Ikonboard » Printable Version of Topic » I just bought an old Atrari 2600 game console

Forum: Geek Forum
Topic: I just bought an old Atrari 2600 game console
started by: Aero

Posted by Aero on Apr. 12 2001,19:21

I just bought an old Atrari 2600 game console for บ, and I want to know how to run it. I used a neighbor's back when I was about 4, but I haven't touched one since then. It's got 12 games, and instructions for all the games, but no manual for the actual console. I tried connecting it to my fairly new tv&vcr combo, and it didn't do anything.
I'm good with electronics (I can build pcs and connect 3 vcrs for bootlegging tapes), and I'm wondering if this is "imcompatible" with my tv.
I plugged the cable that runs out of the console in my tv's visual input plug-I'm assuming that's where it goes?
I thinking that the "powerbox" or whatever they have in there is no good. I get that alot around here.
One more thing, if electronics get put up in an attic that's freezing all winter, will that mess them up? I'm thinking it fries the "powerbox", since it gets to -70 here during the winter and I get alot of whines about that.
The more I think about it, the more I realise that pcs are much more simple than vcrs, tvs, or the worst electronic "appliance" of all-sewing machines. Those are hell to run or fix.

Posted by askheaves on Apr. 12 2001,21:44

You're problem is that you need a (modulator?). You don't have a standard NTSC video image coming out of the atari... it's a complete RF channel, with audio and video, modulated at a certain freq for channel 2,3, or 4. What you need at that point is a box that will integrate it into the rest of your input into the TV via Coax or the two rabbit ear antenna leads.

An atari comes with that little box (has a switch that says TV->GAME. If you have coax input to the TV, then you need an antenna to coax adapter. I think you can find all of these parts at Radio Shack (past the Cell Phones... I assure you there's something back there) for about 4 bucks.

Oh, and because this tradition will follow me to my grave, enjoy: < http://www.detonate.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000568.html >

Posted by Aero on Apr. 13 2001,16:48

I have the misfortune to live in ND, even though I was born in CA. The last time I went to my nearest radio shack, (which is 200 miles away in the "big" mall) they actually tried to charge me ุ for one multiplug adaptor! I then went to wal-mart and bought one for ů. Yeah I guess I do need a co-ax, I have several, but none that channel 2 signals into one. Naw, I don't have Yars-that's the one I played back then. I do have Home Run, Haunted House, Maze Craze, Video Pinball, Ice Hockey, Bowling, Winter Games, Stampede, Fast Food, Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Golf. I'm going to get some more, they're so wasteful here, they throw everything out, I have an enourmous "stockpile" of "out-dated" technology.
My atari doesn't have anything except the console, the two cotrollers with their cables (besides the games).
P.S. Have any of you tried out Conker? I was thinking back to the early 90's, when they had such a furor over Super Mario Brothers.
That game was cute and family -friendly; as for Conker, well I'll just let decide for yourself!

Posted by damien_s_lucifer on Apr. 13 2001,17:08

quote:
Originally posted by Aero:
I just bought an old Atari 2600 game console

cool!!! Ah... Atari. My first computer was an Atari 400... of course I had the 2600 too. If you have Yars Revenge, be prepared for what is STILL one of the coolest games ever. Someday, someone will right a sequel to it for PC.

Askheaves is right. You can buy cheap manual switches at Radio Shack. Get something that lets you switch 2 ins -> 1 out. You'll also need an RCA -> Coax adapter.

If you need a replacement adapter, get one that can do 9V, 500ma, tip positive. The good ones at Radio Shack are adjustable and if you bring either the Atari or the old adapter in you can get the right tip.

Posted by Sketchy on Apr. 13 2001,19:57

You cant forget Space Invaders!!!! Geez. =)

Posted by Aero on Apr. 13 2001,21:00

I downloaded a version of Space Invaders from MSN.....it works very well! Besides being "authentic".

Posted by askheaves on Apr. 14 2001,04:24

quote:
Originally posted by Sketchy:
You cant forget Space Invaders!!!! Geez. =)

<homer> Booorrinngggg </homer>

Although, almost as bad as the time I got to level 70 something in Asteroids. It doesn't get harder, you get number. I couldn't see for 2 days after that.

Posted by Aero on Apr. 14 2001,11:55

Pac-Man will always be the game for me.
I usually get up to level 80 in a game that has 100 levels, but then I decide that it's not worth my vision.

Posted by damien_s_lucifer on Apr. 14 2001,17:29

my highest score on Asteroids was achieved when I was tripping balls on acid. Don't ask me how, because I don't know. I wasn't even sure if I was holding the right joystick, and still... I got something like 200,000 points.

Posted by just_dave on Apr. 15 2001,18:55

if I can find it i have the paddel controllers and the race car games and a couple carts for a 2600 somewhere....

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If you have multiple personalties and think about suicide is it a hostage situation???

Posted by BigKahuna on Apr. 22 2001,01:20

what ever happened to good ol' emulators??