G-Darius - Joystick command problem

[Halloween Jack]

Hi Guys,

Just fired up my Egret II and G-Darius board after a long lay-off, and the right-directional joystick input is not working. I've brought up the test menu and can obtain positive results for the other joystick directions, just not the right direction. This issue affects both 1P and 2P controls. There's no problem with the hardware, because I've just been playing Hellfire without an issue.

I've reset the board back to factory defaults, but it hasn't made any difference.

Anyone have an idea as to the cause, or even know the PCB components that handle joystick inputs?

Many thanks,
Halloween Jack

[gray117]

Probably implied, but just in case :-

i) no issues with any other boards (i.e. no input is just on g-darius) ? ... suggesting loom/cab wiring/connection issue if same behaviour.

ii) firm and clean(ed) connection with g-darius board edge? ... pin 21 specifically...

Beyond that ... no idea/experience with this kind of thing beyond 'connectivity' - but maybe that's my ignorance!

[Halloween Jack]

Thanks for your response gray117.

In answer to your questions, the joysticks are fine on Hellfire so I'm assuming that there's not a hardware problem - the finger board is clean too, I've just taken a rubber to it

I'll have a closer look at PIN21 and see if I can spot anything - but as the other directional controls are recognised, I'd be surprised if its related to the physical connection......unless they're mapped to additional PINs.

Cheers,

HJ

[PC Engine Fan X!]

On my G-Darius Version 2 PCB, all joystick inputs are 100% operational from the get-go with an Egret II candy cab setup (including the "controls input test" screen from within the game menu settings). At one time, it was an original G-Darius PCB version 1 and all joystick inputs were working 100% as well. Sounds a bit odd that the "right" joystick input isn't registering properly on an Egret II candy cab setup with this particular Taito FX-1B powered PCB setup. I still do have the original version 1 eproms of G-Darius if it needed be to reboot it as such (but Version 2 is miles better in terms of gameplay and game mechanics quite easily).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Halloween Jack]

Thanks very much for your response PC Engine Fan X - I'm really not sure of the cause, so have no idea whether the switch out of the eproms would cure the problem. I may just cut my losses and pick up a new board, but will try a few more things before ditching this one.

Regards,

HJ

[bust3dstr8]

Have you tried tracing the signals back through the board? They should pass through a series of smd chip components like ferrites, resistors and caps. They may end up on an IC like a 2-1mux that has dead output or lifted pin. That could explain both signals going dead.

[Halloween Jack]

Thanks very much bust3dstr8, I will take a look and attempt a trace.

Regards,

HJ