button problems (ghosting)

[infamous360]

one of my buttons is ghost... the operators

how do i fix it? do i need a new microswitch?

[infamous360]

i just checked the connections.. there are no lose wires =/

[slider2732]

I've never encountered ghosting, but believe it related to a USB set up.
Apparently USB only allows so many key presses at the same time, else, problems start.
I've done about 40 PS/2 keyboard hacks and never had troubles like that, hence the USB thought.
If yer using USB, then could that be the answer ?

I'm sure others have better ideas on it all though.

[xmenxmen]

What encoder are you using?

You can always try connecting the 'ghosting' button and the other way to a known good switch to see if the problem goes away.  This should help emit a bit connect or wire.

[infamous360]

i am using an ipac 2 USB value edition

I only have 9 buttons hooked up to it and a coin door.. which i hardly use any of them unless i am selecting a song (my cab is a dance dance revolution)

I also have the dance pads hooked up through USB connectors (trio linker pluses) (if it matters)

[CheffoJeffo]

Please describe your precise symptoms ... if you have one button misbehaving, that is different than ghosting.

[infamous360]

ok well whenever i am playing the one button... the button that goes to the operators menu randomly presses itself   IT PISSES ME OFF!!

then i have to start the game over

[slider2732]

Could you try changing the key the operator button is assigned to ?
Sounds like a combination of presses is triggering that button too.
So, if your connections run say 1+3, 2+6,4+5 etc, you might have a situation where 6+1 are for the operator menu. As both are being pressed, it fires that button as well.

[CheffoJeffo]

ok well whenever i am playing the one button... the button that goes to the operators menu randomly presses itself   IT PISSES ME OFF!!

then i have to start the game over

I am not sure what you mean by "playing the one button" ... is there one button that you press that causes you to return to the menu and you don't expect it to ?

Or does this happen when you press a bunch of buttons ? While you are dancing ?

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Keyboard_Hacks#Key_Ghosting

[infamous360]

sorry i meant whenever i am playing, the button (the operators) randomly presses itself

it doesn't happen often tho but it happens after i am done with a song the last time it happened i was getting a drink and nothing was pressed

I think the microswitch has a short in it

[CheffoJeffo]

Interesting ... it pressed while you were getting a drink and not pressing any buttons.

You might try starting a game, then disconnecting the 'operators' button and see if the problem reoccurs.

If it does, then I would say it isn't the button, but an encoder issue. If it doesn't, then it could well be the switch.

[infamous360]

i ordered a microswitch so hopefully that was it

[heffe2001]

Microswitch will probably not do it, I'm getting the exact same thing with the same interface board (I-Pac 32 input USB only).  It's usually when playing something like Galaga, you hit the fire button, and the operators menu pops up, with no easy way to get rid of it (besides hitting the appropriate key on the keyboard, I'm still in the wireing/testing phase).  I'm thinking of getting one of Groovy Game Gear's gamepad boards, or actually putting in some 48 ways & the GPWiz48's, just need to make sure it'll work with the emus I'm working with...

[SavannahLion]

Do either of you have a keyboard attached to the I-Pac?

[ahofle]

What's the 'operators menu'?

You should check with Andy at ultimarc before rushing off to spend more money on another encoder when you don't even know if that's the problem.

[CheffoJeffo]

Microswitch will probably not do it, I'm getting the exact same thing with the same interface board (I-Pac 32 input USB only).  It's usually when playing something like Galaga, you hit the fire button, and the operators menu pops up, with no easy way to get rid of it (besides hitting the appropriate key on the keyboard, I'm still in the wireing/testing phase).  I'm thinking of getting one of Groovy Game Gear's gamepad boards, or actually putting in some 48 ways & the GPWiz48's, just need to make sure it'll work with the emus I'm working with...

Sounds like you have a problem, but it is not ghosting (hitting one button on an iPac will not result in ghosting).

As ahofle suggest, check with Andy (but check your wiring first).

[heffe2001]

Wiring's fine, and it only happens occasionally.  I think my eventual fix will be to just change the key assignment from the tab key to something else.  It'd sure solve the problem, and definitely be cheaper .  Only bad thing is, it usually only happens when the wife's playing Galaga, and when she's doing really well (200k+ on her first ship usually), and I catch some serious heat from it .

I guess ghosting isn't the proper term, but for whatever reason, the combination of the fire button, and movement occasionally shoots out a tab keypress to mame.

This is with the USB encoder version (I-Pac VE), so no plugs for a keyboard.  I DO have a keyboard plugged into the machine though.  I'm also using a USB 4 port hub in my console, (it's a belkin USB 2.0,currently non-powered), I may also try connecting it to power and see what happens...

The point will be moot though if I upgrade my current 8ways to 49ways, as I'll have to get new encoders anyway...

[rlemmon]

Kinda sounds smiler to an i pac problem i had. I always leave a game in demo made and every so often it would insert a credit and press the start button.  I talked to Andy, It turns out that the wires running to the coin door were to long. I shortened them and the problem stopped.