|
|
Post by c64stuff on May 18, 2021 13:59:05 GMT
I recently purchased an ICode adapter for $29 that allows you to use atari plug style joysticks, paddles, and the drive paddle (for driving games) with USB devices. He sells several but I purchased the two port non bluetooth that features 6 buttons on the box that allows navigation of GUI menues without a keyboard, since obviously most Atari plug style joysticks only have one button.
After researching a bunch of Atari plug to usb adapters I decided on his because it seemed to have the most features and compatibility with a wide range of devices such as Retropie. Unfortunately, he notes that in order to work with the mini and maxi here's what his ad says:
NOTE: If you are wondering if it will work on C64 Mini or Maxi:
I do support C64 Mini/Maxi if you are using Carousel on your unit. You will need to modify this one line in the gameconttollersdb.txt file on your carousel drive:
Locate this line: 030000008f0e00001330000010010000,HuiJia SNES Controller,a:b2,b:b1,back:b8,dpdown:+a1,dpleft:-a0,dpright:+a0,dpup:-a1,leftshoulder:b6,rightshoulder:b7,start:b9,x:b3,y:b0,platform:Linux,
Change to: 030000008f0e00001330000001010000,HuiJia SNES Controller,righttrigger:b3,start:b5,x:b2,a:b4,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,righttrigger:b0,platform:Linux,
So I've got a few questions. First, what text editor do I use to modify this? Because I think I read certain ones can screw up the file because of how they code return lines? Second, once I modify this will I have to modify it again every time I update the mini or maxi firmware, or every time I update Project Carousel?
I could really use a step by step on doing this. I'm anxious to use atari joysticks on the mini and maxi, as well as paddles for the C64 Arkarnoid and driving games like Lemans.
Btw, the ICode works great on Retropie. Simply assign the buttons on the box for navigation and your joystick directional and fire buttons just like any other controller when it's plugged into Retropie for the first time. I haven't messed with the paddles or drive paddle yet so I don't know if there's more involved with Retropie for that or if you need to setup individual emulators. Any input on that is also welcome. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by spannernick on May 18, 2021 15:18:33 GMT
You can use Notepad on Windows or even better Notepad++(Plus Plus) notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/ I use it all the time, its just a normal text file, and you can do it with PCUAE, PCUAE overmounts the text file on the firmware so all you do is go into and open gamecontrollerdb.txt to add it, you add it by opening gamecontrollerdb.txt file and adding that line to the end of the file(copy and paste it) then save gamecontrollerdb.txt file and your done. 030000008f0e00001330000010010000,HuiJia SNES Controller,a:b2,b:b1,back:b8,dpdown:+a1,dpleft:-a0,dpright:+a0,dpup:-a1,leftshoulder:b6,rightshoulder:b7,start:b9,x:b3,y:b0,platform:Linux,
Change to: 030000008f0e00001330000001010000,HuiJia SNES Controller,righttrigger:b3,start:b5,x:b2,a:b4,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,righttrigger:b0,platform:Linux,If you use PCUAE then you do not need to mess around with your firmware, PCUAE is on the front page of the forum or on my signature(Project Carousel USB - Anniversary Edition) If you do want to use PCUAE and do not understand anything, ask here or on the PCUAE thread and I will help you or if I am busy, I am sure someone on the forum will. |
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on May 18, 2021 15:40:36 GMT
Thx! You're definitely a wealth of info helping the mini and maxi community.
One final question for clarity. So since I'm using Project Carousel I'll edit the file you indicated for that, but will I have to modify or copy and replace that file every time I update Project Carousel, or does an update leave that file alone?
Btw, I'm probably mistaken but did I see a thread on here where you guys were requesting controllers to add to your config file for Project Carousel to expand the mini and maxi controllers compatibility? If so can you add that to your list? If I'm mistaken, then I'd like to suggest you guys add a sticky to the top of the joysticks forum requesting the config text of various controllers people are using and constantly update that file for future versions of Project Carousel.
It seems to me one of the biggest drawbacks to the mini and maxi for the casual user is they're finding they're favorite controllers won't work. You would think RetroGames would have made it a priority to already have as expansive of a compatible list built into the firmware.
|
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on May 18, 2021 17:10:06 GMT
Update: It's not working. Not sure why. I found that line in the project carousel config file using notepad and deleted it using Cut, then I used chrome to copy the replacement text and pasted it into the same spot using notepad. Put the USB back in the maxi and plugged in the ICode and an Atari joystick. Booted the maxi and none of the buttons on the ICode or the joystick worked. Realized I may need to install project Carousel for that config file to overwrite the stock firmware, so I plugged the stock maxi joystick into the maxi and navigated to system information and installed the project carousel firmware. Still doesn't work. Whether I unplug the stock maxi joystick or not, the ICode and Atari joystick doesn't work.
