n8littlefield Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 So, my father in law just gave me all his old games and systems because he heard that I was looking to get a few of the systems that I used to own. So, now I am the proud owner of a NES, SNES, and 2 Atari's. The Atari's however, have some issues. First, they are both 4 switch, one is all black, one is woodgrain, not sure if that's relevant or not. The woodgrain one, preferably, is the one I'd like to end up using. The woodgrain has a cord for rf, but I don't have the box. So, I either have to get a new one at radioshack or mod it, which I'm considering, I'm relatively handy with soldering iron... If I do this, and money IS an object, what is the best one to use, I downloaded the PDF for Ben's and it looks pretty straightforward, are there better options for the same $$? The woodgrain one, however, has no reset switch, or it's broken off in the system far enough that it cannot be seen. Can I take a switch off the black one and replace it on the wood one? Also, I have no controllers, but read that Genesis one's work? Is that true? If so, I can use those until the summer flea markets start up. I am dying to play this thing, it came with, among other games, Tapper! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FujiSkunk Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Can't help you on the soldering questions, but as for the others: The woodgrain one, however, has no reset switch, or it's broken off in the system far enough that it cannot be seen. Can I take a switch off the black one and replace it on the wood one? Yes, the 4-switch woodgrain and black consoles are the same inside, and it would be fairly simple work to disassemble a switch in one and put it in the other. No soldering/desoldering required, in fact. Just make sure you don't lose the all the little pieces inside. Also, I have no controllers, but read that Genesis one's work? Is that true? If so, I can use those until the summer flea markets start up. Yes. I believe it's the "B" button that works as the fire button for the Ataris and Commodores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf9545 Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 You can go here http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/2600_Te..._Tips.htm#based for a switch for the Atari. This part is perfect to connect the Atari to a newer TV without a "game switch box". http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...&products_id=42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 Will that adaptor require an A/B switch to go from cable to Atari? If so, I may wait until I can do the modding, since I really want all my systems on my composite switchbox. However, it would at least let me know which of the two work...think I may place an order, the price is right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf9545 Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 It matters on how you hook up the Atari using the adaptor. If you go right into the cable connection on the tv then that is all you will need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 Right, but if I then want to watch TV, I would have to switch them on the back of the tv, or have an A/B switch, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FujiSkunk Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 There are automatic TV switchboxes available. Check your favorite electronics store (Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.). They will default to one source (such as cable TV), but then automatically switch to a second source (such as a video game console) when a signal is available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...%5Fid=15%2D1267 Any opinions on this? I'm mostly looking to get by until I can afford the time and $$ to mod the system, also I had to mod until I know it's working... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 There are automatic TV switchboxes available. Check your favorite electronics store (Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.). They will default to one source (such as cable TV), but then automatically switch to a second source (such as a video game console) when a signal is available. Automatic switchboxes will not work on older systems because their signal is way too weak. While they are fine for the NES and SNES, the VCS needs a manual switchbox. You need either this: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...ct%5Fid=15-1268 or this: http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...&products_id=42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F010%5F011%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1267 Any opinions on this? I'm mostly looking to get by until I can afford the time and $$ to mod the system, also I had to mod until I know it's working... You'll be wasting your time and money if you try and use that for the Atari systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophero Sly Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 You can just swap out the entire motherboard from the Vader and put it in the Woody. That way you won't have to do any soldering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 I like the idea of just swapping the guts of the two for the switches issue...I'll have to try that. I know eventually I'll be doing soldering, since I really want to end up with composite output. I just wanted something I could use in the meantime, to make sure the system actually works. I may pick up the manual switchbox just to try it, and go from there. I may just assume one of the two will work, and pick up the stuff to mod. Assuming I can swindle an extra soldering iron off someone for the weekend, I can't imaging it would cost more than 12 bucks or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveW Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Instead of swapping the switches, or the motherboards from the black model to the woodgrain one, why not just swap the tops of the cases? Unscrew it from the bottom, pull the top of the 2600 off, and switch it with the woodgrain one. Easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Coaxial (F-Type) to Female RCA Adapter You can find these at Radio Shack although I do not remember the part number. Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artlover Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 There are automatic TV switchboxes available. Check your favorite electronics store (Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.). They will default to one source (such as cable TV), but then automatically switch to a second source (such as a video game console) when a signal is available. Automatic switchboxes will not work on older systems because their signal is way too weak. While they are fine for the NES and SNES, the VCS needs a manual switchbox. Signal, weak or not, has nothing to do with it. Systems that work with automatic switch boxes (NES, SNES, Genesis, etc.) put voltage on the RF line that powers/triggers the switcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 Well, given I'm already opening the cases, I think I'm going to do a mod. No one has really said that they don't work, and I would just do the coax adaptor, but then to use the tv I would still need an a/b switch, so it's just as much of a hastle as a normal game switch box. So, hopefully, this weekend will be fun with solder (also, fun with NES 72 pin replacement part!) and I'll have 3 working systems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 So...here's an update leading into a new question... With tax return $$ I decided to work on getting the Atari's up and running ( I had been satisfied playing the NES/SNES so I waited). I bought a gameswitch figuring that I would make sure at least one system worked prior to buying the mod equipment. Neither work. So I bought a new AC adaptor - the woody worked, the vader seems to have a loose power switch causing power to come and go. The solution would be to use the woody - but its reset switch is snapped. It doesn't look to be as easy as "unscrew switch". Can anyone tell me how to take the reset switch off vader and put on woody? As a side note, I bought a Genesis this weekend and by searching the forum here found a link to the AV cable, and cheap. This is easily the most helpful message board I've ever seen. In just a week, I'll be playing Aladdin and Ecco! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That80sGuy Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F010%5F011%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1267 Any opinions on this? I'm mostly looking to get by until I can afford the time and $$ to mod the system, also I had to mod until I know it's working... You'll be wasting your time and money if you try and use that for the Atari systems. I bought that switch and it works just fine on my VCS. Why do you say it wouldn't work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candiru Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 I bought that switch and it works just fine on my VCS. Why do you say it wouldn't work? If that automatic switchbox is giving you good results then it is most definitely an exception to the rule. No one was trying to be misleading. You might still give that RCA adapter a try. It's cheap, and short of doing a mod, it gives the strongest cleanest signal you can get out of your VCS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That80sGuy Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 The part I commented on is a manual switch. To me its no big deal to walk over to the TV switch to channel 3 and switch the box to game mode. Just like the old days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The MilkMan Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 the vader seems to have a loose power switch causing power to come and go. I had this happen to me. It's a pretty easy fix. If you look at that part where the power plug inserts to, you will notice a spring activates a brass or copper tab that, when the plug is inserted, pushes the spring-pushes the tab to make the connection. Pull the plug out, and the spring lifts tab away thus unconnecting. What I did was take the spring out, and streched it a bit. It was TOO compressed, and was not making proper connections. The spring is easy to get to, because there is a litle plastic window (access panel if you will) that pops off. Try that. As far as Ben's Mod...I did that and it worked great. I put together a "companion guide" to go along with Ben's instructions that might be helpful. Click "downloads" below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The MilkMan Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 the vader seems to have a loose power switch causing power to come and go. Wait a sec..power switch. Geez. Never mind. I was thinking you talking about when you insert the power cord...(need more coffee) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8littlefield Posted February 11, 2005 Author Share Posted February 11, 2005 Thanks anyways...I did Ben's mod - it works beautifully - now I just need to get the down button to work...I've been really busy this week, so over the weekend it's getting my attention. I think if I simply cannot get the down to work, I'm going to move the mod over to my other Atari and see what happens. I put a different power switch on it, it seems to work, although a bit flaky, I may have more luck working with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 The part I commented on is a manual switch. To me its no big deal to walk over to the TV switch to channel 3 and switch the box to game mode. Just like the old days. Manual switchboxes work fine. Automatic switchboxes do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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