Installing an MC Cthulhu and Imp in an Xbox 360 SF4 SE stick

Tech Talk
281

Dear RemzRR,

Everything you need to complete this mod is within the first 7 pages of this thread. It’s probably more like the first 4 pages. There really isn’t any new information beyond that.

Looking through the pics of your work, it appears that you really need practice soldering. Your joints look weak and the soldering is generally messy. All it takes is ONE carelessly soldered joint to short out something else and cause your WHOLE project to become non-functional.

You really need to go back and double check everything. I also highly recommend that you watch the following video 5 or 6 (or more) times:

http://sn.im/howtosolder

I also recommend that you practice soldering some scrap PCB you may have lying around, so that when it comes time to actually solder your money components, you’ll have many repetitions under your belt and it’ll be a snap.

I hope all goes well and you can move on with your modding life.

Sincerely,

Nagoo81

282

I have everything wired as in that diagram & the ps3 portion works fine. But when I hold home & plug in 360 all 4 player light flash but no controll. Also start & guide will cause the 4 player lights to flash but it will only cycle 4 times. Any help. I saw somewhere a check list for voltages & continuity.

283

this exactly what i did the day before i did mine. I watch that video 4-5 times, i grab a scrap peice of pcb, and practised till my heart’s content. I pracised for about one and a half hours until i thought i was comfortable and competent.

RemzRR, i believe by you modifiying where the wires are soldered to (using the top points) is not following the diagram to the tee, you’ve modified it and changed where points go, so i think thats one of the reasons things arn’t working properly for you.

Good luck, i hope you get it sorted.

284

Yeah I left it alone for now.to much hours lost…trying to have another member in the area help me out but for now GGPO with an extra TE Stick from Gamestop is getting me by
Thanks for all the help I appreciate it

285

The wiring isn’t all that great, but here’s some internal pics, the whole stick with the top open

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2484/tedualinternal.jpg

A closer look at the MC Cthulhu (chose the MC, for the possibilty of doing a multi console later on)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4589/tedualinternalcthulhu.jpg

A closer look at the IMP

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6449/tedualinternalimp.jpg

286

I really like the neat wiring job.
For the IMP, I see you used the terminal strip’s screw.
But where did you get the screws for the Cthulhu/Did you have to drill holes?

287

lol far from neat :wink: :smiley:

I used PCB feet (i think you guys can get them from lizardlick) i got mine from an aussie retailer.

Yes i had to drill holes. Didn’t mind drilling into the TE, i figured i already voided my warranty, so a few holes inside the plastic isn’t going to hurt :wink: :smiley:

288

I would just like to add to this thread to say that the only post I needed to to my mod successfully was Bombermans original post. I didn’t actually see Faux’s diagram until after I was finished!

For all of those having trouble, just take your time to read the post multiple times until you understand exactly what you need to go before you do it.

289

my background: NO electrical background and ZERO soldering experience.

BUT… i still wanted a dual mod TE for xbox360 and a ps3. so i attempted this mod using an assembled MC Cthulhu, Imp, and 30gauge wire. i went with the assembled MC Cthulhu because of my background and inexperience (and if i want to multiconsole in the future). i read this thread thoroughly to make sure i understood what i was getting myself into. i borrowed a soldering iron, solder, flux, wire stripper/cutters, and multimeter from a friend. as some others, i practiced soldering before i attempted this - on a breadboard ($1.99 radioshack) and some old wires from cat5 cable.

Bomberman’s instructions were pretty much all i needed, but for a little more visual aid i also used faux123 diagram; just too ‘see’ where exactly each point goes. (note: using a 30gauge wire was a little difficult using on the screw down terminals on the assembled MC Cthulhu because the wire was so thin). after i believed i connected all the points correctly, i double check myself by using the multimeter (toner) and matched each point from the Imp to Madcatz PCB and to MC Cthulhu, all seemed ok… at this point i was very excited, so far so good…

i then proceeded to plug everything back in - joystick, buttons, etc… i plugged the usb connection into my PC to test. My PC immediately recognized the MC Cthulhu (default), tested all the “buttons” everything worked like a charm. i then unplugged it, held down the Xbox Guide/Home button and plugged it back in - Nothing - guide/home button wasn’t even lighting up… do’h! what did i do wrong? read back threw the forum thread to see if i over looked anything. saw a mention of the PCBs not getting power. Used the multimeter to check the 5v/VCC points on Imp, Madcatz PCB, and MC Cthulhu - all were getting just under 5v which seems right. double checked all the points all still good. double checked my plugins - ah ha! i interchanged two of the channel plugins that come from the mini guide PCB by the Tubro/lock switch/Home/Guide buttons - i swapped it correctly. tested again… <church choir music> guide/home button lit up and it is now registering the as the Xbox360 TE! (mental note: make sure you match the channels correctly when plugging back in)

sorry for the long post just thought i’d mention my problem and what i did just in case anyone has similar issues/concerns. special thanks to Bomberman for the thread/instructions, faux123 for diagram, Toodles for the MC Cthulhu and Imp, and everyone else that contributed in this thread that helped me better understand what i was getting into…

290

This will be my second mod job involving sticks; my last one was dual-modding my HRAP1 with a PS1 PCB/ 360 PCB, and it was kind of like a trial run before I crack open my TE.

I’ve been working on it for an hour or so each day for about 5 days, just taking my time to make sure it’s how I want it and to ensure I don’t rush and mess something up.

Thanks so much for the awesome guide, by the way, Bomberman. Once I’m done I might even post up some pics!

291

i am using a ps3 only chtuhla an IMP &a madcats pcb. whichever data lines are connect to pair 1 on the imp work. weither its the 360 or the ps3. they both function perfectly if they are on set 1. however when i hold guide and insert to test data set 2 i get nothing. no matter which pcb is on 2 it wont work. ive been tearing my hair out for days. please please help. its wired exactly like bombermans & ive tested for shorts & open circuts. i have 5 volts at each pcb.

