476 replies to this topic

[Zablon]

So I finally sat down and played with this and I also have the problem after a few pulls. At first, it seems like the cover itself must be moving some during recoil thus throwing off the calibration, so I butted it up against a block. It lasts for a little longer, then starts going nuts again.

 

One other thing -- and this may be specific to my cab -- but when everything starts up, it lags like crazy for about a minute before I can do anything. It doesn't do this if I unplug the kit. Assuming it has something to do with the calibration, but I am assuming no one else has this?\

 

 

(am not using the controller portion as I have an IPAC)

Edited by Zablon, 20 November 2013 - 04:45 AM.

[Slydog43]

I'm now going to try without the plunger plugged in to see if mine becomes out of calibration (tables start and tilt right away).  

 

I also do NOT have any buttons hooked up to the controller as I use a separate Keyboard Encoder

Edited by Slydog43, 19 November 2013 - 11:57 PM.

[teppotee]

No idea if it's anyway related to the problem but I'm using iPAC for the controls too... too lazy to rewire them to the vpin kit

[ArcadiusMaximus]

 I'm having an issue installing the unit. I connected it to my VP machine and it seemed to install correctly (only took a few seconds though). It shows up in my USB game controllers just fine. Problem is no buttons, plunger, or nudging works,. I have tried different USB ports and also 2.0 and 3.0 slots.

 

 I connected it to my work computer and after a minute or so It was installed and works fine. Both computers are windows 7. Not sure why it took longer to install on my work computer than my VP machine, but it obvious missed something on the Pinball cab PC. Now no matter which port I plug into on the back of the pin pc, it does that 2-3 second install and doesnt work.

 

  Is there a way to remove all installed instances (each usb port ive pluged into) of the virtuapin plunger form windows so that it was like it was never installed? I just ran a windows update on my Pin PC thinking maybe it was just out of date. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Thanks.

Edited by ArcadiusMaximus, 20 November 2013 - 08:05 PM.

[Noah Fentz]

 I'm having an issue installing the unit. I connected it to my VP machine and it seemed to install correctly (only took a few seconds though). It shows up in my USB game controllers just fine. Problem is no buttons, plunger, or nudging works,. I have tried different USB ports and also 2.0 and 3.0 slots.

 

 I connected it to my work computer and after a minute or so It was installed and works fine. Both computers are windows 7. Not sure why it took longer to install on my work computer than my VP machine, but it obvious missed something on the Pinball cab PC. Now no matter which port I plug into on the back of the pin pc, it does that 2-3 second install and doesnt work.

 

  Is there a way to remove all installed instances (each usb port ive pluged into) of the virtuapin plunger form windows so that it was like it was never installed? I just ran a windows update on my Pin PC thinking maybe it was just out of date. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Thanks.

 

I've definitely never seen this, but here's a topic to detailing how to remove all instances from the registry ... http://forum.pjrc.co...30911#post30911

[ArcadiusMaximus]

 

 I'm having an issue installing the unit. I connected it to my VP machine and it seemed to install correctly (only took a few seconds though). It shows up in my USB game controllers just fine. Problem is no buttons, plunger, or nudging works,. I have tried different USB ports and also 2.0 and 3.0 slots.

 

 I connected it to my work computer and after a minute or so It was installed and works fine. Both computers are windows 7. Not sure why it took longer to install on my work computer than my VP machine, but it obvious missed something on the Pinball cab PC. Now no matter which port I plug into on the back of the pin pc, it does that 2-3 second install and doesnt work.

 

  Is there a way to remove all installed instances (each usb port ive pluged into) of the virtuapin plunger form windows so that it was like it was never installed? I just ran a windows update on my Pin PC thinking maybe it was just out of date. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Thanks.

 

I've definitely never seen this, but here's a topic to detailing how to remove all instances from the registry ... http://forum.pjrc.co...30911#post30911

 

Thanks. Ill give it a shot. Any idea what key or phrase I should be searching for? Virtuapin Controller?

[Noah Fentz]

 

 

 I'm having an issue installing the unit. I connected it to my VP machine and it seemed to install correctly (only took a few seconds though). It shows up in my USB game controllers just fine. Problem is no buttons, plunger, or nudging works,. I have tried different USB ports and also 2.0 and 3.0 slots.

 

 I connected it to my work computer and after a minute or so It was installed and works fine. Both computers are windows 7. Not sure why it took longer to install on my work computer than my VP machine, but it obvious missed something on the Pinball cab PC. Now no matter which port I plug into on the back of the pin pc, it does that 2-3 second install and doesnt work.

 

  Is there a way to remove all installed instances (each usb port ive pluged into) of the virtuapin plunger form windows so that it was like it was never installed? I just ran a windows update on my Pin PC thinking maybe it was just out of date. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Thanks.

