Sidewinder Precision Pro with Windows XP

[Karl]

I just installed Microsoft "Combat Flight Simulator 3" on
my Windows XP Pro system. I have an old "Sidewinder
Precision Pro" game controller that I used with Windows
98 SE. The "Game Controller Software 3.0" that came with
the controller warns on installation that it is not
compatible with the operating system version the computer
is running. I expected to be able to go to the Microsoft
sight and download a new version that is compatible with
XP Pro but the only downloads I find are only compatible
with 95 and 98.

Any ideas?

 

[Chris H.]

The 3.x version software is not supported on Windows XP, Karl, but you can
plug in the controller to the game port and then go into Control Panel/Game
Controllers and Add the Microsoft SideWinder (auto detect) and XP will
install the proper drivers for you. The vxd format in which that software
was written is obsolete. To adjust the button actions, etc., you'll need to
do that within CFS3 itself, under Options.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Yes Virginia, there is no software. d;^)

XP uses built-in drivers and ingame settings instead of profile/software:

To install your controller in XP: Plug it in, click Start / Control Panel /
Switch to Classic view if you haven't already / click Game Controllers
Click Add... / Select Microsoft Sidewinder Auto Detect / OK / OK.

--
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 read your post and have a similar situation. Are you saying that the
| software on the disk that comes with this joystick should not be installed?
| That the joystick gets plugged in and it's just a matter of XP installing
| the drivers? Sorry if I sound lacking, technologically, but just want to
| get my husband's stuff installed correctly.
|
| Thanks!
|
| Virginia
|
| | > The 3.x version software is not supported on Windows XP, Karl, but you can
| > plug in the controller to the game port and then go into Control
| Panel/Game
| > Controllers and Add the Microsoft SideWinder (auto detect) and XP will
| > install the proper drivers for you. The vxd format in which that software
| > was written is obsolete. To adjust the button actions, etc., you'll need
| to
| > do that within CFS3 itself, under Options.
| > --
| > Chris H.
| > Microsoft Windows MVP
| > Associate Expert
| > Expert Zone -
| >
| > | > > I just installed Microsoft "Combat Flight Simulator 3" on
| > > my Windows XP Pro system. I have an old "Sidewinder
| > > Precision Pro" game controller that I used with Windows
| > > 98 SE. The "Game Controller Software 3.0" that came with
| > > the controller warns on installation that it is not
| > > compatible with the operating system version the computer
| > > is running. I expected to be able to go to the Microsoft
| > > sight and download a new version that is compatible with
| > > XP Pro but the only downloads I find are only compatible
| > > with 95 and 98.
| > >
| > > Any ideas?
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Chris H.]

No, Virginia, it isn't "should not" it is cannot as Jimmy says. The game
port controllers haven't been manufactured for years and the format in which
the drivers, etc., is written (vxd) is not supported on Windows XP. Follow
Jimmy's advice and the controller will run fine on Windows XP because the
system furnishes the compatible files necessary for basic operations.

 

[Chris H.]

What have you tried to install it, Mike? USB devices (and the software) are
fully supported on Windows XP. Game port devices are automatically
installed by the system itself, since the *.vxd format in which the older
drivers were written is no longer supported.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

How about the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel? Will this
work under XP?

I just got WIN2000PRO a month ago and now realize it won't
work on here. I don't find any drivers on the website.
What if I go buy a new Wheel?

-----Original Message-----
Yes Virginia, there is no software. d;^)

XP uses built-in drivers and ingame settings instead of profile/software:

To install your controller in XP: Plug it in, click Start / Control Panel /
Switch to Classic view if you haven't already / click Game Controllers
Click Add... / Select Microsoft Sidewinder Auto Detect / OK / OK.

