Trackball and spinner sharing axis

[hoffy84]

Hello all,

I have a Happ trackball and a tornado spinner on my cp. Both are connected USB directly into the computer. (no encoder in the middle). The spinner has the x axis, which is fine, but the trackball only has the y axis. I am not concerned about it working on any emulators (yet), but just on my desktop: I want to use the trackball as a mouse to be able to navigate and click files without having to use my keyboard. I have been searching the forums for a couple nights now, and I have seen lots of questions like this, but the TB/spinners of others are usually hooked up to an encoder, and the user is trying to figure out how to get it working in Mame. I just want TB to work like a mouse on my Windows XP desktop. Is there a setting somewhere I am not looking? Tried going into control panel>mouse settings, but didn't see anything relevant there.

Any ideas? -Thanks

[BobA]

Have your trackball use the x and y axis like a mouse and put your spinner on the z axis so there is no interference.

[PL1]

If you use the z-axis for the spinner, you'll need to apply a patch to MAME and recompile like TopJimmyCooks mentions here.

If not, one transition on the spinner wiil move you 4 steps due to how Windows handles z-axis inputs.


Scott

[equlizer]

Im in the same boat.  I would love for someone to re compile mame for me (i would paypal them)

I know forsure windows doesnt see it   I might just install a DPDT switch and mount it on the side or something.

[Dawgz Rule]

The Happ USB trackball should work fine out of the box in Windows, your front end, and Mame.  I would suggest you disconnect all of the devices and then remove them from the hardware settings in windows.  Reconnect the trackball and let windows rediscover.  Verify that it works.  If it doesn't I would tend to believe there is an issue with the trackball itself.  Afterwards, connect the spinner and verify that it moves the mouse across one axis.  Windows can accomodate multiple mice without issue and it is perfectly acceptable to have the trackball on x and y and also have the spinner on one or the other.   Once this is done, your front end should also recognize the trackball as a mouse.   The only issue I have seen with Mame is that some trackball games required me set one or the other axis with the trackball.  Once set it was good to go.  Odds are you will never be using the spinner and the trackball at the same time so it shouldn't present an issue.  I am using both a Happ trackball and Tornado spinner (both USB) and they were pretty much plug and play. 

[hoffy84]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I tried Dawgz approach, but guess it doesn't work on my CPU. I do believe it should be able to see more than one "mouse" and both axis' should work, but there is probably some obscure setting that I don't have ticked.

I'll try BobA and PL1's suggestion tomorrow night.

Hey equilizer: I compiled my own Mame build (once) and it was extremely tedious. I still have it and its about 2 years old, and i know i need to update and do it all over again. There is instructions on how to here (as you prob already know):   http://mrdo.mameworld.info/compile.php I don't remember it at all, I think I went through a 12 pack, and did a lot of reading. I would pay for that kind of job, too. 

[Dawgz Rule]

Have you tried plugging both of them in another PC?  You never know.

[hoffy84]

Good idea, Dawgz. I'll try plugging them into my laptops. They're both W7 though , but if the problem still persists then that would root out the hardware wiring question.

[ids]

Im in the same boat.  I would love for someone to re compile mame for me (i would paypal them)

I know forsure windows doesnt see it   I might just install a DPDT switch and mount it on the side or something.

I've been having the same problem and will be running a compile asap.  I can post the binary of a build somewhere when done.  No need for paypal!

For those so inclined, however, take a look at http://headsoft.com.au/index.php?category=mame&page=mc64 - it makes compiling MAME really easy, and you can tune the build to your particular CPU, etc.

[ids]

Build in progress - Mame 0148, 64Bit wintel, includes hi-score patch and the z-axis patch mentioned.  Can produce other builds if requested.  PM me if you want the binary or alternate build.

[hoffy84]

If you use the z-axis for the spinner, you'll need to apply a patch to MAME and recompile like TopJimmyCooks mentions here.

If not, one transition on the spinner wiil move you 4 steps due to how Windows handles z-axis inputs.


Scott

Can someone tell me how to reassign my spinner to the Z-axis in Windows. I tried CP>Mouse sttings, but nothing in there about changing axis. I have scoured the forums, and everyone seems to already know how to do it. I can't find any instruction on it.

