OKay, so I’m proud to announce the big brother of the TEasy Mod, the TEasy Srike!
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The TEasy Strike is the big brother of the TEasy Mod, giving the user all of what the TEasy Mod allowed, but with new and even better things to offer. The TEasy Strike is designed to interface to the Madcatz Xbox 360 Fightstick, both the SE and TE versions. It’s designed it to allow for near, and even fully solderless electrical mods for these arcade sticks. The way I’ve accomplished this is through the use of some very special spring loaded pins, placed at the precise spots where you would normally have to solder to.
As you can tell, there are actual components on the board this time around, and it’s no surprise that this design has integrated the Dual Strike. This effectively makes the TEasy Strike an out of box 100% solderless dual mod board for your 360 Fightstick (e.g. TEasy Strike = TEasy Mod + Dual Strike).
However, one of the biggest upgrades is the front terminals. They’re no longer screw terminals, they’re IDC, or punch terminals. These allow the outgoing USB wire to be attached without stripping, twisting, folding, or anything else. Just clean the end of the 4 wires of any epoxy from the factory and insert the insulated wires into the terminals. From there you use a flat head screw driver, which fits in the head of the orange top nicely, and push down with a firm pressure and it will bite into the wire.
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This turns a dual mod into an even simpler task, as now you don?t even need wire strippers. The TEasy Strike also accesses the LEFT STICK and RIGHT STICK points, so you can now use the LS/DP/RS switch to it?s full extent on the PS3 as well as the Xbox 360. Perfect for SHMUPS and side scroll beat-em-ups like Scott Pilgrim, where the left analog stick comes in handy. Follow the post install instructions for a full description on how to access this.
**How do you install this board? **
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Before doing anything, after you sit down touch something grounded. The board has active components and the last thing you want to do is shock them with ESD.
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Disconnect the original 360TE PCB and CUT THE USB cable away from it, remove as many of the ribbon cables as you want on it. If this is your first mod I’d suggest removing them all but that’s completely up to you. Unscrew the TE PCB and remove it from it’s spot.
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Look at the front terminals and examine them, they’re punch terminals, and currently they’re in the down and locked position. Use a small flat head screw driver to pry them all up until they click. You can use the back fin as leverage, that’s what it’s there for. If they pop out don’t worry just press them back into the shrouding.
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Unhinge the corner clips on the TEasy Strike, flay them out as much as possible. It helps a lot to have these open before you install the TS.
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Install the included spacers, wide portion of the spacer facing down.
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Screw down TEasy Strike in the same spot where the 360 PCB originally was, utilizing the stock screws already there. Don’t over-tighten them, it’s easy to strip the standoffs.
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Tighten down the center screw until it basically touches the case… DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN. Just giving it a finger tightening should be plenty.
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I suggest first attaching the USB cable, so you’ll want to prep the USB cable by removing the shrink wrap that’s on it to expose about 1/2 to 3/4" of wire, you might have to cut more of the jacket off. Just cut off the shield ground wire, that’s the fat black one, and trim down any stray bare ground wires. After that, cut the front of the wires to remove the epoxy that’s left on them from the factory, this leaves you with clean ends for easy insertion to the terminals. Leave the insulation on, do not strip the wires.
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Once the cable is prepped, insert the 4 USB wires into the TS front terminals, when looking down at it after install, if you can’t see the silk screen labels it’s this arrangement from top to bottom:
® USBVCC
(W) D-
(G) D+
(B) GROUND
There will be a 5th thicker black wire, that?s the Shield Ground. You may clip that short, as it?s not needed, just the smaller black ground wire.
Take note that the spot in the terminal that cuts into the wires is about halfway into the terminal, so make sure that your wires are all the way in and touching the back. That’s why I suggested having 1/2 to 3/4" of wire exposed.
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Once they’re in, use your flat head screw driver to punch down the terminals on the wire. You don’t need to use herculean strength to do this, just a bit of constant firm pressure should do. Just be smart and don’t snap the board by pressing too hard.
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When the terminals are locked into punched position, give the USB cable a tug to make sure they’re in tight. If one or more wires come out, just try again by prying the terminals up again and starting over.
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Prep the 360TE PCB for install by trimming the through hole leads. You only have to trim the spots that the TEasy Mod will touch that involves a through hole header. i.e. every connection listed in the pinout except USBVCC, GND, D+, D-, only clip those if you feel they are extremely bent to one side or something.
- You should also clip the LEFT STICK and RIGHT STICK points, as the TEasy Strike now includes connections for those to be used as well.
Picture of what I mean in step 12.
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2958/clipexample.png
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Align the pins in the back row with the cup tips of the pogos, and as I instruct in the video for the TEasy Mod (It?s the same process), clam shell the board down onto the rest of the TS. After that, press down evenly and clip it into place.
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Once your?e done, put the stock ribbon cables back in place and plug it into your PC. For the first time plugging it into your PC do this: Hold these buttons before plugging it in, then unplug and try the next button before plugging in. ONE AT A TIME, not a combination. Double and triple check the ribbon cables to make sure they’re in the original spots, if not you run the risk of damaging both your 360 PCB and the TEasy Strike.
- Hold HK ? Should bring up Dual Strike PC mode
- Hold MP ? Should bring up 360TE
If these modes come up fine (and they should), you?re good to go!
Check the Spoiler for how to set LS/RS.
Post Install Things
Spoiler
The TEasy Strike?s PS3 controller, the Dual Strike, is always being updated with new features and firmware. All firmware updates, documentation, and links to the Strike Devices support mailing list are hosted on Google Docs At This Location.
** Firmware**
If the installation is sucessful, but you don?t seem to have the latest firmware. I suggest going to the above link, grabbing the latest FW release and updating by holding Start when you plug your Fightstick into your PC and run the update_firmware_168.bat file. Exact directions are in the documentation if you?re unclear on something.
** LS/RS Control**
After you update the firmware, you should get familiar with the awesome configuration editor. This will allow you to set your device to your liking, as well as activate LS/RS capabilities.
Grab the configuration editor (you must have Java installed), and run the configuration_editor_atmega168.bat file. Hold Select and plug in your stick, the little icon in the bottom right will turn green to show that you?re connected.
In the top left click the button to download the current configuration of the device, then go to the ?Hardware? tab and set this:
http://www.phreakmods.com/wp-content?9102552594.png
Then in the top left again click on the button to ?upload the current configuration to the device?
When you?re done, press start and the little icon will turn red again, indicating that you?ve disconnected and it?s OK to unplug.
You should now be able to switch between control modes.
Check the Spoiler for further information.
Advanced Stuffs
Spoiler
You may also go a step further and utilize the 20 position unshrouded header for more advanced modifications. Simply use a single ended ribbon cable, peel and strip the leads, and connect them to whatever other PCB or mod you wish to utilize. The TEasy Strike breaks out all necessary lines for many kinds of modifications.
- Please note that although I have given easy access to these lines, support will not be given for advanced modifications.
Here’s the pinout of the end header, PIN 1 is indicated with a small solid triangle on the silk screen of the board.
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Which arcade sticks does this work with?
Currently there are two versions, the TEasy Strike and the TEasy Strike S.
The difference in the boards:
** * TEasy Strike: This board works on ALL round 1/2 Madcatz TE/SE sticks (see note 1), including Femme Fatale/MvC/Comic-Con Limited Editions**
** * TEasy Strike S: This board works on the Madcatz SSF4 TE sticks, Chun Li Blue, and more than likely the newer sticks coming out with the release of Marvel vs. Capcom 3.**
Note 1: After some usage on friend’s SE and Round 1 TE sticks, it has come to my attention that there is one style of SE/TE ROUND 1 PCB that the TEasy Strike will NOT work with, please see below:
The board I’m referring to is “Rev. A,” the LAUNCH board that came with some SE and Round 1 TE sticks before they fixed it very quickly and updated to “Rev. B” which is the standard for 95% of the SE/TE sticks I’ve worked with and seen. Below are pictures of how you can tell if you have a “Rev. A” board.
