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Hacking serial db15 (gb15) joysticks?

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IG-88:
I have a bunch of these that have been adding up over the years. Can these be successfully used as control inputs or is it worth the effort?

boomstick:
In the past i have hacked some old generic game pads that had a DB9 (Serial type) connector that i used to use on my C-64 and megadrive with good results.  I de-soldered and removed the logic chip on the pcb, placed a few bridge wires where needed and re-asembled the pad.  Then wired up a Couple of DB9s to connect to my IPAC that the pads can plug into and hey presto.
Launch your frontend, select your chosen system and play away on the pad.

I would assume the same process could be done with some old joysticks, particularly if they use switches for their x/y axis like some old commadore sticks i had.  I dont think you'd have the same luck with an analogue stick though.

Heres a link you might find usefull:
http://dawgslair.com/joypad/joypad%20hack.html
It gave me the idea.

BobA:
The DB15 type are usually meant for the old style PC gameport.   They are probably analog controls and do not adapt well to being made digital. Take a look inside and see if there are any pots.

SavannahLion:
In some odd way, I miss those old DB15 sticks. Some of the best damn sticks ever made in the history of PC's came only with those DB15 connectors. There was even an old stick conversion website that sprouted up dedicated to nothing else but converting
Gameport sticks to USB.

IG-88:
Thanks for the reply's. I grabbed a couple of the top of the pile. 1 Gravis, 1 Gravis Blackhawk and a "generic" PC propad 4. I'll assume they are analog. I will tear them apart later tonite. 

I will probably just junk them and use the USB pads I have.

Which leads me to another question, (I probably should post this under a new heading) I have never used a pc gamepad before today to play mame games. How does one remap the esc key in Mame?

SavannahLion:
Any chance of finding that site again? I tried some searching for a hour or 2 this morning on that exact subject without much luck. I know what you mean about missing using those sticks, I just don't know what to do with them...

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