Extremely stumped on IPAC2 "stuck" key problem!

[jlewis]

Hey guys, I'm really hoping someone can help me out, I can't seem to figure out what's going wrong here.  Here's my issue:

At random times, my IPAC board simulates a stuck "x" key.  Some times, the problem doesn't arise, and everything works fine. Other times, the x key is constantly being pressed, or just once every few seconds.  This happens even if I do not have any button wired to the 1sw6 (corresponding to the x key) terminal.  I have checked the board with a magnifying glass, and I do not see any solder splash, or anything else that might be bridging a connection, in fact I haven't soldered around the board at all.  I've tried blowing compressed air around the board just to make sure there isn't anything closing a circuit somewhere.

If I supply power to the IPAC when a button is wired to the 1sw6 terminal, the test LED remains on as soon as power is supplied to the board, indicating a problem with 1sw6, which I guess makes sense, as that is mapped to the x button.  If I power up the IPAC without a button wired up 1sw6, I get 29 flashes, also indicating a problem with 1sw6.

I have tried the board on 3 different machines running 3 different OS's (OpenSuse linux, Puppy linux, and Windows XP), and always get the same problem.

The only possible culprit I can think of is the board itself, but I don't want to buy another one unless I am 100% sure that there could be another explanation.

If anyone can give me some ideas as to what might be the problem, I would really appreciate it... this is really driving me nuts!

Thanks alot!

[mlalena]

Although at first it seems like it is a board problem, I don't understand why you would get different results with a button wired vs. not wired.
If a button is wired to the board, but the button is not pressed, then as far as the board is concerned there is nothing connected to 1sw6.
The results should be identical because in both cases it is an open circuit.

It might be a wiring harness problem or maybe a short between two wires or something is grounded that shouldn't be.

[jlewis]

Although at first it seems like it is a board problem, I don't understand why you would get different results with a button wired vs. not wired.
If a button is wired to the board, but the button is not pressed, then as far as the board is concerned there is nothing connected to 1sw6.
The results should be identical because in both cases it is an open circuit.

I definitely agree, and this has me confused as well.  However, each time I start the computer, I get the same results (solid LED when 1sw6 is connected, 29 blinks when it not).

It might be a wiring harness problem or maybe a short between two wires or something is grounded that shouldn't be.

I have since totally disconnected all of the IPAC terminals, and just have it sitting on the table, plugged into my USB port, and am still getting the same problem.  The "x" button is intermittently being pressed, at random times.  I'm not touching the IPAC or moving it in anyway, so I really don't understand this.  If I can't figure this out in the next couple of days I think I'll just have to order another IPAC and hope that it was something wrong with the board itself.

[mlalena]

If it also happens just sitting on the table, then that probably eliminates any crazy EMI problems. Since you have the problem with all wires disconnected, I don't see what else you can do.

[turnergw]

I had a similar problem with a minipac that registered a constantly pressed p1sw7, regardless of what was connected - Couldn't figure it out at all.  Andy at Ultimarc was very helpful and replaced the board with another, since it was a problem on the board itself.  Sounds like yours is in a similar situation - I'd have a word with him and see if he can help.

[jlewis]

Great, thanks alot guys.  Yeah I think I will probably just drop Andy a line then.

Thanks again

[AndyWarne]

I would think that input has been blown by static causing it to float and be over-sensitive. If you can drop me an email we can sort it.

Andy

[Breaker]

Hey jlewis,

I have blown inputs on my IPAC with static discharges and you can disable/remap blown inputs very easily without significant impact on your wiring strategy.
Andy will work it out with you for sure!

Breaker.