Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: SpongeFreak52 on March 25, 2011, 06:19:05 pm

Title: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: SpongeFreak52 on March 25, 2011, 06:19:05 pm

Hey again, finally got my cabinet up and running, with one slight hiccup here or there. One big issue I wanted to ask about relates to the controls themselves.

I have an IPAC 4 hooked up to four sets of controls, and it seems like the joysticks (all various models and manufacturers) can only hold their input for about a second before dropping it. This is very noticeable in certain games when you're required to head in one direction, but have to continuously tap it to keep going that way.

It seems like it could be something relating to the IPAC, or possibly a Windows setting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much!

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: Hoopz on March 25, 2011, 06:25:44 pm

Check the Windows key repeat rate:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/characterrepeatrate.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/characterrepeatrate.mspx)

Also, have you checked out the IPac site with various items to try if something's amiss?

http://ultimarc.com/ipac2.html (http://ultimarc.com/ipac2.html)

Try it in Notepad to see what happens there too.  It's probably not a Mame problem but Notepad will show you the problem pretty quickly since you can see the letters pop up.

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: SpongeFreak52 on March 25, 2011, 06:31:17 pm

I appreciate the quick reply. Unfortunately, I've already fiddled with those Windows settings, and it doesn't seem like it's a software issue at all. I should mention that I'm using the IPAC through a USB to PS/2 adapter, and that many of the standard buttons WILL continue to hold after one second.

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: Hoopz on March 25, 2011, 07:04:47 pm

How come the adapter?  And do you have the same problem if it's not used?

Blaming windows is always the easiest, first reply for most problems.   ;D

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: SpongeFreak52 on March 25, 2011, 08:01:37 pm

Unfortunately I didn't plan ahead and realize that there was not a USB port on the IPAC itself (I assumed the USB cable option would just be a standard one, not PS/2 to USB). My current motherboard does not have a PS/2 port, although it's definitely a possibility that I could add one later.

Would you say it's safe to assume that the adapter is the issue. though?

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: DillonFoulds on March 25, 2011, 10:20:44 pm

Got a soldering iron? why not make up your own USB<-> PS/2 cable?

I used the following pinout:
http://pinouts.ru/InputCables/usb_ps2_mouse_pinout.shtml (http://pinouts.ru/InputCables/usb_ps2_mouse_pinout.shtml)

Title: Re: IPAC-4 Button Hold Times?
Post by: AndyWarne on March 27, 2011, 05:03:21 pm

If the part you are using is an adaptor it should work but its probably a converter. This will not work.

The I-PAC is already a USB device and to use it in USB mode you dont want it to go through a converter! These devices cancel all keys every few seconds to avoid getting stuck keys in Windows.