Two probs with flight sim

[Craig.]

well one prob with flight sim one with my joystick. now i have my laptop back i can finally get back to flight simming and i decided to finally download the arrcab program, because of the new F14 that was released few weeks back, but i was wondering, how do you lock onto the catapult and launch on it??
and as for the joystick, my USB ports are no longer detecting anything put in them, when i first tried my joystick it started shaking pretty bad(force feedback) then just quit on me, i tried unistalling the ports themselves and reinstalling them, but no luck. and its not just my joystick its also my web cam, i am hoping its not the ports themselves i dont need to have to send it back again, but like i said it did work for a short time the first time i put the stick in. i am thinking of maybe reinstalling windows to try that but would prefer not to unless nessicary. so any suggestions? thanks
Craig

[FSTipster]

I don't use arrestor cables so can't help there I'm afraid.

USB:

(Assuming your using Win XP here - if it's any different, the route to device manager will be slightly different)

Right click "My computer" icon, slect `Properties` then 'Hardware' the 'Device Manager'.

At the bottom of the list that appears should be 'Universal Serial Bus controllers'.

If this has a yellow exclamation mark by it, you have a problem with the ports or the software driving them. If not, both your joystick and webcam (or the lead you use to connect them) are shot at.

If you do have a yellow exclamation mark, try re-installing the USB driver (usually separate on your m/board CD).

If that doesn't work, and you're reasonably handy, open the case and check the connections from the USB port to the m/board.

[Craig.]

there isnt any exclimation mark by them(yeah its Xp) problem is, as i said i got that sudden shaking in my joystick then it just stopped, so i am starting to wonder if it some how sent a feedback through or power surge and burnt out the wires, problem is because its a laptop and not my desktop pc. i would prefer not to have to open it up to that extent
thanks for the help

[FSTipster]

Sad to say I suspect you're probably right.

In the absence of an exclamation mark, Windows wouldn't appear to have a problem so a re-install would be unlikely to help.

Trip back to the shop I'm afraid unless someone else has any advice to offer,

[Craig.]

i'm kind of afraid your right to. i'll prob give reinstall a chance. i would rather find that to work and have to reinstall flight sim and others than loose it for another two weeks. just tried my old joystick and no luck there either, just wish i had a serial port aswell.
oh well

[Craig.]

ok after trying to install a joystick manually i get the message your gameport or gameport drivers are not properly configured please consult the device manager, i have tried that and then what, i tried installing new hardware nothing detected of any use so any help?
thanks so far

[FSTipster]

That message could generated by a hardware fault, but try this:

Back into device manager, click the + by USB controllers and right click each one, selecting uninstall. when they're all gone, re-boot. Windows should then re-install the drivers.

[Craig.]

gave that a try but no luck.  i'll do a windows reinstall tommorow i dont have anything major on here right now so its no big deal, then if that dont work i will have to return it again

[TJ_Gumby]

For ArrCab, you park the plane on launcher slot, set parking brake and hit F9. You must have ArrCab program on for this to work. You should see "Catapult Armed" at the top of screen. Go to full thrust and take off parking brake. You should hear a bang and your plane should launch.

[Craig.]

thanks for the help TJ
and as for the computer looks like its going to end up with frequent flier miles by the end of this:) reinstall did nothing so prob gonna have to go back
thanks for all the help
Craig

[coolpick]

There was a new f-14 released? What page is it on?

[Craig.]

try avsim. there are pics of it in the screenshot forum  here somewhere