Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Forums
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Atari Joystick PCB repair  (Read 3235 times)

Description:

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline XDelusionTopic starter

  • Alien Breeder
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 5089
    • Show only replies by XDelusion
    • http://starwarslegacy.net/
Atari Joystick PCB repair
« on: March 21, 2009, 08:06:11 PM »
I won't have the money to order any for a while so in the mean time...

...instead of replacing the PCB on my Atari Joystick, is there some way to get in there with an extacto knife and fix one of the connectors that is nearly flat at this point?
Logged
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline Debaser

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2003
  • Posts: 246
  • Country: 00
    • Show only replies by Debaser
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2009, 08:15:03 PM »
Do you mean the contact pads on the pcb or do you mean the connector that plugs into the atari/amiga? I am trying to figure out what you mean by "flat". Is this a classic atari (2600) joystick?

Logged
 

Offline XDelusionTopic starter

  • Alien Breeder
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 5089
    • Show only replies by XDelusion
    • http://starwarslegacy.net/
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2009, 08:55:16 PM »
Contact Pads...

...they typically have a hump like shape, but my bad one is near flat.
Logged
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline murple

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 579
    • Show only replies by murple
    • http://www.murple.net
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2009, 08:55:39 PM »
You mean the 4 bubbley type things in there? Its been a while since I've opened one. I always kind of assumed once those broke the joystick was toast (at least as far as most home repairs go).
Logged
 

Offline XDelusionTopic starter

  • Alien Breeder
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 5089
    • Show only replies by XDelusion
    • http://starwarslegacy.net/
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2009, 09:41:07 PM »
Bubbly/Bumpy, yep those things.
Logged
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline Debaser

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2003
  • Posts: 246
  • Country: 00
    • Show only replies by Debaser
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2009, 10:12:50 PM »
When you described them as being, "flat" I assumed that is what you meant but wanted to make sure. There is a common method of reviving those contacts using aluminum foil and crazy glue, if I remember correctly.

Head over to atariage.com and do a search..I think there is a tutorial on youtube as well.

'hope that helps.
Logged
 

Offline Zac67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2004
  • Posts: 2890
    • Show only replies by Zac67
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2009, 10:27:45 PM »
Usually the thin metal sheet is cracked and/or worn out. Probably fixing it won't last too long.

I've successfully replaced those contacts with SMD switches:

I've fitted them either by milling recesses into the stick or from the back of the PCB after cutting a hole. Either is a lot of work, so it'd be much easier to get a decent joystick with microswitches...
Logged
 

Offline murple

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 579
    • Show only replies by murple
    • http://www.murple.net
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2009, 10:54:20 PM »
Have any photos of those mods, zac?
Logged
 

Offline Zac67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2004
  • Posts: 2890
    • Show only replies by Zac67
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2009, 11:08:13 PM »
No, sorry - gave up on that 15 years ago.  ;-)
I haven't done this with an Atari though (only Quickshots and such), so I've got no idea which is the best way.

btw: Before cuttting holes into the PCB make sure its strength isn't compromised too much, otherwise it'll crack very quickly.
Logged
 

Offline mongo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2002
  • Posts: 964
    • Show only replies by mongo
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2009, 01:37:22 AM »
Logged
 

Offline XDelusionTopic starter

  • Alien Breeder
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 5089
    • Show only replies by XDelusion
    • http://starwarslegacy.net/
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2009, 05:36:10 PM »
I saw that, but ironically  have to wait a few days till I have that much money...

...just had car repairs.

 Anyhow, thankx, looks like that is the best route in the end.
Logged
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline save2600

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2006
  • Posts: 3261
  • Country: us
    • Show only replies by save2600
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2009, 06:11:42 PM »
Quote

XDelusion wrote:
I won't have the money to order any for a while so in the mean time...

...instead of replacing the PCB on my Atari Joystick, is there some way to get in there with an extacto knife and fix one of the connectors that is nearly flat at this point?


If you want to PM me your address, I'll send you a complete replacement PCB at no charge. Part #CO17025. I'll even pick up the shipping...
Logged
 

Offline B00tDisk

  • VIP / Donor - Lifetime Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2002
  • Posts: 1670
    • Show only replies by B00tDisk
    • http://www.thedelversdungeon.com
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2009, 07:16:38 PM »
When I was a kid and we had a 2600, when those things would start to go we'd carefully peel the sticky clear "tape" covering the PCB off and flex the switch/pad until it had a "hump" again, then carefully replace it, put the tape back, et volia.

I had a 2600 stick that lasted from ... '81? until '88, used it on my 2600, then my Vic-20, then the C64, then the 128 and finally my A500, where it finally died during a particularly intense game of Falcon :)
Logged
Back away from the EU-SSR!
 

Offline XDelusionTopic starter

  • Alien Breeder
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 5089
    • Show only replies by XDelusion
    • http://starwarslegacy.net/
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2009, 08:24:13 PM »
save2600: thank you very much and message sent...

...or should be.
Logged
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline save2600

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2006
  • Posts: 3261
  • Country: us
    • Show only replies by save2600
Re: Atari Joystick PCB repair
« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2009, 08:46:53 PM »
Great, glad to help out. I should be able to post it tomorrow.
Can't beat the "feel" & gameplay of the original Atari 2600 joystick!
Logged
 
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »