I-Pac 2 - How do i get it working? (Help me)

[yomartin1]

Hey, i need help about the board

This is our board
http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server6200/ajh2rr5h/product_images/uploaded_images/ipac2-top.jpg?t=1398725710

So the problem is how do i get it function again? There's a homemade arcade in our school and we want to play on our break and such but however the cables are missing or stolen and no one has clue how to fix it.

http://prntscr.com/8jeajs

All the cables for keyboard and buttons are already done setup but the cable for configuring keyboard through like mame or emulators is gone. ive tried to put a ps/2 to usb converter. I took a photo of it here:

http://prntscr.com/8jeezs

Yeah i putted it to K/B nothing happend but the lights were on atleast but the pressing buttons or moving the joystick on notepad, nothing happends even on the "PC" either.
I thought if i putted a ps/2 to usb and connected the usb to my laptop, could work as my laptops keyboard would configure all the joystick movements and all the buttons but turns out it didn't work.
 Am i missing something? Like drivers? or idk. Im so confused.
Im gonna keep the cables all the time for safety so no one can steal it.

Help me out, Please community

[DeLuSioNal29]

Head over to the Ultimarc.com site (the manufacturer of the iPac) and scroll down to the "Installation" section.  It will have details on what to plug where.  It's pretty simple.  Just make sure you read everything:
http://ultimarc.com/ipac2.html

Also, not all USB to PS2 adapters can be used as explained here:  http://www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html

D

[monkeybomb]

The port that says PC goes to your computer.  The other is an optional port for a keyboard, but I doubt many people use it at this point.  I use a wireless keyboard / mouse that uses one usb port.  I suspect that is what most people are doing.

That adapter probably isn't going to help you.  You should either buy the one at ultimarc or PM divemaster to see if he has any in stock.  If he does he will take a little longer to get it to you, but the shipping is much cheaper.  I think it's almost $20 shipped through ultimarc.

Another potential issue when you get a second hand ipac is that it might not be set to the defaults.  If that's the case you need this software to customize the keys or set them to the defaults.

https://www.ultimarc.com/download_old.html

[potts43]

That's the original ipac. Just plug a ps2 cable into the "to PC" and plug into keyboard port on PC. You only need to add a keyboard to the board if you don't have a USB cable. It works like a pass through port.

[yomartin1]

The port that says PC goes to your computer.  The other is an optional port for a keyboard, but I doubt many people use it at this point.  I use a wireless keyboard / mouse that uses one usb port.  I suspect that is what most people are doing.

That adapter probably isn't going to help you.  You should either buy the one at ultimarc or PM divemaster to see if he has any in stock.  If he does he will take a little longer to get it to you, but the shipping is much cheaper.  I think it's almost $20 shipped through ultimarc.

Another potential issue when you get a second hand ipac is that it might not be set to the defaults.  If that's the case you need this software to customize the keys or set them to the defaults.

https://www.ultimarc.com/download_old.html

Could you show me how it looks? On their site i cant see the picture, its so tiny that its blurry and even zooming looks harder to see.
I dont even know what to choose from them 3 cables; http://www.ultimarc.com/store/product.php?xProd=6

[Phreakwars]

Yep, that's an original iPac. The very same kind I used on my very first build. Here's your problem..  That iPac will not run with a keyboard that has a USB adapter on it (least it never did for me). You need an actual PS2 type keyboard for it (if using the passthrough function on it). You'll also need a PS2 male to ps2 male extension cable

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1 <--this one goes where it says "PC" on the side

1 end of the cable plugs into the iPac, the other end goes into the PC. The PS2 keyboard will plug into the input of the iPac. The PC will, of course, need to have a keyboard PS2 jack as well.

For good measure, when I did mine, I also bough a PS2 male to PS2 female extension cable and plugged the keyboard into that.

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-100093-6-Feet-MDIN-6-Female/dp/B007TZCTEE<--- this one will go where it says "KB" on the side.

