Need help - Trackball causes machine slowdown (sound etc)

[hiperco]

Just got a 3" Happ trackball, PS/2 version.

Running Advancemame 0.92 under DOS.

I'm having a problem where the background music slows down whenever I spin the trackball (even on the attract screens etc) in Shuffleshot and GTG 2K.  I've tried MOUSE.EXE and CTMOUSE.EXE as drivers, no difference.  (I previously had a serial trackball that didn't exhibit this problem.)

Any ideas?

[daveg2000]

Just got a 3" Happ trackball, PS/2 version.

I'm having a problem where the background music slows down whenever I spin the trackball (even on the attract screens etc) in Shuffleshot and GTG 2K.

[Flinkly]

what is your system information?

[hiperco]

Sempron 2600+ on a cheap-o motherboard (I wonder if the motherboard is the problem?), 256MB RAM, Ensoniq Audio PCI sound card

[hiperco]

I've been battling this problem for days, still no joy.  I tried a different sound card, same result.   The weird thing is that my serial trackball doesn't have this issue at all (but its not as nice as my new silky Happ)

I tried playing shuffleshot in Windows 98 with Mame32, it played terrible (much worse than Advmame/DOS). 

Could it be that my system is just too slow?  (I have a Sempron 2500+, btw).

daveg2000 - what are your system specs?  And what version of Mame?

[cholin]

I dont think it has anything to do with your computer because for the most part trackballs are detected as mice.  Are you using a hacked mouse board to connect to your computer?

[hiperco]

I'm using a Happ PS/2 trackball.  (Tried the USB option as well, which miraculously worked in DOS).  The slowdown was even worse 

[AmericanDemon]

did you remove the OLD trackball from the equation or is it still hooked up?

[hiperco]

Old trackball is removed.


I also tried a fresh setup (reset the .rc files)


I think I will try the wife's Athlon 1700+ system to see how it plays.  (It might be the motherboard...)

[RandyT]

I think I will try the wife's Athlon 1700+ system to see how it plays.  (It might be the motherboard...)

That's where I'm leaning.   Every once in a while, I see a really poor PS/2 implementation.  Sometimes a BIOS upgrade can fix the problem.  But most times not.

Be a little cautious of those cheap "no-name" boards.


There's also the possibility that the control circuit in the TB is faulty and interrupting the host more often than it should, but that seems less likely.

Good luck,
RandyT

[hiperco]

As near as I can tell, Advancemame doesn't play nicely with my hardware (ECS K7VTA3 motherboard, Sempron 2500+, 256MB Ram, Creative Ensoniq (1371) sound card).  Tried both a Diamond V550 (TNT) video card and a GF3, same result.   (Looking at the frame rate counter, it is seriously impacted whenever the trackball moves, even in non-trackball games.  By the way, a standard PS/2 mouse had the same problem, so its not the trackball either).

I installed Windows XP (first with the V550 (crap), then with the GF3).  Windows Mame plays flawlessly, rock solid framerates no matter how fast I spin the ball!

I guess the countless hours setting up everything in DOS was for naught, as I think my best choice now is to buy an ArcadeVGA and run XP (not a bad thing except for another $100 into my money pit cabinet, lol  )

[ErikRuud]

I doubt that it is your processor.

I have a Betson PS/2 Trackball, on a Win2k machine with a 1.6ghz Duron.  I can play Shuffleshot, GTG and World Class Bowling with no problems.

[hiperco]

I doubt that it is your processor.

I completely agree, since it plays perfectly under Windows XP/Mame32.  Advancemame/DOS just doesn't like my system...

[cholin]

Haha knew it wasnt your trackball because they're seen as mice   Good to know you got it all working though.

[Ponderosa]

I had a very similar problem with AdvanceMAME and DOS.  I got slowdowns whenever spininng my Tornado Spinner.  However, I used a different mouse driver, and the problem went away.  I believe I am currently using CTMOUSE, but I would have to check on my cab (I'm at the office now).  If you haven't already tried that, it might be worth it.  I've also had issues at times that appeared to be due to an old CWSDPMI.