292

Darn screw

I’m still not sure where the longer screw(s) for the Cthulu came from. Is this the part you said you ordered from lizardlick? Is there anywhere we can buy these without waiting for shipping? I went to Lowe’s and was dissapointed as they had nothing this small.

293

To mount the Cthulhu (and the Imp if you like) in the TE stick, I recommend using one of the screws from the back portion of the TE stick. In other words, remove the metal plate from the back and mount it back there. I’ll post pictures of this later (possibly in a new thread).

294

I think I’m ready to tackle this mod. The one part that I’m not sure of, if anyone can clarify is selecting the system.

In the first post’s implementation, by default the stick is set to PS3. Plug n play. Holding the guide button on plug in to a 360 switches it to 360.

If the stick is already plugged into the 360, does the imp board impede powering up the 360 by holding the guide button? For example, will I have to turn on the 360, then with the guide button held down, plug it in when the 360 is powered up every time? Or can I just do as I usually do, and hold the guide button to power up the machine?

I saw the post about how only official sony sixaxis can powerup the ps3 so I’m straight on that.

295

I tried this last night…

When the 360 is powered off, i hold the guide button down and plug in the stick, even though no lights flashed or the system is turned off, the stick is now in 360 mode.

I then let of of the guide button, and still no power or anything on the 360, I pressed and held the guide button and the 360 turned on :slight_smile:

Just keep in mind the following:

  • At any point in time the controller is unplugged, its’ always going to go back to the “default” setting, whatever the board is on the #1 D+/- section, if you follow this guide to the tee, it’ll be the ps3 as the mc cthulhu is recommended on the #1 slot
  • You can turn the 360 on and off all day long and still have the stick in “360” mode, as long as the stick remains plugged in, the moment you unplug that stick, it’ll be in ps3 mode unless the guide button is pressed when plugging in the guide key.

The imp is an impressive little unit :slight_smile:

296

Here’s a head scratcher… I’d love to hear anyone’s thoughts and this.

So I just got my 2nd Cthulhu board in and soldered it up to me 360 Fightstick SE.

I have the MadCatz PCB and the Cthulhu running into a DPDT switch. I have the wires running from the MadCatz PCB inputs into the Cthulhu. So naturally, one would think if the MadCatz PCB isn’t working, the Cthulhu won’t work either.

This isn’t the case for some reason.

When I flip the switch to the Cthulhu, it works great. All the buttons and directions register on the PC and on the PS3.

When I’m on the MadCatz PCB and plugged into the 360, the guide lights turn on and then off. If I hold down the guide button, it’ll turn the lights on again and then off. On the PC it is recognized as the dreaded ‘Unknown Device’.

Another interesting fact, my working stick, when plugged into the PS3, has all the guide lights on. The problematic stick doesn’t have any guide lights on but functions fine.

Seems like an issue with the security chip? But even then, it should be recognized as a Fightstick on the PC right?

Just looking for thoughts, thanks!

297

Check the wires between the dpdt and the 360 board. I’d bet its a problem with the D+ and or D- line. Maybe wired to the switch backwards, accidentally touching each other, or accidentally touching something else when it shouldn’t. Also verify the 360 pad is getting power (the USBVCC point if its a fightstick, or where the red wire from the original USB cable went in, should show about 5v with a multimeter.)

298

Thanks Toodles. You’re almost right on the money. I switched the the DPDT config from

1 4
2 5
3 6

Where 1 and 4 (Cthulhu D+ and D-) to have them sit on 3 and 6. Moved the MadCatz to 1 and 4. Now the opposite effect is in place. My 360 works but not the PS3. I think I must have fried my micro DPDT on the connection between 3 and 6 (if that’s possible, I’m obviously not an electrical engineer).

I’m gonna try picking up a new switch tomorrow and solder it at 15W. Hopefully, I won’t damage anything.

Thanks again, it’s amazing how helpful you and Bomberman are to idiots such as myself :rofl:

299

Turns out it was the DPDT switch causing the problems.

After getting a new one and soldering it at 15W both my sticks are working great. One of them still doesn’t light up the Xbox Guide lights when plugged into the PS3, but I don’t really care enough about that.

Damn microswitches are pretty finicky.

300

Hey guys, I’m sorry to be such a friggin’ noob… But this is giving me some trouble. It’s probably the easiest fix ever but, I thought I’d ask.

Wired everything up - MC Cthulhu, 360 TE PCB, Imp, with the MC C. set as the primary. Plugged it to my PC - all is well, all the buttons, stick, all that works. So I go and unplug the USB cable, then hold down the guide button and plug it back in to test out the 360 portion… It lights for one second but turns off, and the PC still shows Cthulhu Multiconsole edition.

Now, my big difference from Bomberman’s guide: I’m using only the RJ-45 connector for my cables; this includes USB. My question is, is there any wiring I need to do in addition to Bomberman’s? I haven’t done anything with the USB area on the Imp, so just curious if I need to be doing anything there…

I saw a few people mentioned they were doing the same thing, but they never mentioned if they did anything differently. Meanwhile I’m going to go re-check all my solder points and all that good stuff… Thanks guys.

EDIT: Ok, troubleshooting, here’s what I got: I sacrificed a spare USB cord and wired it directly to the Imp. Plug it into the PC, and it still says MC Cthulhu, as it should. I hold down the guide, and bam - Xbox 360 TE FightStick!

So then, I try the RJ-45 USB cable, and it says MC C. So I try the guide button, and… Yeah, no dice. So, is it a problem with how the imp is wired, maybe? Kinda stumped. I’ll keep at it in the meantime.