Help with Atari consoles please

[Snatch1414]

Hello, I have two Atari 2600s (a Vader and a heavy sixer) and I am having trouble getting them to power on. I'm open to the possibility that they're both dead I guess, but I'm brand new to them so I'm erring on the side of me not doing something right.

I bought an RF connector (small gold end, not the bulky box) and a power supply from Amazon and still nothing from either one. Here is what I bought for reference:



Can't find a pic of the connector, but it's just a gold nub connecting the power cord to the cable port on the back of the TV. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[flojocabron]

you have no way of finding original atari electronic plugs? The originals are the best.

Is it your tv? find the oldest tv in your house and put it to channel 2 or 3.

The gold RF plugs shouldn't be a big deal.

You should get some sort of change on your TV when you turn on the atari.

that would be some s*itty luck to have both ataris be broken.

[CRTGAMER]

Hello, I have two Atari 2600s (a Vader and a heavy sixer) and I am having trouble getting them to power on. I'm open to the possibility that they're both dead I guess, but I'm brand new to them so I'm erring on the side of me not doing something right.

I bought an RF connector (small gold end, not the bulky box) and a power supply from Amazon and still nothing from either one. Here is what I bought for reference:



Can't find a pic of the connector, but it's just a gold nub connecting the power cord to the cable port on the back of the TV. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Usually 2600/5200/7800 console issues is thinking the Atari console cable with its RCA end is a composite lead, but your post alludes to picking up the correct RCA to RF adapter. Make sure the center wire is going in correctly into the coaxial input of your TV.

Weird that both 2600s are not working, older Atari consoles are robust. Maybe the power supply might be defective, you could check it with a volt meter.

Did you try the different channels on your TV and doe it have a non digital tuner? The TV has to have the older analog tuner and set to channel 2, 3 or 4.

Is it your tv? find the oldest tv in your house and put it to channel 2 or 3.

[Snatch1414]

Thanks to both. I think I tried all the channels but I can't remember so I'll try again.

I am using an RCA tube TV from (I'm guessing) the late-90s. Are you saying a TV older than that is necessary? I will try to take pics of my set up tonight, as well as the connector I bought just in case.

[samsonlonghair]

Any old Tube TV set should work fine. It should be set to channel three or four.

I notice a slight discrepancy in the replacement power supply you bought from amazon. The original power supply for a 2600 outputs 9V 500mA; The one you linked on amazon outputs the correct voltage, but double the amperage. I don't know if this is the root of your trouble or not, but it's worth considering.

[Snatch1414]

Any old Tube TV set should work fine. It should be set to channel three or four.

I notice a slight discrepancy in the replacement power supply you bought from amazon. The original power supply for a 2600 outputs 9V 500mA; The one you linked on amazon outputs the correct voltage, but double the amperage. I don't know if this is the root of your trouble or not, but it's worth considering.

Hmm okay thanks I will have to check that out. I hope I don't have to buy another but whatever will be will be I suppose.

[Hobie-wan]

I notice a slight discrepancy in the replacement power supply you bought from amazon. The original power supply for a 2600 outputs 9V 500mA; The one you linked on amazon outputs the correct voltage, but double the amperage. I don't know if this is the root of your trouble or not, but it's worth considering.

That's not a problem. If the brick puts out more amperage than a device needs, that just means the brick will have an easy time. Other stuff needs to match, but the device will just pull the amps it needs. Carrying a bike in the back of a truck is fine, pulling a boat with a Yugo is not.

If you have a voltmeter, check that the brick is putting out power or at the least see if it gets warm after being plugged in for 5 minutes. Clean the carts and the system slot.