Help with Sega Dreamcast EMS Total Control Plus

[MrEpiK91]

I have been using a Total Control Plus adapter for my Sega Dreamcast to use PS2 controllers. I have have been using it for a few years now and it has worked perfectly until recently. When I use a PS2 controller, the d-pad works fine but the face buttons don't. For example, when I'm on the start up menu and I press X on the PS2 controller the highlighted icon goes down. And when I press the triangle button it selects the icon (acts as the X button). I ended up buying another adapter but I still have the same problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way that I can fix my Dreamcast or will I just have to buy a new Dreamcast?

[CRTGAMER]

A slight chance to console controller port might be electrically damaged inside, but then no buttons will work. Never plug or unplug controllers while the Dreamcast is powered on. Maybe try your Total Control and another Dual Shock on another Dreamcast to verify what piece is not working correctly?

[stickem]

piggybacking this thread, how do you save with the tcp? leave a regular controller/vmu plugged into other ports? i've only briefly messed with mine and never tried saving, have it boxed up or i'd try it out.

[MrEpiK91]

A slight chance to console controller port might be electrically damaged inside, but then no buttons will work. Never plug or unplug controllers while the Dreamcast is powered on. Maybe try your Total Control and another Dual Shock on another Dreamcast to verify what piece is not working correctly?

Shortly after experiencing this problem with my PS2 controllers my controllers for the Dreamcast had the same problem. Soon after, nothing worked when I plugged a controller in. I read about how the board for the controller port acts as a sort of circuit breaker for the console. I ended up replacing both of the resistors on the board along with the capacitor. My Dreamcast controllers are now functioning properly but the adapter is not. Could my soldering have something to do with it? I do not feel that I did a good job in soldering the new resistors and capacitor to the board.

[MrEpiK91]

piggybacking this thread, how do you save with the tcp? leave a regular controller/vmu plugged into other ports? i've only briefly messed with mine and never tried saving, have it boxed up or i'd try it out.

The Total Control Plus has a VMU port on the side. However it is a little finicky. After attaching my VMU to the adapter I would pull it outward slightly so that it would register. I f I just plugged it in all the way it wouldn't register for some reason.

[stickem]

i may have been mistaken and not have the plus version. i think it lacks a vmu port. now i'm curious and might dig it out to see cause i never noticed a vmu port before.

[jay_red]

Before you buy anything check this first. I have 2 total control adapters that have worked fine for a long time, the one of them started to act like you are describing, and it turned out that the switch on the side to select controller or racing wheel had gotten flipped to racing wheel, which caused the normal controller to go crazy. I flipped it back and everything was good to go.

[MrEpiK91]

Before you buy anything check this first. I have 2 total control adapters that have worked fine for a long time, the one of them started to act like you are describing, and it turned out that the switch on the side to select controller or racing wheel had gotten flipped to racing wheel, which caused the normal controller to go crazy. I flipped it back and everything was good to go.

You're right! I moved the switch to the middle position and now it works perfectly. Thanks for the help.

[jay_red]

Before you buy anything check this first. I have 2 total control adapters that have worked fine for a long time, the one of them started to act like you are describing, and it turned out that the switch on the side to select controller or racing wheel had gotten flipped to racing wheel, which caused the normal controller to go crazy. I flipped it back and everything was good to go.

You're right! I moved the switch to the middle position and now it works perfectly. Thanks for the help.

Glad I could help!