Ems Usb2 Problem

Linknisity50 · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004

I have a 60 day deadline...thats almost up. I dont even know for sure yet if my pad is in fact defective, or if it really is the USB powering issue. All I know is that after unplugging everything else, it still lost power after a few minutes...

hooded__paladin · Trick Member Joined: 10 Nov 2003

well, find someone with a powered USB hub, and hurry. Then return it if it doesn't work. It also could be the fact that your controllers just plain draw too much power - in that case, you're out of luck for this adapter, try another adapter or less power-hungry controllers. (Yeah, I know, not a good option.)

Linknisity50 · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004

Ok so, ive baught two different adapters, a 200 dollar redoctane metal mat...40 buck shipping, and a 25 dollar powered usb hub. The hub even says on the box, it will power 4 things with optimal performance and power...for quick usb stuff, etc etc. The powered USB hub works just as well as taking out all my other USB devices...My mat is still having troubles. Keep in mind, sending the pad back would probably be 40 bucks there and 40 bucks back. They do not handle shipping in the 60 day no questions asked return, I dont think. But heck, if they do pay for shipping, ill send it back.... NO ONE who buys a new pad, should receive it with dents, and then find out after days (more like a month) of testing that it doesnt work. Powered Usb hub or not, this thing doesnt want to work, even with the adapter MADE for it, for PC use...with optimal power.

This of course would all be sad and stupid if in fact it was my computers fault, or if it was that step mania doesnt support the controller correctly, since its a USB control box..Augh, so confusing...What suggestions do you guys have now for me....

Edit: Ive been trying to get a hold of redoctane about this issue, but as soon as they heard that Ive done everything they know what to do to fix most of their problems, they ran away and wont email me back...I get a reply from them every day for a week, then suddenly I dont exhist, in 4 days of straight emailing. ***NEVER BUY A REDOCTANE PRODUCT***

hooded__paladin · Trick Member Joined: 10 Nov 2003

okay, now's the time to use the wonderful powers of logic and deduction.

The USB is not the problem.
Stepmania is not the problem (software like that doesn't interfere with hardware things on a low level.)

My guess is that pad draws too much power. It would work in a Playstation1/2 but that adapter doesn't supply enough to keep up. I don't know what adapter would be better, but apparently that one is not for you.

Linknisity50 · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004

Well stepmania works better with certain adapters. Its made to take a certain type of control box. But the one that I have, as seen here http://www.redoctane.com/controlboxpc.html is just not working correctly for whatever reason. The control box is made for use on the metal pad with a USB connection. I have no clue why it wouldnt work right, when its actually made for the original product. Ive spent wayyy to much money on this already, I dont want to have to buy yet another adapter...If it wasnt for the awesome reviews this pad had, I wouldnt have baught it. Seeing as how its a pile of junk thats power hungry as heck, I dont even know if I want to keep it. I might just return everytthing and get a 150 dollar pad with a normal PS2/USB adapter. This is rediculous redoctane..

akm3 · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Location: Spokane WA

OK This is good progress then. We've confirmed improved performance by freeing up USB power draws. Using a separately powered USB hub (as I suggested earlier) may solve the issue of the adapters 'forgetting' they are in dance mode.

However, it might not!

Whos gonna test it

My wireless adapters + EMSUSB2 are on the way.

-Allen
_________________

I'm old.

eliminest · Basic Member Joined: 07 Apr 2004

I hear ya. I was not surprised to hear that your pad came with dents in it, mind did as well, with some dirt and scratches, and although I've gotten used to the pad for the most part, it still pretty much registers steps on about half of the arrow panel (the middle). I am pretty sure I am about to order the EMS USB2 to use with my redoctane metal pad and konami soft pad for StepMania on PC, because liksang seems to be out of the smartjoy converter and this one is second on the compatibility list on stepmania.com. I hope this thing does not let me down.

Linknisity50 · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004

akm3 · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Location: Spokane WA

OK So the USB port is pumping out the correct amount of power, but the pads are drawing too much current ... That is more difficult to solve.

Anyone have ideas?

I assume different pads will draw different amounts of power. I assume that the nice pads (RedOctane/Cobalt Flux) draw more power then crappy $20 softpads.

Why don't you try playing with two crappy $20 softpads and seeing if you still have the problem?
_________________

I'm old.

Linknisity50 · Trick Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004

My friends got a pad that has lights that light up, and is bigger, with the same things inside, because we both took ours apart to see the difference....Its the same exact wires, same pad, same inside, only mines half as thick because of the frame redoctane uses (which is the only good thing about them). His cable to the control box has less prongs than mine, so his wont fit onto mine...I cant just test the adapter alone. But I will say that we have the same exact mechanics, in a different frame, and his draws power enough to register all the PSMO steps, and has lights....So I have a hard hard time finding it to be the power at all. After fixing any type of power issue the pad might have had, it seems the pad is just defective by itself. If redoctane will pay for shipping there and back, Im getting a new one and seeing if that will make a difference...

Ive tried everything, but nothing really wants to work... Im glad I had all your help though, I managed to get a lot farther than I would have alone.