ipac help!

[gtnavyboy]

Howdy, I'm kinda new to this stuff so please stay with me...

I've finished my cabinet and am running an ipac2 for all my buttons and controls.  A little background on the setup:  All controls are connected (correctly) to the ipac.  I do have a keyboard running to the ps2 keyboard bypass too.  Then ps2 on ipac runs to usb on computer via ps2 to usb converter.

Now, I run my frontend and emulator (gameex) and as long as I use the defaults for the ipac, everything works okay.  Games work just fine.  Now here's the problem - as soon as I run the winipac program to reprogram it (sticky keys gets turned on when I hit the default "shift" button 5 times during a game very annoying) - winipac throws an error when I try to reprogram.  I have it set to usb in the settings.  So I try to troubleshoot...

When it is plugged into usb (through the converter) the LED blinks twice - meaning ps2 connection - bummer.  So I forget usb and go straight to the normal keyboard ps2 plug in the back - 2 LED blinks - cool.  Reprogram it - success.   Try the button keyboard test - works.   Then I try to run a game (even after rebooting computer) - none of the buttons work.  Ideally -  i really want to use the ipac with a usb connection - do I need a different board for that? like maybe one with a usb out instead of having to convert the ps2 over to usb?  Also, why don't the buttons work after I reprogram it (successfully) via ps2 connection?  Gah very frustrating.  I just wanna play my games!  It worked fine when I just plugged it in with the defaults and a ps2 to usb converter (except for the sticky keys thing)!

Sorry for making such a long post - just wanted to lay out all my troubleshooting so far...any guidance would be appreciated.

[Turnarcades]

The i-pac does not work properly with those ps/2-usb adapters, and the advice I've been given is they only function correctly in USB mode if using the proper PS/2 to USB cable supplied by Ultimarc. With the adapter you have the PC is recognising it as a USB device fine when you run the games, with the default flashed key config, whilst the Winipac utility is looking for a specific i-pac signal, which it is not picking up correctly using your connector. This could be why it's not 'holding' the key config you are programming even though it says it is.

Why is it essential to run your ipac through a USB port? The native PS/2 connection is a lot more reliable and straight forward and avoids any of these complications as there should be no conflicts going on (a keyboard port is just that, unlike a USB port). There are no benefits to having it through USB.

If you really must have it through USB I'd e-mail Andy at Ultimarc.

[gtnavyboy]

ah ok that explains alot.  I don't NEED it to be usb - it's just the way I set up my box, the only accessible ps2 port is on the exterior of the box (I made a portable cabinet that plugs into any tv not a dedicated monitor - so all the exterior ports on the computer are on the outside of my box).  Not a huge deal i just need to reroute a ps2 cable somehow on the inside.  Right now  I have a couple of usb's already on the inside thats what i was using before for the ipac.  Thanks for the help. I'm sure I'll be back soon with some other kind of problems.

[miles2912]

... and turn off those PITA sticky keys.  I believe that when you activate them you can see the option to shut them off.  Or chek out 'accessibility options' in the control panel.

I agree run a usb ipac through a usb connection and a PS2 to a PS2.