MiniPac & MAME ?

[TomG]

Hi,

I recently receive a MiniPac board that I cabled and now I'm trying to setup with MAME (on Linux). I face a few problems and I would need further clarifications.
This board should have as default layout for MAME but it seemed I had to configure into MAME for correct working.

My first question is : Is default MAME layout in MiniPac only usable if my PC is set for English (qwerty) keyboard (mine is french) ?

Then I started a game, pressed TAB key to enter key mapping configuration. I was able to setup my "Player 1" (1 joystick and 6 buttons) without problem.
However I'm unable to make some other buttons working. As far as I know the layout should be :
  Player 1 Start -> 1
  Insert Coin    -> 5
  Player 2 Start -> 2

Into MAME when I try to configure those keys nothing happens. When I use a text editor (as stated into troubleshooting page of Ultimarc website) I get :
  Player 1 Start -> &
  Insert Coin    -> (
  Player 2 Start -> é

Those characters are on the SAME keys of 1-5-2 but they are the default (ie without SHIFT). Getting 1-5-2 requests the SHIFT key pressed.

So linked to my first question, is it because my keyboard setting is not english ?
Will I have to program my MiniPac to choose other keys as they seem not accepted into MAME ?

Hope this is clear =)
Thanks for your replies.
Tom

[BobA]

Not sure what is happening but why not add a US English keyboard to your keyboard selection and you will be able to select it to try with the minipac.   All you have to do is add the keyboard via the control panel.

[TomG]

"All you have to do is add the keyboard via the control panel"
Sorry, you mean Linux Control Panel ?
Tom

[BobA]

Sorry was thinking Windows.  I am sure there is something in the Linux that lets your control the hardware for the keyboard.

[TomG]

Thanks. By adding keyboard you gave me idea to switch keyboard automatically and only for Mame and then switch back to my normal one when exiting.
For those who could be interested here is my command :

Code: [Select]

$ setxkbmap us && sdlmame <game name>; setxkbmap frTom