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http://www.phreakmods.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/0122111404a-150x150.jpg
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This board is easily distinguishable by the crystal oscillator (the silver oblong part) being populated on the under side of the board. You can also tell by the little capacitors that have been added by hand by the factory people. That’s why it looks terrible, and why they revisioned it so quickly.
Please make sure you do not have this style of board before ordering the TEasy Strike. If you do, you can try and find a newer Round 1/2 style of PCB and swap it out into your stick, they are identical in electrical function but the measurements are different. You’re going to want to try and find a “Rev. B” or higher revision which is in 95% of the Round 1/2 sticks in circulation. If you have a round 2 T.E. or MvC/other limited T.E. don’t worry, this will not be in your stick.
Videos
Since the install is very similar, I’m going to leave these here for reference for now until some new videos get made 
Videos
Spoiler
Here’s a short video I made of a TEasy Mod being installed into a Round 1 TE, utilizing a Dual Strike board in conjunction with it for maximum ease.
[media=youtube]DA7nLKVIbUA[/media]
FAQ
I have an issue with a directional/button that happens on both systems
Spoiler
This means said button/joystick microswitch is probably dying/dead, swap it with a known working one to test out with.
Works flawless in 360/passthrough modes, PS3/PC side has x issues
Spoiler
This will be done on your PC. Always have the Game Controller applet open for feedback.
First, download and run this:
http://svn.combo-convention.de/filedetails.php?repname=dualstrike&path=/Firmware/Releases/Dual_Strike_Name_Update.reg
That will clear the dual strike’s info from the registry.
After that is finished, download this:
http://svn.combo-convention.de/filedetails.php?repname=dualstrike&path=/Firmware/Releases/Dual_Strike_Firmware_V3.2.0_Update.zip
Unzip the file to a location, it won’t work if you try it while it’s still zipped up. Then hold START while plugging in your TE. You should hear the USB connection sound but even if you don’t, let go of start and proceed to run this file: update_firmware_atmega168.bat
It will attempt to update the firmware on the dual strike.
Once that is done, unplug your TE, then re-plug it in with HK held down with the controllers applet open.
It was working and now it doesn’t get recognized anymore.
Spoiler
Step 1. Try to re-flash the firmware:
Download this
http://svn.combo-convention.de/filedetails.php?repname=dualstrike&path=/Firmware/Releases/Dual_Strike_Firmware_V3.2.0_Update.zip
Unzip the files to a location, it won’t work if you try it while it’s still zipped up. Then hold START while plugging in your TE. You should hear the USB connection sound (and should even see the Dual Strike come up in the Controller App.) but even if you don’t, let go of start and proceed to run this file: update_firmware_atmega168.bat
Did it update the firmware successfully?
If it worked, test the modes on your PC again like you did when you first installed.
If it didn’t update, or told you “Unknown HID Device” move to step 2.
Step 2. Unclip the 360 board from the TEasy Strike, and move the TEasy Strike outside of the TE case. Try the TEasy Strike on it’s own, testing it with the stock USB cable or another cable you can remove the B end from. If it still isn’t coming up correctly, send me an email so I can diagnose the symptoms and worse case will just have you send me the board to be fixed.
Install Pics
SeeKay90’s Install
Tri Mod Application using the breakout header
How much, and what comes with it?
*TEasy Strike Kit = $50
*TEasy Strike S Kit = $50
Currently included is:
1 x TEasy Strike assembled and tested board
4 x Flanged spacers
Shipping Costs:
US: $6
Canada: $12
Everywhere Else: $14
How to order:
Order through my website here: http://www.phreakmods.com/products/teasy-strike
You can also contact me via PM, but a better way is to simply email me: clayton@phreakmods.com