I'm guessing one of two things might be the issue. Maybe copying that config line in chrome doesn't use it for paste in notepad, and all I did was paste back in the old text I cut out? Or, if there's a separate config file for the stock firmware that's not the same file project carousel uses, maybe I also need to paste it in there or the ICode gets confused on bootup of the maxi and isn't configuring when I install project carousel after bootup?
|
|
iCode
Creatures
Posts: 18
|
Post by iCode on May 18, 2021 18:15:07 GMT
The firmware for the newer iCode devices were updated so the string you need to use might be slightly different. I will review this over weekend and reply back with the update on what string you should use in your gamecontrollers txt file. I will also post a short video that will walk through the process.
I have not tested below with the new firmware yet but I know some of them also work with this so you can try it in the interim:
030000008f0e00001330000001010000,iCode Retro Gaming Adapter,a:b4,b:b5,back:b6,lefttrigger:b0,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,righttrigger:b1,start:b7,x:b3,y:b2,platform:Linux,
|
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on May 18, 2021 22:18:36 GMT
Cool thx. Btw the firmware on my ICode right now is not 7, which I think is your latest. At power up it's something below that number. I bought one from you roughly a month or so ago so it's whatever version you were shipping then. I'll try the code you just posted with it, and if it doesn't work I'll update the firmware to whatever is your latest before proceeding with your future suggestions. Thx again.
|
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on May 20, 2021 21:00:21 GMT
Just an update. I used the original config file again, not modded with my first attempt at adding the controller info posted in the first message, and then pasted the other line suggested above to the end of the file. I then booted up with only the ICode plugged in and an Atari joystick plugged into port one on the ICode.
It wasn't working so I then plugged in the stock maxi joystick and navigated to the system info and installed Project Carousel. I still had no joystick control from the ICode, but the odd thing is I loaded the Load carousels screen to pick a carousel using the stock maxi joystick and when in that "pick a carousel screen" the stock joystick stopped working and suddenly the ICode and Atari joystick worked.
However, when I picked a carousel to load and it put me back at the carousel it was back to the stock joystick working but not the ICode and Atari joystick.
Another odd thing is I think the screen on the ICode was only on at initial power up but not any other time. Isn't it supposed to be on all the time? I think it does when using Retropie.
Btw I plan to retry the first config data in this thread using the unmodified original config file again because I have my suspensions I may have botched the pasting of it replacing the line it was supposed to replace. The second config you suggested I pasted to the end of the file and didn't replace anything because it looks like you meant to do that with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on Jun 11, 2021 22:54:21 GMT
Guess there's no update from him yet on fixing this thing so it will work with the mini and maxi. Shame, cuz it works great with Retropie. These issues aren't exclusive to this adapter. Many seem to have incompatible issues with various hardware. It blows my mind that a simple 4 direction Atari joystick with a fire button, or paddles for that matter, can't easily be adapted to usb input.
|
|
|
|
Post by spannernick on Jun 15, 2021 22:38:20 GMT
These are made in America, they look homemade, I mean a 3d printed case, is there a way of making one, it would cost to much for me to get one from the US to test to see if I could get it to work with PCUAE. If its easy to make one then I could see if I could get it to work properly with PCUAE...? what does the adater act like, like a HID..?
Here is a video of the adapter and inside it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jj0 on Jun 16, 2021 8:37:10 GMT
It wasn't working so I then plugged in the stock maxi joystick and navigated to the system info and installed Project Carousel. I still had no joystick control from the ICode, but the odd thing is I loaded the Load carousels screen to pick a carousel using the stock maxi joystick and when in that "pick a carousel screen" the stock joystick stopped working and suddenly the ICode and Atari joystick worked. However, when I picked a carousel to load and it put me back at the carousel it was back to the stock joystick working but not the ICode and Atari joystick. I think the Carousel and the 'pick a carousel' screen use different methods to access the joysticks. The former uses SDL and the gamecontrollerdb.txt configuration file (and then on top of that the CJM files) which is not working for your iCode device but is for the standard joystick. The latter uses the first Linux joystick device directly so if the iCode device happens to be the first detected joystick it uses that. Right, spannernick ?Best thing to do is start with an empty gamecontrollerdb.txt file and only put in the definitions for the standard Mini/Maxi joysticks and only one definition for the iCode device. If that doesn't work then it would be best to recheck if the ID string is correct. Update: Check out this post to get the correct ID string. |
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on Jul 10, 2021 12:25:36 GMT
Just an update. ICode just posted a video on YouTube about setting it and atari paddles up on Retropie in at least the Stella emulator for atari 2600 games. I'll be playing with editing TheC64 config file using the latest information you guys have posted in this and another thread to see if I can get the atari joysticks and ICode working with the mini and maxi and report back.
