The official Cthulhu and ChImp thread - Try our new Dreamcast flavor!

Darksakul · December 2012

alonzoramon, post: 7802753, member: 70191 wrote:

whats the best way to use minimal ground points with the non soldering mc cthulhu ?

Are we talking as the sole PCB or as a Dual Mod?

Ether way you do whats called DAISY CHAINING
http://slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_wiring.html#SPLICING_AND_CHAINING

for being the ONLY PCB, just daisy chain your grounds for all your buttons.
Only grounds you need to use are for your USB cable, and 1 ground for your inputs. If you want to you can include your Joystick's grounds to the daisy chain.
I do recommend giving your joystick is own ground contact, using one of the gnd points near the directional inputs only because many fine its easier to manage.

As for a dual mod, is one of the input grounds connected to a PCB (ether the cthlhu or your other PCB usually a Xbox 360 PCB) you are fine as the only ground the common ground Xbox PCB needs to connect to the cthlhu/chimp is the Xbox 360's USB ground. A 2nd ground line isn't a bad idea, any point on the XBox 360's ground plane would work to connect to a free gnd.

CHIEFxIRONLUNG · December 2012

Had a quick question. I'm looking into modding my PS3 SE so I can use it with all the games I found for my PS2. I was looking into the MC Cthulhu but something never resolved in my head.

If the connector on it is USB (with A/B cord)...then where exactly does the RJ-45 console cords come in? I'm just breaking out in wanting to work on my arcade stick but everyone starts somewhere. Looking forward to doing LED work as well, pray for me.

Vicko · December 2012

you need an imp to go with the cthulhu, and you connect rj45/usb to it

Skrawney · December 2012

Read this for RJ45 help. http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/rj-45-multi-console-cthulhu-arcade-stick-tutorial-ver-2.100475/

Jamin3131 · December 2012

CHIEFxIRONLUNG, post: 7805453, member: 33384 wrote:

If the connector on it is USB (with A/B cord)...then where exactly does the RJ-45 console cords come in? I'm just breaking out in wanting to work on my arcade stick but everyone starts somewhere. Looking forward to doing LED work as well, pray for me.

Vicko, post: 7806531, member: 3189 wrote:

you need an imp to go with the cthulhu, and you connect rj45/usb to it

technically you dont need an imp if you're not dual modding the stick with a 360 pad. he just needs to wire up the rj45 as per the link above and make his cables accordingly.

CHIEFxIRONLUNG · December 2012

Thank you for the information, guys. I'm still trying to figure out how the stick and buttons connect to the Cthulhu as well as the keystone jack. It's worth a shot. Just looking for a decent solution to using my favorite stick on different consoles and not have to worry about cords shorting out for a while.

Jamin3131 · December 2012

once its in your hands it will all make sense.

ezkialrage · December 2012

im having one slight problem with my mod and im not sure the forum to throw it into. I am not sure if its an Imp issue, a mc cthulhu issue or my xbox pcb.

basically, unwired my 360 TE stick, attached all the MC cthulhu wires, and then attatched the imp to that. I plugged it into my pc and updated the MC cthulhu firmware no problem. so i plugged it into the ps3 and bam, working great. i plugged it into the 360, and the xbox no longer recognizes the TE stick. i find it so odd since all the inputs get routed thru the og TE pcb and the PC and the PS3 can recognize it.

also, no matter what i plug it into, (pc, ps3, xbox), one of my turbo button lights is always on. and if i start up with the stick in LS mode, there is a feignt green glow under the home button, and the red turbo light is brighter.

tldr: my xbox 360 TE stick can be used on ps3 / PC but not the Xbox 360. any advice? anything im missing?

Aladar · December 2012

Just wondering.. is there a way to make a Chimp controller work with NullDC? As far as I understood, the only way to map controlls is to make a config file with the exact name of the controller, but.. that's kind of impossible, when it announces itself in Windows as "ChImp PC/PS3 Controller", and you can't put / in the filename..

jugoso · December 2012

So I wired a McCthuluh with RJ45 -> usb and got it working on ps3. After a week it is not being recognized by windows and I can't make it to "flash mode" either.

The stick could've got some sunheat (it's summer time around here) during this week I wasn't at home, but I don't think it could've been that much heat.

Any suggestions?

gahrling · December 2012

jugoso, post: 7845568, member: 3613 wrote:

So I wired a McCthuluh with RJ45 -> usb and got it working on ps3. After a week it is not being recognized by windows and I can't make it to "flash mode" either.

The stick could've got some sunheat (it's summer time around here) during this week I wasn't at home, but I don't think it could've been that much heat.

