Closed Joystick Tester

[StarshipUK]

Its possible this item does not exist (yet!) but I am looking for a Joystick Tester - perhaps some kind of box I could plug Amiga, MSX and other joystick wiring specs into and then push the directions and fire buttons to see if LED lights then light up to show if the joystick is working correctly.

Perhaps someone clever would be able to make one and sell me one please?

 

[Junior]

Why don't you use Advanced Amiga Analyzer testing Program ? .
This program has a mouse / joystick routine .

 

[BluesBrothers]

Such a thing does exist indeed however they don't come up that often. I have for a long time been after an original Atari test unit simple because I want to look at it (sad aint I!).
It is also easy to make one but one thing I will advise is that should you commission such a thing make sure you ask for a unit which has lights for each of the pins of the D-sub connector. I say this out of experience as with much of this old gear it is highly probable that someone has tinkered with it before and in doing so may have altered the pinouts to suit another machine.

Personally I believe you should play an actual game for a few minutes as some faults manifest themselves intermittently and a one touch contact doesn't really confirm the stick is a good one.

For standard Atari/Kempston sticks I'd recommend a cheap 2600 jnr with Centipede cart as this quickly and easily covers all directions and fire buttons.
Spectrum SJS standard sticks can be tested on +2's & +3 models in basic mode as you will get characters instead of movement, but still it shows contact is there - I'd still recommend playing a game though.
Of course there are various sticks for other systems but these should cover the majority of stick you will encounter.

BB

 

[StarshipUK]

Its to use at events, where I need something quick and easy to quickly test lots of joysticks, and may not be able to get quick access to a computer to run a software testing utility.

It also needs to support the other common wiring schemes such as MSX/X68000 and MegaDrive (6 Button) and CD32 (4 Button).

 

[roy_bates]

yes,its called a multimeter

sorry couldnt help myself.

 

[StarshipUK]

I forgot about Spectrum Interface Wiring - It would also be good if it could test other joystick plugs either through adaptors or additional ports such as PS1/2, C16/+4, Dreamcast, Saturn, Gamecube etc....

I also have a Hector 2HR+ with broken joysticks - It has the standard D plug and is not standard joystick wiring whatsoever - I have a feeling the wiring on it is unique to that machine - Think I may have to ask someone to have a look as no info about it at all on the web.

 

[BluesBrothers]

I forgot about Spectrum Interface Wiring - It would also be good if it could test other joystick plugs either through adaptors or additional ports such as PS1/2, C16/+4, Dreamcast, Saturn, Gamecube etc....

I also have a Hector 2HR+ with broken joysticks - It has the standard D plug and is not standard joystick wiring whatsoever - I have a feeling the wiring on it is unique to that machine - Think I may have to ask someone to have a look as no info about it at all on the web.

The Fairchild Channel F, the TI99 and others have unique wiring too.

You might be asking rather a lot to get PS, Dreamcast, NES, SNES, Gamecude, etc, etc, though I do believe it can be done of course. The trouble is it would be damned expensive.

A simple 9 pin digital joystick tester should be very simple though if each pinout has it's own individual led then you would simply need to know the different pinouts and you could even map these to an overlay for the LED's so that each configuration were covered, Simples!

Then if you wanted to take that a bit further for other digital sticks/pads you could build some adaptors to cater for this.

BB

 

[StarshipUK]

Forgot about those 2 and I own both of them too (I have a joystick adaptor for the TI99 though) I think 3DO also uses that plug too.

The difficult bit is finding someone motivated and kind enough to make such a device - But I am sure a few other people and those who run events (like Replay) would also be interested in buying one or two, and perhaps even a few collectors.

 

[BluesBrothers]

The difficult bit is finding someone motivated and kind enough to make such a device

It's amazing how motivated people can get if the money is right for them, lol. In truth if you can solder, and have a rudimentary knowledge, then I'm sure you could make one yourself though.

