Is my IPAC2 a dud ... or am I an idiot? [SOLVED]

[olsen]

I've done a few searches and I haven't found a solution, so please forgive me if the answers are out there, and I just couldn't find them. Remember, I could just be an idiot (see: topic subject).

I installed my IPAC2 tonight and in WinIPAC on my Windows 7 64-bit machine, none of the keys work. I had player 2 daisy chained up and I then wired the right button. In test mode on WinIPAC, nothing registered.

Thinking maybe the daisy chain was busted, I wired up a single button on player 1. One terminal went to ground and one went to player 1, switch 1. Again, nothing. I have the IPAC2 PS/2 going into the purple PS/2 input on my motherboard. I actually tried all combinations: green and purple, and then both outputs on the IPAC. Still nothing in test mode.

Am I using the software wrong? It seems like test mode should show any key commands when a corresponding button is pressed.

This is my first time crimping, so maybe I screwed that up. Because I split CAT-5 cable, I used two wires for each thread of wiring. I thought maybe that was a problem, so on my player 1 test, I used a single copper thread for each terminal. Still nada.

Any help would be appreciated here. I found a few posts where people's IPACs were duds, so maybe that's the problem. It could also be my wiring, and it could also be user error with the software.

Thanks for the help. I've been working on my MAME cab since July, and this is my first post on here. What do they say? Long-time listener. First-time poster? I guess that makes me feel slightly less guilty for bothering the masses with what is probably a simple problem.

[EMDB]

.... I've been working on my MAME cab since July, and this is my first post on here. What do they say? Long-time listener. First-time poster? ....

[olsen]

It's real, I promise.

[HanoiBoi]

From what I'm reading, nothing stands out.  First, maybe test and confirm that the PS/2 ports are functional, without the IPAC.  Secondly, the IPAC should have an led (or two?) that light up when connected and I believe offer error codes.  These can be used to narrow down possible ussues with the ipac.

I wish I could offer more help here, but  I have no experience with Win7 or with the PS/2 version of the ipac.  I'll need more information and examples to weigh in on the 2nd part of the question.  ; )

[markc74]

Have you tried it with a keyboard connected to the ipac? See if the keyboard works.

[olsen]

Have you tried it with a keyboard connected to the ipac? See if the keyboard works.

markc74 for the win. That was it. I picked up an old PS/2 keyboard from the thrift store, and now we're in business. Test mode is picking up my wired buttons.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Fursphere]

I remember mine does something similar.  I had to daisy chain in my PS/2 keyboard before the thing started to work right.

When you use a USB adapter with it, it doesn't seem to act this way.   

[mvolke1]

Try double checking your grounds. No button will work if it's not grounded. Sometimes it's the simple things.