Use a multimeter to test continuity between the Cthulhu and RJ45 jack. Also test whatever cable you are using to connect to a machine.

Failing that then go through the Cthulhu troubleshooting guide which should be in this thread.

Ian Conway · January 3

Ok, so this thread is really long so I'm just trying to figure out what i need so that i can mod my stick

i have a 360 TE stick and i want to dual mod it for ps3. id prefer a solderless solution cause i haven't soldered before, but if its a requirement ill get over it. Just wondering what i need.

thanks : )

VOLDOM · January 11

Can I use rotary sticks such as the Seimitsu/SNK LS-30 with the Cthulhu?? where can I get the schematics for wiring this??

Choppaholic · January 17

I recently got a hitbox...what's the difference between a hitbox edition cthuhlu + and a MC Cthulhlu?

Vicko · January 17

the MC supports multi console whereas the cthulhu+ only supports PS3

Choppaholic · January 17

Vicko, post: 7909001, member: 3189 wrote:

the MC supports multi console whereas the cthulhu+ only supports PS3

can the cthulhu+ be upgraded like the Mc?

Vicko · January 17

i believe so

Choppaholic · January 19

I was playing my hitbox with the Hitbox Cthuhlu+ pcb earlier today and I noticed that some of the buttons are very slow to respond on SF4AE...I checked all the wiring going to the buttons and the buttons themselves and everything checks out..I also have a second regular arcade stcik with a MC Cthuhlu and it very reponsive..could it be the board?

NewGen · January 21

my friend who can't make an account on this website asked me to post this

"
Specs: Hori HRAP V3 VX + Chimp + Spark Optical Sensor
Problem: Everything that I've plugged my stick into (PS3, 360, PC, PC w/ forced 360 mode) it doesn't register. On the computer it doesn't even show as a connected device although the lights on the Chimp light up accordingly. I then removed all the wires from the Chimp to see if that registered on the PC alone. It didn't so I followed all the tests in Toodle's post here: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-official-cthulhu-and-chimp-thread-try-our-new-dreamcast-flavor.46572/page-85#post-2273436. I'm not sure if I needed to have everything screwed in for the tests as I did it with just the Chimp alone, but everything checked out except for the voltage on pins #5 and #6 on the small chip. The voltage was about 5 volts for both. I've uploaded images here: http://imgur.com/a/DyIlP. Please let me know if more information is needed
According to the guide, this means that I need a new large chip. If I get one, will that make my stick work reliably again or is it better to just get a new Chimp? If I do get a new Chimp, is there a way to prevent this from happening again, or is this something out of my control?
History: Bought the stick used from a friend and it was completely stock. Installed a Chimp and split the USB cable that came with the stick and screwed it into the chimp. The wires to all the other buttons were split and soldered with another wire to screw into the Chimp. The stock USB cable became unreliable (wouldn't connect) after a couple of months of use so I removed the stock USB cable, and drilled a hole in the case to plug in a USB cable to the Type B port. The Chimp has been installed for about a year. About 5 moths ago, I installed a Spark Optical Sensor."
thanks for reading toodles, if you can help him out, i'll pass it on.

DR|W · January 21

NewGen, post: 7921805, member: 423 wrote:

my friend who can't make an account on this website asked me to post this:

"Specs: Hori HRAP V3 VX + Chimp + Spark Optical Sensor

Problem: Everything that I've plugged my stick into (PS3, 360, PC, PC w/ forced 360 mode) it doesn't register. On the computer it doesn't even show as a connected device although the lights on the Chimp light up accordingly. I then removed all the wires from the Chimp to see if that registered on the PC alone. It didn't so I followed all the tests in Toodle's post here: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-official-cthulhu-and-chimp-thread-try-our-new-dreamcast-flavor.46572/page-85#post-2273436. I'm not sure if I needed to have everything screwed in for the tests as I did it with just the Chimp alone, but everything checked out except for the voltage on pins #5 and #6 on the small chip. The voltage was about 5 volts for both. I've uploaded images here: http://imgur.com/a/DyIlP. Please let me know if more information is needed

According to the guide, this means that I need a new large chip. If I get one, will that make my stick work reliably again or is it better to just get a new Chimp? If I do get a new Chimp, is there a way to prevent this from happening again, or is this something out of my control?

