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Serial converter questions(yes more questions sorry)-Xarcade

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BobA:
This has been discussed before.   I cannot find the thread but it was established that the X-arcade interface is not a standard serial port.

It does use a serial cable but not the serial port protocols.

genesim:
Savannah that is an excellent rundown.

I do get what you are saying.   Kind of like trying to run a Playstation 2 to a monitor that doesn't have Progressive signal running though it.   Alll the box does is keep component protocol, but if the signal isn't strong enough...as in having enough lines, then you get squat.

I don't know the complex nature of it all, but I get what you mean.    In the end I am betting that it won't work.    The fact that xarcade doesn't use strict serial protocal, that could even be a bigger problem.

The end result is that it seems it will cost more then a 2 dollar part because at the very leat it will have to be an amplified line.

I do hope the gender changer will at least work right?    I hate that part of the design.     I would rather switch the cable outside of the box rather then inside.

I will post some pictures later to maybe waste your time a little more to assess the problem if you get time.   I still appreciate all your input though.    Thank you.

As for the serial to USB/PS/2  that is provided by Xarcade, so that part should work...if I can get the Serial protocal back after the two conversions from the KVM..which sounds like a problem.

SavannahLion:
Thanks BobA. I thought as such when I read about their patents.  ::) I don't own an X-Arcade so all of what I know is based on what I could figure out from descriptions and photos.

Genesim. I wish it was simply a matter of using adapters. You're going to have to back track a bit and look at what you're trying to accomplish there. I don't think the KVM isn't going to work (though you're welcome to try, I don't mind being proven wrong) because the of the conversion from PS/2 to serial. In that respect, drop the KVM. Don't feel bad, I have a perfectly good 4-port KVM I don't use anymore just hiding somewhere.

Google for "Manual Serial Switch" such as this model. These suckers have been around for years. If I recall correctly, the switches inside should be a true 9P#T switch so all the pins are switched. Using this, you can cut out all the crazy conversion you're trying to do.

As for the video. That's a different matter.

severdhed:
wow that was confusing.  if I understand correctly, you have a pc, as well as several consoles in your cabinet and you want to use your x-arcade with all of them without swapping cables.  If you get get this to work with a KVM, thats awesome.  when i set up my cabinet, i had a PC and a dreamcast, and an x-arcade.  the kvm switch that I had even had serial ports, but it would not switch the controls.  after alot of messing around, i ended up getting a manual serial switch for the controls, and used the kvm to switch the monitor.  sure, you have to turn a knob and press a button, but it works great every time.  using all of those converters and adapters is just asking for trouble.

genesim:
I actually just got the interface working which I had to get a replacement.

I don't know if this was their fault because I had one ground wrong.    Still, the computer should have detected it.    I used a windows xp computer out of convenience and got it detected and working fine.

Ran out of time, but next step is getting it detected on my arcade Vista computer( I know I know).

The Console adapters weren't working at all.   So I don't know what is going on there so I am going to get a serial replacement and a possible replacement for the part to the board.

So at this point, I just want to get it working before I try any tinkering.   As it stands, I think I am following you guys advice and just getting a box.   I may be out of the %&$#@&!! money for all the connectors, but I would rather not take the chance of roaching something.

On a side note, the Ipac still works great for the dedicated other buttons.   So I will use it for special joysticks, and the Xarcade for the main ones(no sharing of microswitches!).

When its done, I will be so happy because it has been a long road which I will detail when everything is done. 

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