Used Atari 7800

[tokelokenem]

Hello I have a 7800 that I got from a pawn shop a couple years ago. I was told that when i bought it the previous owner had left it in the basement, which then flooded. It didnt work. Just recently I decided to take a second look at it. I opened it up and by golly it sure was in a flooded basement. It has rust on the inside of the console. Is there any way i can get this system working again?

[TheSkipper]

Disassemble everything and with a rag or Q-tip with a dab of WD40 carefully clean everything reachable, Then with a soft cloth repeat, removing the WD40. Repeat as needed.

[martyg]

Disassemble everything and with a rag or Q-tip with a dab of WD40 carefully clean everything reachable, Then with a soft cloth repeat, removing the WD40. Repeat as needed.


What, do you want him to lubricate it to death? ;) That's good for minor rusting or to help prevent that kind of thing (since WD40 chases out moisture as well). But this sounds like it was already done ages ago and sitting for years.

Honestly, if it was submerged before you even bought it and is rusted out as you mention, it could be any number of reasons. Any exposed metal could be corroded and no longer supporting a charge, including any of chip or component contacts. I don't know if you have any electronics background, otherwise you can go by the schematics and check through the chips and components with a circuit tester and fix accordingly (parts are still available).

Truthfully, I would just get another one off ebay and save this one for parts. Do you have the proper power supply as well? The 7800's unfortunately use a specific (and uncommon) connector for theirs.

[tokelokenem]

Hah after I used the q-tip and wd40, I told my dad about it who is an electrician, and he said that was a bad idea beacuse wd40 conducts electricity, ( he learned the hard way, used to it clean a transformer and it blew up!) he said to check everything like you said but Im just going to leave it alone.

whoever used it last must have turned the charger connecter upside down changing the polarity and fried it. whats wierd is that the charger says 9V DC and its putting out 12.54DC ...so i think its not worth trying to find the problem.