My I-Pac Value edition broke :( (looking for suggestions)

[gurnie]

After having the Ipac Value edition for about 2 years, for some odd reason it doesn't work correctly (basically 2 inputs in the physical chip no longer register their inputs.  Both buttons are on the player 1 buttons).  So I am looking for a replacement I-pac, and suggestions based on my set-up.

Basically I am using an old "hotrod se" control panel who's input chip also broke (believe it or not).  I seem to be having bad luck with these things given the cabinet has never been fully finished!  I could understand if it broke because people were slamming their fists down on the panel, but this is not the case.

So I have the hotrod, the set-up is 2 eight way joysticks, 7 buttons per player, 2 buttons on each side (i guess for pinball games, i see these inputs as optional) and a player 1 and 2 button.

i want something that I'm not going to have to worry about in terms of doing a lot of programing or playing with settings.  I want to avoid any issues with sticky keys (which even thought it was switched off it still poped up and maybe thats because i used the ipac ve with usb.  would using PS2 change this?). I want to avoid any issues with the shift key activating unwanted buttons being pushed (there will be adults playing this unit not children).   

I guess why i picked the ipac ve was because everything was plug and play, which i really enjoyed, but eventually I might want to add a trackball (unless it can't be used as a mouse).

anyways, open to suggestions.  pardon the rambling, i am in a different time zone than I am accustomed to.

PS: are 7 buttons really necessary?  I like playing street fighter games and such, but maybe I can deal with having a dysfunctional button (i just took the two nonworking buttons and wired them to player one "fire" button).  for most games i would think this is unnecessary. 

[superbovine]

This may not help at all, but my Ipac started doing similar things, a bunch of inputs gone, wouldn't do anything, etc, a couple messed up keys.  Couldn't reprogram them at all.  I did the reset through the onboard diagnostics job and all was well again.

[gurnie]

If you don't mind, can you you point me in the right direction for the diagnostic program?  I don't believe I have the CD anymore (I have to look around when I get home, but is there an online source?)

edit:
http://www.ultimarc.com/download.html
I found that link, but which program do you use?  I have winXP.

Thanks for your help super!

[superbovine]

The software was useless for me (couldn't assign keys etc, it just ignored it), the embedded config was all that worked.
Looking for it now.....




http://www.ultimarc.com/interact.html

follow those instructions, you may find the keymap dump to be quite amusing if it's the same as mine.  Use the R command to reset to factory specs.

[gurnie]

I'm unsure if this will work for the ipac VE, but what program is it using to "program" the inputs, WinIPAC Interactive Panel Designer?

[superbovine]

I'm assuming that will work the same as ipac2
It doesn't use any program, its internal.  You can use Notepad or similar for it to dump its data.  It will make sense when you do it.

[gurnie]

Ok, so hook-up a keyboard via PS2, push Control, Alt P, it should bring up a windows program that is in charge of imputing key controls.  As soon as that pops up push "R," which should reset all the imputs.  Then afterwards, push E to save the settings and in theory, this should save everything and all should be good in videoland.

I really appreciate your help.   

[superbovine]

Yep, just have notepad open and active before you hit ctl/alt/p, and it will start dumping instructions into notepad.
good luck

[gurnie]

thanks for your help.  I'll report back in a week or so to tell you how it went.