Author Topic: How To Hack A Dreamcast Controller? (Read 4615 times)

fjl · « **on:** October 14, 2007, 12:30:22 am »

I've been searching the net and this site on how to hack a Dreamcast controller. But none mention how to hack the left and right trigger buttons. They seem to work in analog mode or something so I wouldn't know how to make them into a digital imput like the rest of the buttons. I opened up the controller and saw that the button is just a magnet that when, pushed gets closer an IC soldered to the board. Logically this should mean that the magnet triggers something inside the IC chip like a potentiometer to change resistance. So I used my ohm meter and pressed the trigger button. Tested all the contacts on the IC and the resistance never changes on any of them. It doesnt seem to work like a potentiometer.

So then how does this thing work? How do I change it to a digital input and connect it to my CP buttons?

NickG · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:37:56 am »

a guide. from this page.

waveryder · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2007, 05:06:17 am »

Just done this myself on my betty cab. Be careful when you are soldering to the HED's test em with a multi meter before you plug em in. The solder points are tiny and if you spill any solder on pin 2 of HED5 you can blow the Dreamcasts I/O controller.

ArcadeNerd · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2007, 09:53:53 am »

I've hacked a bunch of DC controllers and here it the picture that I found most helpful as far as solder points go. It comes from Talking Octupus' MAME cabinet page and I guess the picture is from another site I never found.

Sweet DC controller solder point picture

Talking Octopus MAME cabinet

Like the picture says, solder to the top left lead of the sensor and this has worked every time for me!

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2007, 09:58:48 am »

I still offer Dreamcast controller hacks, if you're not comfortable with soldering.

fjl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2007, 12:30:06 pm »

Nah, I'm good with soldering.

Awesome thanks a lot for the info guys!

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:40:15 pm »

Quote from: efjayel on October 14, 2007, 12:30:06 pm

Nah, I'm good with soldering.

Awesome thanks a lot for the info guys!

Cool. It is possible to hack the analog stick (using the same method as the triggers) but in doing so you make it digital.

fjl · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:45:50 pm »

Yeah, now I'm trying to figure out how to simulatenously connect both a PC controller and a DC controller to the CP buttons and have some kind of switch that lets me switch between the two. Any suggestions?

northerngames · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:55:53 pm »

db-25 data A/B switch box check ebay for the deals

I also have my monitor on a second switch box so just turn the switch to swap from dc to pc

I need to add a switch for my dc controls so I can swap from the digital pad to the analog pad next so all game would be 100% playable by the control panel.

I mounted controller extension cable's on the cp also so I unplug the hacked controls in the cp from the console then plug in the extension in their place and then plug the light guns into the control panel where the extension were mounted I also use a fishing pole on it lol.

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:57:22 pm »

Quote from: efjayel on October 14, 2007, 01:45:50 pm

Yeah, now I'm trying to figure out how to simulatenously connect both a PC controller and a DC controller to the CP buttons and have some kind of switch that lets me switch between the two. Any suggestions?

I have a box called a trio linker plus that allows me to plug a DC controller (or a Gamecube or Xbox controller) into a PC using the USB port. You could use that. The utility that comes with converter allows you to set it up as a joystick or a keyboard encoder.

fjl · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2007, 05:01:14 pm »

That db-25 switch box is bulky. I can't fit it into my 1 player CP panel.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=72192.0

I was thinking maybe I could put a two way switch to toggle between ground connections on the controllers. They're common throughout each controller. Think that will work?

superart · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2007, 05:24:18 pm »

fjl · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2007, 07:06:05 pm »

Hadn't heard of that converter. Link pls...

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2007, 08:21:45 pm »

Quote from: efjayel on October 14, 2007, 07:06:05 pm

Hadn't heard of that converter. Link pls...

Link here (not my auction)

Used to be able to by these at Lik Sang, but since Sony shut them down...

northerngames · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2007, 08:46:22 pm »

my dreamcast pcbs are in a radio shack project box and sit up behind my marquee light and the switch box is accessed through the coin door.

there is nothing in my cp but butons joys wores etc. no pcb's of any type.

superart · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2007, 11:38:47 pm »

fjl · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2007, 01:22:53 am »

Don't think I want to use the Trio Linker. Is that even compatible with MAME?

My original intention was to connect a PC controller the Logitech Dual Action gamepad(since I already have mame set up for it) and the Dreamcast Controller. Stick out both cables for each controller from my Control Panel and simply plug in the cable for whatever system I'm currently using. I hadn't originally thought about a PS2 since I don't own any of the Sony consoles. Although it'd be nice if it was compatible with a PS. Which actually brings up a question, is the PS1 compatible with the PS2 Dual Shock? I guess I don't need the dual shock thing so I should just hack a regular digital input PS1 controller, right?

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2007, 07:11:24 am »

Quote from: efjayel on October 15, 2007, 01:22:53 am

Don't think I want to use the Trio Linker. Is that even compatible with MAME?

It is.

gnateye · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2007, 12:52:06 pm »

i used to offer these as well, i just dont have the time anymore. make sure to get some madkatz 6 button pads to save yourself tons of time and trouble with the triggers and they have very nice usually drilled thru solder point.

i do have a very helpful little dreamcast program i had created by the super helpful and patient guys over at dcemu.com

its a dreamcast bootable program (you burn it do disk first of course) that shows 2 controllers on the screen that respond to controller inputs so you can check your connections.

heres a link its at the top, its called "ControllerTest-DJ.zip"...

http://cosmicbreaks.com/arcade/

hope that helps and please feel free to spread it around to anyone who may be able to use it.

thanx and good luck

waveryder · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2007, 01:22:09 pm »

or just use a copy of DEAD OR ALIVE 2LE

superart · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2007, 02:07:20 pm »

fjl · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2007, 03:10:19 pm »

Okay I kind of knew that all PS1 controllers will work on PS2 but does the PS2 dual shock work on the PS1?

And what is the name of this PS to all other systems converter that you bought and where can I get it?

superart · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2007, 05:02:15 pm »


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