Atari Coin Connection

TECHNICAL TIPS
ATARI PINBALL GAMES
Symptom: Game shuts off or locks up
intermittently.
Solution:
Connector JlO possibly
dislodged or loose on main
PC board. If so, clean PC
board contacts (with pencil
eraser) and reconnect.
SUPER BREAKOUT™
Symptom: Coin counter increments on
power-up.
Clip and lift Pin 15 of the
9334 located at position H8
on the PCB. Run a jumper
wire from the lifted pin to
Pin 12 of the 7404 at loca-
tion E3.
ATARI FOOTBALL™
Symptom: Humbars appear across
the monitor.
Solution:
Solution:
Change the resistor
across the LM323 (R-7)
from 4 ohms, lOW to 2
ohms, 20W. (Part
#19-809W2PO).
ATARI STARS AT AMOA
(Continued from Page 1)
featured. The 3-games-in-one version
of regular BREAKOUT™ was enjoyed
by large crowds of customers. MID-
DLE EARTH™ was also a players'
favorite and the double playfield prov-
ed to be as popular as ever.
The preview video game, SUBS™, .
also attracted attention with its unique
2-monitor concept. This one or two-
player strategy game features invisible
enemy submarines that can be de-
tected on each player's screen by a
sonar which indicates position of the
subs. Int ense battle action comes to
life as the players zero in on the enemy
and launch torpedoes for a hit. Also
previewed was an action wall game
concept, UFO™, which was reviewed
with much enthusiasm by operators.
In this game the player defends his
spaceship against an attacking fleet of
flying saucers.
Atari's exhibit at the AMOA was the
biggest in the history of this show, fill-
ed with the best product line ever
displayed in a single area. The classic
earners from Atari including SPRINT
2™, SIT DOWN NIGHT DRIVER™,
STARSHIP™, SMOKEY JOE™, and
FIRE TRUCK™ continue to attract in-
terest together with the newest innova-
tions.
Atari's service technicians were at
the show demonstrating the latest ad-
vances in Atari test equipment, the
CTF-1 video .game test unit, PCS-1 pin-
ball tester and the versatile portable
ROM/RAM tester. Operators and
distributors showed much interest in
this area. Technicians were also
available at the show for consultation
on specific service problems.
Atari's sensational STARWORLD
SWEEPSTAKES was another first at
AMOA. Fabulous prizes were awarded
to the lucky winners whose names
were selected on Sunday at the show.
(See article: Sweepstakes Winners An-
nounced)
Operators were able to see Atari's
new line of products, many for the
first time. By having these products
on display, customers were invited to
play and compare the games. Addi-
tionally, many key Atari personnel
were available to give first-hand infor-
mation to customers and to answer
any specific inquiries.
The Atari sales team gathers at booth.
Service Representatives demonstrate Atari
Test Fixtures.
TRACKBALL™ - To insure longer life
on track ball assemblies, lubricate the
bearing~ and rollers on this assembly
with oil periodically (every 2-3 months
depending on usage). Recommended
lubricant is SAE-10 machine oil (3-in-l
or sewing machine oil is acceptable).
Apply with a fine needle applicator to
avoid oil accumulation on the roller
surface.
NOTE: Do not use grease or heavy oil
with additives.
PROMOTION IDEAS
FAMILY PLAY
Specify one night per week as Family
Night. Give free games to parents who
come in to the location with their
children. Also, a special family com-
petition could be set up for a driving
game like Sprint 4™; the highest scor-
ing member of the family would win a
prize.
AT ARI FOOTBALL TM
Set up a local superbowl in the loca-
tion on ATARI FOOTBALL™. Sports
announcers and editors from all the
local newspapers, TV and radio sta-
tions could be invited to participate in
the event. It would be fun and will
guarantee excellent publicity for the
game and your location. An attracting
prize should be offered to the winning
team.
EAT, DRINK AND PLAY
In a food service location, give a free
game with the purchase of a specific
food item. For example, one free game
given to anyone who buys a large
drink, two free games for a sandwich. A
poster could be made to advertise this
promotion and possibly be incor-
porated into the locat ion's other adver-
tising. The free games ar e certain to en-
courage additional play.
~
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Crowds gathered to watch the ATARI FOOT-
BALL™ competition.
Howie Rubin points out SP ACE RIDERS™
features to Manny Gerard (WCI).
AN ATARI DISCO
.
I
ORBIT™ and SUPER BREAKOUT™ attract
enthusiastic players.
. C
The crowd was festive at Atari's annual
AMOA cocktail party honoring their
distributors. FACES d isco was the setting
for an enjoyed evening of dancing, food ,
drink and socializing.