Are Megadrive controllers safe with C64 + Amiga?

[everblue]

I remember reading somewhere that Megadrive controllers shouldn't be used with C64 and Amiga computers. Is this real, or just a load of b*****ks?

Thanks!

 

[Dita45]

i have heard the same. they are supposed to use different voltage and can cause damage to your computer...

dita

 

[Tumo007]

Don't know about the C64, but I've been using the Sega 3 buttons controller for years on my A500. Still going strong. Didn't test a 6 buttons yet.

 

[Vesko]

If MegaDrive controllers are not safe, which model/s is proven to be completely safe?

 

[Megamix]

I have had Mega drive controllers and a Sega joystick for years and never had a problem with any of my Amiga's, I used the same joypad/stick on a MSX/2600/C64 and my Amiga

 

[ShambleS1980]

my memory sux, but i do remember my joystick "after market clod hopper of a thing" had a switch on it and 1 way i used it on c64 the other way on a megadrive.

 

[b00mer]

Two friends of mine have fried C64 components (SID and CIA) using Sega controllers. I haven't heard that Amiga has the same problem. Also, I have heard you can fry CIA if you have auto-fire switched on your regular joystick when you plug it in your powered on C64. As a precaution, I only plug a joystick in C64 when C64 is powered off.

 

[Bastich]

The Megadrive has its 5v line on the 9 pin D connector on pin 5. Where as on the Amiga, ST etc it is on pin 7. This pin mismatch can cause all sorts of problems.

 

[Firthy2002]

It's fine on the Amiga but will damage your C64.

 

[everblue]

Thanks for the update!

 

[mamejay]

Hi guys,
I found this if anyone is interested. Safely convert a Sega pad to be safe on a C64. I have done this to a cheap Chinese Sega controller and it works fine. I performed this mod internally into the joystick itself. I also disconnected all the button contacts and then bridged them all together so every button is the same fire button.

 

[everblue]

I would bridge "Up" to a separate button so when I would be playing platform games I could press that to jump. More comfortable.

 

[mamejay]

Good call. I think I will do that. On take 2 minutes to do

 

[woodycool]

I've never had any problems on the Amiga with MegaDrive pads, I've tried on my C64 and it depends wether it's in port 1 or 2 as to what symptoms I experience. In port 1, it's fine .... in port 2, however, half the keyboard stops working !!!

I'm had similar problems with MegaDrive pads on Atari ST (doesn't work at all) and on my Amstrad CPC (seems to get strange extra keyboard inputs appear when using the MegaDrive pad) - however, no problems in the Kemptson interface on my Speccy at all.

I think it depends on the machine it's plugged in to and how it handles the voltage being on a different pin.

 

[everblue]

Good call. I think I will do that. On take 2 minutes to do

What we need next is someone to make and sell such an adapter =)

 

[mamejay]

I can design the board easily but I have no idea about board manufacturing etc. would be really simple process.

 

[Firthy2002]

I've never had any problems on the Amiga with MegaDrive pads, I've tried on my C64 and it depends wether it's in port 1 or 2 as to what symptoms I experience. In port 1, it's fine .... in port 2, however, half the keyboard stops working !!!

I'd stop if I were you, you're frying the CIA!

 

[woodycool]

I've never had any problems on the Amiga with MegaDrive pads, I've tried on my C64 and it depends wether it's in port 1 or 2 as to what symptoms I experience. In port 1, it's fine .... in port 2, however, half the keyboard stops working !!!

I'd stop if I were you, you're frying the CIA!

Only tried it the once (on the C64) - I happen to have two of them and the one I tried it on is the really yellow trashed looking one my decent C64 I dare not try it on.
As for the Amiga - I've been using Megadrive pads on that for years !!! I'm not likely to stop now.

 

[kixs]

I recently got Sega Arcade Power Stick. It's micro-switched three button version. I don't own Mega Drive/Genesis and was going to use it on Atari 800XL.


I only tested it with ATARI2USB adapter on a PC and it seems that the left direction doesn't respond and B button works as a fire and right direction. The normal Sega 6-button pad works fine with it.



Is the stick faulty - would it do the same on a real Mega Drive?



Thanks