 

I've definitely never seen this, but here's a topic to detailing how to remove all instances from the registry ... http://forum.pjrc.co...30911#post30911

 

Thanks. Ill give it a shot. Any idea what key or phrase I should be searching for? Virtuapin Controller?

 

 

According to the topic I linked to, you're looking for instances of VID_16c0.

[chinzman93]

I was just curious about when I might be receiving my kit. Order 1013. My nanotech is becoming more of a pain to deal with and need to get it replaced. Thanks!

[Slydog43]

I got a replacement kit, but my plunger doesn't pull back the plunger enough, just a little.  Under control panel it moves the z-access 1/2 way, which is what it did before I think, but in a new empty table with analog plunger it only moves about a centimeter.  Any ideas?  I don't see a gain like the x/y nudge.  Using 9.2 784.

 

according to another thread using Plunger_test table my plunger only moves from 0 to 3 sometimes only 1 or 2.

 

 make sure VP is seeing your plunger move from 0 to 25...   Plunger_test.zip   31.3KB   95 downlo

 

 

I think I'm going back to my old plunger (

Edited by Slydog43, 14 December 2013 - 06:39 PM.

[Noah Fentz]

I got a replacement kit, but my plunger doesn't pull back the plunger enough, just a little.  Under control panel it moves the z-access 1/2 way, which is what it did before I think, but in a new empty table with analog plunger it only moves about a centimeter.  Any ideas?  I don't see a gain like the x/y nudge.  Using 9.2 784.

 

according to another thread using Plunger_test table my plunger only moves from 0 to 3 sometimes only 1 or 2.

 

 make sure VP is seeing your plunger move from 0 to 25...   Plunger_test.zip   31.3KB   95 downlo

 

 

I think I'm going back to my old plunger (

 

Did you get a v1 or v2 as a replacement?

[Slydog43]

I assume V2, as it is very different from my first 2 I received.  Easy to mount and replacable Mini USB cable (yeah).  It worked fine first 2 days.  This is so frustrating, really hate computers sometimes

[dsasa008]

I have received my plunger kit, but I haven't had the chance to fully test it as my cab is being rebuilt. However, I did some preliminary testing and need the help on the following:

 

1. In the test table (the one without all the bumpers) when I pull the plunger I don't get the response 1/3 of the way, then 1/3 is pulling the on-screen plunger accurately, then last 1/3 again nothing, and this is making it feel no-so-real. Is there a setting for this or is this normal/not normal?

 

2. I have downloaded the latest VP version (from the link in the instruction manual) and the above mentioned test table is working, but most of the tables do not recognize the plunger, only nudge is working 100%. Is there a scripting somewhere that needs to be adjusted, or is there a different explanation?

 

I appreciate any pointers!

[Noah Fentz]

I have received my plunger kit, but I haven't had the chance to fully test it as my cab is being rebuilt. However, I did some preliminary testing and need the help on the following:
 
1. In the test table (the one without all the bumpers) when I pull the plunger I don't get the response 1/3 of the way, then 1/3 is pulling the on-screen plunger accurately, then last 1/3 again nothing, and this is making it feel no-so-real. Is there a setting for this or is this normal/not normal?
 
2. I have downloaded the latest VP version (from the link in the instruction manual) and the above mentioned test table is working, but most of the tables do not recognize the plunger, only nudge is working 100%. Is there a scripting somewhere that needs to be adjusted, or is there a different explanation?
 
I appreciate any pointers!

1. This is driving me CRAZY! I tested the hell out of your kit, let it run for hours amongst a number of sources of both IR and EM interference, and it worked like a charm!

What OS?
System specs?
Any way you can check the voltage of your USB port? 2.0 or 3.0?

There is absolutely no explanation why a small handful of kits are misbehaving. I've received about 3 returns that have a weak plunger, and it works perfectly for me on my Win7 laptop, XP test box, and in a VirtuaPin cabinet.

There has to be some hardware cause for this, and it's still not obvious.

Ugh.

2. I posted methods to update many of the popular plunger animation techniques here ... http://www.vpforums....view=getnewpost

[dsasa008]

Don't worry at all, I will help in troubleshooting, all I needed to know if this is normal. I can tell you off the bat that there is no interference as it was far from those, but I did plug it into a laptop, both USB 2.0 and 3.0 (Win 7-64), and laptops do tend to have lower voltage. This is actually good that it happened as you are unable to replicate it - I have 6 computers with different configurations and will get to the bottom of this

 

I have found the following so far:

 

• The test in windows (joy.cpl) works perfectly for both USB 2.0 and 3.0 for pulling, releasing is not so good - first 40% of the travel has no effect and it is "jumpy" after that.
• After testing it on several tables, it works, but again - the first 1/3 of the travel has barely any effect (but it does), and then the next 1/3 does most of the work, ending with no travel for the last 1/3. Release is really jumpy and inaccurate.

