<b>Disclaimer:</b><br>
The good people of SRK Tech Talk, The whole of the Fighting Game Community, other DIY and support sites and myself cannot and will not take responsibility how you carry out implement your own repairs and modifications. Ultimately the end users hold responsibility for how they impend their own repairs (mainly you). If at any time you feel the task is over your head, please ask for assistance or even for another modder/builder to take over repairs for you.
<br>
<br>
<b>Introduction:</b><br>
Welcome to SRK Tech Talk, here we are going to teach you the principals and fundamentals of troubleshooting. Troubleshooting is more of a mental process and less of following a check list or chart or diagram. In order to troubleshoot effectively you first must understand how stuff works or as we pros call it the theory of operation. Once you understand how game controllers work, the rest of the troubleshooting process will fall in line.
<br>
<br>
<b>Basic Electrical theory:</b><br>
To save time and space, I skip the actual basics and provide some external links.<br>
For those who understand electricity you can skip to the next section<br>
<br>
Exterior Links<br>
<br>
Basic Electricity for Kids<br>
http://www.jimsdestinations.com/elebas1.htm<br><br>
High school level Electrical theory (math skills required)<br>
http://wiki.4hv.org/index.php/Basic_electrical_theory<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Basic game controller theory of operation:</b><br>
Now that we understand basic electrical theory, we can get into the Theory of Operation on how game controllers work. This theory doesn’t change fort any system’s brand or type of controller. This applies to game pads and arcade sticks as well as it applies to Human interface devices.
<br>
All controllers are the same in their basic operation. That includes wired and wireless controllers, arcade sticks, game pads, dance pads, light guns and so on.<br>
There are two basic inputs, <b>DIGITAL</b> and <b>ANALOG</b>.<br><br>
<b>DIGITAL</b> operates on an on/off state, and only reports if a button is pressed or a joystick or directional pad (d-pad) is pushed.<br><br>
Example of Digital input devices.<br>
On/Off Switches, Arcade Push Buttons, gamepad buttons Joysticks, radial encoders, d-pad, keyboard keys
<br><br>
<b>ANALOG</b> reports signals differently, they constantly reporting back the usage or movement of said device (example: even if your analog thumb stick is in a neutral position). It is the strength of the signal that determines its status.
When you move an analog input the signal gets stronger or weaker depending on where or how you move your analog input.<br>
Example of Analog input devices<br>
Volume turn knobs (like on older TVs and Radios), analog thumb sticks, analog buttons, analog trigger/shoulder buttons, turn knobs (like on Pong or similar games), sensors, computer mouse trackball.<br>
<br><br>
Now not all Controllers report back there usage the same way<br>
Neo Geo controllers, Atari Controllers and a few others are built simply, and each button as a signal line that goes directly to the main system. The benefit you have ZERO input lag, the downside is every button and input has to have a signal line, if the controller is not common ground every digital input needs two wires, 3 or more for each analog input.<br>
Now many controllers have an encoder or signal processor or some other kind of circuit that processes the input into binary information your game system can use. Usually this encoder is mounted or soldered to a PCB or Printed Circuit board. These encoders can go from quite simple setups such as a NES game pad that uses a shift register for reporting back 8-bit values for each input pressed. To an encoder that is much more complex such as wireless Bluetooth. It be the Encoder job to turn all your inputs into meaningful signals that goes along your controller cable or wirelessly for wireless controllers.
