IPAC4/Vista compatability?

[modessitt]

Okay, here's the problem.

Installed Mame on my new laptop running Vista Home Premium.  Decided to plug it into the big screen and play some games using my portable CP which has an IPAC4.  This CP works perfectly on my desktop which runs XP.  I've retested that fact after this problem.

The IPAC4 I have is the PS2 version.  Since my laptop only has USB connectors, I went a bought a PS2-USB adapter.  Problem is, my CP will not work.  It's like it's not connected, althought the LEDs are lit on the IPAC4.

I double-checked the adapter by plugging in a spare PS2 keyboard, and the keyboard works through the adapter.  But... the keyboard will not work thru the passthru on the IPAC4.  When hooked to the passthru, all the leds on the keyboard blink continuously.

I tried downloading the Winipac utility, but it says there is no recognized input in order to program the buttons.

I'm not sure which version of the IPAC4 I have (although it looks exactly like the pic on the website, chip #'s and all) but it did come with a CD labeled "Ultimarc Drivers and Documentation".  When I try to run the install, it pops up a window.  On the left half it says Ultimarc and shows a side view of an Asteroids CP.  On the right half, it is totally black.  The program hangs at this point and can only be closed by going into task manager.

So, I'm wondering if this is a compatability issue with Windows Vista?  Am I S.O.L?  Was hoping this would be an easy portable way to hook up to the big screen.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[AndyWarne]

If the adaptor works with a regular PS/2 keyboard then this suggests that its actually a converter. This will not work. The I-PAC is a dual-interface device which runs either as a native USB or a PS/2 device. You would need either the cable we supply, or a passive adaptor plug which is used with other dual-interface devices.
A PS/2 device cannot be used through these converters for gaming for several reasons, one of which is that the converter resets all keys every couple of seconds to avoid stuck keys. Thats not going to help in gameplay! Also there would be response issues and key-blocking. So the I-PAC needs to be run as a USB device which will not have these problems. All I-PACs can run USB.
Andy
 

[modessitt]

Thanks for the quick reply, Andy!   

I'm guessing this is indeed the problem.  The adapter actually has connectors for a keyboard AND a mouse, so it's obviously not liking this setup.  (Hey, when you're looking for an adapter on Easter Sunday, you have to make do with what you can find.)

I will try to find a passive adapter today, now that all the computer supply stores are open again, and see if that works.

Thanks, again!

[modessitt]

Well, went and dug the box out of the trash and it WAS a converter adapter.

Went and bought a regular adpater yesterday and hooked it up and it works fine.

Thanks, Andy, for the quick help!