Intermintant Joystick port

18 September 2016, 22:12

I have a joystick port that isn't working 100% using the mouse works fine but it doesn't always register clicks. Joysticks are the main trouble. Atari 2600 sticks, Master System and Genesis pads have all sorts of issues. Atari 2600 sticks just don't work and Master System/Genesis pads just have all sorts of issues from movements not registering, to the wrong movement entirely.

Strangely enough, the keyboard has a bug, The Y and Z keys are reversed.

I have tested the Master System and Genesis pads and found them working, same with the Atari stick. Since I don't have a second Amiga, I tore down the mouse and tested the button with a voltage tester, and found that to be working.

Could it be the CIA chips? I haven't swapped them around to check that yet. I do have sound, and it's pretty clear.

The system is an A500 Rev 5 NTSC machine.

modrobert · 19 September 2016, 06:23

If behavior changes when swapping CIA chips, then you've most likely found the cause.

If the problem remains the same after swap, then check motherboard for capacitor leakage, maybe some of the traces towards the joystick port are damaged.

The Y and Z key problem sounds familiar, German keyboard?

Daedalus · 19 September 2016, 09:58

Or German keymap on a UK or US keyboard. If it's kickstart 1.x (standard on an A500), check the startup-sequence for a setmap command, something like

Setmap D

and change it to Setmap GB or Setmap USA1.

As for the joystick ports, others mostly have it covered. What might also happen is that one or more pins in the port itself have been pushed back into the connector and so don't make proper contact. If the issues were fire button only I would say it could be the CIAs, but the directions and right mouse button are handled by Paula, not the CIAs so either you have a different issue, or two separate issues... Personally I'd bet on a PCB issue - damaged tracks or some sort of short.

20 September 2016, 01:20

Well could not find a setmap command. The Amiga is running 1.3 since it only has a 1.2 kickstart.

Now the mouse is working fine, every click registers, but still can't get game pads to work.

Daedalus · 20 September 2016, 09:52

Hmmm, that's strange then. It's so long since I used 1.x I can't remember: is there a keyboard setting in the preferences? I don't think it does, so it's probably only the Setmap command...

Strange about the mouse and pads since they use exactly the same input signals. It makes me suspect the connector even more, perhaps some damage to the connector's solder joints or something. I take it you didn't change anything else?

idrougge · 20 September 2016, 11:27

Do you get ÖÄÜ if you press the keys next to the return key?

zipper · 20 September 2016, 12:00

Setmap is at least part of 1.3 (my Amiga Forever install). Should be Sys:System/Setmap. (checked a 1.3 Workbench adf).

18 September 2016, 22:12	#1
tgotr Posts: n/a	Intermintant Joystick port I have a joystick port that isn't working 100% using the mouse works fine but it doesn't always register clicks. Joysticks are the main trouble. Atari 2600 sticks, Master System and Genesis pads have all sorts of issues. Atari 2600 sticks just don't work and Master System/Genesis pads just have all sorts of issues from movements not registering, to the wrong movement entirely. Strangely enough, the keyboard has a bug, The Y and Z keys are reversed. I have tested the Master System and Genesis pads and found them working, same with the Atari stick. Since I don't have a second Amiga, I tore down the mouse and tested the button with a voltage tester, and found that to be working. Could it be the CIA chips? I haven't swapped them around to check that yet. I do have sound, and it's pretty clear. The system is an A500 Rev 5 NTSC machine.

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19 September 2016, 06:23	#2
modrobert old bearded fool Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangkok Age: 56 Posts: 779	If behavior changes when swapping CIA chips, then you've most likely found the cause. If the problem remains the same after swap, then check motherboard for capacitor leakage, maybe some of the traces towards the joystick port are damaged. The Y and Z key problem sounds familiar, German keyboard?

19 September 2016, 09:58	#3
Daedalus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin, then Glasgow Posts: 6,352	Or German keymap on a UK or US keyboard. If it's kickstart 1.x (standard on an A500), check the startup-sequence for a setmap command, something like Setmap D and change it to Setmap GB or Setmap USA1. As for the joystick ports, others mostly have it covered. What might also happen is that one or more pins in the port itself have been pushed back into the connector and so don't make proper contact. If the issues were fire button only I would say it could be the CIAs, but the directions and right mouse button are handled by Paula, not the CIAs so either you have a different issue, or two separate issues... Personally I'd bet on a PCB issue - damaged tracks or some sort of short.

20 September 2016, 01:20	#4
tgotr Posts: n/a	Well could not find a setmap command. The Amiga is running 1.3 since it only has a 1.2 kickstart. Now the mouse is working fine, every click registers, but still can't get game pads to work.

20 September 2016, 09:52	#5
Daedalus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin, then Glasgow Posts: 6,352	Hmmm, that's strange then. It's so long since I used 1.x I can't remember: is there a keyboard setting in the preferences? I don't think it does, so it's probably only the Setmap command... Strange about the mouse and pads since they use exactly the same input signals. It makes me suspect the connector even more, perhaps some damage to the connector's solder joints or something. I take it you didn't change anything else?

20 September 2016, 11:27	#6
idrougge Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stockholm Posts: 4,340	Do you get ÖÄÜ if you press the keys next to the return key?

20 September 2016, 12:00	#7
zipper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: finland Posts: 1,838	Setmap is at least part of 1.3 (my Amiga Forever install). Should be Sys:System/Setmap. (checked a 1.3 Workbench adf).

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