<br>
<br>
Outside links <br>
http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/controltech.htm<br>
<br>
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/playstation3.htm<br>
<br>
For a particular PCB or controller I would direct you to that PCB’s thread and read there.<br>
<br><br><br>
<b>Okay your Stick do not work as it should, what will you do?</b> <br>
<br>
Step 1: First off calm down and approach the issue rationally. Being angry and flustered helps no one.<br>
<br>
Step 2: Identify the issue. What is wrong with your stick? Not responding, broken button, direction on the joystick not registering?<br>
<br>
Step 2B: Is your stick NEW or OLD. If you have a new retail/ commercial stick this would be the time to take advantage of the manufacturer’s Warranty. If this is a Custom stick please contact your stick builder. Please note individual custom stick builders (usually) do not offer warranties and have no obligation to help, especially if you get angry with them. Please give stick builders a few days (approx 7 days) to contact you to sort the issue out.<br>
<br>
Step 3: This is if you are repairing the stick your self, once you identify the issue you need to go and trouble shoot the problem.<br><br>Step 4: Repair<br><br>Step 5: Recover. This includes reasembily and any finishing touches. If you working on a Computer you be uninstalling programs and apps you installed to make a fix (like mal-ware removal tools, cleaner apps ect).<br><br>
<br>Also All repairs can be broken down in 4 steps so, this applies to anything including PCs, Cars, Medicine, air craft ect…<br><br>1. Diagnose the device <br>2. Assets the problem<br>3. Repair<br>4. Recover<br><br><br><br>
Tools Needed:
<ul class=“bbcode_list”>
<li>Screw drivers Both Phillips and flat head, depending on the stick you need multiple sizes.</li>
<li>The correct bit to open the top and/or bottom panels of your stick, this might include hex keys or some security bit to loosen these screws.</li>
<li>Paper and Pencil, you<b> <i>will</i> </b>be taking notes</li>
<li>Multi-meter or continuity tester. Preferably a Multi-meter, although for some test a continuity tester works too.</li>
<li>Needle nose pliers</li>
<li>Wire cutters, Wire Strippers and Crimpers. These can be separate tools or a all-in-one tool</li>
<li>A Digital camera. To take images of your stick, use this prior to disassembly.</li>
<li>Soldering iron, solder and soldering accessories.</li>
<li>Electric tape (not masking tape, gift wrap tape or duct tape) or shrink wrap tubing.</li>
</ul>
List of known malfunctions and possible causes.<br>
<br>
Non working Arcade stick
<ul class=“bbcode_list”>
<li>Is the stick plunged into your game system and the game system turned on?</li>
<li>Is your stick set to the correct player? Player 1, Player 2 and so on.</li>
<li>Is the stick the correct controller for that system? For Dual Mods is the stick set to the correct mode? This applies to Automatic, Button presses mode changes as well as DPDT switch Dual-Mods.</li>
<li>Are you using your Arcade Stick with a PC? What Chip set you have on your mother board? Are the Drivers Installed?</li>
<li>The controller cable is damage or disconnected (on most modern sticks this is a USB cable)</li>
<li>The Printed Circuit board is disconnected or damaged.</li>
</ul>
Non working push buttons.
<ul class=“bbcode_list”>
<li>With the stick plugged into the CORRECT system and the system is on?</li>
<li>Is your stick set to the correct player? Player 1, Player 2 and so on.</li>
<li>is the wires to the push button/ push button micro switch are connected properly to the wiring and that wiring to the PCB?</li>
<li>Remove the push button, using the 2 exposed wire ends or quick disconnects, will the button signal respond when the 2 wire ends touch?</li>
<li>Does the button show Continuity when the button is pushed?</li>
<li>Comparing to a working push button do you see a High or Low change in the voltage on that button’s line?</li>
</ul>
Non-Working Joystick.
<ul class=“bbcode_list”>
<li>With the stick plugged into the CORRECT system and the system is on?</li>
<li>Is your stick set to the correct player? Player 1, Player 2 and so on.</li>
<li>Is the stick selector set to “LS”, “DP” or “RS”, Set it to the correct setting, usually this is DP on consoles.<br></li>
<li>Is each of the four cardinal directions, Up, down , left and Right responds?</li>
<li>Do the four corner directions respond?</li>
<li>If you have a 4/8 way gate (usually square) is the gate set to 4 way or 8 way play.</li>
<li>Do you have a 2 way gate?</li>
<li>Is your wiring harness is plugged in correctly and in the correct orientation. its common for the stock wire harness for some sticks (specially the TE) to be installed upside down.</li>
<li>Does the Microswitches show continuity?</li>
<li>is the wires/ wire harness to the joystick/ joystick micro switches are connected properly</li>
<li>Is the wires/ wire harness is connected to the correct way? No backwards wire harnesses or wires connected to the wrong switch?</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class=“UserQuote”>
<div class=“QuoteAuthor”><a href="/profile/6512/jdm714">jdm714</a> wrote:</div>
<div class=“QuoteText”>Darksakul, when people say that their Directionals lag, it is usually because LS.<br>
When people say the Joystick one day just die, it is usually RS.</div>
</blockquote>
