10 replies to this topic

[wongojack]

Craigslist offer and he claims its all working. He says its a 2 port system, no games.

I have zero 5200 games which makes this kinda not fun, but he only wants $25.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.


I'm sure there is a better question than this, but what is the correct voltage and amp of the psu?

[doctorclu]

I'd say get it. I've picked up a few game systems with no games, not a big deal. You'll find games as you go.

As for the power supply, see if they have one, if not they can be ordered somewhere else (ebay, best Electronics.. many places actually...)

[boxpressed]

If the controllers are working, it's a steal. If you can find a two-button game like Moon Patrol or Qix, you can test all the fire buttons.

[Official Ninja]

Its already worth $25 in parts even if it doesn't work 100%.

[wongojack]

Thanks guys - I thought it was a good deal. I'll report back later.

Anyone want to send me an ultra common that works so I can test? I'll post in the marketplace once I get it home, but if anyone here wants to unload a UC or 2, PM me.

[wongojack]

Ugh, I just typed a really long post and lost it . . .

The short version is I got the 5200 for $25. It had something klunking around in it which ended up being this (pliers are there to judge size):



The markings on it are C0|8|35 A which are similar to the markings on the joystick port, but I couldn't see evidence of anything broken inside.



When I hook to a TV and turn it on, the red light comes on and the screen changes from RF fuzz to completely black - a good sign.

I'm working on getting some games . . . would like a DB9 controller coupler too.

Edited by wongojack, Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:07 PM.

[Cafeman]

That little piece that was clunking around - it looks like one side of the controller bay's cover broke off. I don't even have that cover on my in-use 5200 for that same reason.

Turning on the 5200 with no game inserted should indeed produce a quiet black screen.

[bohoki]

that chunk looks like what is left of the trap door go on ebay you should be able to get pac-man for $5 delivered or buy a game lot

[wongojack]

Thanks to AA user madman, I got some games and can confirm that the 5200 works! I got a lot of RF noise (audio), but it played fine. I did a bunch of testing. One of my sticks seems to have a set of mostly working buttons, the other works, but the side buttons do not. I couldn't confirm if the lower side buttons worked at all. I think the number pad buttons work just fine on both. The start button on one of them was kinda touchy.

Anyway, it seems that its fairly easy to fix the side buttons with some foil or other conductive thing. I'll probably give the insides a once over here soon and I expect to have 2 working sticks. Is there a nice walkthrough someone could link for me that shows how to disassemble the sticks - I've heard its not really that straightforward.

I also recently picked up a 2600 adapter that doesn't seem to work right. I have a 2 port 5200 so it should be compatable right? When I put it in with a game, I get various distorted images - Superman for instance just gives me about 6 solid red verticle bars about an inch in width. Megamania gave me thin wavy diagonal lines and Combat gave me a complete black screen. Does anyone know what behavior you get if you try to use the adapter in a non-compatable 5200? Is it similar to what I'm seeing? Turning it on with no game shows a lot of mixed up colored garbage seems like it was mostly blue and yellow. I was surprised that you could insert the adapter oriented multiple ways - hopefully there is no harm to doing that because I tried it

Edited by wongojack, Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:10 PM.

[sdamon]

Here's Best Electronics instructions for opening up the CX52...

http://www.best-elec....com/cx52_j.htm

The key is to get the front bezel (the plastic bit with the Start/Pause/Reset buttons) off first. If you don't, the underlying flex circuit may get bent up during disassembly, and if that gets bent-up, those buttons may not work so great in the future. (If there's a way to fix that kind of flex circuit damage, I don't know what it is, other than replacing it with a new one.)

Best would obviously prefer you to buy their gold-plated replacement parts, but many of us have had good luck just crazy gluing bits of aluminum foil to the carbon dots of the fire and S/P/R buttons.

As for the 2600 adapter, it should work fine given that you have a 2-port system. Sounds like your 2600 carts may just be a bit dirty. Clean 'em off with the good ol alcohol and Q-tip method and see if you have better luck.

[wongojack]

sdamon, on Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:19 PM, said:

Here's Best Electronics instructions for opening up the CX52...

http://www.best-elec....com/cx52_j.htm

The key is to get the front bezel (the plastic bit with the Start/Pause/Reset buttons) off first. If you don't, the underlying flex circuit may get bent up during disassembly, and if that gets bent-up, those buttons may not work so great in the future. (If there's a way to fix that kind of flex circuit damage, I don't know what it is, other than replacing it with a new one.)

Best would obviously prefer you to buy their gold-plated replacement parts, but many of us have had good luck just crazy gluing bits of aluminum foil to the carbon dots of the fire and S/P/R buttons.

As for the 2600 adapter, it should work fine given that you have a 2-port system. Sounds like your 2600 carts may just be a bit dirty. Clean 'em off with the good ol alcohol and Q-tip method and see if you have better luck.

Thanks for the tips

As for the 2600 adapter, carts are clean and they work fine in an actual 2600. I always clean with 99% ethanol when I get used stuff . . .