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™ (microswitches) , 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 switch on the back of the X-Arcade™ to Mode1(the position closest to the serial port), then push the button on the back of the X-Arcade™ twice (the light on the X-Arcade™ 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™ once the program is running and the pictured X-Arcade™ should move accordingly.
Download X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program
If the X-Arcade™ does not respond in the test, click here to verify proper 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 the X-Arcade™ types the functions shown on the default Mode1 button layout.
How do I use my X-Arcade™ with MAME for PC?
Before even starting to make your X-Arcade work with MAME, be sure it is working
with your PC first by using the X-Arcade
Test Program. Be sure that the X-Arcade™ is in MODE 1 (switch on back closest to the serial connection) for MAME, and that your keyboard's NUM LOCK is ON. Mode1
button layout.
If it does not respond as it should testing, click here to verify proper connection.
Once you have tested that the X-Arcade is working with the PC properly, be
sure you are also using the newest version of MAME32.
In MAME32, open Options (at the top), then "Default Game
Options", "Game Controllers" tab; and set your "Default input layout" to X-Arcade™ from the drop-down
list. All of your MAME games will work with that configuration. If joystick 1 is the only
thing not working, be sure that your NUM LOCK (NLOCK) key is ON
After you start a game, use the left pinball flipper button on the
left side of the X-Arcade 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 joystick
left then right. You can exit a game by holding the right start button and pressing the right pinball button simultaneously.
Enjoy classic gaming!
How do I use my X-Arcade™ with MacMAME for a Mac?
Before even starting to make your X-Arcade work with MacMAME, be sure it working
with your Mac first by using a word editor to test that the X-Arcade types
the functions shown on the default Mode1
button layout. Be sure that the X-Arcade™ is in MODE 1 (switch on back closest to the serial connection) for MAME, and that your keyboard's NUM LOCK is ON.
If it does not respond as it should testing, click here to verify proper connection.
Once you have tested that the X-Arcade 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 change the button layout to your
liking. 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!
Enjoy classic gaming!
Why can't I use the right side of the X-Arcade™ 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.
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. The only down side is that the person not playing
could interfere with the other's turn.
Click
Here to see the layout for this.
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 on your PC using the X-Arcade
Test Program to
check all functions of your X-Arcade™ in mode 1 first. Be sure your NUM
LOCK is ON for the test.
If all of the buttons and directions work properly in the test program, your
X-Arcade 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 button/direction does not work in the X-Arcade
Test Program, or you do not have access to a PC, you can open
the X-Arcade™ to check and see if the microswitch has
by chance simply fallen out of it's socket, and if it has just snap it
snugly back into place. Be sure there is nothing in between the microswitch
and the button causing them not to connect properly as well. Also check
that the wires on the microswitch are firmly attached to both the microswitch,
and the jumper on the PCB. You can also 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 these methods, please
click here to fill out an online case support request form for
further assistance
How do I use the X-Arcade™ with a USB or WIRELESS
KEYBOARD?
If you have a USB keyboard you can usually use a standard USB to PS/2
adapter to plug your keyboard into the back of the X-Arcade, and most USB keyboards
even come with this adapter. This may work, but the only way to find
out for sure with your hardware is to try it.
If you have a wireless keyboard/mouse combo with a single receiver
for both or have a wireless keyboard only and have a problem when using the
USB-PS/2 adapter mentioned above, you will need our USB
Adapter for
your X-Arcade which will allow you to plug the X-Arcade into a USB port. Keep
in mind though, you must have a keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade
to program it. You plug in a 2nd PS/2 keyboard into the back of the X-Arcade
for this purpose when needed.
How do I use the X-Arcade™ on my LAPTOP?
You need to boot the laptop up with the X-Arcade™ 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™.
Many laptop users will need our USB
Adapter to
use the X-Arcade™. Laptops in general are meant to run from low power
as they use a battery, and the X-Arcade™ is more demanding on the
PS/2 port than a regular keyboard.
Why is my keyboard double-typing, sticking, or freezing
using X-Arcade™?
Turn off your anti virus software. Anti virus
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.
If it is not the anti virus software, then
we have seen this problem a couple of times before, so we recognise those
symptoms. That basically means your PS/2 ports are not supplying enough power
to run the X-Arcade™. 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
Adapter.
How can I use more than one X-Arcade™ at a time on my
PC?
You can plug in up to 2 X-Arcade™ 2-Player controllers or 4 X-Arcade™ Solo 1-Player
controllers on your PC. You can plug one X-Arcade or Solo into the PS/2 port,
and any others must go into the USB ports using our USB
Adapter. For 2 Solos, you simply need to reprogram
1 of the controllers to be the player 2 controller using the same button
layout as the 2nd player side of our 2-player controller.
We are currently developing a hardware splitter that will let you use two X-Arcades
in one PS/2 keyboard port. To get on the list to be notified of this product, fill
out this form.
I have a loose connection to the X-Arcade™, how can I fix
it?
Is it a bad cable? To test this, while the
X-Arcade™ is on hold the center of the wire and jiggle slightly each
end of the cable to see which side of the cable has the loose connection.
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 could be a bad cable. If the same
side of the CONNECTION (to the PC/Console side or the X-Arcade side) is still
acting up, then it is likely the connection to the device (PC/Console or
X-Arcade™) and you should fill
out an online case support request form.
My Playstation 2 Adapter is not working properly, why?
Try unplugging the serial wire from DIRECTLY on
the back of the X-Arcade™ while the game is running, pause for about
10 seconds, , then reconnect it. This should fix the problem. This happens
on some Playstation 2 models, usually when there is a modchip installed.
If this trick does not work for you, please
fill out online case support request form.
How can I make the X-Arcade joystick more or less
sensitive?
To do this, you simply open
the X-Arcade™ and you will see the micro switches for
the joysticks. The metal arms on them can be adjusted toward the stick
for more sensitivity, or away for less. The best way to do this is to hold
the microswitch closed, and bend just the part of the arm that is past
the microswitch SLIGHTLY. Do this a little at a time and try it first as
this is quite a sensitive adjustment.
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