Troubleshooting my console

Hi, I'm new to the forum and could use some help.  My Intellivision console, the first version, worked fine about 10 years ago.  I fired it up recently, but find that I only get a dark snowy screen.  The unit powers up and the reset button makes the screen jump, but my games will not work.  I cleaned the contacts of a game last known to work and the connections on the console to no avail.  I tried the original RF cord and my SEGA RF cord with no luck.

I'm not getting the black screen of death that I read about, so I'm thinking something else needs a good cleaning.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thank you,

Rich

Hi Rich,

I'm not really technical person but, have you tried changing the cable to connect to the TV? Sometimes those cables go bad. Also, are you using the switch box or connecting directly to the coaxial on the TV with an adaptor?

Hi Trek,

Thanks for responding. I only have one of the original cables containing that switch box. When I couldn't get the console to work with the original cord, I tried the cord from my SEGA console. I read elsewhere that a SEGA wire works as well. I only saw one person say they use a SEGA wire, so I take it as gospel.

What would be your best guess as to the problem with my machine? I'm trying to determine if the console is dead and if so, I won't spend any time on it. I'd hate to toss it out with all the games, but it's not worth it to me to spend money to fix it. If it's most likely a bad wire or still in need of a good cleaning, I'll see what I can do.

Thanks,

Rich

Have you tried connecting it with an adaptor to the TV rather than use the switchbox? It is possible the switchbox is having issues.

TrekMD wrote:Have you tried connecting it with an adaptor to the TV rather than use the switchbox?  It is possible the switchbox is having issues.

I know my SEGA adaptor is good.  I connected the INTV switchbox to the SEGA game console and I could barely make out the title screen for the game I had running.  So yes, that INTV switchbox is bad, so I'm left with the SEGA adaptor.  I don't know of any other way of connecting INTV without that SEGA adaptor.

I guess I'll continue to clean it and see what happens. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

You should use one of these to connect directly to the coaxial without having to use the switchbox:  http://tinyurl.com/y8cgkash

Is it normal for Intellivision getting pretty hot in the left side where the transformer and power supply are located?

Ordinarily, power supplies do get hot so,yes, that is normal.

You should check the voltages coming from the power supply. Without a cartridge you should get a solid black screen. The service manual with voltage check instructions are here. https://console5.com/wiki/Intellivision

Don't throw it out. The controllers are needed. Someone may even want it for parts or try to repair it.