Help! Joysticks get "stuck" in one direction.

[dclatfel]

I've just finished my cab, and I have one last bug that I can't seem to work out.  Periodically, my joysticks get "stuck" moving in one direction (although the stick is physically centered).  The stickiness releases only when I push the stick back in the direction it is stuck.

Here is the history on this problem.  I started with X-arcade components, and the problem began.  I assumed (my apologies to the great guys at Xgaming) that the microswitches that came with their sticks (bare, not the full controller) are less than top quality.

I ordered a pair of Happ Supers knowing that many people like these, and you read nearly nothing negative about them.  The problem persisted.  At this point, I assumed it was because I soldered directly to the switch terminals rather than using the quick connect terminals/connectors that you can buy.  So, I ordered two more Happ Supers and those connectors and replaced all the old switches with those from the brand new Supers.  This time, no soldering to the microswitch terminals.

It still happens!    I'm not sure where to go next.  I've connected the controls to an I-Pac which is connected to my computer via USB.  I dunno what to try next!  Could this be an I-Pac issue?  Could this be a cheap motherboard problem?  

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?  Any ideas?  I've got this beautiful new Mame cab built, but playing it is ultra-frustrating because of the sticking.  (It is happens several times a game.)

Thanks for any help/sympathy that you can give me!

Sincerely,
David Clatfelter

[Shadowfire]

the next step in diagnosing your problem is to hook the IPAC up to another PC.  if you are still getting stuck keystrokes, then you can safely assume that its the IPAC.

[1UP]

Hey, I've had the same problem!  I 'm using an I-PAC and happ supers.  From time to time, I'd be playing something like Galaxian, and the ship would get stuck going right, and I could only get control back by wiggling the stick several times.  I haven't noticed the problem recently, though, so I figured it was fixed when I got rid of some loose ground connections a while back.  You might just go through and check all your connections for continuity (if you have a multimeter that has this function.)

[Stein]

I had this problem with my Hotrod, sometimes it would work and sometimes not. I spent way too much time testing things out and researching the problem... what I learned was very disappointing. Some older motherboards do not support keystroke buffering correctly and what happens is 'exactly' what you describe I'm sorry to say I ended up hacking my hotrod with sidewinder gamepad boards, nothing short of that would fix it.  My hotrod worked great tho on lots of different machines, just not my old computer.

This sounds bleak, I know, I can only say I hope your problem is more easily fixed. I would try the controls on different computers if you can.

check this site out, it seems other people are having the same problem with other sticks now too, like the x-arcade...  

http://hotrod.mameworld.net/unsupported.html

Stein

[PacManFan]

Ihad this problem too, I was using Happs super's, and a keyboard hack. I fixed the problem by re-wiring my keyboard hack, the problem hasn't happened since. I don't know how much this helps you. I had a crossed connection causing this. You problem may be with the motherboard, or it may be with the version of mame you're using. To see if it's the input, use a program that displays the keystrokes (scancodes).

-PacManFan

[dclatfel]

Thanks to everyone for all the help.  

I found that by switching the I-Pac to PS2 mode from USB mode, it totally solved the problem.  I'm not sure why USB didn't work (I do have a really cheap motherboard), but I'm glad to have everything squared away!

Thanks again!

David