Need help: Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro

[Lysander77]

Need help w/MicroSoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro which I inherited without software or instructions. This model is the gameport edition. I used an adapter to plug it into a USB outlet, but Windows XP does not seem to recognize the device.
Is there some software needed?  Special driver? Or will adding a card with a gameport make the device functional?
Any suggestions or advice will be much appreciated.
Many thanks....

[Gunny04]

Gameport might work...... Does it detect in control panel? I might also add that Windows XP doesnt like all Gameport devices....... I have the very same prob you do, I bought sound card, it detects it, but ugh is all messed up, Cheers, Gunny (went as far as putting 98SE on comp with XP)

[ctjoyce]

Its a good stick, but I think its time to let go :-/ Saiteks all around

Cheers
Cameron

[4_Series_Scania]

Need help w/MicroSoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro which I inherited without software or instructions. This model is the gameport edition. I used an adapter to plug it into a USB outlet, but Windows XP does not seem to recognize the device.
Is there some software needed?  Special driver? Or will adding a card with a gameport make the device functional?
Any suggestions or advice will be much appreciated.
Many thanks....

Gameport to USB adapters don't work too well in the main, I've found this out recently by trying to get my old ,but, perfectly good M$ FF stick to work.

In a nutshell, the M$ stick is digital, adapters tend to only work with analogue sticks!

I'm trying to get round this issue by re-installing my old Soundblaster Live - which has a built in gameport, unlike my Audigy 2 - alongside my Audigy 2, and disabling the sound output (so it dos'nt clash with the Audigy) so far, with limited results.....

I'm probably going to swap my Audigy for model with a gameport, much easier in the long run.

Also, I resent having to discard a perfectly good force feedback stick simply because my "new" soundcard has no gameport plug!

[Lysander77]

Splendid! What prompt, helpful and encouraging responses.  You've cleared up the questions I had and pointed me in the right direction (Saitek!).
My sincere thanks to everyone....
              Lysander77

[chuckcrc]

I have a MS ffb 1 stick and it will work on Win XP. I had trouble initially trying to get it to work because I tried to install the Sidewinder software which stuffed up the XP drivers.
So don't install any Sidewinder s/w and if you have you need to get a registry tweaker and get rid of it. ( I had to reload XP to fix mine.)

Now XP will auto detect the stick and you can connect it in two ways.
1. If your mobo has a game port plug you need the backpane adaptor to connect to and you then plug the stick into the gameport and XP will then Auto detect. You can then go into control panel/ game controllers and calibrate the stick. (note you must enable the mobo gameport in bios first and give it an address)
2. Install a Soudblaster live card and use the gameport on that. These option seems to run a little faster as I got higher frame rates with this.

I have a MS force feedback wheel and XP will auto detect this ok through the mobo gameport plug I have on my other pc. The MS Precision Pro stick will work ok as well in Gameport mode or USB.

Congo is the expert in this area as he sorted me out with this.

[Gunny04]

I wouldnt take one of those Saiteks if you payed me or gave it too me for free, If I dropped it, (Like I have a bad habit of doing, as do my parents) I'd have a 150+ USD Paper weight..... My MS Stick is so durable it took a 10ft fall from concrete and still works, a little loose from the CFS days but hey, 4 sticks and it kills em all! Cheers, Gunny (MS Precision 2)

EDIT: I dont have anything against em really Saiteks that is, but they are soooooo uncomfortable and I dont like the springs...... prolly pop out on me!

[ctjoyce]

I have flung my X45 all around, even accidentally dragged the USB cable behind a car and it still works fine. But gunny if your soo opposed to Saitek and you cant use your MS stick what do you plan on useing? A logitech one?

Cheers
Cameron

[Lysander77]

Thanks again for the wealth of additional information. It's great to have this source of experience and advice!

[Gunny04]

The MS is a USB and works great, as does the other MS I have around.... The thing in question is a Saitek R80 Racing wheel....... Thank Saitek for friendly compatibility for future OS's when this blasted thing came out..... Even tried 98SE and it wont go right! Cheers, Gunny

[congo]

The sidewinder sticks auto - detect in XP.

Go to gaming options in control panel and select it if it didn't already install.

You need a gameport interface of course. But you may already have a gameport riser on your mainboard and only require a cable out to the expansion slot.

The gameport may need to be enabled in BIOS if your mainboard has the riser pins.

I always buy a mainboard with gameport onboard to deal with my seemingly immortal Sidewinder which is so dear to me.

[Fozzer]

I paid

[Saitek]

You paid nearly a

[Fozzer]

[quote]You paid nearly a

[Saitek]

I know - I liked mine too - just that they kept going wrong!

After prolonged problems with the first, then more with the second I gave up.

This for about