Author Topic: I-Pac Opti-Pac love USB (Read 3720 times)

mvolke1 · « **on:** November 09, 2006, 12:50:37 pm »

Hey All,

I know I've been posting up here with a lot of questions as of late.

I have Windows 2000 professional version. I have an Opti-Pac and an I-Pac I'm trying to hook to the USB.

Unfortunately, the computer doesn't recognize them. It says:
"An error occured during the installation of the device. The installation failed because the function device was not specified for this device instance"

I guess I thought these were going to work when plugged in without needing drivers.

I have also read that you should plug it in first, then connect the controls. Tried that, and it didn't work, either.

Short of chucking these things out the window and making a keyboard hack, does anyone have any advice on getting these things to work?

(Sorry for the aggrevation. The whole cab is ready to go, and these Ultimarc things won't work!)

Stingray · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:09:36 pm »

Have you asked Ultimark? Andy is usually pretty quick to respond.

-S

mvolke1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:26:36 pm »

Yes, I did.
He said:
I have seen that before. Generally when you plug in a USB keyboard or mouse etc, it recognises it as a "system" type device and does not ask for a driver, as it knows it should use it's own keyboard driver.

This is controlled by INF files for example USB.INF or USBHID.INF or HIDUSB.INF etc.

The problem I saw before was caused by a Windows 98 version of one of these files being present on the system instead of the Windows 2000 one. You could scan through the INF files and look for any which are obviously earlier than they should be. Also have you upgraded to the latest service pack (forget what level that was for W2K).

Other than that unfortunately it might mean a re-install."

I don't really know what all this means, and because of the major time gap between us, I was hoping to get some simpler answers from you all.

ahofle · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:28:53 pm »

For starters, do as Andy said and search your C:\windows directory for any of the files he mentioned and look at the file dates:

USB.INF or USBHID.INF or HIDUSB.INF

Hoopz · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:32:20 pm »

Do other USB devices work properly on your pc? Is it USB 1.x or 2.0? Built in USB on your motherboard or an add in card? Do you have the latest updates for Windows 2000?

A short term work around is to plug the I-Pac into the pc via PS/2. While not what you want, it at least allows you to make sure its functioning properly. Then you can try and trouble shoot the USB side.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:39:32 pm »

Quote from: HooPZ on November 09, 2006, 01:32:20 pm

Do other USB devices work properly on your pc? Is it USB 1.x or 2.0? Built in USB on your motherboard or an add in card? Do you have the latest updates for Windows 2000?

A short term work around is to plug the I-Pac into the pc via PS/2. While not what you want, it at least allows you to make sure its functioning properly. Then you can try and trouble shoot the USB side.

The USB are all built in. I don't know if I have the lastest updates. I'm going to check that out today.

I would test it on the PS/2 plug, but Ultimarc only sent the USB cable. The light on the I-Pac 4 does come on, and I've tested all of them with a basic mouse, and it works.

I'll try the latest updates to W2K and see if that helps.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:41:30 pm »

Have you tried plugging in a plain old USB keyboard or USB mouse? Is this a fresh install of Windows 2000? Did you have any funky specialty keyboards or mice hooked up to it at any point?

mvolke1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:45:48 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on November 09, 2006, 01:41:30 pm

Have you tried plugging in a plain old USB keyboard or USB mouse? Is this a fresh install of Windows 2000? Did you have any funky specialty keyboards or mice hooked up to it at any point?

I have tested all of the USB plugs with a basic mouse. I've never plugged in a keyboard. The keyboard I have is hooked to the PS/2 port. The only other thing plugged in at this point is the monitor and a wireless Internet plug, which also works fine.

The I-Pac 4 lights up, so I know it's working. The computer just doesn't recognize it, or has given the error message.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:53:38 pm »

Oh I think I get it now... Windows doesn't detect I-Pacs and Opti-Pacs as keyboards and mice. They're detected as HID devices. That's different.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:22:47 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on November 09, 2006, 01:53:38 pm

Oh I think I get it now... Windows doesn't detect I-Pacs and Opti-Pacs as keyboards and mice. They're detected as HID devices. That's different.