[yomartin1]

Yep, that's an original iPac. The very same kind I used on my very first build. Here's your problem..  That iPac will not run with a keyboard that has a USB adapter on it (least it never did for me). You need an actual PS2 type keyboard for it (if using the passthrough function on it). You'll also need a PS2 male to ps2 male extension cable

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1 <--this one goes where it says "PC" on the side

1 end of the cable plugs into the iPac, the other end goes into the PC. The PS2 keyboard will plug into the input of the iPac. The PC will, of course, need to have a keyboard PS2 jack as well.

For good measure, when I did mine, I also bough a PS2 male to PS2 female extension cable and plugged the keyboard into that.

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-100093-6-Feet-MDIN-6-Female/dp/B007TZCTEE<--- this one will go where it says "KB" on the side.

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables? I mean like what cables should i get instead? I can atleast get a keyboard that has ps/2.

[JDFan]

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables? I mean like what cables should i get instead? I can atleast get a keyboard that has ps/2.

Buy one of the newer versions that are USB rather than Ps2 would be the easiest method -- Otherwise try different PS2 to USB adapters until you find one that works (might take longer and cost more than getting a new version in the end) or order the one that Ultimarc sells that they know works for the $8 + $16 shipping which is also about the same price as buying a new version.

So best bet would probably be to just get a new one and then sell the old one to someone that is using a system with the ps2 input on their MOBO or save it for another build using a system that has the ps2 input !!

[Phreakwars]

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables?

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
+
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1

You won't need to use a PS/2 Keyboard since the laptop has a keyboard, you just need the iPac's output signal. HOWEVER... If that iPac needs programmed, you'll have to use a PS/2 keyboard to send it keystrokes. But I wouldn't worry about that, the default configuration should be fine. You would only need to program it if using special admin buttons, only useful if building a dedicated cabinet, for a laptop, you're golden.

[yomartin1]

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables?

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
+
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1

You won't need to use a PS/2 Keyboard since the laptop has a keyboard, you just need the iPac's output signal. HOWEVER... If that iPac needs programmed, you'll have to use a PS/2 keyboard to send it keystrokes. But I wouldn't worry about that, the default configuration should be fine. You would only need to program it if using special admin buttons, only useful if building a dedicated cabinet, for a laptop, you're golden.

Alright, im going to buy those cables and see if they work or not. I will reply back if it was succesful or unsuccesful. So cya in few days or hours. 

[yomartin1]

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables?

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
+
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1

You won't need to use a PS/2 Keyboard since the laptop has a keyboard, you just need the iPac's output signal. HOWEVER... If that iPac needs programmed, you'll have to use a PS/2 keyboard to send it keystrokes. But I wouldn't worry about that, the default configuration should be fine. You would only need to program it if using special admin buttons, only useful if building a dedicated cabinet, for a laptop, you're golden.

I've discovered a thing from the old post in here, http://www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html 
So that means this: http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
 Wont work for example fighting games that presses many buttons at once? especially playing versus mode on fighting games?
 

[AndyWarne]

What can i do when my laptop doesnt support ps/2 cables?

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
+
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-6-Feet-Keyboard-Mouse-Cable/dp/B0000511L1

You won't need to use a PS/2 Keyboard since the laptop has a keyboard, you just need the iPac's output signal. HOWEVER... If that iPac needs programmed, you'll have to use a PS/2 keyboard to send it keystrokes. But I wouldn't worry about that, the default configuration should be fine. You would only need to program it if using special admin buttons, only useful if building a dedicated cabinet, for a laptop, you're golden.

I've discovered a thing from the old post in here, http://www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html 
So that means this: http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B00007AP2O
 Wont work for example fighting games that presses many buttons at once? especially playing versus mode on fighting games?

Converters of that type are not suitable for gaming for the reasons described on that page: www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html

To use an older board via USB instead of PS/2 you would need a suitable passive adaptor or our cable. We can send the cable by air mail instead of DHL which lowers the cost considerably.

