14 replies to this topic

[Atari_Falcon]

Hello,

is it possible that Atari released two different version of the CX-78 joypads? One with two different fire buttons and one where both work the same?

I now have 4 joypads at home, which work perfect on the 2600 and on the 7800 only one (left) fire button will do its work. I don't really think they are defective and as they all came with Atari 2600 junior console, maybe Atari built cheaper ones for that...

[Atarifever]

Atari_Falcon, on Tue Feb 8, 2011 4:08 AM, said:

Hello,

is it possible that Atari released two different version of the CX-78 joypads? One with two different fire buttons and one where both work the same?

I now have 4 joypads at home, which work perfect on the 2600 and on the 7800 only one (left) fire button will do its work. I don't really think they are defective and as they all came with Atari 2600 junior console, maybe Atari built cheaper ones for that...

So does the right button not work, or does it do the same thing as the left button? A non-working button would seem unlikely for an offical product. That's the sort of thing you usually see with a pirate, where the button is just put in there to fill the hole in the "universal" mould they use. That's my experience anyway. If they both do the same thing, I can see that being an offical release.

Edited by Atarifever, Tue Feb 8, 2011 7:45 AM.

[Atari_Falcon]

In 2600 mode the button 1 does the same as button 2.

In 7800 mode only the left button works, button 2 will do nothing.

It is strange that 4 joypads (from 2 different atari 2600 junior consoles) fail in exactly the same why, isn't it?

[peedenmark7]

Atari_Falcon, on Tue Feb 8, 2011 4:08 AM, said:

Hello,

is it possible that Atari released two different version of the CX-78 joypads? One with two different fire buttons and one where both work the same?

I now have 4 joypads at home, which work perfect on the 2600 and on the 7800 only one (left) fire button will do its work. I don't really think they are defective and as they all came with Atari 2600 junior console, maybe Atari built cheaper ones for that...

could it be that 2600 games in general utilize nly one button where as some 7800 games use both?

I ran into a snag after I got some cx78 joypads , then ordered the 12' extension cable from best , i had full steering , but no firing capabilities.
I finally deleted the ext. cable. called best and asked them why they sent me a 2600 cable for my 7800.

[Atari_Falcon]

Yes sure the 2600 uses only one button, but I can use any firebutton on the cx-78, while on 7800 only the left works and right does nothing. When I open the joypads they look alright. I think they might have used cheaper cables for the 2600 version where not everything is connected... maybe... I will check this one day

[kool kitty89]

The 7800's odd joystick interface was specifically designed (albeit somewhat unnecessarily) to allow both buttons to be detected as the normal fire button on the VCS (or one of the buttons on the SMS or Genesis), but that wouldn't explain why button 2 doesn't work for the 2 button 7800 games. (maybe they went cheap for the 2600 specific joypads and opted for wiring both buttons together rather than the bit of added circuitry and pull-up resistors needed for the 7800 2-button hack)

[Atari_Falcon]

kool kitty89, on Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:26 AM, said:

The 7800's odd joystick interface was specifically designed (albeit somewhat unnecessarily) to allow both buttons to be detected as the normal fire button on the VCS (or one of the buttons on the SMS or Genesis), but that wouldn't explain why button 2 doesn't work for the 2 button 7800 games. (maybe they went cheap for the 2600 specific joypads and opted for wiring both buttons together rather than the bit of added circuitry and pull-up resistors needed for the 7800 2-button hack)

That is what I think! There are cx-78 joypads around which are not wired for the 7800 but will work on ST/2600/8-bit.

[GroovyBee]

I suspect that you have a problem with your 7800. To double check can you open up your joystick and take a photo of each side of the button PCB?

[Tenorman]

I had a CX-78 pad that did exactly the same thing that you are describing. I ended up sending it back and the new one worked fine. I don't know if it was an official release, but I would sure suspect that it was a common manufacturing defect. The 7800 was obviously fine because my prolines as well as the replacement CX-78 worked.

[the.golden.ax]

Yeah, I'd love to see the inside. FYI, the 7800 cord has nine wires, and 2600 only uses eight. So there are some slight differences.

AX

[kool kitty89]

GroovyBee, on Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:20 AM, said:

I suspect that you have a problem with your 7800. To double check can you open up your joystick and take a photo of each side of the button PCB?

He already mentioned that normal 7800 controllers work fine for 2 button games, just not the joypads that came with the 2600 Jr, so that wouldn't seem to be the case.

the.golden.ax, on Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:46 AM, said:

Yeah, I'd love to see the inside. FYI, the 7800 cord has nine wires, and 2600 only uses eight. So there are some slight differences.

AX

I think the VCS/A8 sticks use 6 wires for gnd, 4 directional switches, and the fire button. (the other 3 are for 5V and the 2 POT lines)

[Mitch]

The controller likely either has a bad resistor or a bad wire in the cable. The bad wire being the more probable of the two.

Mitch

[fibrewire]

Is there any diagnostic tool that show a picture of the joystick in question and "light up" the button pressed, like the built in keyboard test on the XL and XE?

[mimo]

No

[Propane13]

fibrewire, on Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:56 PM, said:

Is there any diagnostic tool that show a picture of the joystick in question and "light up" the button pressed, like the built in keyboard test on the XL and XE?

Yes, the Ninja Golf hidden Joystick test does what I think you're looking for:
http://www.digitpres...78ninjagolf.htm

-John