Hello,
I've been lurking for a long time but this is my first post.
I've had a problem with certain keys auto-triggering themselves for a few months now and I can't figure it out. First I will list my setup:
*MAME PC running Atomic FE.
*Windows XP.
*J-PAC with latest Winipac for config.
*Converted 1980's Dig-Dug cabinet to MK1 cabinet.
*6-buttons/player - working Coin Slots and Test Mode Switch.
*Original MK1 JAMMA+ harness with kick harness for extra buttons all wired directly to J-PAC via edge connector and screw connections.
*LCD monitor 3:4 ratio connected directly to PC (video NOT thru J-PAC).
The problem is that any button connected to the screw connectors (P1&P2 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--, B5, B6) will automatically trigger itself at random. Also, F1, F2, & F3 will auto-trigger. This means that I'll be right in the middle of a game and if F2 auto-triggers it will dump me into Test Mode and end my game. It is important to note that the autotriggering can sometimes take 10 minutes or as much as an hour or two to happen. It is intermittant with no discernable pattern.
To describe the troubleshooting steps I will use P2-B6 as an example. P2-B6 is mapped to letter "V" in Winipac:
I thought it was bad wiring or a short in the old MK1 harness so I disconnected everything from the J-PAC. All buttons, joysticks, coin and test switches. Then I used two wires to connect directly from a pushbutton to P2-B6 on the J-PAC screw connectors. It still auto triggered. I opened a text window in Windows and I could watch the letter "V" randomly typing itself across the screen.
I thought maybe it was a bad microswitch so I tried connecting a different pushbutton to P2-B6 on the J-PAC and it too did the same thing. Letter "V" randomly typing across the screen. Remember, this is without anything else connected to the J-PAC. The J-PAC is connected to the PC via the USB cable that came with it.
I tried disconnecting the extra USB keyboard from the PC and it still did it.
I tried connecting the J-PAC with all the buttons to a different PC (my laptop) and it still did it so that eliminates my MAME PC as the problem.
When the main JAMMA edge connector is disconnected from the J-PAC the F1, F2, and F3 keys do NOT autotrigger. When just one button is connected to the extra screw connecters, with nothing else connected, then only that button will autotrigger.
We've tested the wiring with a multimeter and continuity of the solder connections and the wires are good.
Andy of Ultimarc was kind enough to send me a replacement J-PAC and it still auto-triggered the same buttons.
I have included a video of the troubleshooting steps and what my setup looks like to aid anybody who wants to help me figure this out.
Here is a link to my Photobucket page. Its the first two videos on the top-left labelled "Malfunctioning". They are identical. One is LowRes and one is HiRes:
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/Dickjones/Arcade%20Cabinet%20Project/(NOTE: In this video I used spare wires connected with wire-nuts spliced in in
the middle. After filming I also tried direct wires with no splices and had the
same results.)
Any advice would be great at this point as I am out of my mind with frustration. This cabinet was working for about 6 months and then this started happenning. I don't recall making any changes to it at that time.
Don't be shy about asking me to provide more photos or information or to try something. I'll do almost anything at this point.
Thanks in advance for any assistance or insight anyone can provide!