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HELP: Trackball w/Optiwiz USB interface results in left/right not working

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unclet:
Just came back to the trackball (which remained connected with the left/right molex unplugged still) and found that I can roll the trackball "up" but it does not work in the "down" direction now.   Weird.

RandyT:
It's possessed.   >:D

Seriously, though, this is the important result;


--- Quote from: unclet on March 05, 2011, 01:49:53 pm ---Currently:
When I spin the ball up/down, then nothing happens
When I spin the ball left/right, then the cursor moves left/right

After switching the molex connectors from the optic boards:
When I spin the ball up/down, then nothing happens.
When I spin the ball left/right, then the cursor moves up/down

--- End quote ---

What this tells you is that the interface has a ~99% chance of working properly.  When you give it what it wants on either axis, it does exactly what it should be doing.  So either the up/down (vertical) trackball pcb is bad (unlikely, based on the fact that you swapped it out already) or you have a wonky cable somewhere.  I'm guessing the latter, but I can't tell you which one.  You need to use a continuity checker on a meter to make sure each of the wires has continuity from one end to the other.  Based on the fact that you had problems with the earlier mouse hack, I suggest you start on the assembly connected directly to up/down axis's pcb.

AndyWarne:
Just a thought, a trackball of the open-frame Happ type located in an area of bright light can show this kind of erratic behaviour as the light can interfere with the optical sensors.

unclet:
I disconnected the molex connectors from the trackball PCBs and disconnected the Optiwiz connectors (X,Y,Power/Ground) from the OptiWiz PCB.   I then confirmed continuity was fine through this complete harness.   Basically, I confirmed the two red wired molex pins mapped to the 5V pin on the Optiwiz, the 2 black molex pins mapped to the Grnd on the Optiwiz and all other colored pins mapped to only one unique pin on the Optiwiz as expected.  I also tested each pin against every other pin to make sure I only heard one continuity "beep" at the other end being tested.  Basically, I am confident the harness (trackball molex connectors through to the OptiWiz connectors on the other end) are fine.

Knowing I had this same issue of "up/down" axis not working using my mouse hack (way back when), I think I can rule out the OptiWiz board or provided USB cable as being the cause of the problem, so I guess that only leaves the trackball PCBs as being the issue.  Would you agree with this Randy?  If so, then I might just buy two new Happ trackball 2-1/4" PCB boards and replace both of them at the same time to make sure both are brand new to rule out any weirdness with the boards I currently have.   Or should I just buy a new up/down PCB board only I guess?

Perhaps all of this is caused by the seller giving me a second bad board.  I am assuming it was a brand new board but perhaps it was some old board he had stored around for years .....  :dunno

If you agree, then can you recommend a seller of 2-1/4" Happ trackball boards which I can use for my non-USB trackball (ie: my trackball was non-USB this is why I needed to buy the OptiWiz to allow me to connect it to the USB port obviously).  I do not believe you sell them Randy since I could not find them under the "trackball" section of your site.



unclet:

--- Quote ---Just a thought, a trackball of the open-frame Happ type located in an area of bright light can show this kind of erratic behaviour as the light can interfere with the optical sensors.
--- End quote ---

I have a Happ top plate which I use to connect the trackball to.  I do not think any light is coming through this to affect the sensors.  I just tried covering up both sensors with my hands (since I have the trackball currently disconnected) and that did not improve my results at all (ie: issue still occurs).


Right now I have the "up/down" molex connected and the "left/right" molex disconnected and the trackball is only moving my cursor "up" as the "down" does not work.   If I plug in the "left/right" molex again then the "up" and "down" do not work.

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