X-Arcade™ BYO Kit Support

X-Arcade™ BYO Kit Advanced Installation Diagram

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Download the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program:

We have created the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program to test the buttons and directions on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit (microswitch connections) , proper connection to the PC, as well as verifying that it is ready for MAME™. This program can be run on a PC only, but should still be your first step to solving problems.

To use the test, first move the Mode Selector Switch to Mode1(the position with the yellow wire), then push the Mode Button twice (the light on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit should turn off from the first push, and back on with the second) to load Mode1. Be sure your NUM LOCK is ON for the test. You must also be sure that you are using the "Standard US" keyboard layout in your operating system or some buttons may read differently. You do not need to hit "F1" as indicated in the test utility, simply push the buttons and move the joysticks on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit once the program is running and the pictured X-Arcade™ should move accordingly.
Download X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program

If your Kit does not respond in the test at all, click here to verify proper system connection.

If a single button or direction does not work, click here for more help.

If you have a Mac, or any other operating system other than Windows™, you can simply use a word editor to test that your X-Arcade™ BYO Kit types the functions shown on the default mode 1 button layout.

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How do I use my X-Arcade™ BYO Kit with MAME™ for PC?

The first thing you want to do is test the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit on your PC using the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program to check that it is being recognized by your computer properly.

NOTE: The default button layout that MAME™ uses for the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is the exact same one that is used in the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program. This means that if your controller works in the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program, then it will work in MAME™. If it does not, then check your settings in MAME™, not the BYO Kit.
Download X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program

Once you have verified that the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is working with the PC properly, be sure you are also using the newest version of MAME™. In MAME™, open Options (at the top), then "Default Game Options", select the "Game Controllers" tab; and set your "Default input layout" to X-Arcade™ from the drop-down list (if you do not see an X-Arcade option here, download this file (right-click, save as) and put it in the "ctrlr" folder of MAME). All of your MAME™ games will work with that configuration.
NOTE: If joystick 1 is the only thing not working, be sure that your NUM LOCK (NLOCK) key is ON.

MAME™ Operation:

• After you start up a game, use the left pinball flipper button to insert coins, and press the white start button to play.
• You can also skip the screens which ask you to type "OK" by moving the joystick left then right (left for "O" and right for "K").
• You can exit a game by holding the player 2 start button and pressing the right pinball button simultaneously.
• You can change the controls for any game by simply pushing the "Tab" key while a game is already running to access the controls menu. The Input (general) option allows controller settings to be applied to all games. Input (this game) overrides the general input settings and adds custom controller settings for just the game being used.

Click here to get some games, and enjoy classic gaming!

If you need further help with the MAME™ software itself, read the Help file included with MAME™, or visit EasyEmu for step-by-step instructions.

Also check out these great front-ends with X-Arcade supported:

Emu Loader

UltraStyle

EasyMame

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How do I use my X-Arcade™ BYO Kit with MacMAME™ for a Mac?

Before even starting to make your X-Arcade™ BYO Kit work with MacMAME™, be sure it working with your Mac first by using a word editor to test that the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit types the functions shown on the default Mode 1 button layout. Be sure that the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is in MODE 1 by moving the Mode Selector Switch on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit to Mode1(the position with the yellow wire), then pushing the Mode button X-Arcade™ BYO Kit twice (the light on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit should turn off from the first push, and back on with the second) to load Mode1. Be sure your NUM LOCK is ON for testing.

If the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit does not type in the word editor, verify proper connection.

Once you have tested that the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is working with the Mac properly, be sure you are using the newest version of MacMAME™. After you start a game, hit the TAB key to enter the configuration menu, and either change the "Default Button Layout (General)" to change MacMAME™ to use the your configuration for all of it's games, or "Default Button Layout (This Game)" to change just the configuration for the game you are currently playing. Further information on setting it up with MacMAME™ can be found here. If you want an easy configuration for MacMAME™ made like the PC version, email the maker of MacMAME™ to let him know!48

Click here to get some games, and enjoy classic gaming!

