Re: How to open rusted Atari 2600?

<t2k@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:5cf89834-1b7e-4a6a-bb4c-4319a755704c@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I found an Atari 2600 partially buried in the ground, behind
> an abandoned house. It looks like it had been there for a while
> because the screws underneath are rusted and all the switches
> on top have all corroded to the point they fall off. The
> switches have slightly disintegrated to dust. But the screws
> underneath are sill holding the console together and that's
> the problem with it: it can't be opened without because of the
> rusted screws.
>
> I have to open it to clean the inside and because the VHF
> cord (to TV) has been cut off. (For some reason all electrical
> appliances found in the back yard had their plugs cut off).
>
> I'm thinking about chiseling the screws in order to damage
> them enough to get it open but I'm worried about damaging the
> circuit board. I've already open an Atari 2600 before and I've seen
> the board is held by the plastic of the bottom with the screws.

Chances are the threads are also corroded. You could try using superglue 
wedded to a thin plastic stick of some sort: glue the stick to the
corroded 
screw, let it set and then pull: chances are the screw will be pulled out.

[The same principle is used to remove small bumps and dents from car 
bodywork].

I wouldn't use a chisel. Better off using a low power drill if nothing
else 
works (obviously not the hammer variety!) - at least then you may have
some 
control over the attack.

But isn't the PCB likely to be damaged beyond repair due to moisture
anyway?