What's an HID device? I thought the Opti-Pac was recognized as two mice through USB.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:30:44 pm »

HID = human interface device

It'll behave like a mouse, but I don't think it technically uses the mouse driver. It's not uncommon. That's why your USB mouse works, but your Opti-Pac doesn't.

... at least I think that's how it goes.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:39:34 pm »

I looked it up on the Microsoft site. So how do I convince my W2K machine to take it?

AlanS17 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:50:40 pm »

I would give you the same advice you've heard from lots of other pople here. Get the latest service pack and patches. Hopefully it'll give you all the files you need. If you have the Windows 2000 disk you can try repairing your Windows installation.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:53:01 pm »

I'll give it a shot. I have to download the service pack and see if a reinstall does the trick.

Thanks.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:54:58 pm »

Is this Windows 2000 a fresh installation?

mvolke1 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:56:56 pm »

No, it's not.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:01:48 pm »

Quote from: mvolke1 on November 09, 2006, 02:56:56 pm

No, it's not.

Unless there's something on that machine you can't stand to lose, I recommend wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch. That would absolutely be step #1 if I were in your shoes. (Of course, if you don't have the disk or key to do that, it could make things harder).

Not only should it fix your encoder issues, it's bound to perform better with less junk on it.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:07:21 pm »

I'll give it a shot tonight when I get home from work.

Stingray · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:09:34 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on November 09, 2006, 03:01:48 pm

Quote from: mvolke1 on November 09, 2006, 02:56:56 pm
No, it's not.
Unless there's something on that machine you can't stand to lose, I recommend wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch. That would absolutely be step #1 if I were in your shoes. (Of course, if you don't have the disk or key to do that, it could make things harder).

Not only should it fix your encoder issues, it's bound to perform better with less junk on it.

I agree on all points.

-S

mvolke1 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2006, 07:01:18 pm »

Thank you all for your help today! I'll give it a shot when I get home. I have to see if I can find my Windows 2000 disc.

torez · « **Reply #20 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:43:53 pm »

For proper USB support in Windows 2000 you will need at least SP4 update that you can download from Microsoft site.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2006, 10:45:36 am »

I'll check that out. Last night I reinstalled Windows with the newest Service Pack 4, and it took the I-Pac. However, not the Opti-Pac.

It pulled up a message from the Wizard which read: "A function driver was not specified for the device instance."

I tried finding a new driver, but had no luck. I'm not even sure if that's the best way to get it to work, or just flat out wrong.

I'm getting closer. At least my joys and buttons are working.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:01:04 am »

Hmmm... Well I've never personally used an Opti-Pac so it's hard to say. I've fixed a million various driver issues in my day, though.

Have you popped open the Device Manager and tried to do a driver update? Is this a different message from the one you got before?

mvolke1 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:15:19 am »

Yea, this is a different message. Before it said: An error occured during the installation of the device. The installation failed because the function device was not specified for this device instance"

I feel a lot better after the I-Pac worked, and I thank you all for your help. I feel like I can do this now, where I was frustrated yesterday.

I CAN DO THIS!

mvolke1 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:17:04 am »

The thing about the drivers, though, is Andy from Ultimarc says the Opti-Pac doesn't require drivers, so that confuses me.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 10, 2006, 04:51:13 pm »

Quote from: mvolke1 on November 10, 2006, 11:17:04 am

The thing about the drivers, though, is Andy from Ultimarc says the Opti-Pac doesn't require drivers, so that confuses me.

