Atare 5200 controls

[D.B. Cooper]

Anyone have any tips on how to make an Xarcade work on this system? Or any controller for that matter? I can't get anything to work including a gamepad with dual analog sticks. When playing Asteroids, my ship continues to spin whichever way I push the button. It thrusts even though I have that button turned off. Just doing all kinds of crazy things except what I want it to. Would love to try and get the high score for Asteroids but can't do it without being able to make a controller work.

I'm not really looking for anyone to trouble shoot my computer, just looking for some tips on how others have made controllers work for this system. Thanks for any help.