Help ! Broken 6-switch Woody !

[JohnA]

Hi all,

 

I recently got a broken 2600 "Darth Vader" console and diagnosed a faulty PAL TIA chip. I scrounged one from my working 6-switch Woody and the fault on the Vader was cured

 

I then ordered a replacement PAL TIA from Brad at Best Electronics (Thanks Brad!) which has arrived.

 

I plugged the new TIA into my Woody and... Nothing

 

I swapped the TIA/RIOT/CPU between the Woody and the Vader, and the Vader still works (so the three chips are all OK) but the Woody is still dead.

 

Symptoms: Screen is black. It looks like a real TV signal because there is no interference, but there isn't any game either. When I switch the console off I get the usual snowy screen, so it definately looks like it's almost alive.

 

I've checked the voltage regulator and it seems to be working fine.

 

I have obviously upset something. Anyone got any suggestions what it might be ?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

JohnA.

[Max-T]

Are you sure that the cartridge slot is still in proper alignment? I am definitely no Atari expert, but I have had a system before in which the system's PCB was slightly out of alignment. I got a red-and-black screen, as opposed to yur all-black screen, but I was just wondering. Best of luck!

 

Max

[JohnA]

Hi Max,

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion - sadly the board isn't even back in the case yet. It's still on my work bench so I can't see how to get an alignment problem

 

I think the slot is OK (could be wrong of course!)

 

Regards,

JohnA