NEED HELP: Joystick Shield + Mach III + Virtual ][ emulator + M1 Mac

skate323k137

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Hmmm. I wonder if there is firmware that some code lines can be adjusted on RM's Joystick Shield? 🤨

For example, if the Joystick Shield detects that it is not reading up to 255,255, compensate so that it sends up to 255,255 out via USB to the modern computer. 🤓
I was pondering the same, seemed a normal calibration function of early PC games.
 

skate323k137

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Well I took one of my two CH mach joysticks which works fine on my IIE and plugged it into the Joystick shield (original firmware, have not updated it yet).

I cannot fully get to DOWN or RIGHT (UP and LEFT will max out). If I center it, I max out toward bottom right at a far cry from max, just 197,193

Suppose I should update this firmware :/
 
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JDW

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Hmmm. I wonder if there is firmware that some code lines can be adjusted on RM's Joystick Shield? 🤨
As I mentioned in this earlier post, Henry from ReactiveMicro saw an issue on his end and he altered something in the firmware and sent me this HEX file. I downloaded and flashed that file to my Joystick Shield, but it did not resolve the problem (when two capacitors are installed).

Well I took one of my two CH mach joysticks which works fine on my IIE and plugged it into the Joystick shield (original firmware, have not updated it yet).
I cannot fully get to DOWN or RIGHT (UP and LEFT will max out). If I center it, I max out toward bottom right at a far cry from max, just 197,193
I would recommend you email Henry about that, mentioning specifically that you have a CH MACH joystick and have been experiencing the same issue as I (James Wages) have been. Maybe he can alter the firmware again, which can ultimately lead to a resolution of the issue.
 

skate323k137

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I can reach out to Henry, no problem. Especially since the new .hex file actually made it less sensitive and thus worsened the problem. I'll follow up with anything I hear back.
 
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JDW

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I can reach out to Henry, no problem. Especially since the new .hex file actually made it less sensitive and thus worsened the problem. I'll follow up with anything I hear back.
The only one thing I never asked him is perhaps something you still can... What part of the code affects the outer reach of the stick when it's pulled right and pulled down. If we know how to fiddle with the code, then compile it, we already know how to program a HEX file, so it would then be a matter of playing with a few numbers (I guess) until the right numbers are plugged into the code to fix the problem. I suppose Henry could do that for us, but he might tire of if after a few iterations, so if he is able to instruct us how to do it, that might prove to be the best solution overall.
 

retr01

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@skate323k137, I saw something in the Apple Joystick user guide. Can you try that and see what happens? @JDW, I wonder if this is something similar...

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retr01

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@retr01
Download Computer Inspector and use the Joystick calibration program. It's what I use and works fine in the Virtual ][ emulator. It's better than those simplistic BASIC programs which only show the two numbers.

Yeah. From what I've seen here and there, MECC's Computer Inspector is incredible. I'll check that out. ;)

By the way, @JDW, MECC is Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium that was formed in 1971 to provide various programs in educational circles. Some of their programs, like Oregon Trial and Computer Inspector, are great! :)


 

JDW

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...debugging with Virtual ][ to see what is happening when the X and Y positions are being registered to Virtual ][ showing up in the joystick calibration module of the MECC Computer Inspector program? :unsure:
Great idea, although beyond my capabilities. I do appreciate that link though. Interesting to see Karateka can accommodate two players now, although both are stuck with the keyboard.
 

retr01

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I do appreciate that link though. Interesting to see Karateka can accommodate two players now, although both are stuck with the keyboard.

Yeah. The patch is stuck to the keyboard. Maybe it is because the person did not realize could have two joysticks, which is a possibility to have instead of using the keyboard.
 

JDW

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Maybe it is because the person did not realize could have two joysticks, which is a possibility to have instead of using the keyboard.
Well, I have a big enough headache right now with just the one joystick, at least when it comes to getting Joystick Shield to JustWorkâ„¢ with my Mach III's internal capacitors. And while I could drill holes in my joystick to accommodate a mechanical switch to enable/disable the caps, it's far better to just hack the firmware of the Joystick Shield to make it do what it should do, regardless of caps being there.

@skate323k137, were you able to get in touch with Henry of ReactiveMicro?
 
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retr01

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Well, I have a big enough headache right now with just the one joystick, at least when it comes to getting Joystick Shield to JustWorkâ„¢ with my Mach III's internal capacitors. And while I could drill holes in my joystick to accommodate a mechanical switch to enable/disable the caps, it's far better to just hack the firmware of the Joystick Shield to make it do what it should do, regardless of caps being there.

Agreed.

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skate323k137

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Mar 7, 2022
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Well, I have a big enough headache right now with just the one joystick, at least when it comes to getting Joystick Shield to JustWorkâ„¢ with my Mach III's internal capacitors. And while I could drill holes in my joystick to accommodate a mechanical switch to enable/disable the caps, it's far better to just hack the firmware of the Joystick Shield to make it do what it should do, regardless of caps being there.

@skate323k137, were you able to get in touch with Henry of ReactiveMicro?
I've had a couple projects going, amd this week has been a lot at the day job, but I'll reach out to him ASAP and follow up here. You can also feel free to point him to my posts here in the mean time if it helps.
 
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