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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: AlanS17 on June 10, 2003, 11:12:22 am

Title: Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 10, 2003, 11:12:22 am
I'm thinking about buying a trackball for my MAME machine, but I don't know how many games use more than one (other than Marble Madness).

Being as expensive as they are, I was thinking of getting just one 3". Is there anybody out there that can tell me if it's worth it to buy two 2 1/4" trackballs instead? (I would decrease because of a control panel size issue.) Also, what games more than one spinner?

Could I use a PS2 trackball together with USB spinner(s)? Would there be any trouble with interference?

Right now I'm thinking the ideal setup would be a 3" trackball and a USB spinner as they are self-contained and cheaper than buying the parts seperately.

Also, what impact would this have if I wanted to use an Act Labs USB light gun in the future? Would I be limited to Win98 with this setup or can I do it in WinXP? (I would prefer XP if I coule get away with it.)
Title: Re:How many games actually use dual trackballs/spinners?
Post by: Les on June 10, 2003, 11:14:28 am
I know Blasteroids uses dual spinners.  Worth it too!!! ;D
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: Chris on June 10, 2003, 12:05:13 pm
Dual trackballs or spinners requires Win98.
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: TheTick on June 10, 2003, 01:03:33 pm

Could I use a PS2 trackball together with USB spinner(s)? Would there be any trouble with interference?

Right now I'm thinking the ideal setup would be a 3" trackball and a USB spinner as they are self-contained and cheaper than buying the parts seperately.

Also, what impact would this have if I wanted to use an Act Labs USB light gun in the future? Would I be limited to Win98 with this setup or can I do it in WinXP? (I would prefer XP if I coule get away with it.)

You can have PS/2 trackball and a USB interfaced spinner hooked up at the same time. Under Win2k and XP they will both control the mouse cursor. When you're playing a game that uses on or the other, just don't bump the other and you'll be fine. That's how mine is hooked up on Win2k, but both are seperate USB interfaces.

I also have the Act Labs Gun (haven't hooked it back up yet though). It will move the cursor once you press the trigger. No problem under Win2k for me, along with another USB mouse... That's about 4 devices all controlling the same mouse cursor (not any good for 2 player games).
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: SirPoonga on June 10, 2003, 01:37:48 pm
Dual trackballs or spinners requires Win98.

And all USB
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: traknfieldSUPAstar on June 10, 2003, 01:49:19 pm
don't forget cabal... one of my all time favs  ;D
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: AceTKK on June 10, 2003, 02:05:49 pm
Rampart uses multiple trackballs too; and it's worth getting them just for this game.  

-Ace-
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: Tiger-Heli on June 10, 2003, 02:53:23 pm
Would I be limited to Win98 with this setup or can I do it in WinXP? (I would prefer XP if I coule get away with it.)
Urebel is working on a build of Analog+ that supports dual mice in WinXP, but it's a long way away.
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: Chris on June 10, 2003, 03:25:20 pm
Rampart uses multiple trackballs too; and it's worth getting them just for this game.  

The 2-player joystick version isn't bad at all....

I would consider building a 2-player trackball cocktail table just to play Atari Football... :)
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 10, 2003, 11:46:47 pm
Well I know USB devices work together... but will a PS2 trackball work with a USB spinner???
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: u_rebelscum on June 11, 2003, 12:04:52 am
Well I know USB devices work together... but will a PS2 trackball work with a USB spinner???

Any USB-PS/2-serial combo should be fine.  The only thing you need to worry about is if moving device A while playing a game with device B will mess up the game play or not.

If you won't use both on the same game trying to control two different things at the same time, don't worry, you're fine. :)

If you want to use the TB and the spinner at the same time, with your PS/2 + USB setup, the USB spinner will also control everything your PS/2 TB is controlling; ie: no dice. :(
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 11, 2003, 12:08:48 am
That's all I wanted to know. I don't plan on using the 2 at the same time. Will this same setup work in WinXP?
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: u_rebelscum on June 11, 2003, 12:23:39 am
That's all I wanted to know. I don't plan on using the 2 at the same time. Will this same setup work in WinXP?

Yup.
Title: Re:Will PS2 and USB trackballs/spinners work together?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 11, 2003, 09:40:04 am
Screw it. I'm moving back to XP... I had forgotten how much I hate Win98, and those Act Labs GS guns blow anyways. They don't work right. I feel cheated from that Ebay dude. (And to add insult to injury he gave me a positive feedback on how quickly I paid.)