|
|
|
|
Post by spannernick on Jul 10, 2021 16:59:05 GMT
What this video...?
If you scan it with GUID Discovery in PCUAE 1.5.1 you will find out its real GUID and then be able to make its GUID Mapping String with SDL2 Gamepad Tool and then use it in gamecontrollerdb.txt file.
|
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on Jul 10, 2021 17:14:17 GMT
Cool thx. Are you just talking about the joysticks or also the paddles?
|
|
|
|
Post by spannernick on Jul 10, 2021 17:46:07 GMT
Cool thx. Are you just talking about the joysticks or also the paddles? They will not work in the carousel, I do have some Atari Paddles that work on my C64C from my Atari VCS, but I think THEC64 only uses digital in the carousel but in VICE mode(PCUAE 1.5.1) you can set the Joystick to Paddle cause VICE supports it so Paddles will work if you have the right adapter that supports them. And if you plug in a USB Mouse that works too...  I have used my mouse in Geos 128 in VICE Mode on the C128 Emulator and in Arkanoid.  |
|
|
|
Post by c64stuff on Jul 10, 2021 20:13:44 GMT
Cool. Forgive me for asking because I haven't played with vice yet outside of the carousel GUI, but I assume there's no carousel or other graphical interface when doing that. So how does one then go on to browse the game folders and play games? It would be nice if Vice offers some kind of file browser, and even nicer if it had box art and etc to surf through. I'm guessing you have to use a file browser launcher written for the commodore 64 and things like SD2EIC storage devices used on the 64 so you can see directories and sub folders? I've mainly emulated the 64 using Retropie or the carousel so I've never had the need to dive deeper into Vice.
|
|
|
|
Post by vic2020ian on Jul 11, 2021 15:12:29 GMT
Cool. Forgive me for asking because I haven't played with vice yet outside of the carousel GUI, but I assume there's no carousel or other graphical interface when doing that. So how does one then go on to browse the game folders and play games? It would be nice if Vice offers some kind of file browser, and even nicer if it had box art and etc to surf through. I'm guessing you have to use a file browser launcher written for the commodore 64 and things like SD2EIC storage devices used on the 64 so you can see directories and sub folders? I've mainly emulated the 64 using Retropie or the carousel so I've never had the need to dive deeper into Vice. Launch VICE Press Menu button on joystick and either autostart an image file e.g. game.d64 - this will load the first game on the disk or Attach an image to drive 8 then in basic use some C64 Dos commands load"$",8 and press Return (loads the disk directory) At the Ready prompt type List and press Return and you will see the disk contents. e.g. game1 game2 game3 Load"game2",8 then press RETURN then type RUN and press return. There are no Carousels for VICE mode. You are running a bare emulator of the original machine. If you need a GUI then use PCUAE TheCarousel mode. |
|
iCode
Creatures
Posts: 18
|
Post by iCode on Jan 8, 2024 3:31:29 GMT
Hello All. here is the walkthrough for Joystick setup: You just need to change the units settings to Stick as DPAD and add this to your gamecontrollerdb.txt file: 030000008f0e00001330000001010000,iCode,righttrigger:b1,b:b3,x:b2,y:b0,back:b6,start:b7,guide:b8,rightshoulder:b5,leftshoulder:b9,lefttrigger:b10,dpup:h0.1,dpdown:h0.4,dpleft:h0.8,dpright:h0.2,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,platform:Linux, For paddles I have not tried yet but it should also work if you turn on Mouse setting in the iCode setting menu (press Red and Green at same time to get to settings). I will try to create a video of this in the future. |
|
I have used my mouse in Geos 128 in VICE Mode on the C128 Emulator and in Arkanoid.
