A nice test to check to see if your Homemade is working is to: use Hyperterminal within your Windows OS

1. Click Start=>Programs=>Accessories=>Communications=>Hype rterminal
2. Type in a name like Test and click OK 3. Where it says Connect Using switch to com1 (make sure your cable is connected to com1) and click OK.
4. Put settings at:
Bits per Second : 9600
Data Bits : 8
Parity : None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
5. Plug your cable into the controller and turn it off .
6. Click OK.

Now when you turn on your controller, ASCII code should start streaming down the screen, and when you move around the controls, it should change a bit. When you turn off your controller, the stream of characters should stop. The guy I purchased my cable from recommended me to do this, and works pretty well. It's just an easy way to test JUST the cable.......Good Luck!