RickHarrisMaine Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I bought an Atari 2600 on ebay a month ago, and whenever I want to play it, it seems like I have to keep turning the on/off switch on the TV, and the switch box in the back (Radio Shack one), and eventually, it works in full color. Usually I get it in black and white, so there must be some loose connection somewhere. I saw on ebay a product you can get that has all kinds of fixes you can make to the Atari, including a thicker video cable with better shielding. Anyways, I have been having a bit of trouble, but once I get it in color, no problems whatsover, except for a kind of flickery screen on the TV. Any ideas from this excellent group? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophero Sly Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 The color/b&w switch is probably dirty and needs cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keilbaca Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Cleaning it is easy. Just open up the atari, and where the switch is, flip it down and take rubbing alcohol and a q-tip, and clean it good. Flip it up, and do the same for the bottom. Switch it about 20 times or so, repeat. Good as new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze_ro Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 A poor signal can cause the picture to lose it's colour like that. You might want to replace the video cables or switch box if they're rather old. If they're still relatively new, try them out on a different system (if you have one) to see if the problem persists. --Zero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickHarrisMaine Posted January 21, 2005 Author Share Posted January 21, 2005 okay, so this one I have is a 4 switch one, and I take off the cover of it, check the black/white switch, and clean it with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip? How do I replace the video cable? I've heard that's actually pretty easy too. I just have a history of being a bit ham-handed at these sorts of things. I don't suppose there is a way to make the Atari work with S-video or composite, is there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keilbaca Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Easy, Just unplug the cable, buy you a good thick rca cable. cut one end so it fits in the atari (cut the pin about halfway down). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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