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    NES controller not working with New ControlBlock2 build

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved ControlBlock, PowerBlock & Co.
    nescontrolblock2newbie question
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    • P
      petrockblog Global Moderator
      last edited by

      Can you please post a photo of your hardware setup here?

      The ControlBlock driver always shows two gamepads, it does not matter if they are physically attached or not, so that is as expected. Also, it is no problem that you did not have any controllers plugged in during the driver installation.

      Did you adapt the config file in /etc/controlblockconfig.cfgaccordingly?

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      • S
        Sledrunner21
        last edited by Sledrunner21

        Hardware:
        alt text

        I tried checking the config again, but now there is no text! Not sure what happened as it was fine before and I was able to delete "arcade" and type "snes" into to config previously.
        alt text

        These are the commands I use to get to the config:
        cd ControlBlockService2
        sudo nano /ect/controlblockconfig.cfg

        The power button is still turning the RP3 on and off like it should and the LED is working still.

        Thanks,
        -Sledrunner21

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        • S
          Sledrunner21
          last edited by

          Using imgur to host the photos now. Thx

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          • H
            Hravnkel
            last edited by

            I have the exact same problem currently, and it does seem like it's a software problem.

            I have currently TWO Raspberry Pi with ControlBlocks that functioned perfectly up until I tried upgrading to RetroPie v.4.4 and latest ControlBlockService.

            Setup is as follows:

            Unit 1:
            Raspberry Pi 3B+
            ControlBlock v. 2.1
            NES controllers wired according to guide

            Unit 2:
            Raspberry Pi 3B
            ControlBlock v. 2.1
            NES controllers wired according to guide

            With my old setup using a RetroPie from approx 1.5-2 years ago it functioned just perfect, and I just tried an old backup image of the card that also worked fine. But when doing a clean install all I get is the same problem with all Buttons considered "ON" no matter if I push them or not. Nothing is responding in EmulationStation.

            So I believe this must be some kind of error in either ControlBlock2 build or last RetroPie.

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            • P
              petrockblog Global Moderator
              last edited by

              Thanks for the photos.
              In the meantime, I found that there was a bug introduced with the recent driver update. This affects the SNES gamepad type. It will be fixed until tomorrow! Sorry for that!

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              • P
                petrockblog Global Moderator
                last edited by

                I have just released an update for the ControlBlock driver. SNES controllers should work again! Does this solve your issue?

                H 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • H
                  Hravnkel @petrockblog
                  last edited by

                  @petrockblog Thank you! I will check that out tonight. Awesome support!

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                  • H
                    Hravnkel
                    last edited by

                    Unfortunately it seems to be another error in the code right now, I am unable to compile the source:

                    [ 74%] Building CXX object src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/SNESGamepad.cpp.o
                    /home/pi/ControlBlockService2/src/controlblock/gamepads/SNESGamepad.cpp: In member function ‘virtual void SNESGamepad::update()’:
                    /home/pi/ControlBlockService2/src/controlblock/gamepads/SNESGamepad.cpp:79:33: error: redeclaration of ‘IDigitalIO::DIO_Level_e resetLevel’
                    IDigitalIO::DIO_Level_e resetLevel = digitalIO.getLevel(IDigitalIO::DIO_CHANNEL_P1_A);
                    ^~~~~~~~~~
                    /home/pi/ControlBlockService2/src/controlblock/gamepads/SNESGamepad.cpp:66:33: note: ‘IDigitalIO::DIO_Level_e resetLevel’ previously declared here
                    IDigitalIO::DIO_Level_e resetLevel = digitalIO.getLevel(IDigitalIO::DIO_CHANNEL_P1_B);
                    ^~~~~~~~~~
                    src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/build.make:134: recipe for target 'src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/SNESGamepad.cpp.o' failed
                    make[2]: *** [src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/SNESGamepad.cpp.o] Error 1
                    CMakeFiles/Makefile2:739: recipe for target 'src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/all' failed
                    make[1]: *** [src/controlblock/gamepads/CMakeFiles/controlblock-gamepads.dir/all] Error 2
                    Makefile:127: recipe for target 'all' failed
                    make: *** [all] Error 2

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                    • P
                      petrockblog Global Moderator
                      last edited by petrockblog

                      Thanks for the hint. That is fixed now.

                      You can call wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/petrockblog/ControlBlockService2/master/install.sh | sudo bashto reinstall the driver.

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                      • S
                        Sledrunner21
                        last edited by

                        Hi, I'm still having the same problem w/ the jstest showing all the controller buttons on all the time. I don't think I'm installing the updated driver properly. I'm sure this is real basic but I struggle when I don't have a line-by-line example to follow.
                        alt text

                        There is a vertical line towards the end of the following command:
                        wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/petrockblog/ControlBlockService2/master/install.sh | sudo bash

                        I get a ~ instead of the | when typing into raspberrypi. I then get the following:
                        wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/petrockblog/ControlBlockService2/master/install.sh ~ sudo bash
                        alt text

                        I also tried it as two separate commands:
                        wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/petrockblog/ControlBlockService2/master/install.sh
                        sudo bash -------this changed the directory, otherwise looked similar to the other attempt

                        I checked my config again:
                        alt text

                        Thanks for the help!

