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How to get Gamepads to funtion on an old MS-DOS laptop?


Atari PAC-MAN Fan

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Hello Everyone!

 

I have just gotten an old Toshiba Satellite w/ Windows 95 installed out of my grandmother's basement. It had not been used for a long time. I would like to use it as a gaming PC for MS-DOS programs. Here is the problem: there is no 15-pin output for a game-pad. (No, the laptop doesn't have USB.) Is there any adapter for lpt ports or serial ports to accept 15-pin game-pads or Atari-style joysticks? You may ask for a picture if you need the facs. :)

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If you have a parallel port you MIGHT be able to use one of these?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 3213420796631?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=321342079663&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]

 

Or it's reverse:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 2818952515151?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=281895251515&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]

I guess I could try, but it would need to be both male connectors, not male to female or vice versa. Also, I think a serial port has a totally different voltage than Atari joystick ports, so wouldn't I have to do some serious work to convert it?

post-49549-0-50727400-1490025567_thumb.jpg

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There are DB breakouts, for solderless connections. Not sure of the exact one you want. but google search this:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=db9+breakout+&*

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=db25+breakout+&*

 

..it'll get you going till you can find someone to solder it up or till you learn how.

 

When playing with classic hardware, hand-tools, soldering, DMM, are essentials to know. Take a soldering class or just practice on junk 'tronics.

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Did nobody notice the mention of Atari-style joysticks here? Last I checked, you can't get easily get those to work on later IBM PC compatibles. The focus here should mainly be on gameport controllers (DB15).

 

I don't think there's a particularly easy option for a computer like this. If you had DOS drivers for the PCMCIA / CardBus / PC Card slots, then a Gameport card would work. Parallel port to gameport would be a pain in the ass.

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There are solderless DB-25 and DE-9 connecters so you can create an adapter with only a screwdriver. There is a DOS parallel port to atari joystick driver. I haven't used it myself. If someone knows it works or doesn't work maybe they can elaborate.

 

Edit:

A pcmcia gameport card with DOS drivers, if one exists, would be ideal. Assuming this computer has a pcmcia slot.

Edited by mr_me
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There are solderless DB-25 and DE-9 connecters so you can create an adapter with only a screwdriver. There is a DOS parallel port to atari joystick driver. I haven't used it myself. If someone knows it works or doesn't work maybe they can elaborate.

 

Edit:

A pcmcia gameport card with DOS drivers, if one exists, would be ideal. Assuming this computer has a pcmcia slot.

It does have a PCMCIA card slot. Some do exist with a gameport like this one: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ZRQAAOSwe7BWuCoD/s-l300.jpg It's just that I can never find one for sale no matter where I look.

 

Also, can you give me a link to the driver?

 

What if I got USB PCMCIA card and used a gameport to USB connector? would that work?

Edited by Atari PAC-MAN Fan
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Run some wires to an old keyboard membrane and hook them into an arcade joystick? :dunce:

 

Works a champ. I made some custom controls this way. Be sure not to mess with the conductive membrane, you have to solder at the points on the small PCB. Never the membrane itself, because it simple disappears!

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What if I got USB PCMCIA card and used a gameport to USB connector? would that work?

If you're talking about a PCMCIA USB card than you can just use any USB game controllers. I've heard of DOS USB drivers for mass storage devices, but you'll want one for USB game controllers. Maybe it exists.

 

Edit: looks to be hardware specific and dont know about working through pcmcia http://bretjohnson.us/

Edited by mr_me
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One more question does usb only work on a specific version of Windows 95?

No DOS game will recognize anything USB, though you can use a USB keyboard and mouse if your BIOS supports legacy device emulation.

 

I think Win95 second edition has rudimentary support for USB but since USB was a fledgling connector at the time, very few devices have dedicated drivers for Win95. Your best bet if you need USB gamepad support in DOS is to install Win98 second edition and a generic USB gamepad driver, and then run a gamepad to key mapper program. Set up the keymapper in the background before loading your preferred DOS game, then you can play the game with keys mapped to the gamepad. At least I think this will work in principal.

 

Or just use DOSbox on a modern system. ;-)

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Myself, I'd probably try the route of gutting an old keyboard, deciphering the matrix and hooking up the joystick to act like key presses.

Devices exist that provide that type of functionality, such as:

http://www.groovygamegear.com/page2.html

 

(Not endorsing the product, just an example. I have zero experience with the product. Keyboard Encoder seem to work well as keywords for finding these devices)

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