MY STICK DOESN'T SHAKE!!!!

[Moach]

before you jump into any inapropriate conclusions, i'm talking about my FORCE FEEDBACK PRO joystick

i got it repaired about a month back (power jack malfunction) and as soon as i got it plugged in, i found out that although it's recognized by windows and FS responds to it, it would not give me any force feedback. even though the LED is fully lit

i first thought it might be because of windows XP, but windows is supposed to automatically detect my joystick and enable FF

after going through the troubleshooting guide, i noticed that the problem was on the game port, something about incorrect resources...

i couldn't get the port's resources thinghy to be correct, so i talked to the tech guy who put my rig together, and he told me to try a SERIAL-TO-USB connector and plug my joystick to an USB port, instead of using the serial game port


i'm not sure if that'd work...
has anyone done this?
or does anyone know if it works?

[FS_Pilot]

What happens when you calibrate your joystick?

[Moach]

it displays the default calibraton wizard, not that funky one that comes with this joystick


that's because the joystick's software is incompatible with windows XP, but the joystick itself isn't

[FS_Pilot]

But does it calibrate OK when you use the default Calibration Wizard. If so then it may be a problem with the game software.

[Moach]

it calibrates ok.

and  i don't think fs2004 has a problem with force feedback.

what i want to know is if you think pluugging it in the USB port through a serial-to-usb connector would work...

[KnightStryker]

Have you tried running the software in compatibility mode? It might work.
Hope it works.

Kevin

[Moach]

i tried installing the joystick software in compatibility mode.
what happens is that you can get a little farther in the installation wizard.

as soon as it starts to install drivers, it displays an error message and stops installing

but as winXP has it's own drivers, it isn't necessary to install the software.

[Daz]

my joystick came with a serial to usb port adapter and i use it and its fine... i think there are also advantages of USB over serial speed etc so worth a try might solve it actualy other than that id say your force feedback is buggered

[Moach]

guys thanx for all the help, you've been great

but i found the problem.

when i opened the joystick to check for cracked solders or misconnections, i discoveed that the power cable that connects the magnets to the mainboard was simply disconnected.

i just plugged it back in and it worked perfectly.  :D

my guess is that the guy who fixed the jack malfunction must have unplugged it as he thought it was unnecessary, or just forgot to plug it back in...
anyways, it works now and i'm happy

thanx again for the help

c ya

Moach