More Than 3 Keys at the Same Time

LindsayRed · Post by **LindsayRed** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:48 pm

Hi. I'm trying to play games but can't seem to use more than three keys at the same time. For example, in Super Mario World, if you want to jump far and fast to the right, you would hold the right key (1st button), the y key(2nd button) to run, then press the b key to jump (3rd key). This is more of an issue when you also have to shoot, needing another key.

Is this a Windows, hardware, issue or a ZSNES issue? Thanks so much!

Post by **grinvader** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:50 pm

This is a keyboard issue. Either map your keys cleverly (hint - shift, ctrl and alt can all be pressed at the same time with a couple other keys), use a gamepad, or cope with it.

Post by **Nach** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:52 pm

Note, I noticed Knoppix somehow gets around this issue on all the systems I tried it with.

byuu · Post by **byuu** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:07 am

Your problem is that your keyboard only supports 3-key rollover. Meaning only 3-4 keys can be pressed simultaneously (which keys vary per keyboard). Pretty much every single keyboard made today only does 3-key rollover, because it makes the keyboards infinitesimally cheaper to produce -- a diode is needed for every key to support n-key input.

What you want is a keyboard with n-key rollover, something like the oldschool IBM PC keyboards with the springs. Or a gamepad. If you manage to find a modern keyboard that supports full n-key rollover, please tell me where you found it, as I'd like to pick one up myself. USB keyboards tend to be really flaky with this feature too, so stick with PS/2.

I have no idea how Knoppix is getting around the issue, it's supposed to be a hardware limitation that cannot be solved via software.

Post by **Nach** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:45 am

byuusan wrote: I have no idea how Knoppix is getting around the issue, it's supposed to be a hardware limitation that cannot be solved via software.

It is a hardware limitation, but perhaps with crafty keyboard driver in the kernel using smaller input time slices and merging them, while sending some whacky flags back to the keyboard, who knows...

Noxious Ninja · Post by **Noxious Ninja** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:13 am

byuusan wrote:If you manage to find a modern keyboard that supports full n-key rollover, please tell me where you found it, as I'd like to pick one up myself. USB keyboards tend to be really flaky with this feature too, so stick with PS/2.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/ep104.html

I emailed them and they say it does. The thing is a bit out of my price range, though.

byuu · Post by **byuu** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:10 am

You're not kidding. For $100... well, I don't know what I'd buy... but it wouldn't be a keyboard. I don't think my PC currently has a single piece in it worth more than that.

gaijinx1 · Post by **gaijinx1** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:47 am

I used to have that keyboard issue along time ago. But since I got the Logitech Wireless keyboard, it was fixed. But, it all depends on the keyboard that you're using. BTW, I don't use USB keyboards, either.

Noxious Ninja · Post by **Noxious Ninja** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:52 am

Wow. You're back. What made you decide to return?

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:26 am

...I thought this guy was banned ?

Unless Magus`or Nach felt merciful on that nick and didn't ban it, and he's using a proxy server.

Joe Camacho · Post by **Joe Camacho** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:15 am

adventure_of_link wrote:...I thought this guy was banned ?
Unless Magus`or Nach felt merciful on that nick and didn't ban it, and he's using a proxy server.

I think you are right AoL. Not 100% sure if it's a proxy, but it is another IP.

Now please don't derail the thread. Carry on.

PHoNyMiKe · Post by **PHoNyMiKe** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:39 am

hardware problem. buy a gamepad and this will never be a problem.