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Be sure and check out the gameport White Paper written by the creator of the JoyNet Gameport Hub for a great history of controller connections. Last Updated Sunday, August 20, 2006 General DirectX Microsoft Gravis CH Products Thrustmaster InterAct SpaceTec Mad Catz AVB Logitech Saitek Q. I do not have the Joystick Icon listed under the Control Panel in Windows 95/98. How can I install it? A. The Joystick Control Panel is installed with Direct X. Direct X is usually found on most game CDs or can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. Once installed, the icon should be available.
Q. What is better digital or analog? A. Neither is better in general. Both have advantages and disadvantages. In general analog controllers are supported by virtually all gameports, DOS, all versions of Windows, and most games. Their disadvantages include limited axis's and buttons, limited programmability, drift and components that can wear out. Digital controllers generally offer programmability, more accurate control, and more axis/button support. However, digital controllers can suffer from computability issues and setup difficulties. Assure your gameport supports digital controllers before attempting to set one up.
Q. What is better gameport or USB controllers? A. I'd suggest USB 95% of the time- if your system is USB capable. USB offers quick connection, Plug-and-Play, and usually a quicker interface. USB is still limited in some respects. It requires Windows 98 for full function, doesn't yet allow easy multi-device setups (i.e. USB yoke with separate rudder pedals and throttle) and is sometimes poorly implemented making it a slower interface than the old gameport. Do your research before buying either.
Q. Can I use a USB controller under Windows 95? A. This depends. If you have Windows 95 ORS2 with the appropriate drivers for USB installed some USB controllers will work. Before making the purchase you should verify that your USB ports function properly and the device supports Windows 95.
Q. Where can I buy the controllers The Control Center features? A. My suggestion is to purchase your controller(s) direct from the manufacture or from Electronic Boutique, Babbages or Software Etc. Each retail chain has stores, usually located in nearby malls, with fair return, exchange and price-matching polices. For non manufacturer-direct on-line purchases I recommend Buy.com or NECX. Always make sure the item is in stock before placing an order or you may face lengthy delays.
Q. How do I easily switch controllers on my system? A. There are a number of different methods. For strictly analog controllers you can pickup a simple switch from CompUSA, CH Products or Ineract. Note- These switches will not work with force-feedback controllers or other digital devices. For digital devices I recommend the JoyNet Gameport Hub (see review). It offers 4 ports that can be switched between with a press of a button. it has worked with everything I have thrown at it. Yet another option is using a PDPI L4 Digital Gamport. It has 4 ports that can each host a controller. they can be individually selected or combined. One of the simplest solutions is get a joystick cable extension so you can bring the gameport connection to a better position.
Q. How can I use a "Y" cable to connect 2 controllers to one gameport? A. There are no standards for Y cables and there are a few different pin configurations. Most split a dual gameport into 2 that only offer 2 buttons and 2 axis each. The best way to connect 2 controllers for head-to-head play is to purchase controllers that have and support pass-through connectors allowing additional controllers. With this setup you have access to the full feature set of each controller connected.
Q. How do I use a controller under NT? A. In order for you to get decent support
using NT 4 use must use service pack 3 or higher. Service pack for messed things
up and I not to sure about any of the later service packs. The last version of
Direct X for NT was 3. Nt supported Joy 1 X axis and Y axis fine. However, you
could go about setting up Joy 2 X axis and Y axis but these settings would get
saved in the wrong location in the registry. X saved as Y and vice versa. A work
around would be to get an extension cable and swap Joy 2 X and Y axis wires.
Connect the cable, calibrate, shut down, disconnect extension cable, plug
controllers straight in, power up and test. DO NOT CLICK on Calibrate or you'll
have to start over. During calibration ignore Z axis. Also use the Enter key to
advance screens instead of using button 1. A. Some ASUS motherboards have a 47 ohm
resistor at R232 on the motherboard that reduces the power supply for USB
devices to an inadequate level. The solution is to use a powered USB hub
that will provide the proper power to the USB device. Q. I've updated DirectX to a newer version and now my controller behaves erratically or not at all. How can I get it to function properly? A. Isn't technology great? Many times simply re-installing your controller software (the latest version) will restore function. Other times its a bit more complicated. You may want to contact the manufacturer to see if they have published an updated driver. You may also try re-installing your soundcard drivers so the gameport driver set reverts back to the previous version. Do not try to install the pervious version of Direct X over the updated version. You are guaranteed to have problems if you do. The latest version of DirectX in 7.0a.
