Atari CX2600 User manual

r
Your Atari video game is engineered not to show a phosphor
memory of the playfield or score digits . We suggest, however , to
protec t your television : .
1. When playing the games, turn down the contrast of your
television.
2. Turn the At a ri Vi deo game OFF when not in use.
1 UNPACK GAME
Console Unit
\
,\
~
paddle
Controllers
(Set of 2)
Joystick Controllers
/ TV/Game Switch Box
AC Power Supply
When you remove your Atari Video Computer System from the box,
you
should have:
• Atari Video Computer System Console Unit
• Combat Game Program Packet (with Game Instruction Booklet)
• 2 Joystick Controllers
• Paddle Controller (Set of 2) •
• AC Power
Supply
• TV/Game Switch Box (with twin-lead wires)

2
Your TV/Game Switch Box attaches easily to your TV's VHF an-
tenna screws . Find the picture that looks the most like the back of
your TV set and follow those instructions. A flat screwdriver is
required.
If your TV has four screws only:
A. Disconnect the twin-lead wire
from your TV and attach it to the
"Antenna" screw terminals
on the TV/Game Switch Box.
B.
Connect the twin-lead wire from
the TV/Game Switch Box to the
VHF antenna terminals on
your TV set.
In each of these two cases, you may need to buy an "im·
pedance matching transformer" (also called a "balun coil").
The transformer is necessary only if you do NOT have a flat
twin· lead antenna wire. It is available at a nominal cost from
your local TV and hifi stores.
If your TV has a "u" shaped
slider or a slide switch:
A. Move the "u" shaped
slider to make connection
between the two screws.
OR
Push the slide switch to
the side marked "300 ohm"
or "300 n ".

B. If you have a round antenna cable:
•
Disconnect the cable from your TV.
• Screw the cable into the impedance-matching transformer.
• Attach the impedance-matching transformer to the "An-
tenna" screw terminals on the TV/Game Switch box.
OR
If you have flat twin-lead antenna wire:
• Disconnect it from the TV and attach it to the "Antsnna"
screw terminals on the TV/Game Switch Box.
C. Connect the short twin-lead wire from the TV/Game Switch Box
to the VHF antenna terminals on your TV set.
If your TV has a short round cable:
A. If you have a round antenna cable,
•
Disconnect the cable from
your TV.
• Screw the cable into the
impedance-matching transformer.
• Attach the impedance-matching
transformer to the "Antenna"
screw terminals on the TV/Game
Switch Box.
OR
If you have flat twin-lead antenna wire:
• Disconnect it from the TV and attach it to the "Antenna" screw
terminals on the TV/Game Switch Box.
B. Attach the TV's short.loose.hanging cable to the connector next
to it on your TV set.
C. Connect the twin-lead wire from the TV/Game Switch Box to the
VHF antenna terminals on your TV set.
D. Plug the Game Cable from your Atari Video Computer System
Console into the TV/Game Switch Box at the "Game" connector.
The TV/Game Switch Box can be left on your TV set permanently
without bothering your TV program reception.
The TV/Game
Switch Box can be attached permanently to the back
of your TV set.
• Peel off the protective paper on the back of the TV/GameSwitch
Box.
• Press the exposed sticky surface onto any clear area on the back
of your TV near the antenna terminals.
By attaching a TV/Game Switch Box to each TV in your home, you
can
easily move your Atari Video Computer System from room to
room. Extra TV/Game Switch Boxes, part number CA010325, are
available from Atari, Inc. See paragraph 9 for ordering information.
(

I
For best performance , we suggest the following: Avoid using any more
twin-lead wires from Switch Box to television set than is supplied with
Switch Bo x. Avoid connecting the twin-lead wire coming out of the
Switch Bo x to any telev ision antenna or cable television outlet. Avoid
attaching loose wires to your television antenna terminals when using.
ASSEMBLE CONSOLE 3
Right Controller Left Controller
TV/Game Switch Box
AC Power Supply
• Attach the controllers by plugging them into the terminals on the
back of the console. The controller jacks are designed to fit only
one way, so do not try to force them into the terminals.
NOTE: The Combat Game Program supplied with your Atari Video
ComputerSystem uses the Joystick Controllers.
• Insert the jack of the AC Power Supply into the back of your Atari
Video Computer System Console unit.
• Check to see that the Power Switch on the Console is OFF .
• Plug
the AC Power Supply into any convenient 120·volt electrical
outlet.

