I've always had trouble getting a clear picture on my 4-switch 2600. I opened up the case and replaced the cable and got a much more clear picture, but it was loose and could fall out of the cable input on the board if rattled and could not fit with the top cover of the case on since the cable was too rigid.
I thought maybe the static might be due to the original cable having little insulation but then I noticed some small white pieces hanging below the cable port that is raised from the motherboard. Let me explain. I am also attaching two images for clarification.
The cable plugs into a port on the motherboard. This port is raised a bit, standing on two legs. What I was seeing was two small chiclet (like the gum) pieces that would slide around the edge of the inner surface of the port's cylindrical shape. What I think is there are three layers to the port: an outer metallic layer that surrounds the cylinder and is attached to the two legs, an inner ring of insulation material - the white (maybe ceramic) chiclet pieces pieces, and finally the inner surface which again is conductive metal.
Are these chiclet pieces insulation material that have become loose and because of this, there is static?
The pieces can move freely if tapped with a toothpick or due to gravity.
Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
The port (side view) attached to motherboard below
![Posted Image]()
Actual image of the port but the chiclet pieces have slid to the back side and are only visible using a small mirror I placed behind the port.
![Posted Image]()
I thought maybe the static might be due to the original cable having little insulation but then I noticed some small white pieces hanging below the cable port that is raised from the motherboard. Let me explain. I am also attaching two images for clarification.
The cable plugs into a port on the motherboard. This port is raised a bit, standing on two legs. What I was seeing was two small chiclet (like the gum) pieces that would slide around the edge of the inner surface of the port's cylindrical shape. What I think is there are three layers to the port: an outer metallic layer that surrounds the cylinder and is attached to the two legs, an inner ring of insulation material - the white (maybe ceramic) chiclet pieces pieces, and finally the inner surface which again is conductive metal.
Are these chiclet pieces insulation material that have become loose and because of this, there is static?
The pieces can move freely if tapped with a toothpick or due to gravity.
Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
The port (side view) attached to motherboard below
Actual image of the port but the chiclet pieces have slid to the back side and are only visible using a small mirror I placed behind the port.
