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How to Troubleshoot a Magnavox Odyssey 2

The Magnavox Odyssey 2 is a video game console first released in 1978 and designed to connect to a television set. The console uses game cartridges that directly load into memory so that the game can be played immediately. Any connection on the console that is not properly seated will result in a weak and unstable picture on the TV, and make gaming very difficult if not impossible. You can troubleshoot the Magnavox Odyssey 2 in order to identify what is preventing the picture from appearing properly on the TV screen. You will need supplies from a drug store, electronics shop plus other items from around the home.

Things You'll Need

Electrical lubricating spray can
Cotton swabs
Lens cleaning solution
Odyssey 2 game cartridge
Video enhancer box
Batteries

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the Odyssey 2 video cable from the socket on the TV transformer. Shake a can of electrical lubricating spray for five seconds. Spray the cable connector with a one-second burst. Reinsert the connector into the socket on the TV transformer.
- 2
  Turn the Odyssey 2 off. Moisten the end of a cotton swab with lens cleaning solution and run the end of the swab against the contact pins on the game cartridge. Run the moistened end of another swab against the inside edges of the game cartridge slot. Insert the game cartridge into the slot. Pull the cartridge halfway out, then reinsert it fully into the slot.
- 3
  Remove the Odyssey 2 video cable from the TV transformer socket. Plug the cable into the video input on a video enhancer box. Plug the video enhancer box power cord into a wall outlet. If the enhancer uses batteries, insert fresh batteries into the battery compartment. Insert one end of a video cable into the video output on the video enhancer box and insert the other end of the cable into the TV transformer socket. Turn on the Odyssey 2 to determine if the video signal enhancement has produced a stable and playable picture on the TV.

Classic Console Games