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Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly

What you need

  1. Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Opening up the cartridge: step 1, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Opening up the cartridge: step 1, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Opening up the cartridge: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Flip the cartridge over.

    • Unscrew the single screw on the back.

    • Carefully pry apart the casing. There are six (6) tabs that need to be released, three (3) each side. If you're not careful they will break. (experience has taught me)

    • Set aside any case parts after dissassembly.

  2. Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Cleaning the Parts: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Unscrew the board casing, and remove it.

    • Use a compressed air can to blow off any excess dust off the board.

    • Use an alcohol-dabbed cloth to wipe down the gold-plated contacts of the board.

  3. Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly: step 3, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly: step 3, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Place the two contact protectors together.

    • Place the spring on the knob in the cartridge.

  4. Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly, Part 2: step 4, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly, Part 2: step 4, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Reassembly, Part 2: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Thread the spring into the connected plates.

    • Push the plates into the cartridge against the pressure of the spring.

  5. Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Finishing up: step 5, image 1 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Finishing up: step 5, image 2 of 3 Atari 5200 Game Cartridge Disassembly, Finishing up: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Place the chip in the case.

    • It should "pop" into place.

    • Screw the other side of the case on.

Conclusion

Be sure to test the game, and if freezing still occurs, check the contacts once again.

3 other people completed this guide.

Zach Petryszyn

Member since: 09/26/14

21 Reputation

3 Guides authored

Team

USF Tampa, Team 13-1, Staggers Fall 2014 Member of USF Tampa, Team 13-1, Staggers Fall 2014

USFT-STAGGERS-F14S13G1

5 Members

17 Guides authored

2 Comments

I’m curious to see the Atari 2600 cartridge inside but I can’t get my hands on one.

The official meme centre. - Reply

it's not a 2600 cart. the systems have similarities, but they are not pin compatible, nor are they software compatible. the 5200 is its own thing.

Gorilla Sapiens - Reply

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