ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM (01) PDF Document

The ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM is a state-of-the-art video game system featuring:

• Superior graphics and challenging game play

• Free Pole Position II game

• A full line of advanced software

• Convenient pause control

• Modern, sleek design

• Pro-Line precision game controllers

• Home computer expandability

When you remove your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM from the box, you will find:

• 7800 ProSystem Console

• Two Pro-Line Game Controllers

• TV/Game Switch Box

• Power Adapter

• TV Connector Cable

Note: The metallic label on your ATARI 7800 is covered with a protective coating. To remove the plastic, simply peel it off.

Yes, your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM plays all ATARI 2600 cartridges without a separate adaptor. Just insert a cartridge and play. The 7800 ProSystem also lets you use all controllers that are compatible with the ATARI 2600 VCS console.

The installation of the TV/Game Switch Box depends on the type of antenna connection on your television. You will need a screwdriver.

If Your Television Has Four Screws Only:

A. Disconnect the twin-lead wire from your television 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 television set.

If Your Television 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 Ω.”

B. If you have a round antenna cable, disconnect the cable from your television and screw it into an impedance-matching transformer. Attach the transformer to the ANTENNA screw terminals on the TV/GAME Switch Box. If you have a flat twin-lead antenna wire, disconnect it from the television and attach it to the ANTENNA 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 television set.

If Your Television Has a Short Round Cable:

A. Attach the television’s short loose-hanging cable to the connector next to it on your television.

B. If you have a round antenna cable, disconnect it and screw it into an impedance-matching transformer. Attach the transformer to the ANTENNA screw terminals on the TV/GAME Switch Box. If you have a flat twin-lead antenna wire, disconnect it and attach it to the ANTENNA screw terminals on the switch box.

C. Connect the twin-lead wire from the TV/GAME Switch Box to the VHF antenna terminals on your television set.

If Your Television is Connected to Cable TV:

Disconnect the Cable TV Antenna from your TV and connect it to the TV/GAME Switch Box using the method appropriate to your application. Once properly connected, your TV/GAME Switch Box can remain in your antenna system.

After connecting the switch box to your TV’s antenna terminals, plug the Game Cable from the back of your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM into the TV/GAME Switch Box at the GAME connector. The switch box can be attached permanently to the back of your television set by peeling off the protective paper and pressing the sticky surface onto a clear area near the antenna terminals.

1. Check the channel selector switch on the back of the console to be sure it is set to the Channel 3 position (square symbol).

2. Set your television channel selector to Channel 3. If Channel 3 is broadcasting in your area, set the television channel selector to Channel 2 and change the channel selector switch on the console to the Channel 2 position (circle symbol).

3. Plug the Power Adapter cable jack into the POWER connector at the back of the console.

4. Plug the Power Adapter into any convenient 120-volt AC electrical wall outlet. Important: Use only the Power Adapter packed with your ATARI 7800. Use of any other power supply could damage the console.

5. Attach the TV Connector Cable to the console and the TV/Game Switch Box.

6. Turn your television set on and set the volume control to a comfortable level.

7. Press the POWER ON/OFF button on the front left side of the console to ON. A red light (LED) glows when the POWER is ON.

8. If your television set has an automatic fine-tuning control, turn it off and manually fine-tune it for the best picture. However, if your television set will not receive color unless the automatic fine-tuning is on, leave it on.

Note: Always turn the POWER OFF when the game is not in use.

1. Turn the power to the console OFF when inserting or removing a cartridge.

2. Hold the game cartridge so the name on the label faces away from you and the game title reads right-side-up.

3. Insert the game cartridge into the slot at the center of the console. Be sure the cartridge fits firmly in the slot but DO NOT FORCE IT IN.

4. Turn the console POWER ON. An ATARI logo, playfield or title screen will appear on your television set.

The ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM includes two advanced controllers designed for comfortable and responsive gameplay. These controllers provide eight directions of control.

Plug the controllers into the jacks at the front of the console. Use the left jack for one-player games; use both jacks for two-player games. Each jack is designed to fit the controller only one way. Be sure the connection is firm, but do not try to force it in.

Each controller has two fire buttons. For most games, the right and left fire buttons perform the same functions, and you can use whichever is most comfortable. For more realistic play in some games, however, these buttons are capable of independent functions. Consult your game manual for instructions on how to use the controllers and fire buttons for the particular game you are playing.

