Atari 7800 Plays 2600, Not 7800 - Help? [PIC OF BOARD ADDED]

[Jagosaurus]

Hey guys, my 7800 will only play 2600 games. Odd. I went into detail & provided pics of system hanging up in this Atari Age thread:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/220365-7800-plays-2600-games-not-7800-games/?p=2898378

Any help or advice?

[ExedExes]

I know that 7800 cartridges have to be verified by the console to be able to play.

If you have ever saw a 7800 cartridge start up, you always see an Atari logo with flashing colors before the game begins. It operates like a BIOS screen from other consoles like the Neo-Geo and all disc-based systems. From what I know, each cartridge has a security signature that the 7800 checks before it allows it to access the special 7800 hardware in the console. If it fails the security check, the console would start up in 2600 mode, making the 7800 carts unplayable. That is why 2600 games might be starting up with no problem, but the 7800 ones are not. If you feel the cartridges are cleaned and/or free of defects, it might be something on the inside.

Again, this isn't a definitive answer, I'd see what the members at AtariAge say, but I'm willing to wager their explanation will be similar to mine.

(EDIT: Went to your linked thread. You're seeing the 7800 BIOS doing its thing, but then the game doesn't start. Surprised nobody else had the same reasoning I did so far, but I think my answer is quite possibly the issue here.)

[Jagosaurus]

Well it doesn't go the through the entire BIOS, only what you see in the pic (no flashing/changing of colors).

I tried w/o a game & its black. You're explanation would make sense. "Sees" a 7800 cart but doesn't finish verifying cart is authentic.

Thanks for the insight.

[Hobie-wan]

So you've been cleaning the carts, but what about the cart slot in the system?

[Jagosaurus]

So you've been cleaning the carts, but what about the cart slot in the system?

True. How would I go about that? I previously folded an index card, dipped it in alcohol & it fit snug into a Genesis slot. Any ideas for 7800?

[Hobie-wan]

Just the same after pushing the shutter out of the way.

[ApolloBoy]

Just the same after pushing the shutter out of the way.

There's actually no shutter on the 7800.

[Hobie-wan]

Ok, I'd forgotten and was too lazy to pull out my 7800.

[Jagosaurus]

Man, cleaned the pins really well, no luck. Used the method the guys over at Atari Age recommended (thin nail file, wrapped in thin cloth, dipped in alcohol). The system is clean & outputs a very crisp 2600 signal. After cleaning pins & my three 7800 carts, it yells me it is hardware related. The BIOS starts up as I mentioned also... looks like I have 2600 shaped like a 7800

What's a good price for 7800 console stand alone? They're looking a bit pricey on eBay.

[Jagosaurus]

Okay.... back with pics. What do you hardware guys want me to zoom in on?

Green marker? Possibly worked on before or a quality control check?



Board



Not good?



No go still on 7800



Still playing 2600!