Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2

[Q&D]

I have some problems to install a MS Sidewinder FF2 joystick
on my pc with Windows XP Home Edition SP1. The connection
required is an USB port.

I've tried to use the plug&play option but some tests failed.
In particular the stick XY position and its rotation don't work.
No feedback are displayed in the test page.

I've tried to do the same thing on a pc with Windows98, using
the installation software (for Windows 98 and Windows 2000)
included with the joystick and all is ok.

I know there are some problems between this joystick and motherboards
with VIA chipset. I have a MSI motherboard based on a VIA KT400 chipset.

I've download the patch from Microsoft site, but it requires the
installation of the SideWinder software and I've got it only for
Win98 and Win2000 !

Can sb help me? Thank you in advance.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Q&D,

I recommend you update the USB drivers for your Via Chipset at:
http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2 Hope this helps!

--
Cheers,
Jimmy S.

Additional Support Resources: My Zone.com Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk
Microsoft Online Tech Support: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=376
Game FAQ's: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| I have some problems to install a MS Sidewinder FF2 joystick
| on my pc with Windows XP Home Edition SP1. The connection
| required is an USB port.
|
| I've tried to use the plug&play option but some tests failed.
| In particular the stick XY position and its rotation don't work.
| No feedback are displayed in the test page.
|
| I've tried to do the same thing on a pc with Windows98, using
| the installation software (for Windows 98 and Windows 2000)
| included with the joystick and all is ok.
|
| I know there are some problems between this joystick and motherboards
| with VIA chipset. I have a MSI motherboard based on a VIA KT400 chipset.
|
| I've download the patch from Microsoft site, but it requires the
| installation of the SideWinder software and I've got it only for
| Win98 and Win2000 !
|
| Can sb help me? Thank you in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

 

[Q&D]

Yes, the software version is v.4. I've just installed it
but the situation doesn't change:
- during installation phases no errors are detected,
- while in the "test container" everything works except "Joystick
movement" and "Rudder"

Thanx
Q&D

 

[Chris H.]

Are you calibrating those? Go another step in the process, and see if that
helps you.

 

[Joshua Smith [MSFT]]

You can try the following if you'd like. There are two drivers on your
system after doing an install from your joysticks install disk. There is an
"unsigned driver" that was installed with the disk, and a "signed driver"
that comes as part of the system. The system by default is set to always use
the signed drivers even if a unsigned driver is later installed. If the
default handleing of signed drivers has been changed it is possible to get
the older drivers to run. They should work ok for most situation but lack a
few fixes that the signed drivers have. I would try both sets of drivers and
see which ones work better for you. To select a new driver do the following:

1. Open Device Manager (Right-click My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware
tab -> Device Manager button)
2. Expand the entry for "Human Interface Device".
3. Right-click one of the two entries for your game controller and choose
Update driver.
4. Choose "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)". Hit Next
5. Choose "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install.". Hit Next.
6. You should be presented with a list of drivers for your device. The
entries with the green check are the signed drivers. Try those first.
7. Click Next and Finish.
8. Do the same for the other entry. With one of the entries you should also
get a "Virtual Keyboard" installed. This is the keymapping software.
9. Check you devices funtion.
10. If it doesn't funtion correctly try the unsigned.

On rare occation things go wrong during the initial driver install. So if
your fixed under the unsigned driver it may be worth your while to try going
back to the signed one to see if it is ok still. If not you can just stick
with th eone that works best.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need more assistance.

 

[Chris H.]

You should have no problems at all calibrating the controller with the v.4
software installed. It sound like the controller may be bad, or perhaps
there is some conflicting software running somewhere. When you installed
the software, you shut down your anti-virus and any third-party firewall,
correct? Items like anything Norton and ZoneAlarm continue running
"underneath" even though you might "exit" them from the Systray icon.