Startup Crash on XP Involving PS2 Adapter

[jmz4l0]

I looked at the boards, found a topic on compatibility issues. It's dating back to August 06, and I was wondering if there is a solution to my problem listed here and in psxemulator.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=support&action=display&thread=1152508381 yet


At first, I thought it was due to some retarded Windows Update on my recently wiped machine, interferring with the pSX. But I realized that only today I started using this PS2 controller USB adapter called EMS2. Link to product: www.hkems.com/product/ps2/ps2-usb2.htm

It's pretty good, I bought it originally to adapt my hard foam DDR pads for Stepmania. I've never had any problems with it until now, and didn't expect it to do anything.

The problem happens with, or without, a PS(2) controller connected to it while it's plugged in to my laptop. Their website is flash, @ www.pelicanacc.com/

Basically, whenever it's plugged in, pSX can't start up without giving me a Windows error and crash. It has two different errors, with the second one being less common and identifying a ModName.


AppName: psxfin.exe AppVer: 0.0.0.0 ModName: unknown
ModVer: 0.0.0.0 Offset: 10001aa5

AppName: psxfin.exe AppVer: 0.0.0.0 ModName: usbpadff.dll
ModVer: 0.0.0.0 Offset: 00001aa5



Oddly, though, whenever I deleted my old pSX and installed a new one, it would boot up with the PS2 USB adapter and recognize it. I can get it to configure the button inputs. "New", as in, when you first run it, you'll be prompted for a language...

... stranger still, if I go to the psx config file, and simply delete the language choice, then proceed to start pSX, it will prompt me again for a language AND it DOESN'T give me an error. However, it won't recognize the adapter and controller and its inputs at all. Configuring the EMS2 adapter in Windows from "normal" to "compatible" will render the psx config file bypass useless and will again lead to crashes.

[patrickp]

Actually, jmz4l0, although several people have reported problems with Playstation pad adapters in the thread you linked to, no-one mentions your problem there, that of pSX crashing - all those problems are around pSX recognising/using Playstation controller adapters.

I presume the 'Pelican Performance site you've linked to is the manufacturer of your controller - obviously, since it's a Flash site, you couldn't link to your controller, but you neglected to say which one it was. Some information on the system you're using could also be useful.

I notice there are a number of different drivers listed for your adapter - have you tried different ones, or, perhaps importantly, no driver at all? For that matter, which driver _are_ you using?

Have you tried a PC USB controller to see whether pSX crashes then? Your suggestion is that pSX crashes when the adapter is connected to your laptop; does pSX not crash when it's not connected, and can you then configure pSX and play games using the keyboard - or another controller?

Does your adapter with a controller attached show up correctly in Control Panel -> Game Controllers, are there any other controllers showing and can you check/configure the controller satisfactorily?

Does your adapter/controller work Ok with other emulators or games?

[jmz4l0]

I'll answer your questions in bold with a copy of them preceeding.

I presume the 'Pelican Performance site you've linked to is the manufacturer of your controller - obviously, since it's a Flash site, you couldn't link to your controller, but you neglected to say which one it was. Some information on the system you're using could also be useful.
I could've sworn I listed it, but I guess I didn't or somehow deleted it while fixing up my post. It's called Pelican Afterglow Pro. I should probably state that I don't own a PS2, and that I bought this just so I can adapt it, and just in case I happen upon a used PS2. The "latest" console I have is only a Dreamcast, followed by a N64, then a PSX, then a SNES. I regretted getting rid of my older system, but oh well.

I notice there are a number of different drivers listed for your adapter - have you tried different ones, or, perhaps importantly, no driver at all? For that matter, which driver _are_ you using?
www.hkems.com/download%20-%20EMS%20USB2.htm . On that page, it is the "EMS USB2 Joypad V3.0 22 Aug, 06 (98/ME/2K/XP)." It's the latest for my Windows XP.

Have you tried a PC USB controller to see whether pSX crashes then? Your suggestion is that pSX crashes when the adapter is connected to your laptop; does pSX not crash when it's not connected, and can you then configure pSX and play games using the keyboard - or another controller?
The only functioning PC USB controller I have is a very old, very worn out GamePad Pro by Gravis. The buttons are worn out and one of them is so bad it doesn't even react anymore. This PC USB controller does not crash pSX, or anything else that jas required it. Ever since I got pSX, I've only played Final Fantasy games, like Tactics, so I've only used the keyboard to play. But the GamePad Pro is recognized by the pSX, is configurable, and can use it, though it's so unresponsive relative to normal controllers that I don't dare use it, especially on fighters. I bought an unnamed controller with this identification: SKU#234995 a while back, but apparently, the problem was that it was never released with a proper driver, so I can't even use it. Stupid off-brand accessories.

Does your adapter with a controller attached show up correctly in Control Panel -> Game Controllers, are there any other controllers showing and can you check/configure the controller satisfactorily?
Yes, it does show up in the Control Panel for Game Controllers just fine. The adapter is capable of recognize whether it's a dualshock or the original PSX-type controller. No other controllers are showing since only the adapter+controller are connected,.

Does your adapter/controller work Ok with other emulators or games?
It works fine and dandy for anyting that's required a controller, or in the case of Stepmania, a dance pad adapter. I only tried it out on a few things, but it does work on Stepmania, WinKawaks, ZSNES, Project64, RockNESX.


I hope I answered everything, if there's anything more I'm happy to oblige. Thanks.

[Sune]

Hmm, "usbpadff"

Doesn't that sound like something to do with Force Feedback?

If possible try disabling Force Feedback/rumble in the driver for your adapter. Or you could search the internet for a way to disable it in the windows registry.

Does your adapter work without the driver installed?

[patrickp]

Yes, you're thinking along the same lines as me, Sune; jmz4l0: have you tried using the adapter without a driver? Normally, for controllers and adapters the driver is only for force feedback and rumble (and maybe a calibration utility or something). But, as far as the buttons and sticks of the controller are concerned, they should work fine without a driver, and it's not unlikely that it's the driver that's causing your problem.