Is there a way I can build an adaptor to use a PS2 paddle on my computer for controlling the SSC-32 via the RIOS software? I have the Lynxmotion PS2 adaptor for the Botboard but does connecting it to the gamepad port on a PC require anything special other than correct pin locations?
Well I found a lsome links to a simple mod of connecting a USB port to an xbox controller:
llamma.com/xbox/Mods/xbox_co … pc_usb.htm
Real easy.
Then install the drivers:
sourceforge.net/project/showfile … e_id=96625
And if you have trouble installing then there are optional drivers and iinstructions for digital and analog options here:
llamma.com/xbox/Archive/xbcd.htm
Now I’m curious how similiar the xbox controller is to the PS2 one.
If you can simply solder 4 wires together to make an xbox paddle work, then why not a PS2 one?
The Xbox pin-out is:
1 - +5V
2 - Data +
3 - Data -
4 - Ground
So would there be an equivilant on the PS2? What would the Data + and - be? perhaps the Data and Com wires?
Sorry, I just answered my own question with a quick pin-out search.
It seems that an Xbox controller is already setup to act as a USB device, just uses different shaped plugs for the system. So the above link isn’t really a hack at all but just simply swapping connector on it. If that is the case, I could just pick up a cheap PS2 to Xbox adapter. They sell them at walmart so you can use a PS2 controller on an Xbox. I’m guessing this converts the PS2 connection to be a 4 wire USB ready connection for the xbox.
I suppose I could just buy an Xbox controller and swap the conencter for a USB one, but I have lots of PS2 pads and just wanted to see if it could be done. Or even easier yet, just buy a (PS2/Xbox-style) USB gamepad for $10. LOL
Also answered my first post. I’m too quick with the “New Thread” finger I guess. 
Here is the pinout of a 15 pin D-sub.
pinouts.ru/Inputs/GameportPC_pinout.shtml
It looks fun since it seems one could easily build their own controller using pots. From what I read, the joystick Axi pot have +5V on one side, return in the middle and the other connection is left unused. The center is 2.5 V and 0V and 5V are the extremes of the Axi. The pot outputs connect directly to the Joystick 1 X Axi, Joystick 1 Y Axi, etc. pins on the Gameport. And plain momentary buttons are a simple 1/0 output.
Looking at the pin-out for the gameport, it makes building a control station with 4 axis and buttons look pretty easy. What would be awesome is if the SEQ and RIOS had a joystick configuration feature so you can use a Gameport controller. Then you could simply asign the Axi outputs and button outputs to certain servos or groups of servos. Then you could control arms, rovers, biped, etc. with a custom made control pad or panel on the Gameport.
Am I the only one that thinks this is neat? 
Just ignore the fact that I’m having a conversation with myself on a thread, by myself. lol
I’m losing my marbles.
Here’s another good page with info on using analog pots and using digital circuits and pots:
technick.net/public/code/cp_ … oy_pc_game
And look what I found. I just happened to have a couple handfuls of single gimble joystick with 100kohm pots and even a trim slider… What? Doesn’t everyone have a handful of gimbles? 
I’m going to go do something useful now. 
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/gfisher2002/robots/gimbles.jpg
um, wow, between roughly 8am and 10:15am you made 4 involved posts. drink coffee much? 
I’ll hit the easy answer about the xbox controller and your PC. the xbox controller uses USB to communicate (basically the XBOX is a PC inside running a specialized version of Win2K) but it’s a little messed up in how it identifies itself to the USB protocol. basically you need an adapter cable and a driver. There were several projects on the web 3-5 years ago, and they were selling adapter cables even, to create a driver that would work with the xbox controller on the PC. the two I know of have gone the way of the dodo but you may be able to find something if you look.
Yup, got 3 different drivers. Just no Xbox controller to try it. lol So…I’m not really sure why I even bothered to look all that stuff up about the xbox controller anyways…
LOL ya, time for another pot of coffee. I’m working on my work robot all day and soldering loads of little tiny wires to about 4 DB25 ends. I have 2 sheets of paper with the pin references to the colors and numbers of which wires go to which pin on which plug with which other wires which need to be this long and put the shrink on before soldering and damn, forgot the shrink, and ohh, strip this and and then strip another 100 wires and then burn my finger and…
Ya…more coffee.
A while back geeks had the ps2/xbox to usb adapter for ~$5, but looks like they are currently out. The below game pad appears to have two analog pots built into it. For joystick control, a joystick would probably be better than a gamepad controller with analog pots.
geeks.com/details.asp?invtid … K2&cat=JOY
geeks.com/details.asp?invtid … 00&cat=JOY