After inserting a game cartridge, turn the console POWER ON to view the game title screen. Press any fire button on the left joystick to start the game at the current game option.

To change the current game option while the title screen is up, push the joystick in the direction indicated below or press SELECT on your console to display the menu.

While the menu is displayed, push your joystick in the following directions to change the game options:

• Joystick Right: Increase Difficulty

• Joystick Left: Decrease Difficulty

• Joystick Up: Increase Number of Players

• Joystick Down: Decrease Number of Players

Note: This joystick technique applies to ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM games and controllers only. For all others, consult the manual for the game you are playing.

Alternatively, you can press SELECT on the console while the menu is displayed to rotate through the game options.

Press the fire button on your controller or press RESET on the console to start a game with the displayed settings.

Console Buttons:

• RESET: During game play, press RESET to start a new game.

• SELECT: During game play, press SELECT to display the menu.

• PAUSE: Press PAUSE on the console to stop all game action. After 15 to 30 minutes, the screen will go blank to preserve your television. Press PAUSE again to resume game play.

Difficulty Switches (for ATARI 2600 VCS games):

Some ATARI 2600 VCS games use the LEFT and RIGHT DIFFICULTY switches. When a difficulty switch is moved to the left, the game becomes more difficult. Some ATARI game cartridges use these two switches for other functions. Many games don’t use them at all.

• Press the console POWER switch OFF.

• Change the TV/Game Switch on the Switch Box to TV.

• Turn on the automatic fine-tuning if you turned it off.

To keep your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM in good working condition, please remember the following:

• Always turn the POWER switch OFF when your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM is not in use.

• Do not force a game cartridge into the cartridge slot.

• Do not spill liquids on your console, cartridges, or controllers.

• Do not lift your 7800 console or 7800 controllers by the connecting wires. You could bend or crimp the wires and break the internal insulation.

• Be careful not to drop the console, controllers, or game cartridges.

• Do not expose the console, controllers, or game cartridges to extreme heat.

• Do not disassemble or alter the console, controllers, or cartridges. There are no user-serviceable parts for your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM.

• Do not use any other power adapter other than the Power Adapter packed with your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM. You could damage the electrical components in the console.

• Unplug the Power Adapter from the electrical outlet when not in use.

• Do not use any TV switch box other than the TV/Game Switch Box packed with your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM. You could damage the electronic components in the console.

• Clean the exterior surface of the console with a soft and slightly damp cloth (use water only).

Your ATARI 7800 is engineered to eliminate phosphor memory or “burn in” of the playfield and score digits on your television screen. We suggest, however, these precautions:

• Turn down the contrast of your television set.

• Turn the ATARI 7800 OFF when not in use.

Always disconnect the Power Adapter before checking any electrical connections.

Symptom: Game picture and playfield are fuzzy or the sounds are distorted.

Probable Cause and Remedy:

• TV/Game Switch Box not correctly connected to television antenna.

• Television set not fine-tuned for the best picture. Make sure the automatic fine-tuning is off and manually fine-tune for the best picture. However, if your television receives color only when the fine-tuning is on, leave it on.

• Interference on Channel 3. Change console channel selector switch to channel 2, and change television channel selector to 2.

Symptom: No game sounds.

Probable Cause and Remedy:

• Turn up the volume on your television set. Tune in channel 2 (or 3) properly.

Symptom: Title screen or playfield image does not appear on the screen.

Probable Cause and Remedy:

• Console POWER switch not ON.

• Game cable not properly plugged into TV/Game Switch Box.

• Power jack not connected to the console.

• TV/Game Switch Box not correctly connected to television antenna.

• Game cartridge not properly inserted.

• Power Adapter not plugged into wall outlet.

• Interference on Channel 3. Change channel selector switch to channel 2 and change television channel selector to 2.

Symptom: No regular television program viewing.

Probable Cause and Remedy:

• Television antenna not correctly connected to TV/Game Switch Box.

• TV/Game Switch Box set to GAME. Change to TV.

To comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and to keep your ATARI 7800 PROSYSTEM from interfering with television reception on nearby television sets, please observe the following:

• Do not install a longer antenna cable from the TV/Game Switch Box to the antenna connection on your television set. The antenna cable supplied with the TV/Game Switch box is the correct length that complies with FCC regulations.

• Do not connect the antenna output cable on your TV/Game Switch Box directly to any television antenna or Cable TV outlet.

• Do not attach loose wires to your television antenna terminals when you are using the ATARI 7800.