Firing back up Stepmania.. Forgot how to get my metal dance pad working.

[dgrams2000]

LOL.

I just dug out my steel Blue Spark dance pad and hooked up the USB to Playstation adapter after sitting idle for a good year or two.

When I plug in PS controllers to the adapter, the usb adapter works fine in the XP controller config, but the Blue Spark dancpad is not responding to the button pushes. The lights on it light up when I step on the arrows, its just not recognizing when pushign the directionals in the test, or wont allow me to calibrate it.

I looked around for instructions for it, because I very vaguely remember that there is some kind code, or combination of arrows to hold down to get it to work correctly.
Can't find any documentaion in my house or on my computer, and tried to google it, but can't find anything.

Anyone got this thing and/or remember how to get it recognized when plugged into the USB to PS adapter? There definately is a trick, and I should of documented it.

Help! I have friends that want to try StepMania!!!

[Ed_McCarron]

Many recent PlayStation->USB adapters require you to enter a "Dance Pad Code". This code changes the mapping mode of the adapter to make the PlayStation D-Pad (Up, Down, Left, Right) to map to USB buttons so that opposite directions can be pressed simultaneously on the pad.
For most adapters, the code is:

 Hold Up, Start, and Select for three seconds

The code can be entered at any time after plugging in the USB adapter to the PC. The code needs to be entered every time you restart your computer or plug your adapter into your computer. It is especially important that you enter the pad code before trying to map the buttons of the pad in StepMania.

That one?

[JustMichael]

Also go into "Control Panel" and Check "Game Controllers" and bring up your usb adapter.  There may be a setting in there you can change for your game controller.  After you get the dance pad working again, you write the steps to get it working on a piece of paper.  You then tape this to the bottom of the dance pad (using clear tape of course).  Make sure to COMPLETELY cover the paper.  I suggest that clear packaging tape with extra strong adhesive (works great).  Your goal is to make it so the instructions can never come off or be destroyed.

[dgrams2000]

Many recent PlayStation->USB adapters require you to enter a "Dance Pad Code". This code changes the mapping mode of the adapter to make the PlayStation D-Pad (Up, Down, Left, Right) to map to USB buttons so that opposite directions can be pressed simultaneously on the pad.
For most adapters, the code is:

 Hold Up, Start, and Select for three seconds

The code can be entered at any time after plugging in the USB adapter to the PC. The code needs to be entered every time you restart your computer or plug your adapter into your computer. It is especially important that you enter the pad code before trying to map the buttons of the pad in StepMania.

That one?

By god, that sounds familiar.  gotta go try it.  I'll let you know. 

[dgrams2000]

Well,
I do remember doing that exact thing in the past when I played with this pad.  That is a good thing.
But here is the thing...
I somehow in our move, lost the usb to PS2 adapter.
I bought a new one off ebay for a few bucks the other day.
See here: http://cgi.ebay.com/PS2-PSX-PS1-PLAYSTATION-2-USB-PC-ADAPTER-CONVERTER-/380268924029?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item5889cb4c7d

So maybe my issue is that there is a 'special' usb to playstation converter I need, but I can't seem to get this one to work with the dance pad.

I can plug in an old Playstation controller into the adapter and it works great.
I can't seem to get the pad to respond though. 
When I go thru the calibration, is seems like the wires are messed up.  Many buttons are pressed at once... tromping around on the arrows on the pad dont seem to do anything on the screen. (As far as showing that the buttons are pressed or not)

I'm thinking of unscrewing the thing and making sure the wiring is okay on the inside.
I do get lights on the arrows as I press on them.  They are more faded then I remember them being, but lights do come on.

[Ed_McCarron]

Does the pad have an xbox connector?  You can use an xbox-usb adapter and download xbox controller drivers... Worked for my Red Octane clone...

[dgrams2000]

No.  Its ps connection only.

Here is another thing I remember.
What the code really does is allow '2' or more simutaneous inputs on the directional pad.
(since on a controller, you normally can't press LEFT and RIGHT at the same time)

And... if I remember right some PS to USB converters do not have the capability of doing this.
Maybe I just got an adapter that doesnt have this feature....

I wonder how I can tell?

[drventure]

Yep, that's likely the problem. i picked up a USB to PS2 converter not realizing there was a particular type needed for dancepad use.

Usually, they'll say dancepad compatible. Basically, it's that the adapter has to support 2+ simultaneous inputs and many don't.

Also, some of them require you to put it in "dancepad" mode, usually by pressing SELECT and UP and START at the same time for 3 seconds.

[dgrams2000]

Went to the item that I won on ebay, and saw this in the description:

Description 

·         Connect up to 2 Sony PlayStation Controllers, Game Pads, Joysticks, Racing Wheels, Dancing Mat etc to your PC via USB ports.

·         Support 4 types of vibration 1. Constant Force 2. Sine Force 3. Spring Force 4. Ramp Force.

·         Easy to use, simply plug into USB socket of your PC and install the driver and you're ready to go! Connect with PS/PS2 Dancing Mat, push "start + select + up" for 3 seconds, it will switch to PS/PS2 dancing pad mould automatically.

·         Convert your PSX PS1 PS2 controller to PC base

·         Plug and Play, Standard HID compliant

·         Supports both digital and analog mode

·         Support two controller for two players can play

·         Compatible with Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP

·         Size : 8.5 x 7 x 2 cm ( USB Cable length: about 20cm )

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
So, it should work... Hmmmmm.... 

Well, I guess I will continue to take it apart to make sure the wires are okay.. not touching, shorting, etc....

[dgrams2000]

Okay.. here are my findings for the evening.
1. Like I said, a normal playstation controller works fine.
2. The mat does get some kind of power because lights go on when I step on arrows.
3. Was getting fustrated, so i went digging around for my old playstation.  Found it, but dont have my DDR games any more..  (Grrrr!)
4. Figured I could at least fire it up and see if I get any kind of joystick control out of either the pad, or the box with the select/start.
5. In the meantime.. found my old PS to USB converter.
6. Hooked up the PS to USB converter, and it loaded up some Playstation drivers in the XP Controller Config screen.
7. Stepped on arrows.. lights were much brighter... could step on one arrow, then the opposite, and they all lit up.
8. Went to test the mat in windows again, and nothing recognizes, even though the mat gets power.
9. Noticed the end of the cord that coes into the playstation connector (from my mat's box that has the select/start on it)
  is coming out a bit.  possible disconnected wire in the connector?  How do I test that out?

Thats where I am now.
And I'm tired.. time for bed.


Morning update:

Found this website http://www.mymybox.com/ddracc.html
They got my part on sale for $14.00   but who knows if its in stock.  I"ll have to call them today.

UPDATE: 9/16 - looks like this website is out of business or something.  tried all phone nubmers.  some are disconnected, another was just an answering machine.

I'm wondering if I could get the pads to recognize thru my ipac connector... just turning them into keyboard strokes.  Sounds like a good idea, eh? Wonder if it is possible.

[dgrams2000]

So, if this place is truely out of business and I can't find a new controller box,
has anyone ever wired one of these bad boys up to thier Ipac for keyboard input?

I'm thinking that is my next best bet since StepMania uses keyboard inputs as well.