Minipac issues

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Ok, I've got everything hooked up to my minipac & am trying to get it up and running but suspect it could be faulty.  It seems to keep changing the keys I have set up, eg joystick up just changed to escape - there seem to be a few dead wires also.  

This is the first time I have set one up & thought it would be easier - It should be..  Up seems to have completely disappeared now..  If its not the minipac does anyone have an idea wht the problem could be?  I've gone over my wiring and i'm sure its right.

 Oh, also I should add - I done seem to be able to set up shift mode at all..  I'm baffled.

[MTPPC]

Sounds like the shift key is being activated unknowingly.

[elkameleon]

I have the minipac, and let me tell you, its not as easy to set up as it seems. First, you have to wire it a certain way, I found that out the hard way after I couldnt just assign whatever button I wanted to whatever control I had hooked up. OH NO it don't work that way! Wire it correctly, then when you set up your buttons, you need to make sure you hit the program button, I hit mine 5 times in a row, it doesn't always take for whatever reason. IMHO, I think the step software could be a little easier to use.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

It could be the shift key thing - I cant work out whats doing it though.. this is why I suspect its faulty. It seems to randomly re assign keys & the dead wires are a bit of a concern..   I've been through one button at a time and got it going only to find it changed itself again.  I think I'm gonna replace it with an ipac2

[Hoopz]

Email Andy at Ultimarc.  Also, check for a wire attached incorrectly (NO v. NC), short in the ground, etc.  Wiring issues happen quite a bit even after it's been double checked.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

On close inspection RN1 on the minipac appears to have a little damage, the black on the the chip has been broken off a bit.  Thats not gonna help is it!  I bet thats the problem.  I also bet I did it screwing it in place. 

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Ok, I've taken it out and tested every connection - its faulty.  Loads of connections missing, random tab lighting up, strange delay on 1p start connection..  Damn. 

[CheffoJeffo]

Inquiring minds want to know ... have you actually asked Andy yet ?

His direct service is far, far better than you can receive on a forum, even here.

And, be sure to update this thread when things get resolved.

 

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

I've just mailed him

[BobA]

The 1 key start delay is part of the design in using it for the shift key.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Really, I didnt know that.

I've had another go at this from scratch.  Everything is going fine until i assigned the coin button. Suddenly player 1 start & 1 switch1 seem to occupy the same key whatever I do.  Could this be the shift problem?

[BobA]

If player 1 start is reassigned I am not sure what happens on the Minipac.  I am sure Andy will help you out when he gets your email.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Fixed!  Hes a helpful guy!   

[MTPPC]

elaborate please.

[Vigo]

Yep, Andy is super helpful.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

elaborate please.

We ruled out everything it could have been - turned out the card wasnt faulty, it was a programming issue. The damage I did to it doesn't appear to affect its performance in any way.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Thanks for the help in this thread btw 

[AndyWarne]

I have the minipac, and let me tell you, its not as easy to set up as it seems. First, you have to wire it a certain way, I found that out the hard way after I couldnt just assign whatever button I wanted to whatever control I had hooked up. OH NO it don't work that way! Wire it correctly, then when you set up your buttons, you need to make sure you hit the program button, I hit mine 5 times in a row, it doesn't always take for whatever reason. IMHO, I think the step software could be a little easier to use.

You can assign any pin to any control. But on the other hand if you wire it according to the diagram you dont then have to do any setup at all, it should just work.
We try to inform people that on the Minipac (and I-PAC) its not necessary to program or set up the board. Also, if it does not work immediately, trying to program it is not the way forward. Any wiring issues etc need to be corrected as a first step.
We recently stopped sending out the WinIPAC program with boards and now send a link to download it, and on the link there is a warning not to program the board unless you have everything working first, and then only program if you have a need to change the default configuration.

[elkameleon]

I have the minipac, and let me tell you, its not as easy to set up as it seems. First, you have to wire it a certain way, I found that out the hard way after I couldnt just assign whatever button I wanted to whatever control I had hooked up. OH NO it don't work that way! Wire it correctly, then when you set up your buttons, you need to make sure you hit the program button, I hit mine 5 times in a row, it doesn't always take for whatever reason. IMHO, I think the step software could be a little easier to use.

You can assign any pin to any control. But on the other hand if you wire it according to the diagram you dont then have to do any setup at all, it should just work.
We try to inform people that on the Minipac (and I-PAC) its not necessary to program or set up the board. Also, if it does not work immediately, trying to program it is not the way forward. Any wiring issues etc need to be corrected as a first step.
We recently stopped sending out the WinIPAC program with boards and now send a link to download it, and on the link there is a warning not to program the board unless you have everything working first, and then only program if you have a need to change the default configuration.

I've since figured that out, but then a year later, I needed to change a button configuration, and I had to relearn how the software worked again and what it was expecting of me. It's definately not for the faint of heart, thats all i'm saying, but when it work, it work great.

[MTPPC]

On my main mame cabinet, I installed a button under the control panel for the shift. I reprogrammed my J-Pac for this hidden shift button because I have kids on the cabinet and I hate having to go over and help them get it going again when they are mashing all the buttons in a random fashion. Besides for SNK fighting games, P1 Start is taunt and I don't want unexpected things happening while I'm taunting.