Q. After updating my DirectX my hat-switch (or throttle) no longer works. How can I restore its function? A. Usually re-installing the controller's drivers and re-calibrating the controller will solve the problem and restore full function. In extreme cases you may need to restore the windows joystick driver to its previous version but this should only be done by someone familiar with Windows.
Q. After installing DirectX 7 my modem, network, mouse, etc. seems slow or disconnects frequently. What changed? A. For some unknown reason DirectX 7 changed the "poll with interrupts enabled" setting to default as active. This means that your system will allow the controller to be polled while holding up the system. This will cause all kinds of problems and should be unchecked.
Microsoft (Also see my Microsoft Link Page) Q. I just installed a new soundcard and now my Force-Feedback wheel/stick doesn't have any force-feedback effects but is connected. What's wrong? A. The MS controllers, and any other controller using DirectInput to translate force-feedback effects, uses MIDI signal for the force effects. If you did not properly remove your old soundcard your system is probably using the previous MIDI settings. You should uninstall your new card (both drivers and the card itself), reinsert your old card and properly uninstall it. When this is complete you should then re-install your new card. You can also try changing the settings under My Computer- System Properties- Multimedia- MIDI.
Q. How can I get my <non-Microsoft> controller to work with the MS GamePads pass-through feature for 2 player setup? A. The only controller that will work along with a MS Gamepad is another MS Gamepad (not even another MS controller will do). The pass-through feature will function as a switch with most other controllers. Translation- if you want 2 player setup, get 2 MS GamePads.
Q. My MS controller is properly connected but it shows up as "not connected" in the Game Controller setup panel. What's the deal? A. The problem could be a number of things:
Q. Can I use an external throttle and/or rudder with my MS Controller? A. The short, simple answer is NO. MS does not support external devices. A number (small number) of people have had success after much tweaking, trial and error and luck using an additional re-addressable gameport. The SIMPED-vario pedals are the only exception. Read more about them here.
Q. Can I use a USB MS controller with Windows 95? A. Even with the latest Service Packs installed offering support for some USB devices the USB controllers require Windows 98.
Q. How do I calibrate my MS controller? There is no option under the controller properties? A. All currently marketed MS controllers are digital and do not require calibration. If your having problems with a force-feedback device centering properly perform the following steps-
Q. Can I use the USB adapter that came with another device with a non-USB controller? A. Not only will it not work, you may damage your device. In order for a device to work with USB it must be compatible and have appropriate drivers. Some early releases of the Freestyle Pro and Precision Pro were not USB compatible; if it did not come with an adapter you are out of luck.
Q. The green light is flashing on my force-feedback controller. What's up? A. Your controller is receiving power from the power pack but is not receiving a signal from the gameport. Shut down and reset the connection. Assure you are not using extension cables or switches and that your gameport is properly configured. Also make sure the MIDI set you are using is the default set for your soundcard. The MS FF controllers use MIDI signals to transfer information. If the proper MIDI set is not used the controller will not function properly.
Q. My computer will not shut down properly with a MS USB controller connected. A. This is a known issue with MS USB controllers, Windows 98 and some systems. A fix is due in the next Windows 98 Service Release. For the time being MS suggests unplugging the device before initiating shut-down.
Q. The Microsoft Force Feedback Wheel is not centered. How can I fix this without calibration being offered? A. With the wheel active under the game controller setup, unplug the power from the back of the wheel base. Move the wheel from full left to right and re-center it. Re-connect the power supply and the wheel should be centered properly.
Q. My Freestyle Pro continually reverts back to the sensor mode when I have the gamepad active. How can I fix this? A. Some people have resolved this issue by updating their system BIOS. Others have had success by disabling PCI Delay Transactions in the BIOS.