Click here to get more information on emulation on the Mac.

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Why can't I use the right side of the X-Arcade™BYO Kit on some 2-player games in MAME™?

What you need to understand is that these games you are playing in MAME™ are not PC remakes of classics, they are the real arcade games being emulated on your PC. So if the game only had one set of controls that you took turns playing at the arcade, the emulation software cannot change that. Games that had 2-player simultaneous play will let you do so on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit.
You can however simply reprogram the 2nd player side's controls to the exact same buttons as the 1st player side for these games, and then you could use either side for playing. Keep in mind that the person not playing could interfere with the other's turn.
Click Here to see the layout for this.

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A Joystick Direction or Button is sticking or not working, what should I do?

The first thing you want to do is test the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit using the X-Arcade™ Test Utility program. This program can be run on a PC only, but should still be your first step to solving any problems. Download X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program

If all of the buttons and directions work properly in the test program, your X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is working properly, and you may need to simply configure it properly for the game/emulator you are trying to use it with. See MAME™ instructions above.

If a single button or direction does not work in the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program, or you do not have access to a PC, follow these simple steps to determine the problem:
1. Check to be sure you are in Mode 1.
2. Check if a microswitch has by chance simply fallen out of it's socket, and if it has just snap it snugly back into place.
3. Be sure there is nothing, for instance a wire, in between a microswitch and a button causing them not to connect properly.
4. Also check that the wires on the microswitches are firmly attached to both the microswitch, and the jumper on the PCB. You can unplug the jumper from the PCB, then reattach it firmly.
5. Finally try swapping another working microswitch with the one causing problems to see if it is a faulty microswitch.

If you need further assistance after trying everything above, click here to fill out an online case support request form to let us know.

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I have a loose connection somewhere, how can I fix it?

Tripping over the wires, or dropping any product can cause a connection to go bad. If you feel that you have a connection issue, you next want to determine if it caused by A) the serial cable, B) the PC or game console X-Adapter™, or C) the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit itself.

Is it the PC/console X-Adapte™r you are using? The best way to determine this is to try the controller on another PC/console if you have one. If the problem only happens on the one system, it is most likely the PC/console X-Adapter™. Consider this and move on to the next step to be sure.

Which side is the bad connection on? To test this, connect the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit firmly to the system you want to test on. While the system and X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is on, hold the center of the serial cable against something stable and jiggle slightly each end of the cable to see which side of the cable has the loose connection. Usually the LED on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit will blink while jiggling if there is a connection problem. Once you determine which side causes the problem, then remove the Serial Cable, flip it around the other way, and test it again. If the same side of the CABLE is still acting up, then it is likely a bad cable. If the same side of the CONNECTION (to the PC/Console side or the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit side) is still acting up, then it is likely the connection to the device (PC/Console or X-Arcade™ BYO Kit) and you should fill out an online case support request form letting us know the results of this test.

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How can I extend the length of the wires from the PCB to the microswitches?

You can either splice the wires to extend them, or simply buy male and female "Slide Connectors" to extend them without splicing the wires. These connectors can be purchased anywhere that electronics are sold (they are used on speakers), often in the automotive section of major retailers as well.

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How do I use the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit on a PC with a USB or WIRELESS KEYBOARD?

The X-Arcade™ BYO Kit will not work in a PS/2 keyboard port unless a keyboard is plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit when the computer boots up.

If you have a USB or wireless keyboard you may be able to use a standard USB to PS/2 adapter to plug your keyboard into the back of the X-Arcade™BYO Kit, many USB keyboards even come with this adapter. This may work, but the only way to find out for sure is to try it with your hardware.

