshack to make sure it was hooked up properly, but they were very little help. Can you help? I need to make sure this works Thank you in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 What exactly happens when you turn it on ? Does the screen do anything ? Does the powerlight come on ? Do you have a cartridge inserted ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 The power light comes on. I've tried 2 diff. cartridges. But, nothing happens on the tv screen. Do I have the right hardware to connect it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 What channel did you tune the TV to ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 I've tried 2, 4, 4, 5, and 7. We don't have cable so we don't have that many to choose from :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 It came with an automatic tv/game switch from radioshack. That's your problem right there. You need a *MANUAL* game switch box from Radio Shack. It is the one where you have to move the little switch to select between GAME and TV. If you need any more assistance, you can read the on-line Atari 7800 ProSystem instruction manual on my website at www.atari7800.com/html/7800manual.htm Good luck with your new 7800! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 The people who sold it to me told me they used the automatic switch when they played it. Is there something about my tv that would cause me to need something different than them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Or you could buy one of these http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...&products_id=42. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Either they did a modification to your 7800 or they are mistaken. The 7800 does not work with automatic switchboxes. Believe me, I've been trying that all my life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 It came with an automatic tv/game switch from radioshack. That's your problem right there. You need a *MANUAL* game switch box from Radio Shack. It is the one where you have to move the little switch to select between GAME and TV. If you need any more assistance, you can read the on-line Atari 7800 ProSystem instruction manual on my website at www.atari7800.com/html/7800manual.htm Good luck with your new 7800! This makes life even easier: http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...?products_id=42 I have a few TV/Game boxes as backups, but they do not produce a picture as nicely as when the system is hooked up through Coaxial (F-Type) to Female RCA Adapter. Back on topic, what games are you trying to use when turning the system on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 This makes life even easier:http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=42 That's true. I forgot about those little gizmos. Those are quite helpful and the picture is SOOO much clearer, it's about as good as it gets thru RF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 I've tried space invaders and pacman. does that make a difference when I'm hooking it up? Are there others I should try-they should all work though-right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Hey Ferris-how would I know if they modified my 7800? Is there something I can look for? This is a big pain in the a... -thank you guys for all of your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I've tried space invaders and pacman. does that make a difference when I'm hooking it up? Are there others I should try-they should all work though-right? IIRC, some 7800s have a switch where you have to change the mode from 2600 mode to 7800 mode. Depending on whether the games are 2600 or 7800 games. The games you tested should work fine unless they are dead carts which is very unlikely. Are you getting any evidence of a change on the TV when you turn the system on? Some 2600 games are not compatable with the 7800, but I don't think those games are among them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 no change in the tv when I turn the system on. Would that be b/c I need the manual game/tv switch-or should I see a change even though I'm using the automatic switch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Yeah, if they modified it, it should be pretty clear. If they did a mod to it, it would most likely be to add composite video outputs so there would be RCA jacks poking out of the back and you should be able to see that the plastic casing has been cut or shaved. If they did an auto RF modification, chances are you would see that internally. If your auto RF switchbox isnt working with the 7800, it is more likely that the person who sold you the unit is confused and is confusing you in the process. Ive had hundreds of 7800s go thru my hands in the past and not one had been modified for auto RF out. Your best bet is to purchase one of the direct connectors from AtariAge or go to Radio Shack and bite the bullet and spend six dollars on the manual RF switchbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Thanks! I don't mind spending the $6 or 10 or whatever to make it work, I just didn't want to spend it if it's not going to work. It sounds like that's what's wrong though, so I'll go tomorrow. It bugs me that they sent this with the wrong switch though, that tells me they didn't bother to hook it up and make sure it actually works.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Before you go to Radio Shack make a roster of what items you have and a checklist of what items you need to get. You will want to make sure that the 7800 power adapter works and you get the red light to come on when you power up the unit. That's half the battle. Like I said, chances are its just because you are using an incompatable RF switchbox with your deck. When you go to Radio Shack, make sure you have a MANUAL RF switchbox for older video game systems. If you have a modern television, make sure that it is either a cable ready box, or that you spend another buck fifty to get the Y-cord to coaxial converter. You will also want to get an RF cable that connects the new switch box to your 7800. Once you have all of these things you should be set for gameplay. Good luck!!! Atari 7800 On-Line Owners Manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh004g Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Thanks Ferris! You're an amazing help! One more quick question. We don't have a cable box, since we don't have cable. We do have a dvd and a vcr hooked up to our tv, will that make a difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 As long as you have the standard coax input on the back of your tv set... which most all tvs of the past two decades do... you should be all set. (It's the little silver metal one that is threaded so you can screw on to it.) The guys at radio shack should be able to help you if you have more questions. Atari 7800 On-Line Owners Manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I've tried 2, 4, 4, 5, and 7. We don't have cable so we don't have that many to choose from :wink: Many 7800s are set to channel 3. The switch on the back changes it between channels 3 and 4. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Any luck today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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