Need help with Optipac, starting to get frustrated

[roybfr]

Uggghhh   I can't get my optipac to work in either Serial or USB mode. I ordered a USB unit and did not get a USB cable with it so I went out and bought one. I can't get it to work so I am guessing what ever cable Andy sends is a little differnt. So I moved to plan b and changed the unit to Serial, hooked up a serial cable to it and my pc and tapped the 5+ and GND off the ipac. Nothing, I don't even know if there is power coming off the header of the ipac. I have a little lamp tester, but I am guessing that the power coming off is not enough to light it so there is no way to tell if there is power. But the rest of the ipac is workinf fine from what I can see so I am pretty sure the power is there.

Any help, suggestions would be appreciated. My cab is done other wise and after about a month of nigths and weekends I would like to wrap it up so that I can enjoy it.

I may just order a usb mouse interface from Oscar, and do the rocker switch and call it good.

[DougHillman]

Unfortunately, I can't do much to help with your dilemma other than to ask if you've contacted Andy from Ultimarc?  I've never had any problems witnh Ultimarc stuff, but from what I've read he's incredibly accomodating and motivated to resolve problems such as yours.  It'll be a bit more of a delay, but I'm sure he'd get you a cable right out the door if he knew yours arrived without one.

[roybfr]

I emailed him just a bit ago. Hopefully I hear back from him in the next few days. I got the rest of the CP running so at least I can play all the joystick games.

I need to figure out how to tell if there is power going to it at all off of the Ipac. I went to BB and picked up a USB to serial cable, but it did not work, so I am guessing that the cables that usualy come with the usb optipacs are different.

[sirwoogie]

Wait for Andy. If he missed something in the order such as the cable, he'll get it to you.

The USB cable is definitely custom, and I also believe the serial cable might have a unique pinout. I don't know for sure, as he makes no mention of it on the site.

But in the end, just wait to hear from Andy. He'll get you squared away.

[RayB]

Can you be a little clearer about whether the problem is with the IPAC or OPTIPAC? Do you have both or are you referring to the Optipac as "ipac" by mistake (in your first post up there)?

Instead of trying to get power off of thr Ipac, power your Optipac directly from the PC power supply. That way at least you know if the Optipac is working or not. once confirmed, you can narrow down if you're properly connecting powering from the IPAC...

[roybfr]

I got an auto replay, he is on Holiday till next week. Kind of sucks, means it would be a few weeks before I get something.... oh well I still need to work on some mamewah stuff and set the marquee, side art and monitor bezzel done.

[roybfr]

Well I got it working, got a volt tester and checked the voltage of each pin I was tapping the wrong pin for 5v. I was following the diagram on the site, and I was looking from what I thought was the top (looking down at the board face up) which is not what he thinks is the top (looking at back side of board), oh well. I would have tried the others didn't want to do any damage. Ended up using a serial cable, so the is nothing funky about his serial cables, but the USB one I am guessing is special.