If the USB to PS/2 adapter does not work for you, or if you have a wireless keyboard/mouse combo with a single USB receiver for both, you will need our USB X-Adapter™ for your X-Arcade™ BYO Kit which will allow you to plug the X-Arcade™BYO Kit into a USB port instead. With our USB X-Adapter™, you do not need to have a keyboard plugged into the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit to use it . Keep in mind though, you do need to have a keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit to program it., but you can simply plug any standard PS/2 keyboard into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit when you want to do so. Once the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is programmed, you can unplug the keyboard from the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit, and still use the programmed modes.

NOTE: The only USB adapter that will work properly with the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is the one that was made for it, a standard PS/2-USB adapter will not work.

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Why is my keyboard double-typing, sticking, or freezing when using X-Arcade™ BYO kit?

Turn off your antivirus software. Antivirus software when set to automatically scan for viruses, may have a default option to protect instant messenger programs set to on. This service starts with windows on boot up and could be causing the problem. Also try using a different keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit.

NOTE: The only USB adapter that will work properly with the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is the one that was made for it, a standard PS/2-USB adapter will not work.

Here are some common symptoms/reasons that you may need our USB X-Adapter™:

• If you notice that you cannot get a response by pressing one button (does not type), but if you press two buttons at once it types a single letter into a word editor.
• If your PC speaker beeps when you press buttons or directions on the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit.
• If the Caps Lock or Num Lock comes on by themselves, Shift or Ctrl buttons get stuck, or menus are highlighted by themselves.
• If keyboard keys are double-typing letters or characters.
• If you get "keyboard error" when starting your PC with the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit connected.
• If you have a laptop with no PS/2 keyboard port, or you do not wish to use an external keyboard to use theX-Arcade™ BYO Kit on your laptop.
• If you do not wish to shut off your computer to disconnect the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit from the keyboard port when you want to use the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit on a game console.
• If you have a wireless keyboard, or keyboard/mouse receiver.
• If your PC does not have a PS/2 keyboard port, or you have a MAC.

The symptoms listed above happen on a small percentage of computers. If you have these symptoms that basically means that your PS/2 ports are not supplying enough power to run the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit. There is no set standard for power output from a motherboard's PS/2 ports like there is on VGA, Serial, and USB ports. The only fix therefore would be to get our USB X-Adapter™.

The USB X-Adapter™ works the same way as the standard PS/2 connection, there are no drivers to install, the X-Arcade™ is simply seen as a USB keyboard to your computer. With it, you have the choice to use a PS/2 keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™, or keep the PS/2 keyboard plugged into the PS/2 keyboard port. Keep in mind though, to reprogram the X-Arcade™ you will need a PS/2 keyboard plugged into it.

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How do I use the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit on my LAPTOP?

The X-Arcade™ BYO Kit will not work in the PS/2 keyboard port unless a keyboard is plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit. You need to boot the laptop up with the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit already plugged in and set to MODE 1 (switch on back closest to the serial connection), and with a PS/2 keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit.

Many laptop users will simply need our USB X-Adapter™ to use the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit. Laptops in general are meant to run from low power as they use a battery, and the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is more demanding on the PS/2 port than a regular keyboard.
NOTE: The only USB adapter that will work properly with the X-Arcade™ BYO Kit is the one that was made for it, a standard PS/2-USB will not work

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How can I use more than one X-Arcade™ BYO Kit at a time on my PC?

You can plug one X-Arcade™ BYO Kit into the PS/2 keyboard port, and any others into USB ports using our USB X-Adapter™. You cannot plug one X-Arcade™ BYO Kit into another. You will want to reprogram the 2nd X-Arcade™ BYO Kit to use different buttons/directions.

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How can I disable the "StickyKeys" shortcut?

The "StickyKeys" shortcut is activated by default by hitting the Shift key 5 times on your keyboard. To disable it, hit the Shift key 5 times to activate the StickyKeys shortcut (if it does not come up, then you do not need to continue). Click the "Settings" button, on the next window that appears click the first "Settings" button again under StickyKeys, and finally uncheck the checkmark next to "Use Shortcut". Click the "Ok" buttons to get out of these windows, and it should no longer bother your gameplay.

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