I have a 5200!!!

Charlie_ · August 25, 2001

Wow, after all these years I finally got a 5200. Got it on e-bay for under 50 with shipping. Its a 4 port model with the wierd RF switch that you plug the power adapter in to. The system is in GREAT condition. I also have games from some other auctions. 32 so far...

The system came with 2 controllers and the seller said they did not respond all the time and that they needed cleaning. Well when i fired the system up the top 3 buttons did not work (start pause reset) but every thing else did. I took the controllers apart to do the eraser trick on the contacts hoping it was just dirty. What I found was that it looked like someone had tried to repair these controllers and run solder along the traces where the flex board comes out and goes down to the left buttons. Needless to say the 3 buttons on both controllers still dont work. I guess whoever "tried" to do this solder job screwed up the flex boards.

So now the only game I can play is Galaxian, because it dont require the start button. :-) At least its a great version of the game. I actually like the analog stick a lot!

I guess I have this question for anyone who has worked with 5200 controllers.... Is excess solder on the traces near the start pause and reset buttons normal? I'm guessing not and that it was just the person who owner this system trying to fix both his/her controllers. Also has any one ever ordered the controller repair kits from atari2600.com? they are $13 and come with revision 9 flex boards (mine are rev 6).

And last but not least! Is anyone willing to sell me a working 5200 controller? :-)

Come on! for a die hard Atari fan ;-p

hehe, i'm loving life with my 5200 ever though I can't do much with it yet.......

Thanks for reading!!

Charlie

Bob · August 25, 2001

Cool, I have 7 5200's, and they all work. Found them all in the wild between 3 Thrift stores I visit frequently. I also found about 50 different games between the stores as well. The best find was finding two working complete systems in a box with 20 games marked for 20 bucks! I know seven is a bit much for such a HUGE system, but I couldn't turn away. I am going to apply the newer fix to the 5200 controllers, which should fix them presently hopefully! I will sell some off eventually. Keep the best 3 for myself. I have a mix of 4 port and 2 port. Also one of my 4 ports has the * next to the serial number, which indicates it will work with the 2600 adapter.

Charlie_ · August 25, 2001

Very cool. Here in NJ, I only knew one kid that ever had a 5200 and ive never seen them in stores. Check out what i just purchased, i know the price is a bit high but the guy is one state away and i should have it in a day or 2. :-)

Ebay item

Charlie