Dual-use P1 and P2 start buttons as left and right mouse buttons: possible?

[Diewrecked]

Hi guys,

Quick yes/no: would it be possible to use the P1 and P2 start buttons as left/right mouse buttons when not actually running a ROM in MAME? If so, how would I cable it and how would I program it? My trackball will be directly below these buttons so it's a nicer solution than needing another two dedicated buttons.

Many thanks

[surface tension]

Yes. You can just connect the mouse and button wires to the switch. But You may get issues depending on what your P1/P2 key is programmed to. Especially if the P1 is the shift key, functioning on the release.

I can recommend the use of the keys F9 and F12 that don't interfere with windows functionality.

[Diewrecked]

Wicked thanks ST. How do I configure it such that the buttons will always be the left and right mouse buttons and only function as P1 and P2 when MAME is running a ROM?

Thanks again.

[surface tension]

Hey, you drew me into a quick yes/no under false pretences... 

You need to wire the correct inputs to your encoder. So, to the 1UP button you wire the left mouse and the 1UP connection. Right mouse button and 2UP connection to the other.

In MAME, don't assign any functions to left and right mouse so they will only function as P1 and P2 start. Like I said, if you don't choose the correct keys, you're going to have problems in Windows.

I have only dual-wired to P1-x buttons with IPacs/Minipacs.

[massive88]

Im confused as to why additional wiring would be necessary.

My trackball's mouse buttons are wired to player 2's 4 and 5 buttons.  Making those player one and two start inside mame is as easy as changing the key assignment in mame to be mouse 1 and mouse 2.

You dont need to wire that button to anything but the trackball interface, unless Im missing something.

While running a rom, mame doesnt care if its a keyboard stroke or a mouse click.  Just tell it what you want to do when the input is registered, and it will work.

If you need another key to be a shift key, you can wire that up seperately to the IPAC.  It doesnt really matter if its button 1 or start 1 thats wired to the Start 1 terminal, you can define it to be whatever you want inside of mame.

Did any of that make sense?  Wheres my coffee...

[surface tension]

< It's on the table.

I'm not sure why I've done it like that in the past, but massive88's way is much more simple. I take my hat off to you, fill it full of my words and eat the lot.

[Diewrecked]

Great many thanks you guys. Didn't think of just assigning P1 and P2 to mouse left and right!! That really is the perfect solution isn't it? 

Thanks again