Joystick woks but then does'nt

[Simviation2003]

Hi Fellas,

Just wondering if anybody could help me on the following;

I have Windows XP PRO running FS2002 on a PIII 800Mhz Intel with 384.0Mb RAM, Nvidia TNT2 64 Video Card enhanced with a Voodoo 3 Video Accelerater.

I'm using a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro (Version 1) Joystick.

The problem I'm facing is;

In game controller properties in XP I can load the standard XP driver for the joystick under (Auto Detect). I then can calibrate, test it and it looks and works fine.
I load FS2002 and select settings, I then again check Joystick and calibrate again - everythings fine.Come back to FS and still the joystick forces don't light up. I load a flight to find the joystick refuses to work.

But thats not all

Last night stuffing around on the net, I had fs running in the background and the joystick kicked in and gave me full options.

But after that session up til now, theres nothing.
I know it works, I had it working for months on end before needing to reformat due to a video card hiccup, but is this just a fluke or can I change a setting in FS to recognise the Joystick.

Anyone with suggestions or a possable solution would be most appreciated.

SV2003

[congo]

Hi,

Could you please tell me what soundcard you have, and also if you have onboard sound and what version it is?

My guess is it's a driver or midi port hiccup on the soundcard, as that is where the Force Feedback on that stick is routed.

Possibly reinstall your soundcard.

If you find a solution could you please post back, as I haven't been able to get mine to work, apparently because AC'97 sound codec doesnt support the Feedback on the midi port. But I'm still hopeful.

[Fozzer]

If you are using your PCI sound card to connect your MS FFB joystick to, make sure that you have onboard sound and onboard midi disabled in the bios settings, (delete key pressed during boot-up).

Paul.

P.S. Microsoft Force Force-Feedback Pro version 1.
...also make sure that the power light is on, on your joystick. (faulty power pack connection?)...!

[Simviation2003]

Thanks fellas,

Will try both of those suggestions and will reprot back the outcome.

Thanks again for your help

SV2003

[Simviation2003]

Hi Fellas,

Thankfully it worked - I owe you one !!!!!!!!

It was the MIDI setting inside the sound card properties.
Changing it to External instead of sythensizer, plus disabling the on-board sound/game controller in system properties gave me full options in FS.

For the record the sound card is a creative sound baster audio pci

I hope you have better luck with yours

Keep me posted if I can be of any assistance

Thanks again

SV2003

[congo]

Thanks for the followup.

Simviation saves the day again!    ;D

[4_Series_Scania]

Simviation2003, one point, I notice you say your running a TNT2 with Voodoo3..... Hmm, puzzling one that, I assume you mean on dual display??? - I'm curious!  :)

Anyway, you'll see one hell of an improvement with your PC if you get hold of an FX5200 128MB card (about