1 of 2 U360 constantly appears to disconnect/reconnect - sometimes worse

[MedievalMan]

Hi guys,

I've been having an issue my one of my U360's (purchased in 2013).

Since maybe for the past 3-6 months, when I'm running Hyperspin, the U360 #1 Joystick will constantly appear disconnected/reconnected on the USB port.
When I'm using MAME or another emulator/game, it normally doesn't behave like that and I can play with no issue.   So I was just using Stick #2 to browse the game selection.

Last night, this behavior became worse: it did the same thing in MAME or any other emulator/game. 
As well, as soon as I entered MAME or Hyperspin or another emulator or game, the U360 #1 would stop responding completely.
When I exited the program, the U360 would work fine in the control panel.
However, I noticed that if I pressed more than 8 buttons a time while in the control panel, the U360 would consistently become disconnected then immediately reconnect.

Note last night I tried the following items for troubleshooting, all resulted in the same behavior:
   - Ensure both sticks still had separate ID's in the U360 config program.
   - Changed USB ports
   - Disconnected all other USB devices including the other U360 (in case it was a USB power issue)
   - Stop all other software that maps the U360 buttons (XPadder, CabVol)

This morning after leaving the computer shut off over the evening, I'm back to the "normal" behavior I've observed over the past few months (constantly reconnecting, but only in Hyperspin).
I haven't changed anything specifically on the software side.

Has anyone had similar issues before?    Perhaps the one stick is going bad, or the USB cable?  Maybe try switching the USB cables of the U360's to see if the issue follows the cable?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Matt

[MedievalMan]

Thought I'd add: I tried switching the USB cables, and the issue is still happening on the same stick.

Thanks.

Matt

[MedievalMan]

Now U360 stick #1 is not even detected by windows.
I tried another PC (latptop) - same issue.

Now U360 stick #2 is starting to behave like #1 did - constantly reconnecting (but works in the control panel), doesn't work as soon as I enter MAME or Hyperspin or other emulator.

Only had the sticks for 1.5 years, not too much usage...  arcade is useless at the moment :/

I will send an email to Andy directly at Ultimarc, but if anyone can think of anything else I can try in the meantime, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Matt
Matt

[shrunkenmaster]

I had the disconnecting issue too. Replaced the usb lead and all was fine until a few days ago. Please let us know what Andy says.

[MedievalMan]

Hi guys,

Still no resolution on the issue.  I've responded back to Andy again, awaiting reply.

Here's what I heard back from Andy initially:
Matt,
The problems I have heard about before were caused by Xpadder. But even when its closed.
Of course there might be something else going on here but just to eliminate would it be possible to completely uninstall the program and re-test? There is still some kind of driver running I believe even if the program is closed.
Andy



I've had some more time to debug. I uninstalled Xpadder, along with Logitech Wingman SW I used for my other gamepads.

After being powered off for sometime, the behaviour of U360#1 is different than before.
No outstanding issue with U360 #2 (works fine, no disconnect issue).

U360#1 will work with #2 plugged in as well, but only with some games:
   Most MAME games
     But if Hyperdrive or California Speed or other high usage game loaded, I get the disconnect issue
   Shovel Knight
   Crazy Taxi 3

most other PC games exhibit the disconnect issue:
   Mortal Kombat Ultimate, Need For Speed 11, Injustice, Street Fighter 4


Now after another PC reboot, I can only get U360#1 to work as mentioned above (limited game support) if U360 #2 is disconnected.

If I plug U360#1 into a different PC (laptop), it works with no issue - I've tested with  Xpadder + Hyperspin running.

I've tried changing Ultrastick ID#1 to #3 or #4 to see if that helps, but the joystick doesn't work afterward ( I followed the USB disconnect instructions).  - Windows 7 detects it as a mouse, and Ultramap detects the U360 in #3 or #4 spot  but doesn't detect stick movement or allow new maps to be uploaded. 

Appears to be a software issue somehow causing temporary hardware faults.

What you you try next?

Thanks

Matt

[MedievalMan]

Hello,

Just to followup on this issue:

Adding a powered USB PCI card and plugging in U360#1 to it  resolved the issue.

-Matt

[Nephasth]

USB hubs are junk. Always go with a PCI card if you need more ports. And quality cables are your friend.