Atari Pong questions....

anubisdeath6

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Hey, I'm new here but I figured you guys can help me out...I just purchased an Atari Pong unit (Serial ZZ-048) and It works but there are a couple issues. First off the ball doesn't bounce off the top/bottom of the screen, instead it leaves the top of the screen and reappears at the bottom of the screen in the same direction it was headed. Any ideas? And secondly, I can't figure out how to remove the paddle controls so that I can clean them and get rid of the jitter...any help is appreciated thanks!!
 
You should send the board off to get fixed.. those just aren't that simple to diagnose..

The paddles come off with an allen screw in the spinner knob but if they are jittery you really can't clean them.. go to videogameparts.com and order a couple new ones!
 
Are you guys being serious that it can't be fixed? It seems like a simple problem, I'm good with electronics and I don't mind fixing it I just need to know how...I also have 3 other games I'm going to try to fix/restore but this is first.
 
Are you guys being serious that it can't be fixed? It seems like a simple problem, I'm good with electronics and I don't mind fixing it I just need to know how...I also have 3 other games I'm going to try to fix/restore but this is first.

No, that was just a little joke because I'm jealous and would love to find one of those. Good score, as they say around here.
 
Haha ok sorry guys, I really would like some help though, this machine is in beautiful condition and I want it to play correctly. And once it's done I'll probably be asking for help on my next project (Space Encounters) haha. Anyway, I'm only a slight noob to arcade machines, I've been collecting systems and games for oh about ten years now but I'm just starting to get into the arcade scene.
 
Pong is pretty simple to fix... the schematics are reasonably well annotated...

Does it only ever go one direction,or does it get launched on both up and down diagonals?
 
I can fix it. Although queue kilo-two-three is hot. Recommend mission abort. But it's your call sarge.
 
Did you buy this from Dane in Columbus? I was really close to getting it but decided not to since we could not determine if it had the original monitor in it. He also stated that it was fully working! It is still a great collectible and congrats on your score. I could not believe that there isn't more technical information on Pongs available. It seems that a data base like the great one for Computer Space is in order. Sorry that I can not help with your problem.There are several members on here that have one, who might be able to.
 
Yeah I've noticed the lack of info on the interwebs lol...and Yes I bought it from Dane, although I was told by him that it is the original monitor, and I honestly believe it is judging by the way it's hardwired into the unit. I also have a spare TV I'm thinking about using as to not wear out the original more than needed. Overall it's a decent piece but needs a little work. He told me it was working but I don't think he knew too much about it.
 
No, the paddles are not missing, that is just the attract screen...here's a copy of the schematics I found and these ones are color coded but again, I don't know where to even look for the ball collision with wall section...
 

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I'm gonna assume it's in the grey area of that schematic image somewhere, but that kind of board (while for someone with Mark's component knowledge) probably is easy to fix, for the person that's 'good with electronics' you'll probably just beat your head against the wall until you either get lucky or just send it to get fixed :)
 
Ok someone make me an offer to fix it? I'll pay a reasonable price I just want it fixed so I can move on to my Space Encounters project which seems to be a bit easier.
 
Does anybody know if that above schematic is at all close to a Quadrapong board? Even in terms of what areas of the board control what? I have one that I can't find any info on, but I'd like to poke around the board a bit with my logic probe before I just send it to someone for repair.
 
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