How do I find grounds

[LoyalistRevolt]

How do I check to see if something is a ground connection or a hot?

[Xb0x3r]

In my VERY little experience (1 cab), Green wires are ground.

[LoyalistRevolt]

I meant on a controller hack and such

[CheffoJeffo]

OK, before we go too far ...

What is the context of the question ?

Are you talking about mains (e.g. AC) power ?

Or are you trying to figure out why your controller isn't working and you think you have a bad common ground ?

EDIT: Already answered ... the reference to HOT threw me and I had visions of someone sticking a controller hack into an electrical socket!

[LoyalistRevolt]

Well I have this madcatz dreamcast controller and no one has the soldering points for that one so I need to find out where the hots are and before anyone post this site It is not the same type of controller as this http://www.darkravenwind.com/cdvision/madcatz.htm

ps. They are right next to each other I just don't know which is which

[brack]

Any board I've ever seen has lines you can trace from the buttons.  If you look closely enough the ground sides of them are usually connected to each other.

[ArcadEd]

BINGO to what Brack said .

Look at the traces.  There will be one that goes to one side of every button area.  That is your common ground.  The other side of that button is the "hot" in this case.

I'm about to solder up two of those exact same pads, so if you need help let me know.

[danny_galaga]

best not to refer to it as 'hot'. thats more a mains term. you alarmed a few of us...

[LoyalistRevolt]

The strand connect in the middle of the point.....What do I do now