"Colin Hickey" said in news:
[email protected]:
Is anyone running one of these with Windows 2000, i've
recently just tried to use mine after a very long time and
it keeps appears as connected and then no connected and
just continues this cycle.
Note the name of this newsgroup:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Then note the name of this other newsgroup:
microsoft.public.win2000.hardware
Repost to the correct newsgroup for the version of Windows you claim to
be using (Windows 2000).
I have an old Sidewinder Pro (non-forcefeedback). My recollection under
Windows 2000 (and XP) is that you have to use the embedded Windows
driver by using the Game Controllers applet in Control Panel to add the
auto-detect Sidewinder device. The Sidewinder 3.02 software won't work
under NT-based Windows. It was developed for Windows 9x (and hasn't
been updated in ages despite what datestamp its download might have).
You only get the driver, not all the programmable features afforded by
the software.
Did you check on the manufacturer's web site for a new driver, new
software, a patch, a support article addressing your problem? There is
a patch at
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/Downloads.asp
(scroll down to "3d Pro patch") but obviously it probably won't work
until you get the Sidewinder 3.02 software installed.
I have the sidewinder 3.02 software which supports this
joystick but that does not work in windows 2000.
See
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/downloads/302.asp where
only Windows 95 and 98 are listed as supported.
When switching to a new operating system (changing from Windows 9x/ME to
Windows NT4/2000/XP is a *switch* and not really an upgrade), you need
to check the hardware compatibility list (HCL) to see if your old device
is listed. Otherwise, figure on losing or replacing some hardware if
you later find that it isn't supported (or not well enough to keep it
usable).
Check Hardware and Software Compatibility
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/upgrading/compat/default.asp
A search there on "Microsoft", "Sidewinder 3D Pro", "Input devices",
lists the device as "The driver for this hardware device is included on
the Windows 2000 CD-ROM". That's all the support you'll get. The
Sidewinder 3.02 is unusable under Windows 2000. All you get is the
driver to support the device.