KeyBoard Encoder Trouble --Ughh !!!--

[RockinR]

Obvious newbie looking for some troubleshooting help... Bought--did not build-- this Cocktail mame.  Worked fine for many months... During recent play all controls stopped working...  Will reboot perfectly just can not control actions with buttons,track ball, 8way... Hooked up a keyboard into main PS2 port to override encoder (Hagstrom LP24)...could crudely navigate screens by getting lucky and hitting the right keys or combo of keys (do not know/have list of basic MAME keyboard commands)...All connections look in order...  Any trouble shooting advise would be respected and appreciated...Thanks

[BobA]

Your encoder may have lost its programming.  The LP24 is programmed via the kb port to whatever matrix is selected. 23x1 to 12x12 as per the BYOAC page noted below.

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_input.shtml#KeyboardEncoders

Apparently there is a utility from Hagstrom that allows this programming.  Did you get any documentation with the cabinet?  You should have gotten the matrix info that was programmed into the encoder or perhaps the info is on the PC that came with the cabinet.   Maybe the programming utility as well.

The encoder is supposed to have a keyboard passthru.  If this is working maybe you can reprogram the unit.  If this is not working maybe the encoder itself has a problem.  Sorry I cannot provide more info but maybe someone with actual experience with the LP24 can tell you what the default is and you can check it out from there.

BobA

[RockinR]

BobA ... Thanks for taking time to help me out.  There is definately a keyboard pass-through on the encoder.  Have not hooked up to it yet as I checked out the Hagstrom site for utilities and did not find any informatin and unfortunately I looked all over the cabinet for a matrix outline of any kind   ughh !!!

Just remember that I lost a power supply strip on the cabinet a few days before the controls quit...  

If someone can help with info on programming the LP24 I would be thankful

[rampy]

I'm sorry that i don't have some knowledge to share on your particular encoder... but can't you get support from the person who sold you the cocktail?

what did you pay for if they won't support what they sell?

just a thought...

rampy

[RockinR]

Thanks for the note Rampy !!!   I purchased this coctail MAME game from an estate auction about 2 years ago... never recieved anything but a bill of sales...  It's been an excellent machine...can't complain

Have been collecting pinball machines for many years and though this would make a nice addition to the basement collection.  Price was right and my kids love it... Just looking to keep it running...
Thanks

[cdbrown]

Does the cocktail go straight to a front end or can you get into windows (or even dos)?

In windows you should open up notepad.exe and push some buttons and move the joystick to see if anything is being registered?  Should normally come up with different letters and some numbers.

The same could be said at the dos prompt.

Try the pass through and see if the keyboard still works.  The config program should be on the pc you might just have to perform a seach for lp24cfg or something like that.  Then again the chip might be damaged when you lost the power strip but that's unlikely most likely just reset the chip.

http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/contact.html Maybe you could contact hagstrom and ask if they can email you back.  I'm sure someone must have this type of encoder and be able to send you the program.

Don't really know but maybe something will help.
Cheers
-cdbrown