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El Jugador problem..... — Parallax Forums

El Jugador problem.....

SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
edited 2012-02-04 10:37 in Propeller 1
So I got my el Jugador module working. It outputs video fine, and I downloaded and wrote out the code for the light cycles demo, but I can't get the controller to work. Do any NES gamepads work, or just official ones?

Comments

  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2012-02-03 15:28
    Any NES compatible gamepads should work.. Are you using the El Jugador PCB or breadboarding it?

    OBC
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 15:47
    I'm using the actual PCB, and I think it's the gamepads because I have tp force fit them in and apply alot of pressure, so I just took it out and are no longer using those gamepads.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 18:23
    I looked at the pinout of an NES gamepad . It says that pin one is ground and pin two is +3.3v. According to the layout on the PCB of El Jugador, GND is connected to pin two where +3.3v should be connected and then pin one has no connection. All the other pinks see, to match up and I'm now really confused. Everything else but the controller works.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 18:43
    here are some picures sorry about the quality a phone is the only camra I he
    P01-01-10_02-42.jpg
    P01-01-10_02-41[1].jpg
    P01-01-10_02-41.jpg
    P01-01-10_02-38.jpg
    P01-01-10_02-42.jpg
    320 x 240 - 14K
    P01-01-10_02-41[1].jpg
    320 x 240 - 22K
    P01-01-10_02-41.jpg
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    P01-01-10_02-38.jpg
    320 x 240 - 17K
  • blittledblittled Posts: 681
    edited 2012-02-03 18:59
    I have had no problems with the NES controllers with the El Jugador.I have had problems soldering in the connectors though. Some pins may looked soldered but aren't making good contact. Check the pins with a Digital Voltage meter for continuity. Also when there is a bad connection a pin can be pushed down by the controller plug so check each pin to see if they are at different depth.
  • CircuitsoftCircuitsoft Posts: 1,166
    edited 2012-02-03 19:02
    You may want to reflow those connectors just on principle. Have you soldered before? Do you have a good iron?
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 19:29
    To be honest I haven't soldered them and I think that might also be the problem, but I haven't soldered anything else and I'm getting video out........
    I'm really confused here.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 19:33
    But I did notice I had to force the controller in the slot, so I think the pins didnt reach the controller. I'm gonna go try again.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 20:21
    Well I did all that to no success. I'm going to go ahead and assume controller problems because I used a voltage meter and got results on the PCB tract. I'm going to take the controller apart and examen the internal layout.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-02-03 20:26
    Try soldering the connectors in place before staring to take about the controller.

    If you socket aren't soldered to the PCB, the connections aren't always going to be connected. They might look okay when you hold a volt meter against it, but probably because of the extra presure your adding while measuring.

    Do yourself a big favor and solder the sockets in place.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-03 20:36
    I'll get right on that........
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-04 07:32
    I found the solution. Bad controller. I cracked it open(not literally) and determined the color scheme of the wires did not match up, and the pinout is also weird and not like that of an official NES controller. I got these gamepads from one of those retro systems, which doesn't really work and struggle a great deal to get it to play games. I think I'm just gonna go get a better controller.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2012-02-04 08:53
    Have you got one of those game trading shops in your area? I've picked up several actual NES controllers for around $4-$5 each. The originals have a very long cord and always work perfectly.

    OBC
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-04 08:58
    Yeah. I know both half priced books and disc replay sells them. Actually disc replay seems to have all my retro gaming needs, I even found a couple of atari 2600 games in their original boxes for only a couple bucks! But last I checked they had stock on NES and co triller so I should be good.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-02-04 10:03
    SONIC the Hedgehog wrote: »
    the color scheme of the wires did not match up, and the pinout is also weird and not like that of an official NES controller.

    Is the controller supposed to be a NES clone? Did/does it have the same connector as a NES. The wire colors don't really mean anything. The clone may use different wire colors and still work fine.

    When you say the "pinout is weird" does this mean it doesn't have the same kind of connector as a NES controller? It this case, I think you'd be right in assuming it wouldn't work the same as a NES controller.
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-04 10:25
    The connector looks the same but is actually a little bigger. And it came with an NES clone.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-02-04 10:34
    Then what do you mean by "the pinout is also weird".
  • SONIC the HedgehogSONIC the Hedgehog Posts: 321
    edited 2012-02-04 10:37
    Well what I mean is the wire are organized differently. The controller has an indicator light that shows turbo. So when I out or in the NES clone I can turn it on, but I have to force it into an actual NES and it won't work with the games I play on the real NES.
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