Well it doesn't require special drivers. Every piece of hardware requires drivers, though. It's just that the Opti-Pac should work with the drivers supplied with Windows. He just means you don't need any extra drivers.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:32:54 pm »

He did ask me in an e-mail if I had the red jumpers connected to the USB port on the I-PAC, but I don't know what that means. He didn't get back to me, but if they are the the jumpers from the pictures on the Web site, they weren't included, so that could be the problem.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:46:45 pm »

That could DEFINITELY be a problem. If the Opti-Pac is set to serial mode, you'll need to set it to USB mode for it to actually work via USB.

Check the following page:
http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html

Jumpers are the 4 red things the manually set certain setting directly on the board. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what those jumpers settings are supposed to look like. I couldn't find a reference. I would assk Andy about that. If you don't have ANY jumpers, that's a problem. Maybe they fell off in shipping or weren't placed on there to begin with. I can only guess. Either way, Andy can help in that regard.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:53:34 pm »

It's strange, but those things aren't mentioned anywhere on the site. I'm going to check it out shortly, when I get home from work, but I don't remember them on there. I remember seeing the naked prongs where they should go.

God willing, I'm wrong. Please, let me be wrong!

AlanS17 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 10, 2006, 06:00:43 pm »

Well jumpers are a dime a dozen... almost literally. You can get them at Radio Shack by the 10-pack. As long as you know where they belong on the board, obtaining them is a piece of cake. They're standard, and the color doesn't matter. (I only say that because the ones at Radio Shack are probably white.)

torez · « **Reply #30 on:** November 10, 2006, 06:25:05 pm »

I don't have Optipac, but from the picture here:
http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html
http://www.ultimarc.com/optihi.html

you can see the red jumpers. It's pretty much self-explanatory ... set the jumpers, so they respond to the little drawing on the board. Set the right jumper to usb and the left one to one or two players. It looks like player one can be serial/usb and player 2 serial only. Then the right top jumpers are set to dial/rotary or trackball. I would recommend any wiring while the thing is unplugged.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 10, 2006, 06:27:17 pm »

Because of the possibility of shorting something, I wouldn't take anything to chance. I wouldn't consider any of it "self-explanatory".

mvolke1 · « **Reply #32 on:** November 10, 2006, 06:29:13 pm »

That's good to know. Thanks for all your help. Hopefully, I can get out of work at a decent hour and get some jumpers on my way home from work.

Encryptor · « **Reply #33 on:** November 11, 2006, 07:17:22 am »

Just a curiosity question more than anything. Why use Win2k? It was made to replace Win NT4 and I don't think it's really designed to be overly graphics friendly is it? Just curious.

Encryptor

AlanS17 · « **Reply #34 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:18:21 am »

Quote from: Encryptor on November 11, 2006, 07:17:22 am

Just a curiosity question more than anything. Why use Win2k? It was made to replace Win NT4 and I don't think it's really designed to be overly graphics friendly is it? Just curious.

Encryptor

Well it doesn't have the niceties of WinXP, but the two OS's share alot of the same core. Win2k was the crecursor for WinXP. It really have very little in common with NT4.

In this hobby, lots of times it comes down to using what you've got.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #35 on:** November 11, 2006, 01:34:05 pm »

Got it figured out!

It was the jumpers, and Andy was right. I didn't see those mentioned anywhere online or on any message boards. It was such a simple thing. Go figure.

Thank you all for helping me out on this. It's very much appreciated.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #36 on:** November 11, 2006, 03:07:51 pm »

The Opi-Pac simply needed the jumpers moved over. I didn't have any with my board, so I went to Radio Shack and picked them up. Very cheap, like $2.

The Web site, http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac3.html, tells you how to do it. I overlooked it.

Now that the Opti-Pac and I-Pac are working, I have to give them my full endorsement. After a couple simple, albiet mind-twisting, problems, in retrospect it wasn't hard.

Near the top of the page it states: "Set the USB/Serial jumper to the correct position for the interface and cable you are using."

You were all very helpful, as was Andy at Ultimarc. With some sleuthing, we all got it figured out.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #37 on:** November 11, 2006, 07:43:12 pm »

Good deal! I've never used a non-Ultimarc encoder. I'm very happy with them.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news