History: Bought the stick used from a friend and it was completely stock. Installed a Chimp and split the USB cable that came with the stick and screwed it into the chimp. The wires to all the other buttons were split and soldered with another wire to screw into the Chimp. The stock USB cable became unreliable (wouldn't connect) after a couple of months of use so I removed the stock USB cable, and drilled a hole in the case to plug in a USB cable to the Type B port. The Chimp has been installed for about a year. About 5 moths ago, I installed a Spark Optical Sensor."

thanks for reading toodles, if you can help him out, i'll pass it on.

I was just able to register on SRK. ^ This is actually my stick so if anyone that can help would reply to me, it would be much appreciated!

P_$m0n3$-Y · January 22

need some helps plz...I have a new alienware laptop...which has that nvidia chipset where some sticks will not work...so my vshg dont work anymore and its dual modded by a brawl pad from j and j modding....i scooped up a hori vlx premium thinking it would work with the chipset but it dont. any one can help me get the vlx to work on my laptop plz.

Oroku Saki · January 22

For the MC Cthulu, how big are the mounting holes? I wanna get some adhesive pcb mounts.

Gohanmon · January 22

Before anyone refers to me any post about this, I've searched all over the internet for a solution...

I have a dualmodded TE (originally for XBox) dualmodded with a ChImp. It works fine on both consoles. However, when I went to my friend's house to play AE on the PC the stick was a lost cause. I tried holding the select button down method but it didn't work. I checked under the control panel arcade controller settings. It was listed as ChImp PS3/PC, the stick was registering ALL button/stick inputs. Both POV Hat and axis was registering without select held down, axis only when select was held down. The stick was not registering at all in AE for PC, which really confused me. We eventually gave up. Anyone have a solution? We prefer not to mess with 3rd party joystick to PC programs. Thanks in advance

xpulse · January 22

Gohanmon, post: 7927698, member: 60117 wrote:

Snip

Check the first post and make sure you follow exactly what Toodles described. On the other hand, I think you can force X360 mode if you hold LK/MP/HK (default) before you plug in your stick. I personally find that MUCH easier than fiddling with the button config and such. Once you're in X360 mode, SF4/AE recognizes the stick in the same manner as it is on the console.

Gohanmon · January 22

xpulse, post: 7927731, member: 12678 wrote:

counter snip

Thank you very much, wish we didn't miss the part of forcing Xbox mode. Shit. Am I supposed to hold the buttons until I get to the button config screen to config controls and stuff, or can I let go as soon as its plugged in?

DR|W · January 23

Gohanmon, post: 7927763, member: 60117 wrote:

Snip

You should be able to let go once it's plugged in

xpulse · January 23

Gohanmon, post: 7927763, member: 60117 wrote:

Snip Hard With a Vengeance

Like what DR | W said. Whip out the wire, hold down 1K/2P/3K, plug wire into usb port on pc and look for lights to blink on the control panel. It should show you Player 1 being lit (unless you have multiple controllers/joysticks plugged in).** Release buttons and check "Game Controllers" app in Windows. It should say something close to "Arcade Stick/TE" (sorry, been a while since I've had to check). You should be able to do a button check and joystick directional check. If everything seems fine there, you should be good to go. Once you start SF4AE, the joystick will behave exactly as it would on the console. Everything is Default, so if you're cool with the base button setup, you don't need to configure anything. Happy Fighting!

**It should be noted that when you plug the joystick in for the very FIRST time into the pc, you will need to let Windows configure the drivers for it. It'll take a minute or two. After the first time, you won't have to worry about that again, unless you plug the joystick into a different port than you originally used (you'll have to go through drivers installation again). If your Windows is up to date, you shouldn't *need* to download any driver to get things working. If you do, there are plenty of resources for that in the rest of Tech Talk (just search!)

manoftheleaf · January 26

I have a question and sorry if this issue has been addressed in the past. I dual modded a friends HRAP VX3 Marvel 3 edition with a ChImp this last spring/summer. It's been working until recently. The Xbox 360 side will not detect anymore from both the USB jack and the outgoing screw terminals on the ChImp. The 1st Player LED will come on but the device will remain unknown in the controller applet. I troubleshooted the Xbox side and it works as a stand alone and so does the ChImp.

Checking the continuity I followed the traces and I followed the signal from the XD-/+ to the small chip on the ChImp. They do not go all the way through. Continuity is lost right at the chip. I'm not sure if that info is relevant or not but it leaves me to believe that its something to do with the 'Imp' part of the ChImp. I'm not sure what caused this, but any and all help would be appreciated. All hail the techies!