--
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 read your post and have a similar situation. Are you saying that the
| software on the disk that comes with this joystick should not be installed?
| That the joystick gets plugged in and it's just a matter of XP installing
| the drivers? Sorry if I sound lacking,

technologically, but just want to

| get my husband's stuff installed correctly.
|
| Thanks!
|
| Virginia
|
| | > The 3.x version software is not supported on Windows XP, Karl, but you can
| > plug in the controller to the game port and then go into Control
| Panel/Game
| > Controllers and Add the Microsoft SideWinder (auto detect) and XP will
| > install the proper drivers for you. The vxd format in which that software
| > was written is obsolete. To adjust the button actions, etc., you'll need
| to
| > do that within CFS3 itself, under Options.
| > --
| > Chris H.
| > Microsoft Windows MVP
| > Associate Expert
| > Expert Zone -
| >
| > | > > I just installed Microsoft "Combat Flight Simulator 3" on
| > > my Windows XP Pro system. I have an old "Sidewinder
| > > Precision Pro" game controller that I used with Windows
| > > 98 SE. The "Game Controller Software 3.0" that came with
| > > the controller warns on installation that it is not
| > > compatible with the operating system version the computer
| > > is running. I expected to be able to go to the Microsoft
| > > sight and download a new version that is compatible with
| > > XP Pro but the only downloads I find are only compatible
| > > with 95 and 98.
| > >
| > > Any ideas?
| >
| >
|
|


.

 

[Karl]

Thanks so much for the help. Your suggestion appears to
have worked. It now appears though, that I need to
upgrade my memory card before I can run CFS3. My ATI
Wonder Pro (3D RAGE PRO) only has 8 meg of video memory,
CFS3 requires 16. Any suggestions on a video card?

Thanks again,
Karl

 

[Mike P]

Get an 8500, 9500 or 9600, depending on your budget. The 8500 was recently
replaced with the 9200 I think, be careful with the lower 9x ati cards as
only one of them is equal to the 8500. Get more info at rage3d.com.
Similar model name trickery exists with nvidia cards, spend a bit of time
researching before you make a decision and you'll be rewarded. Else just
pick up, i order from slowest for gaming to faster, a 9500, 9600pro,
9500pro, all higher cards are quite expensive and for probably hardcore
gamers (9700 and up).

Mike

 

[Tank]

I have this same joystick. I went and bought a Gameport to USB Adapter to try and get it going. Im using XP so the drivers didnt work, i then tried to to the MS Sidewinder Auto Detect but that has come up with "Gameport drivers are not configured properly. Please consult Device Manager" I dont have a Gameport. Any suggestions?

 

[Chris H.]

The problem is probably in the conversion to the USB adapter you bought. If
you can put a game port in your system, you should have no issues following
the information below. If not, I'd look for assistance from the folks who
produced the adapter.

There are no older drivers for the game port devices, since the form in
which they were written is not supported on Windows XP - however, just plug
in the controller, then go into Control Panel/Game Controllers and select
Add, then scroll to the proper device (like Microsoft SideWinder) listing,
highlight it and then OK your way out.

The correct drivers necessary are already part of Windows XP and will be
installed for you by the system. You will lose the old "profile"
capabilities formerly available in Game Controllers, but if the games
themselves support the settings, you can save them there.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

 

[RobertVA]

I have this same joystick. I went and bought a Gameport to USB Adapter
to try and get it going. Im using XP so the drivers didnt work, i then
tried to to the MS Sidewinder Auto Detect but that has come up with
"Gameport drivers are not configured properly. Please consult Device
Manager" I dont have a Gameport. Any suggestions?

Some adaptors are only compatable with controlers that use the four game
controler "button" circuits and four analog axis circuits. These analog
controlers sometimes use special software to provide more than four
buttons. Unfortunately some gameport controlers, often described as
"digital", utilize the gameport's relatively unknown bi-directional MIDI
serial interface. Many digital gameport controlers require Windows 9x,
Windows ME or Windows XP to function.

Windows recognizes the combination of the adaptor and controler as a USB
controler. The operating system knows nothing about the partialy
functional "gameport" on the other end of the adaptor.

Unless the controler has some special capabilities it's usually best to
just replace the controler (and the adaptor) with a USB controler. If
you must continue to use a digital gameport controler, the proper
"adaptor" is usually a sound card installed in a desktop tower PCI slot
(deactivate motherboard sound in CMOS).

 

[binaryFAB]

I have this problem with a Sitecom USB to Gameport adaptor and a Mk1 Microsoft Sidewinder 3D pro (Windows 2000). Most of the controls are mixed-up eg the throttle slider operates the HAT switch, the HAT switch activates buttons etc. I WAS hoping for a solution that didn't involve a PCI soundcard, as the onboard 7.1 is nice....but I dont see how these people can sell an adaptor that says it supports flightstcks when it doesn't (Not on W2K or XP anyway...who still runs 98 / SE ?). Needless to say I am very dissapointed.