 

I will start experimenting later today and let you know.

 

 

UPDATE: three computers later... same identical thing (Acer laptop, Toshiba laptop, Gigabyte MB desktop). When releasing the plunger veeeeery slowly, the ball keeps getting kicked lightly several times during the release. The test table shows decrease in the decrements of 2-3, e.g. 24-21-18-15-13-11, etc. I emphasize "super slow" release. On the other hand, when I pull the tube off to the point where I have to hold it (at the very edge), the plunger pull gets distributed more evenly across the length.

 

I will post the video later today.

 

Here it is: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=ivbPVfZ5_UQ

Edited by dsasa008, 16 December 2013 - 07:43 PM.

[javier1515]

I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS ..

when I turn my Vpinbal the plunger works wonders, but after 15 minutes after the game configuration is lost completely forcing me to throw the ball with the button.

 

Someone the same thing happens?

 

The second problem is that no table tilt, the nudge system works well but again I have not tilt ..

[dsasa008]

 

There is absolutely no explanation why a small handful of kits are misbehaving. I've received about 3 returns that have a weak plunger, and it works perfectly for me on my Win7 laptop, XP test box, and in a VirtuaPin cabinet.

 

I have tested mine for that as well, it definitively is weak, though I can adjust it through MechStrength. At the maximum pull it barely ejects the ball into the playfield (at best). By default, am I supposed to fiddle with the MechStrength? I have tried replacing the USB cable but no cigar.

 

Later I will measure the USB port voltage, but I highly doubt that it is low for 3 different computers at the same time. The only common factor for all of them so far is Win7/64. Also, I will try VMWare XP, and let know how that went.

Edited by dsasa008, 16 December 2013 - 11:53 PM.

[Xendo]

I'm not sure if the arduino boards have memory, but there seems to be almost a memory leak...  This sounds like it's really software related to the plunger code on the arduino, NOT VP.  I've noticed that after 15-20 plays of a table the plunger becomes un-calibrated.  Eventually you start seeing the on-screen plungers pull back less and less.  Once the plunger is unplugged and plugged back in, it's back in calibration, and then again after 15-20 games it does the same thing.

[Noah Fentz]

I'm not sure if the arduino boards have memory, but there seems to be almost a memory leak...  This sounds like it's really software related to the plunger code on the arduino, NOT VP.  I've noticed that after 15-20 plays of a table the plunger becomes un-calibrated.  Eventually you start seeing the on-screen plungers pull back less and less.  Once the plunger is unplugged and plugged back in, it's back in calibration, and then again after 15-20 games it does the same thing.

Problem is, it didn't occur in any but the latest batches, so I suspect hardware, in the form of the IR sensor.

Oddly, I had one weakening (finally able to reproduce), and it corrected itself if just left alone for a time. Those having a similar issue, please try this.

We are working hard to isolate the issue, and in my testing, I've narrowed it down to the IR sensor. It may be the hardware itself, or it may be a lack of power in the USB ports where this issue is experienced. It would explain why the returned kits work just fine when I test then again.

Bear in mind, we didn't rush this product. I've had a few shows to test these kits for hours on end. Sixteen straight as recently as Chicago, and there was no loss of plunger strength and zero restarts.

[Xendo]

 

I'm not sure if the arduino boards have memory, but there seems to be almost a memory leak...  This sounds like it's really software related to the plunger code on the arduino, NOT VP.  I've noticed that after 15-20 plays of a table the plunger becomes un-calibrated.  Eventually you start seeing the on-screen plungers pull back less and less.  Once the plunger is unplugged and plugged back in, it's back in calibration, and then again after 15-20 games it does the same thing.

Problem is, it didn't occur in any but the latest batches, so I suspect hardware, in the form of the IR sensor.

Oddly, I had one weakening (finally able to reproduce), and it corrected itself if just left alone for a time. Those having a similar issue, please try this.

We are working hard to isolate the issue, and in my testing, I've narrowed it down to the IR sensor. It may be the hardware itself, or it may be a lack of power in the USB ports where this issue is experienced. It would explain why the returned kits work just fine when I test then again.

Bear in mind, we didn't rush this product. I've had a few shows to test these kits for hours on end. Sixteen straight as recently as Chicago, and there was no loss of plunger strength and zero restarts.

 

 

Actually, my plunger is one of the very first ones sent and it has the same issue.  I just haven't really had my cabinet on/being played for long lengths of time until recently when I noticed this with the plunger.

 

Mailing Date: 5/24/2013

Edited by Xendo, 17 December 2013 - 02:29 AM.

[Noah Fentz]

I ran four different kits, at three different shows, for extended periods without a hint of issue.

 

I would think a memory leak or software issue would be consistent across the board.