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PSA: Repro Atari 2600 USB joysticks from ThinkGeek/Legacy Engineer don't work...

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alfonzotan:

... if you plug them into a hub [EDIT:  should be passive hub], but only if they're plugged directly into the computer's USB ports [EDIT:  or AC-powered USB hub].  Found that out the hard way after buying a pair of them as accessories for The Cab With No Name, with plans to plug them into a hub on the front of my control panel box.  No dice.

Very disappointing, and really annoying.  These things boil down to five buttons and a USB controller, but they don't work through a hub--Whisky, Tango, Fox?  

ThinkGeek support confirmed it after I contacted them, but there's no warning on either the ThinkGeek page or at legacyengineer.com, so I figured I'd post one here.  ThinkGeek is willing to accept a return, so good for them, but buyer beware...

mytymaus007:


--- Quote from: alfonzotan on June 25, 2011, 12:57:45 pm ---... if you plug them into a hub, but only if they're plugged directly into the computer's USB ports.  Found that out the hard way after buying a pair of them as accessories for The Cab With No Name, with plans to plug them into a hub on the front of my control panel box.  No dice.

Very disappointing, and really annoying.  These things boil down to five buttons and a USB controller, but they don't work through a hub--Whisky, Tango, Fox? 

ThinkGeek support confirmed it after I contacted them, but there's no warning on either the ThinkGeek page or at legacyengineer.com, so I figured I'd post one here.  ThinkGeek is willing to accept a return, so good for them, but buyer beware...

--- End quote ---
What type of hub do you have infront of your panel. Im thinking of using a usb panel mount but its an extension of original usb port that gets mounted anywhere on your panel or cab  check out this link let me know if this is something your using


http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=usb+panel+mount+connector&hl=en&client=pub-5942360976771789&oe=ISO-8859-1&prmd=ivns&resnum=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=559&wrapid=tlif130905193832210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3349958740379189069&sa=X&ei=PowGTqCBOZS40AHKsbTUCw&ved=0CHkQ8wIwAQ#

JohnEDollar:

alfonzotan:

Were the USB joysticks plugged in an an active (externally powered) usb hub, or a passive (self powered) hub?

The Joysticks may not be getting enough power to function properly.

(Just a thought.)

- John

SavannahLion:


--- Quote from: JohnEDollar on June 25, 2011, 09:46:43 pm ---alfonzotan:

Were the USB joysticks plugged in an an active (externally powered) usb hub, or a passive (self powered) hub?

The Joysticks may not be getting enough power to function properly.

(Just a thought.)

- John

--- End quote ---

Probably wouldn't matter. Google it. It's apparently reasonably common with some manufacturers joysticks and other accessories. I wish the reports were more detailed as to what model HUB the searches turn up. Oh well.  :dunno

I knew the problem existed with certain configurations. For instance, I don't think any of my PCs recognize the USB keyboard if it's jacked into a HUB (regardless of power/non-power state) before the OS loads. I had always assumed it's due whomever would program the BIOS and whatever profiles they elected to include in the BIOS.

I also have a couple of products here and there that don't play nice with certain hubs or extensions. I always kind of assumed it was due to the hub and always exchanged the hub for another.

But a joystick just flat out not working on a hub? That's like one of Randy's or Andy's products not working with a hub. It's an absurd notion. Hubs are critical to any USB set up.

I'm curious to see if the they're using an off-the-shelf USB IC or if they've done their own USB solution via code. If it's via code, shame on Think Geek and Legacy Engineer for shoving this kind of utter crap on the community and not noting it. I checked both websites and didn't see any mention of hub incompatibilities.

LeedsFan:

I'm with JohnEDollar in that I reckon it's a power issue. Savannah makes good points too so it would be good to see the OP post an update after trying it out with a powered hub.

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