You have however awoken a desire to see if I could do such a thing. Now I'm not suggesting I make one for you yet, more I'd like to see if I'm capable. If it does work out then who knows I might be persuaded to make another though I'm sure there are far more skilled and talented folk on here than me and someone better qualified could do it for you. In the mean time though I think I'll have a crack a one

BB

 

[StarshipUK]

I can solder, although my skills are poor (the amount of systems I have wrecked trying to solder a mod chip in!) and I have never understood things like capacitors or resistors. I did Electronics at GCSE, but still could not get my head around it all - just did not make logical sense to me. I have other skills elsewhere (not that many though - I have my fingers in too many projects and vegetarian pies to master anything completely!) and prefer to use my time on those, to benefit the scene and community.

I'd rather let someone else who enjoys this type of thing have a go and make a much better job of it then I ever could. Please let me know how you get on or post some photos here, if you get the chance please.

As for Money, Apart from time I am guessing the cost of parts would not be excessive for something like this, and perhaps even cheaper if a few people wanted one so parts could be bought in bulk. For me it would be more useful if it ran off a battery like a PP3 rather than mains. I sort of envision something like the Cat 5 Network Cable Tester I own.

 

[roy_bates]

you said the parts might not be too excessive.

that depends on the systems its being aimed at really.and im only saying that because of the amount of systems you have mentioned.and that was a long list.

 

[StarshipUK]

Well just the more common D Plug systems would be a good start. Then I guess a switch to switch between the different D plug specs:
1. C64/Amiga/Atari2600 etc...
2. MSX/X68000 etc...
3. Master System 2 Button/Megadrive 3 Button/6 Button), CD32 4 Button.
4. Spectrum Interface

Fairchild Channel F and TI99 are not so important. Neither is 3DO ( http://atariage.com/forums/topic/108468-3d0-controller-pinout-needed/ ) but if easy to add I guess it would be no harm adding them, as they use the D Plug. Then perhaps a way to test paddles and light guns.....

 

[roy_bates]

light guns and light pens might be a bit tricky,due to how they work.

 

[velikani]

Its possible this item does not exist (yet!) but I am looking for a Joystick Tester - perhaps some kind of box I could plug Amiga, MSX and other joystick wiring specs into and then push the directions and fire buttons to see if LED lights then light up to show if the joystick is working correctly.

Perhaps someone clever would be able to make one and sell me one please?

maybe you can give these as a reference

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?13861-I-made-an-Atari-joystick-tester!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zQkX3JbRTM

and some obscure diagram i found googleing.

http://sebastianmihai.com/main.php?t=77&n=A-simple-Atari-2600-joystick-tester-circuit

i've been meaning to do one of these myself, too.

 

[BluesBrothers]

Well just the more common D Plug systems would be a good start. Then I guess a switch to switch between the different D plug specs:
1. C64/Amiga/Atari2600 etc...
2. MSX/X68000 etc...
3. Master System 2 Button/Megadrive 3 Button/6 Button), CD32 4 Button.
4. Spectrum Interface

Fairchild Channel F and TI99 are not so important. Neither is 3DO ( http://atariage.com/forums/topic/108468-3d0-controller-pinout-needed/ ) but if easy to add I guess it would be no harm adding them, as they use the D Plug. Then perhaps a way to test paddles and light guns.....

If you want to test paddles and light guns then you really need to stick to using the original hardware due to the way these function. You could effectively check that a light gun responds however this does not means it responds as it should, equally you can get a result for paddles but it would not properly inform you if there was any jerky behaviour manifested by the pot inside, at least not without some fairly pricey equipment.

An idea has just popped into my head though regarding testing the pots and that is if you had a Walkman rigged so the paddles pots took over the sound control function (maybe, I'm thinking out loud here). That way you be able to audibly hear if the increase/decrease in sound was smooth and even. Maybe someone a bit more techie than I could add something to this suggestion?

Digital joystick testing - yes, easy enough. I still believe there is nothing like playing a game for a few minutes solid. If you understand the workings of the sprung switches then you will realise why as these can start to lose there ability to reform there original position, but in the early stages of this happening the results can be fairly intermittent. That said I appreciate that there are situations where using the original hardware is not appropriate.

I'm not total struck on the idea of switching different kinds of connection within the test unit as these just adds complication and means you putting lots of money into the device upfront and also the more you add the bigger and more complicated it needs to be. However if you have a standard 9 pin connection then you will be able to create adaptors for it at a later date as you find you require them.

BB