Since the USBLinx JAMMA card on Ultimate Arcade machines is not very well documented, this will help you start up your own MAME machine from an existing Ultimate Arcade machine with a USBLinx JAMMA card
You are going to need an Ultimate Arcade machine (or similar). A lot of companies make their own version of it but you just need a USBLinx card that connects to the JAMMA controls
Also, this guide is for Windows system (Tested on Windows 7 and 10)
The card is particularly hard to get working. In order for it to work, it needs to see that the numlock key is being pressed about every 30 seconds, called the "Watchdog Circuit".
If its not pressed in that time, the USBLinx is designed to reboot both the PC and itself.
The numlock script I wrote will press the USBLinx virtual numlock key every 10 seconds, just to make sure it is read.
This will allow the USBLinx to stay on and keep working
Without the script, you won't get any input from the USBLinx board
Give examples
First, clone the repository to get the numlock.vbs This script will allow us to use the USBLinx card
git clone git@github.com:TylerLyczak/USBLinx-Conversion.git
Next, copy the "numlock.vbs" to:
C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicy\User\Scripts\Logon
Next, hit the windows key and type in
gpedit.msc
Next, we want to edit the User Configuration
Open "Windows Settings", then "Scripts (Logon/Logoff)"
Next, click on "Logon"
Next, click on "Add"
Click browse, then click on the "numlock.vbs" we added to the folder, then click "OK"
Click "Apply" then "OK", then close out of it and reboot
To get the card to work with all the buttons and the trackball, you need to BOTH plug the PS/2 AND USB from the card into the PC.
This will allow to use all the buttons and trackball without any problem
- Tyler Lyczak
- Linux script