Joystick works in games, but not on front end

[reptileink]

Still working out the kinks of MA, and I am running in to a strange issue.

I have been able to get my controls and joystick working IN-GAME on Maximus, but I cannot navigate the front end with the joystick when trying to scroll through systems.

I am using an IPAC 2 with a stripped Jamma harness.

Like I said, I can use the controls in the game selection screen, just not when selecting a system. Also, it seems like my control set up doesn't fully save every time. I am using the Preferences section within MA, not the stand alone.

Also as a side question: Do I need to configure the controls for each emulator BEFORE using them in Maximus? The reason I ask is that I don't see anywhere under preferences to set up "buttons" such as "A" "B" "X" etc.  Do I do this in each emulator first? I am learning that Maximus is basically an "organizer" program and not much else and that may rely on the emulater configs to determine button layout??

Sorry if these are noob questions...lol

[RTyper56]

I think configuring the controls within the emulators themselves first is needed.
As for in MA, in preferences, under controls tab, there should be a subtab called either Joystick or Gamepad (don't have a computer in font of me to be sure), and there will be a checkbox to tick to enable use of the joystick and buttons.