Strange Saturn Problem - 3D controller related

[DonSilvestre]

So I picked up a Saturn and NiGHTS - was super excited to play it. Been playing it with the standard D-pad controller and having a great time. I decided to splurge on Amazon for a 3D controller. It arrives (new in box) and I plug it in - nothing. No response both on the analog settings and the D-pad settings. I contact the Amazon seller and get a refund and figure I've got a bum controller since the normal controller works just fine.

Tonight I'm at my local used game store and see another 3D controller reasonably priced and pick it up, get it home, same problem. I fiddle with the controller port a little bit and 1 in 100 times I can get the d-pad setting to work for a few minutes before it stops, but I can NEVER get the analog setting to work. In the meantime, my normal original Saturn gamepad continues to work like a champ. Any ideas or suggestions as to what's going on here?

[pepharytheworm]

You can detach the cord from the controller, It slides right out of the controller. I would try detaching then reattaching it to see if that helps.

[Anapan]

It sounds like it's a problem with your joystick port on the console. I don't know if any of this will help, but here's what I found out about the analog joysticks. The controllers are pretty simple inside. I opened mine up because the left trigger wasn't functioning. The fix was really simple. All the analog parts work with small round magnets - measuring the proximity to the sensor, and the left trigger's magnet had popped out. I snapped it back in and it's good as new.
Here's the pinout:
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?to ... 8#msg25248
That might be able to tell you which pin could be causing the problem.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yeah, take a Q-Tip, gently moisten it with some rubbing Alcohol (Not dripping wet!) and scrub out both of your Saturn's controller ports then try the controller again.

Also, you are aware that the switch on the front of the pad controls whether the Analog stick is turned on or not right?

[h8b1llg8ts]

Also double check the analog switch on the bottom of the controller. Mine was set in the middle one time ..

[DonSilvestre]

Yeah I've checked the analog switch plenty of times. Like I said in the original post, if I jiggle things JUST right I can sometimes get the digital stuff working for a few moments on the 3D controller. Then I flip it to analog and get nothing. I tried cleaning out the controller port with a q-tip this morning quick before work and it still wasn't working - however I don't think there's any Q-tip in the world small enough to really get in there and work. It's sounding more and more like I might need to pick up a new Saturn. I'm pissed because I bought it from a local game store over a month ago (30 day return policy) but didn't have a 3D controller to test until recently - so I wasn't aware of the problem. Maybe I'll go in and buy a different Saturn and return the broken one. I know nothing about electronics, so the prospect of trying to do anything with loose wiring (assuming there's something wrong internally there) is absolutely and 100% terrifying.

Any other thoughts from anyone?

[DonSilvestre]

On the bright side -

I am picking up Panzer Dragoon Saga + Shining in the Darkness on Tuesday, and neither of these require the 3D controller right?

[GamerMON]

On the bright side -

I am picking up Panzer Dragoon Saga + Shining in the Darkness on Tuesday, and neither of these require the 3D controller right?

How much is that going to set you back?

[DonSilvestre]

$175 for both complete and in mint/near mint condition. Found them on Craig's List. Given that on Amazon the cheapest a complete mint PDS goes for is around $250 - I think I'll pick both up for $175 and sell PDS for $200 if I get any buyer's remorse

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yeah I've checked the analog switch plenty of times. Like I said in the original post, if I jiggle things JUST right I can sometimes get the digital stuff working for a few moments on the 3D controller. Then I flip it to analog and get nothing. I tried cleaning out the controller port with a q-tip this morning quick before work and it still wasn't working - however I don't think there's any Q-tip in the world small enough to really get in there and work. It's sounding more and more like I might need to pick up a new Saturn. I'm pissed because I bought it from a local game store over a month ago (30 day return policy) but didn't have a 3D controller to test until recently - so I wasn't aware of the problem. Maybe I'll go in and buy a different Saturn and return the broken one. I know nothing about electronics, so the prospect of trying to do anything with loose wiring (assuming there's something wrong internally there) is absolutely and 100% terrifying.

Any other thoughts from anyone?

Well you can always pull a bit of the fluff out and dig into the controller ports a little better.

That having been said, It's not hard at all do work on the inside of a Saturn. Just remove the screws on the bottom on the console with a regular Phillips screwdriver, flip the unit over (while holding both halves of the case together) and remove the top half of the case.

You'll see a very basic circuit board and a few ribbon cables inside, so just check to make sure all of them are firmly attached (Especially the one from the controller ports to the motherboard if your Saturn is one of the older ones) and test your Saturn out to see if the 3D pad will work or not. Remember though, you'll need to be using an Analog compatible game such as Daytona USA, Panzer Dragoon II or Sega Touring Car Championship among others.

You can always take pictures of your progress and especially take a picture of the uncovered board before you begin removing or fixing cables to make sure you know where everything goes, or for us to help you along in the process.