EDIT: Forgot to include the type of ChImp; its a ChImpSMD v3.1

hipsterfont · January 27

So I bought a ChImp unassembled kit way way way back in the day (v1.1 on the PCB), finally put it together a few days ago. I saw there were updates the ChImpSMD firmware to fix various things like Start+Select not activating Home in 360 mode. I assume these will work on mine? I couldn't get a good picture that showed the IC.

gahrling · January 27

hipsterfont, post: 7942169, member: 83719 wrote:

So I bought a ChImp unassembled kit way way way back in the day (v1.1 on the PCB), finally put it together a few days ago. I saw there were updates the ChImpSMD firmware to fix various things like Start+Select not activating Home in 360 mode. I assume these will work on mine? I couldn't get a good picture that showed the IC.

ChImp and ChImp SMD are completely different things.

I'm not even sure if you can update the firmware on the original ChImp board.

hipsterfont · January 27

gahrling, post: 7942765, member: 8713 wrote:

ChImp and ChImp SMD are completely different things.

I'm not even sure if you can update the firmware on the original ChImp board.

Can someone with a ChImpSMD give me the full model name/number off the PIC microcontroller? It's the big long chip mounted vertically in the center. I just want to know if the firmware is compatible. If I gotta burn it with a serial programmer I can. Heck, if I gotta recompile it myself I can always dump the firmware off my existing ChImp and check for bugs. I'd rather not have to if I don't though.

VIC_20 · February 14

I know I'm new here and this is probably a silly question, but I have searched around the thread and I can't find an answer, so here goes. I have 6 MC Cthulhu boards and I use them mostly for PS2 games. Everything always works great, until I tried "WWE All Stars" for PS2, it says the controller is unplugged. What's so different about this game? Is there something I can do to make this work?

MingoDynasty · February 16

Where can I buy a ChImp SMD? GodlikeControls says it won't ship until like September...

Also after buying a ChImp SMD, is there any else needed for a dual mod on a Xbox 360 stick?

gahrling · February 16

MingoDynasty said:

Where can I buy a ChImp SMD? GodlikeControls says it won't ship until like September...

I think that's for last year, dude.

Also after buying a ChImp SMD, is there any else needed for a dual mod on a Xbox 360 stick?

Aside from the usual soldering? No.

pablofsi · February 17

What are the cons of running the 1ms firmware (using a high speed usb cable). Would wearing be greater? any risk?.

Jesseh · February 17

Alright guys, I think I'm going to go for PS3 Cthulhu to go with my PS3 TE stick, so I can use the stick on my PC, that's how it should work, right? So, the welcome sheet says it requires no soldering? Is that for real? How is it connected then? Mind explaining, I didn't quite understand that part from the welcome sheet. So little more explanation would be in place, I think.

speedsterharry · February 18

Can anyone confirm that Saturn is well supported by the MC Cthulhu and FGWidget ? I had trouble with a straight RJ45 to saturn cable and also inside a FGWidget setup. Both work well with a PS2 input/output.

And do I hate the new SRK theme/search engine

EGeeko · February 18

This concerns dual modding a xbox 360 madcatz round 2 TE stick with the ChImp. After installing the ChImp, all functions of the ps3/pc worked great! When plugged into an Xbox it also worked, but there were a few issues. First issue: I cannot navigate the Xbox guide with the joystick. All of the buttons work fine and the Xbox guide button works fine, but I can't seem to move around the home and store. It is stuck highlighting just the game. Second concern: When the stick is set to DP, and I hold down on the stick, if I press or hold roundhouse, it disables my down input on the joystick. Instead of crouching roundhouse I get standing roundhouse. My last concern: so,e of the joystick directions have a delay as if I am holding them longer than I need to. This especially happens with left and down. If I hold left for 2 seconds, then go back to neutral, my character will continue to walk left for another second. Please help me. Any advice would be helpful. I would like to try to save this stick without having to replace that board with a Xbox fight pad pcb. I honestly don't know what to do at this point. I disconnected everything, and then organized the cords inside, and then reconnected a different chImp, and the issues still occur. Worse part about it is that this isn't my stick... It's one of my friends... So I really need some help.

Pablo_the_Mex · February 20

So where is the psx cable I need for the Cthulhu ? Is it a specific type? Can I just sacrifice an old PSX pad (non-dualshock)? Would the colors of the wires match up to the info on the instructable page? Just want to make sure.

Also, another thing, has anyone tried a PSX wired Cthulhu with a Laugh PSX to JAMMA converter (http://etokki.com/Arcade/PSX2JAMMA)?

gahrling · February 20

Pablo_the_Mex said:

So where is the psx cable I need for the Cthulhu ? Is it a specific type? Can I just sacrifice an old PSX pad (non-dualshock)? Would the colors of the wires match up to the info on the instructable page? Just want to make sure.