NOTE: Using any AC Power Supply other than that designed for your
Video Computer System can damage the unit.
POWER REQUIREMENT: 9·volts DC, 500ma.
• On
the TV/Game Switch Box that you have attached to your TV set 's
antenna terminals, push the TV/Game switch to GAME .
• Turn on your TV.
• Set
the volume control of your TV at minimum.
• If your TV has an automatic fine·tuning control, turn it OFF ,
and manually fine-tune for the best picture. (Note : If your
television will receive color only when the automatic fine-
tuning is on, keep the automatic fine-tuning on.)
• Set the channel selector of your TV to channel 3.
The Video Computer System is factory-set to operate on Channel
3. However , if Channel 3 is broadcast ing in your area, you may
receive
interference. In that case, change your television and
Channe l Switch to Channel 2.
To set your game at Channel 2
(Position A) :
1 -
Find the Channel Switch
on the bottom edge of the
console .
2 - Push the switch to the
Channel 2 po s ition (A)
with a pencil or
similar instrument.
INSERT GAME PROGRAM
• Check to see that the Power switch on the Video Computer Console
unit is OFF .
IMPORTANT: To prolong the life of your Atari Video Computer System
and protect the electronic components, the Console unit should be
OFF when inserting or removing a Game Program.

Game Program Slot
• Hold the Game Program so the name on the end is towards you and
reads
right side up.
• Insert the Game Program CAREFULLY into the slot in the center of
the Console unit switch panel. Be sure the Game Program is firmly
seated , but do NOT TRY TO FORCE IT.
When removing the Game Program, pull it straight out of the Console .
Check to see that the Power Switch on the Console is OFF .
5
Power Switch Game Program Slot Game Reset Switch
Game Select Switch
Left and Right Difficulty Switches

• If your Atari Video Computer System is attached to a color TV, slide
the TV Type Switch to the COlOR position. This will allow you to
play the games in vivid co lor.
If yo ur TV is blac k and white , slide the TV Type Switch to B & W.
The Vi deo C omputer System will automatically adjust the contrast
of yo ur TV so you can get full enj oyment of the games on your B & W
TV.
• Slide the Power Sw it ch to ON. A game playfield will appear on your
TV screen.
IMPORTANT: If no playfield appears, which can happen if you have
inserted the Game Program while the Console unit is turned ON, slide
the Power Switch to OFF and then back to ON.
To prolong the life of your Atari Video Computer System and protect
the electronic components, the Console unit should be OFF when
inserting a Game Program.
•
Adjust the volume control of your TV set to a comfortable level. The
game sounds will be coming from yourTV speaker.
• Depress the Game Select Switch. A number will appear on the upper
left corner of your TV screen. This number corresponds with the
Game
number in the Game I nstruction booklet supplied with your
Game Program. When
the number of the game you wish to play
appears, release the Game Select Switch .
• Depress
the RESET Switch . Game action will begin. By depressing
the RESET
Switch any time during the game , the score will reset
to 0·0.
• The
difficulty Switches (left and Right) change the game action .
Position "A" is generally more difficult than Position " B ". As a
handicap for more experienced players, one side can be played in
"A" and the other in " B ". Details of the action is explained in the
Game Instructions supplied with your Game Program.
6 TO
CHANGE YOUR TV BACK
TO REGULAR PROGRAMS
L-- ______ _
• Slide the Power Switch on the Console unit to OFF.
• On the TV/Game
Switch Box attached to the back of your TV set,
slide the TV/Game switch to "TV".
• If your TV has an automatic fine·tuning control , turn it off.

