Dead Atari 2600 carts - can anything be done?

[BoneSnapDeez]

I pick through the Atari 2600 games every time I visit the local record store and I've recently ended up with two that don't function.

Unlike other dead carts I've owned (NES/Genesis/Tandy) I don't get a black/pink screen when I fire these up. Instead I get static visuals/noise. I can alter the static by playing with the switches on the system, but I've never gotten the games to boot properly. I've tested them on two 2600 systems with identical results.

The contacts have been cleaned thoroughly with alcohol 2-3 times. Upon a visual inspection everything looks fine. It it worth opening them up (and destroying the labels) to inspect things further? I doubt I can get these to work, but I'll keep trying.

[Opa Opa]

Has the system been cleaned as well?

[CRTGAMER]

Are the 2600 carts 3rd party or the dust cover Atari 1st party? Sometimes when the dust cover is pushed too far in for cleaning the spring pops off its slot inside. This might short out the PCB inside. Any cart that does not have the dust cover returning to closed should be fixed.

If you already confirmed the console is in good shape and cart is cleaned best you can, then taking the cart apart is the only other way. If the label is too difficult to remove with a hairdryer, putty knife or whatever other method, you can find the screw hole by pushing around on the label. This would mean a tear where the single screw has to be removed, at least a chance of resurrecting a game.

I posted a breakdown of a 2600 cart and the dust cover, in my case the label came off intact.

Game Cart Cleaning - http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 02#p501002

[BoneSnapDeez]

Systems seem clean.

Both games, Maze Craze and Pong Sports, have dust covers. The springs seem to be fine, the dust covers are not pushed in.

I'll try one more contact cleaning and then go for the dismantling!

[Hobie-wan]

2600 carts are dirt simple. There's a single chip on them. Not even so much as a resistor or capacitor. It is pretty unlikely that they're dead. Get the dust cover pushed open and then take a green scrubby sponge that is barely damp enough to be pliable and slide it in green toward the pins. Slide it around a bit, then get the other side. Then clean with alcohol on a q-tip and let it dry. Then give it another shot.

[CRTGAMER]

Both games, Maze Craze and Pong Sports, have dust covers. The springs seem to be fine, the dust covers are not pushed in.

I'll try one more contact cleaning and then go for the dismantling!

Both are decent games, worth the effort to clean. Good luck!