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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: stevejt on November 30, 2004, 11:18:46 am

Title: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: stevejt on November 30, 2004, 11:18:46 am
I bought a lot of used happ 3" trackballs.  I am trying to deceide to hack a mouse or buy an interface.  I notice that some of the optic boards have only the optics.  And that some of the boards have alot more on them including a chip.  They both have the same connector and wires leaving the board.  Will they both work the same when hooked up to an interface?  And to a hacked mouse?  I tend to think that the ones with the chips on them might not worh with a hacked mouse.  Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Steve
Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: Flinkly on November 30, 2004, 01:19:39 pm
pictures!!!

they really are worth a thousand words.
Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: stevejt on November 30, 2004, 01:56:01 pm
okay.  Pics coming soon.  I thought they might be necessary.  I thought with an interface, the boards might each make a difference.  I thought with a mouse hack that it would only matter, with or without.  Speaking of mouse hacks, which because of the price, I was hoping of using.  The computer show will be local in 2 weeks.  I was planning on buying a few $2-$3 mice to hack.  Does anyone have brands that they know work, or know that don't.  I did a search, and saw some that said that some mice don't work.  I didn't read every single post, but didn't see any examples listed.

Thanks!

Steve
Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: stevejt on November 30, 2004, 02:36:35 pm
Here are some pics...
Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: stevejt on November 30, 2004, 02:38:04 pm
here are the other 2.  I type has just the optics, the other 2 types have additional electronics on the optic boards.
Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: stevejt on December 01, 2004, 07:36:37 am
okay everyone, answers will be accepted now...

so go ahead...

anytime...

:(

Title: Re: connencting different optic boards?
Post by: u_rebelscum on December 01, 2004, 07:26:40 pm
Will they both work the same when hooked up to an interface?  And to a hacked mouse?

Most likely, yes.  The circuits usually do two things: adjust the output voltage, and "smooth" the ouput.  As long as the voltages are close, you shouldn't worry too much.  (If they differ, you might need pull-up or pull-down resisters to even them out.)

The "smoothing" part, OTOH, might show noticable differences.  Whether minor or not, that's debateable.  The circuits are to prevent jitters and optical sensor "backspin", mostly.  FWIW, I can't tell the difference between the older happ green optical boards and the new red boards, but not very accurate testing on my part.


If the TBs were PS/2 TBs, though, you don't need to hack a mouse (and it wouldn't work if you tried).  Doesn't look that way, though.