Thanks

[GreggB]

I don't understand why you would need to change the axis of the spinner?  Windows allows you to have multiple 'mouse' devices so as long as you don't touch the spinner while you are using the trackball I wouldn't think it would interfere.  I've actually got 4 'mice' hooked up to my computer and they all function fine as long as I only use one at a time:

1) 'Normal' Mouse
2) Tornado Spinner
3) Wacom Tablet
4) Trackman Wheel mouse

Please enlighten me

[hoffy84]

Will do GreggB,

I have a Tornado Spinner and a GGG EI Trackball (which I assume is Happ). both are connected USB. When I am in Windows, the spinner controls the horizontal and the TB controls the vertical.  I am runnimg Windows XP Pro SP3. I have tried unplugging both devices>>>>>
Oh boy. In was literally in the middle of typing this I stopped and got up to try the "plug TB into another computer trick", and same results.

I then opened my control panel to make sure al the wires were snug, (as I've done in the past). Yep, everything looks fine. I then, played with the trackball, while having a look on the bottom side of the TB housing, and noticed, are you ready?...... The encoder wheel for the horizontal is not moving when I move the trackball.

I can't believe all these hours I spent thinking it was a software issue, only to find it was a mechanical issue all along!

Well, I will need to open up the TB casing and find out what is impeding on it. I did move the encoder wheel manually, and the horizontal does work.

Thank you guys for all your help and sorry for wasting your time.

I will post back with my findings of the mechanical issue. I'm pi$$ed off at myself, yet relieved to have found the problem. 

[RandyT]

Before you go too far with tearing things apart, examine the encoder wheel and make sure nothing was bumped around in shipping or installation, causing the optics to interfere with rotation.  If it moves freely, give the ball a couple of good solid hits, like you would with a game of Golden Tee.  Do it in a few directions.  It's very possible that when it was installed into your panel, a small piece of debris found it's way inside and is sitting between the ball and the X roller.  It's much easier to try to knock it out of there than take things apart.  It's ok to be rough with it, if that's what it takes to dislodge it.  You can't hurt anything by knocking the ball around a bit.

If that doesn't work, then take it apart and see what is causing it.

[PL1]

Can someone tell me how to reassign my spinner to the Z-axis in Windows. I tried CP>Mouse sttings, but nothing in there about changing axis. I have scoured the forums, and everyone seems to already know how to do it. I can't find any instruction on it.

It isn't a Windows setting.

You'll need to change it at the encoder board.

Your Tornado spinner should have a jumper for changing axis.


Scott

[hoffy84]

Before you go too far with tearing things apart, examine the encoder wheel and make sure nothing was bumped around in shipping or installation, causing the optics to interfere with rotation.  If it moves freely, give the ball a couple of good solid hits, like you would with a game of Golden Tee.  Do it in a few directions.  It's very possible that when it was installed into your panel, a small piece of debris found it's way inside and is sitting between the ball and the X roller.  It's much easier to try to knock it out of there than take things apart.  It's ok to be rough with it, if that's what it takes to dislodge it.  You can't hurt anything by knocking the ball around a bit.

If that doesn't work, then take it apart and see what is causing it.

Thanks Randy,

But I did take it apart before I read this, and found that the encoder sensor for the horizontal, had simply become a little seperated from the pins on the board and was sitting diagonally; enough so as to stop the encoder wheel from spinning. I just pushed it back in, re-assembled and all is well (Almost). I test spun it while it was unassembled, and found that the horizontal wheel was warped. I have tried flexing it back into place but it still rubs slightly every 360-degrees. Didn't think this would be an issue, so I put everything back together and reinstalled in my CP. Voila,, the horizontal spin works, however, when you move at a slower (say "Centipede" pace), the cursor hiccups a little because of the warped spot barely rubbing the sensor.

I want to order a couple more replacemt encoder wheels from you, but I don't think the high-res ones are available singley on your website; just the normal ones.

Also: Just want to add: I don't believe that this is any kind of defect on your part: I ordered this TB from you about 2 years ago, (I have been ordering parts from you over a long period of time, as well as family and friends around Christmas times, they want to see this thing done too. LOL.

This project has been going on for 6+ years. And parts have been stored in and out of a hot Florida garage, so I am 100% positive that is what caused the warping. PM me if I can order the high-res encoder wheels.

Thanks!! 

[RandyT]

Heh.  Stuff happens.

Email me and I will send you set of encoder wheels to get you fixed up.

RandyT