Q. My Sidewinder Force-Feedback Wheel or Joystick is recognized as a Sidewinder Gamepad. What's the deal? A. Some people have resolved this issue by updating their system BIOS. Others have had success by disabling PCI Delay Transactions in the BIOS.
Q. I get a consistent "not connected" message with my Sidewinder 3D Pro. How can I get it to work? A. The 3D Pro was designed
for a 66MHz bus system using a ISA soundcard. ISA soundcards provide ~5v
of power to the gameport. Newer systems work on 100 or 133MHz bus systems
and usually have a ISA soundcard that provided 3.3v of power to the
gameport. Many of the 3D Pros cannot handle this change. Microsoft
offers a patch that may help. As an alternative you can use it one of the
analog modes as a 4 axis 4 button controller with hat switch (you will loose the
function of the 4 digital base buttons). Q. My Xterminator controller is properly installed but I get a "not connected" message in Windows 98 or the calibration is not properly centered. A. You must download the most current drivers from Gravis for proper function in Windows 98.
Q. I have created a keyset but it doesn't work in the game. A. Some games have multiple executable files. Assure you have associated the keyset with the proper executable file.
Q. My Gravis controller does not work in XXXX 99 from Electronic Arts. How can I get it to work properly? A. This is a known issue with most EA 99 games. At one point EA promised patches to correct the problem but they are currently involved in a finger pointing match with Gravis as to who is a fault.
Q. My USB Xterminator is detected multiple times. How can I fix this so the controller functions properly? A. If you have DirectX 7.0 you will get multiple detections of your controller listed but no function of any of those listed. To correct this download the update to DirectX that addresses most of the problems with USB controller (ver. 7.0a). Q. I upgraded to Windows 98 and now my CH Products joystick will not calibrate, only spinning to the left. Is there a fix? A. This is due to a bug in Windows 98. CH Products has created a beta driver CHJoy98.exe , that should address this problem.
Q. I have a BX motherboard and a CH Throttle. I get random lockups, how can I correct this? A. In your BIOS setup switch the keyboard Hz rate to 6Hz.
Q. How do I use the Toe Brake feature of my Pro Pedals? A. This feature was created by CH Products but only supported in the flight sim Fighter Duel. In addition to support from the game creator, you will also have to have a re-addressable game card with dual ports. Currently, the only gamecard offering these features is the Thrustmaster AMC gamecard.
Q. My FlightSim Yoke PC will not properly calibrate in Windows 95. How can I fix this? A. CH Products has posted updated drivers that offer different installations for Windows 95 and Windows 98 users. Visit their web page for the small download.
Q. How can I get my USB Pro Pedals to work with my USB ______ stick? A. The USB Pro Pedals will be recognized as a separate controller usually at ID #2. Your game needs to support multiple controllers in order for both controllers to be used. See the CH website for a complete list of compatible games and patches. Q. My Rage 3D gamepad does not work with my new soundcard. How can I fix this? A. The Rage 3D will not work with newer soundcards using 3v logic. The Rage 3D will only work with soundcards and gameports with 5v logic.
Q. My Thrustmaster gear worked great. Now the centering is off, the calibration doesn't hold and the control jitters. How can I restore it to the way it was? A. As with any mechanical device, controllers are subject to wear and tear. Over time the pots wear out, become dirty and loose their accuracy. If still under warranty you can contact Thrustmaster for free replacement parts. If out of warranty you can carefully disassemble the controller and clean the pots using Radio Shack contact cleaner. If that doesn't work Thrustmaster now offers repair kits for a nominal fee.
Q. How can I use the programming option of my Thrustmaster HOTAS under NT? A. Win NT and Thrustmaster HOTAS
device (WCS Mk2, FLCS, F22, TQS) In order to download file to the unit you must
do so outside of the NT OS. Reboot into Dos or Win 9x. Download then reboot into
NT. Q. My Interact Force Fx Wheel does not work with my SoundBlaster Live! card. Is there a fix? A. Interact has posted a patch for the drivers that fixes this issue. Visit their homepage to download the fix. Also assure you are using the latest Live! drivers.