Note that when using the older I-PAC with the pass-through connector, in USB mode, the pass-through is not used. The board can be reconfigured, if necessary, without using this connector.

[Phreakwars]

Converters of that type are not suitable for gaming for the reasons described on that page: www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html

To use an older board via USB instead of PS/2 you would need a suitable passive adaptor or our cable. We can send the cable by air mail instead of DHL which lowers the cost considerably.

Note that when using the older I-PAC with the pass-through connector, in USB mode, the pass-through is not used. The board can be reconfigured, if necessary, without using this connector.

Andy, I think the kids main problem here, is he is unsure of WHICH adapter he needs to buy.

The 2 listed on the Ultimarc website are

USB Cable for pre-2015 I-PAC
&
PS/2 Cable for pre-2015 boards

The confusion here, is which adapter actually converts the old PS/2 iPac to a USB?

Can we assume that the PS/2 Cable for pre-2015 boards is meant for plugging into PS/2 type computers and the USB Cable will plug into the output of the old iPac's PS/2 port and the other end into his USB?

Could you please clarify for not only him, but myself and anybody else with this issue.

My buddy still has my old original iPac from like almost 15 years ago, and as far as I know, it still runs like a champ. Although the hardware it is being used on currently, is like an old MSI K8N Neo4 or something if I remember correctly. Maybe it was something else.. all I remember is that it has an old AMD XP chip, and the motherboard is an MSI utilizing the PS/2 port.

That old MAME cabinet is probably about due for a hardware/software upgrade after all these years, and I can see where one would want to keep utilizing that old iPac if it's still good .vs buying a new one.

[yomartin1]

Converters of that type are not suitable for gaming for the reasons described on that page: www.ultimarc.com/ipacusb.html

To use an older board via USB instead of PS/2 you would need a suitable passive adaptor or our cable. We can send the cable by air mail instead of DHL which lowers the cost considerably.

Note that when using the older I-PAC with the pass-through connector, in USB mode, the pass-through is not used. The board can be reconfigured, if necessary, without using this connector.

Andy, I think the kids main problem here, is he is unsure of WHICH adapter he needs to buy.

The 2 listed on the Ultimarc website are

USB Cable for pre-2015 I-PAC
&
PS/2 Cable for pre-2015 boards

The confusion here, is which adapter actually converts the old PS/2 iPac to a USB?

Can we assume that the PS/2 Cable for pre-2015 boards is meant for plugging into PS/2 type computers and the USB Cable will plug into the output of the old iPac's PS/2 port and the other end into his USB?

Could you please clarify for not only him, but myself and anybody else with this issue.

My buddy still has my old original iPac from like almost 15 years ago, and as far as I know, it still runs like a champ. Although the hardware it is being used on currently, is like an old MSI K8N Neo4 or something if I remember correctly. Maybe it was something else.. all I remember is that it has an old AMD XP chip, and the motherboard is an MSI utilizing the PS/2 port.

That old MAME cabinet is probably about due for a hardware/software upgrade after all these years, and I can see where one would want to keep utilizing that old iPac if it's still good .vs buying a new one.

I agree with Phreakwars and i am really unsure, maybe provide a better picture of the cable? instead of a little picture that is supposed to show 3 of them. Well, thats very hard to see. Not to sound rude or anything but im just gave ya tip.

[AndyWarne]

The cable he needs is the USB Cable for pre-2015 I-PAC.

Note this is not a converter and the pre-2015 boards are not specifically PS/2, they are dual interface PS/2 and USB depending on what host is detected. The difference on the old boards is they have a DIN connector and new boards have a mini-USB connector.

[yomartin1]

The cable he needs is the USB Cable for pre-2015 I-PAC.

Note this is not a converter and the pre-2015 boards are not specifically PS/2, they are dual interface PS/2 and USB depending on what host is detected. The difference on the old boards is they have a DIN connector and new boards have a mini-USB connector.

I cant select airmail, only DHL is available.