You can use any PSX or PS2 controller cable (including extension leads). Official controllers tend to follow the same wiring colour schematics, but I'd recommend double checking everything with a multimeter anyway.

FreedomGundam · February 24

Alrighty, having the weirdest problem with a dual-mod involving a ChImp SMD (the setup is MadCatz 4716 with a ChImp SMD).

With everything soldered together, all directions and buttons work, except for the Home button.
When I press the Home button, the PCBs disconnect, so I presumed there was a short somewhere.

So I removed the wire connecting both PCBs' Home/Guide buttons, and checked each individually; both work fine on their own when the Home/Guide contacts were not bridged between the two boards (ie, the 4716's Guide contact works on its own when touched to Ground, as does the ChImp SMD's Home screw terminal).
Putting the wire back between the Home/Guide contacts on the two PCBs causes the constant disconnection whenever the Home button is pressed.

I also tried this setup with two separate ChImp SMD boards, just in case. The same 4716 was used, though.

I'm at a complete loss about what could be going wrong here.
Any insight?

*EDIT* So the weirdest thing is that the same 4716 works perfectly fine (Home button included) when dual-modded with an MC Cthulhu+Imp2. The only difference between the two setups is that I included the Trigger Inversion circuit with the MCC while I connected the signals directly to the Invert-4P/4K terminals on the ChImp. Now that I think of it, this is probably the case, since it seems that the High signal on the 4617's triggers isn't 5V; took me forever to realize this when my Trigger-inverted LT and RT were causing the left and right analog sticks to jiggle slightly even though those were already centered. Though I'm actually wondering why only the Home button exhibited this issue, and not any other button (especially the LT/RT triggers).

Sadly, I've already finalized the wiring and closed up the stick; otherwise it'd be interesting to try out the inclusion of the Trigger Inversion circuit and connecting those inputs directly to the 4P/4K on the ChImp rather than the Invert-4P/4K.
The MCC in the stick right now is overkill for the owner (only uses it for PS3/X360), but oh well. I might try this with the other trigger-inversion-needed 4617 that the same customer has.

Pablo_the_Mex · February 26

gahrling said:

Pablo_the_Mex said:

So where is the psx cable I need for the Cthulhu ? Is it a specific type? Can I just sacrifice an old PSX pad (non-dualshock)? Would the colors of the wires match up to the info on the instructable page? Just want to make sure.

Stupid noob question, so
You can use any PSX or PS2 controller cable (including extension leads). Official controllers tend to follow the same wiring colour schematics, but I'd recommend double checking everything with a multimeter anyway.

gahrling said:

Pablo_the_Mex said:

So where is the psx cable I need for the Cthulhu ? Is it a specific type? Can I just sacrifice an old PSX pad (non-dualshock)? Would the colors of the wires match up to the info on the instructable page? Just want to make sure.

You can use any PSX or PS2 controller cable (including extension leads). Official controllers tend to follow the same wiring colour schematics, but I'd recommend double checking everything with a multimeter anyway.

So if I have a multimeter, how do I know what each wire is supposed to be at? Sorry for the dumb ass noob question.

gahrling · February 26

Pablo_the_Mex said:
So if I have a multimeter, how do I know what each wire is supposed to be at? Sorry for the dumb ass noob question.

http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/58586/rj45-detachable-cables-how-to/p1

Use the PSX table. Identify which wire is which by using the multimeter's continuity setting.

promking · February 27

I cant get windows to recognize m stick to update the firmware. I've tried everything, when I plug it in all four lights come on, then windows says there's a problem with your device...

Vicko · February 28

sounds like your USB is soldered incorrectly
or, if you hold down LK MP HK does it force 360 mode (if you're dual modding)?

promking · February 28

Which USB should I use the 360 USB?

Hook up directly to the board?

Or RJ45 USB out?

Yes I am dual modding, it works perfectly on my Saturn, I don't have a 360 anymore.

LK MP HK are which buttons sorry I don't play 360 or have Street fighter.

I use the stick from Shmups

Thank you.

Vicko · February 28

oh this is on cthulhu?
was it working before?

studtrooper · February 28

How hard would it be to switch out an Imp v1 with a v2? I didn't make the stick. Just curious.

promking · March 1

Yes it still works, I just wanted to update the firmware, so I could use it on my dreamcast.

Vicko · March 1

you should use the cthulhu or imp USB/RJ45-USB

The official Cthulhu and ChImp thread - Try our new Dreamcast flavor!

Comments