MAINTENANCE
Your Atari Video Computer System should bring many years of
enjoyment. In order to keep your System in good working condition,
please remember the following points;
• Always turn the Power Switch on the Console unit OFF before
inserting the Game Program.
• Don't
try to force the Game Program into the Console.
• Your Game Programs are
protected from normal wear and tear as
they are fully enclosed . However, care should be taken not to spill
liquids on them.
• Don't pour liquids into the Game Program Slot of the Console.
•
Lifting the Console unit or the Controllers by the connecting wires
can bend
or crimp them, breaking the internal insulation of the wire.
• Care should be taken not to drop the Console, Controllers, or Game
Programs on any hard surface.
• Do not expose the Console, Controllers, or Game Programs to
excessive or extreme heat.
• Remember to turn the Video Computer System OFF when not in use.
• Use of any AC Power Supply other than that designed for use with
your Video Computer System can damage the electronic parts of the
system.
• Clean the exterior parts with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
SYMPTOM
No playfield image O u..g~ .;::;.
screen or whitish-grey
screen.
8
PROBABLE CAUSE AND REMEDY
• Switch Box set at "TV", change to
"GAME".
• Game Cable not properly plugged
into Switch Box.
• Twin-lead wire not properly attached
to VHF antenna terminals on rear
of TV.
•
Console unit Power Switch not
turned ON.
•
Game Program inserted into
Console while Power Switch was
ON. Slide Switch to OFF and back
toON.
• A particularly strong TV station may
be
broadcasting on channel 3 in
your area (or on cable TV). Remove
the antenna wire or cable from the
ANTENNA connection on the
TV/Game
Switch Box.

left (or right) controller
does not function correctly
No regular TV programs .
Playfield fuzzy, like weak
TV station signal.
Playfield unsharp,
unsteady or no color.
• Check to see that controller is firmly
seated
in Console unit controller jack.
• Move malfunctioning controller to op-
posite Console controller jack. If con-
troller still does not function correctly,
it is faulty.
• Switch Box set at GAME. Change
to TV.
• Twin-lead wire not properly attached
to VHF antenna terminals on rear of
TV.
• Antenna wire not properly attached
at "300 OHM " screws on Switch
Box.
• Poor connections at antenna
terminals of TV set or Switch Box.
• TV set not fine-tuned for best
picture . Make sure automatic
fine-tuning is OFF and
manually fine-tune for best
picture . (Note: If your television
will receive color only when the
automatic fine-tuning is on,
keep
the automatic fine-tuning on.)
• A particularly strong TV station may
be broadcasting on channel 3 in
your area (or on cable TV). Remove
the antenna wire or cable from the
ANTENNA connection on the
TV/Game Switch Box.
• TV Type Switch on Console set at
"B&W" position. Move to COlOR.
• TV set not fine-tuned for best
picture. Make sure automatic
fine-tuning is OFF and
manually fine - tune for best
picture. (Note: If your television
will receive color only when the
automatic fine-tuning is on,
keep
the automatic fine-tuning on.)
• A particularly strong TV station may
be broadcasting on channel3 in
your area (or on cable TV). Remove
the antenna wire or cable from the
ANTENNA connection on the TV/
Game Switch Box.

SYMPTOM
Playfield unsharp,
unsteady , or un able to t ell
di ffe r ence s between
playing pi eces an d/o r
playfie ld. ( B&W TV)
Sound buzzes or is
distorted
No game sounds
PROBABLE CAUSE AND REMEDY
• TV Type Switch on Console set at
COlOR position. Move to "B&W" .
• A
particularly strong TV station may
be broadcasting on channel 3 in
your area (or on cable TV). Remove
the antenna wire or cable from the
ANTENNA connection on the TV/
Game Switch Box.
• TV set not fine·tuned. Adjust TV
set fine·tuning controls until both
picture and sound are clear.
• A
particularly strong TV station may
be broadcasting on channel 3 in
your area (or on cable TV). Remove
the antenna wire or cable from the
ANTENNA connection on the TV/
Game Switch Box.
• TV set volume not turned up. Adjust
TV set volume to desi red level.
As a rule of thumb, if no playfield appears when you turn ON your
Video Computer Console , turn the unit OFF , wait 10 seconds , and
then
turn the unit ON. 9
The replacement parts listed below should be ordered directly
from Atari, Inc ., Consumer Division, Parts Departmen t, 1346
Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. When ordering repair parts,
always include the following information:
• Part Number • Name of Game
• Model Number • Part Name
The Model Number of your Atari Video Computer System is located on
the bottom of the Console unit. AlwayS mention the Model Number
when requesting service or repair parts.
Joystick Controller
Paddle Controller (set of 2)
TV/Game Switch Box
AC Power Supply
Rubber Foot
Owner 's Manual
PAINTED IN HONG KONG
CA012994·03
CA012760·06
CA014120
CA014034
88·1004
C012250