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USB switch for trackball and spinner

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Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: IntruderAlert on May 26, 2005, 01:01:24 pm ---In regards to the switch,
No doubt the designer of the switch had in mind sharing one device with 4 computers but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work for switching 4 devices on one computer as long as you're willing to hack some cables

--- End quote ---
Yes, that can be done, but would be cumbersome or expensive, same as hacking it to a rotary switch.

The trackball and spinner have Type A (female?) USB cables, the switch has a Type A (male?) port and 4 Type B (female) Jacks. 

Type A (Female?) to Type B (male) cable are cheap, but won't connect to the trackball and spinner.

You could probably do it with two A-B USB cable and 3 A-A MALE USB cables, but that would cost more than the switch just for the cables.

What SlayJ wants is something like a hub with a switch on it (actually that might be an easier way to do it) - hack a hub or an expansion header.

IntruderAlert:
OK..OK.. you want the EASY way ;)

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: slayj on May 26, 2005, 12:52:28 pm ---Baring that there isnt a quick and easy hardware solution.....and if I wanted to be lazy and I dont use the spinner much......could I just 'hot swap' between the spinner and trackball when I decide to play a spinner game.  I am of couse assuming that they are both 'hot swappable'.  Anybody know???

--- End quote ---
Ummmm - you can do that, no problem.  That is what I plan to do (and basically what I do) with my desktop controls, but I think it would be a pain in an arcade cabinet.

What I would do (being lazy) -

Option 1 - Plug the spinner and trackball in (both will be active).  Hope no-one whacks the spinner when I am using the trackball (or vice versa).

Option 2 - Plug trackball in.  Plug spinner in.  Use Analog Plus or one of the options above.  Hopefully (I think) trackball will be seen as mouse 1, Spinner will be seen as mouse 2, Mouse 1 assigned to Player 1, Mouse 2 assigned to Player 2.  So you are good in the single player trackball games.  If that doesn't workout - readup on ctrlr files at www.mameworld.net/easyemu and assign the trackball games to whatever mouse the trackball is using, then assign the spinner to whatever games the spinner is using.

2600:
EDIT: Doh! Tiger-Heli beat me to a similar response, here's mine anyways.

Stepping back a little, but are you sure you NEED a switch.  What's your requirement that you need to have only one plugged into the PC at the same time?

If it's lack of USB ports, get a usb hub.

Otherwise, I'm sure you realize, but unless you have a specific requirement you can have them both plugged in at the same time and with no problems no matter what version of MAME you are using.

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: IntruderAlert on May 26, 2005, 01:13:20 pm ---OK..OK.. you want the EASY way ;)

--- End quote ---
Yeah, I think THAT's what he wants.  Thanks!!!!

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