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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: ptek on March 28, 2004, 01:01:52 PM

Title: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: ptek on March 28, 2004, 01:01:52 PM
Hi folks !

I was going to ask you about this subject, but I defeated my occasional laziness and went for a Web hunt ;-)

I've found the "PC Competitor" solution very quickly :

http://w5.cs.uni-sb.de/~stahl/com/index_uk.html (http://w5.cs.uni-sb.de/~stahl/com/index_uk.html)

It seems extremely easy to build (if you have some experience in electronics) or you can ever buy it from the author !

So, we can even use our beloved AMIGA joysticks under WinUAE, MAME, etc !

I'm going to build it ASAP (I hope it really works  )
 :-D
Title: Re: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: billchase on March 29, 2004, 02:39:44 AM
Check this out:USB joystick adapter (http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=267)

Not sure how amiga joypads would work on this, but this
could be a better plug and play solution.  I am also
interested in making one myself, but finding plans for
a USB based adapter like the one in the link has been
difficult.  I guess I could just break down and buy this
one, but what fun what that be?

C Snyder
Title: Re: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: elal1862 on March 29, 2004, 02:07:58 PM
Quote

ptek wrote:
Hi folks !
I've found the "PC Competitor" solution very quickly :

http://w5.cs.uni-sb.de/~stahl/com/index_uk.html (http://w5.cs.uni-sb.de/~stahl/com/index_uk.html)

I'm going to build it ASAP (I hope it really works  )
 :-D


Well, it works... sort of... if you don't mind re-calibrating every 10 minutes :-(

Plus: Modern desktops and laptops don't have gameports (even serial ports have become a rarity on new laptops!), but the parallel port seems to be more persistent (thank god).
You'd be better off with PPJoy (http://www.geocities.com/deonvdw/PPJoy.htm)

@billchase:
USB is a pretty tough beast, which can't be tackled without a CPLD or a decent microcontroller :-x
So building the actual adapter is a snap (USB power to MCU's power pins, USB data to I/O port A, joystick connector to I/O port B... DONE!)
Writing the appropriate device driver and MCU firmware (the initial USB handshake, connecting with the device driver, passing joystick information through) is slightly more elaborate (Making it unlikely that someone will publish his work for free)

If you can't read (and understand) this page (http://www.cesko.host.sk/IgorPlugUSB/IgorPlug-USB%20(AVR)_eng.htm), USB DIY is NOT an option...

Just my ?0.02
Title: Re: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: sir_inferno on March 29, 2004, 03:00:02 PM
what about looking on the atari shops for some convertors

btw usb isn't that great :(

i bought a ps2-pc convertor USB, and it didn't let me do much in configuring.

so i made my own, using a parallel connector, and then downloaded some drivers from somewhere (took a while to find) and i could have full analog on every button etc
Title: Re: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: billchase on March 29, 2004, 10:50:50 PM
The USB would be more convenient since I have USB
ports on the front of my machine.  Any gameport
adapters?  I do have a gameport extender to place
on my desk.

C Snyder
Title: Re: How to use an AMIGA joystick on a PC !
Post by: ptek on March 29, 2004, 11:49:19 PM
Quote
Well, it works... sort of... if you don't mind re-calibrating every 10 minutes


Hmmm, are you 100% sure of that ?
I was going to build one :cry:

Thanks for the PPJoy stuff.
The wiring looks even simpler
 :-)