Q. My HammerHead FX does not show as connected in the game controller panel. How can I get it to be recognized? A. The HammerHead FX requires a DirectInput compatible gameport on a soundcard. See all references to the "not connected" message in the Microsoft section of this FAQ and search the Microsoft Resources for potential problems.
Q. My HammerHead FX drivers show as beta and the controller is not properly recognized after updating to DirectX 7. A. An update to the shipped drivers is now available from the InterAct website.
Q. What is the difference between the HammerHead FX and the USB HammerHead? The HammerHead FX and USB Hammerhead look identical. The USB Hammerhead connects via a USB port and is a much lighter unit. The FX has rumble feedback and can only be connected via a compatible gameport. The FX has the added weight of the batteries and rumble motors. Q. My SpaceOrb 360 stops functioning after a short bit of play. How can I keep it connected? A. The latest drivers for the SpaceOrb 360 rectify this issue.
Q. How can I get the Orb to work with my new game? A. Visit the Spacetec webpage for official game patches. The Birdman's Lair (see links page) offers many patches for games soon after they come out. Give his site a visit if you can't find what you are looking for on the Spacetec page. Q. My Panther XL works fine under Windows but is not detected under DOS. What is missing? A. DOS drivers for your soundcard, including its gameport are missing from the autoexec.bat and config.sys files. Consult your soundcard manufacturer for instructions on installing the DOS drivers for you card.
Q. Will the Andretti Racing Wheel work as a USB device in Windows 95? A. Mad Catz recommends using the USB connection under Windows 98 or NT 5.0. Q. "I have the GC-2000B Plus USB joystick and I’m trying to play Microsoft® Flight Simulator 98. I can’t seem to get the joystick to work with the game." A: In the first place, MS Flight Simulator 98 doesn't recognize USB joysticks or any USB devices because it was programmed before USB joysticks were made. There is a way to make the joystick work, to do so follow the steps below…
Q. "I have the GC-2000B Plus USB joystick and I’m trying to play FreeSpace. When I go to setup and try to auto detect my joystick, I get a Illegal Operation error and the program is shut down." A. A. This is a software glitch when trying to auto detect the
joystick. The following instructions should get you going….
This is a software glitch when trying to auto detect the
joystick. The following instructions should get you going….
1. Under control panel, double click on
Game Controllers. 2. Remove any game controllers 3. Then click on Add and choose any 2 axis 2 buttons joysticks 4. Click Ok 7. Now click on the Settings/Calibrate button 8. This should bring you back to Game Controllers 9. Remove the 2 axis 2 buttons joystick
10. Now go ahead and add the 2000B Plus joystick by hitting Add and 11. Hit Ok and OK again to go back to the setup screen. 12. Then click on the pull down menu and select the 2 axis 2 buttons joystick
13. Hit OK again to go back to the Freespace Launcher. 14. Start a game and you should see that the joystick is working now. Q. I would like to add an external throttle and rudder pedals to my WingMan controller. How can I get it to work properly? A. Using the most current drivers from Logitech you can add an external rudder control to some of the joysticks. The newer WingMan line does not allow this. However, Logitech has no plans to offer the option to disable the on-stick throttle and support for an external throttle.
Q. While I’m playing a game, why does the shift key or something get stuck? A. This problem comes from PS/2 and the manner in which it communicates. When the joystick was design and first developed, it was built so that it used the AT keyboard, 15pin game and the 9pin serial port. These came as standard on every machine at the time, however this is no longer the case, PS/2 controllers now comes as standard and control both keyboard and mouse information. The problem occurs when both mouse and keyboard are providing information at the same time. When the joystick is connect to your computer, information is sent from both joystick and keyboard continually via the keyboard port. The mouse will interrupt information from the keyboard, which cause the sticky key problem. The current work around is to convert your PS/2 mouse to serial, this will reduce the occurrence of the problem.
Q. I just upgraded to DirectX 8.0 and cannot install the SGE software. A. Saitek has a beta version of the software that corrects this. Previous versions look for DirectX 7.0 on your system.
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