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                        • H
                          Hravnkel
                          last edited by

                          I am now able to compile and install the driver, however I do not get all buttons functionable anymore. I tried this on two different units that has been functioning with the exact same wiring before, so I am confident it's not a problem with wiring.

                          pi@retropie:~ $ jstest /dev/input/js0
                          Driver version is 2.1.0.
                          Joystick (ControlBlock SNES Gamepad) has 2 axes (X, Y)
                          and 8 buttons (BtnA, BtnB, BtnX, BtnY, BtnTL, BtnTR, BtnSelect, BtnStart).
                          Testing ... (interrupt to exit)
                          Axes: 0: 0 1: 0 Buttons: 0:on 1:on 2:on 3:off 4:on 5:on 6:on 7:off

                          This is the output I get from jstest, and as seen here only button 3 (B on a NES controller) and 7 (Start on a NES controller) as well as the axes are responsive. The rest is in a constant "on"-mode.

                          The /etc/controlblockconfig.cfg is edited to interpret the controllers as SNES-controllers and both units worked before trying to upgrade.

                          It seems like the unit is also very slow in reaction but that could be the jstest command not registering very fast. I haven't moved forward to installing any games before the control-issues are solved. :)

                          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            SuperPitendo @Hravnkel
                            last edited by

                            @hravnkel said in NES controller not working with New ControlBlock2 build:

                            I am now able to compile and install the driver, however I do not get all buttons functionable anymore. I tried this on two different units that has been functioning with the exact same wiring before, so I am confident it's not a problem with wiring.

                            pi@retropie:~ $ jstest /dev/input/js0
                            Driver version is 2.1.0.
                            Joystick (ControlBlock SNES Gamepad) has 2 axes (X, Y)
                            and 8 buttons (BtnA, BtnB, BtnX, BtnY, BtnTL, BtnTR, BtnSelect, BtnStart).
                            Testing ... (interrupt to exit)
                            Axes: 0: 0 1: 0 Buttons: 0:on 1:on 2:on 3:off 4:on 5:on 6:on 7:off

                            This is the output I get from jstest, and as seen here only button 3 (B on a NES controller) and 7 (Start on a NES controller) as well as the axes are responsive. The rest is in a constant "on"-mode.

                            The /etc/controlblockconfig.cfg is edited to interpret the controllers as SNES-controllers and both units worked before trying to upgrade.

                            It seems like the unit is also very slow in reaction but that could be the jstest command not registering very fast. I haven't moved forward to installing any games before the control-issues are solved. :)

                            Hi, I have exactly the same issue. The Controlblock worked perfectly until I upgraded my build with a Pi 3b+ and used the 4.4 Image (Previously Pi 3b & 4.3).

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                            • P
                              petrockblog Global Moderator
                              last edited by

                              Strange, I will test this on my side with a complete hardware setup and fresh RetroPie 4.4!

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                              • H
                                Herzog Leto
                                last edited by

                                Hi,
                                Im using a old SNES case with Pi3 and Controlblock version 2.1 some time without any Problems.
                                Now i also has a similar problem after updating Retropie from 4.3 to 4.4.

                                After setting the controblock config to "SNES" Button 1 and 6 on controler port one (js0) are always "on". Controler port two (js1), Power switch and reset button works fine.

                                Im made a few tests:

                                • I've also testet it with a new Retropie 4.4 Image without update. Exact the same issue.
                                • I'm also getting exact this signals without any wires on the controlblock beside the power switch.
                                • I'm set the controlbock config to "arcade" according to the Tutorial to check all pins seperat - with success. The Hardware seems fine.

                                I'm also noticed that the default controlblock.cfg has no "genesis" entry like the readme on github.

                                I hope you can fix this problem.
                                Thanks for all the great work.

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                                • NeoKnuxN
                                  NeoKnux
                                  last edited by

                                  I am having the EXACT same issue as Herzog.
                                  I actually performed the exact same tests as well before checking this thread, and had the exact same results.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • P
                                    petrockblog Global Moderator
                                    last edited by

                                    There was a bug with a recently added additional virtual keyboard button, which is fixed now (finally). Sorry for this bug!

                                    You can attach any momentary buttons on Player 1 A or B. Pressing the buttons will lead to a simulated press of the ESC or the F1 key.

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                                    • H
                                      Herzog Leto
                                      last edited by Herzog Leto

                                      Thanks for your fast response! I will test it the next few days.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • NeoKnuxN
                                        NeoKnux
                                        last edited by

                                        Thank you for the amazing turn around time! I reinstalled the driver, and everything is working perfect again.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • S
                                          SuperPitendo
                                          last edited by

                                          Nope...
                                          After reinstallation of the driver I still have the same problem like Hravnkel.
                                          Setting: RPI 3b+, 4.4 Image, Controlblock2, SNES Controller.
                                          Gamepadtype is configured as "snes".
                                          The powerswitch function works well but if I want to configure the input just the "B" button is recognized...

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                                          • P
                                            petrockblog Global Moderator
                                            last edited by

                                            Ok, I was able to reproduce your observation with NES controllers. I have fixed it a few minutes ago.

                                            There is now a dedicated NES gamepad type in the configuration: Use "nes" as gamepad type in /etc/controlblockconfig.cfg.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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