Hey Guys,
It's been a while. I figured I'd throw a technical question at you since my search hasn't brought up much.
I have one of the original gameport MS Sidewinder Precision Pro Joysticks. However since I've upgraded to XP my joystick goes from being Not Connected, to being recognized but with an "initialization error" when trying to calibrate.
I have a feeling I'm going to have to front for a new joystick, but it would be nice if any of you had any ideas.
Thanks!
-Dylan

• RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows XP,vgbaron, 15:44z, 10-05-02
• RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows XP,DylanK, 22:16z, 10-05-02
  • RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows XP,Grahame, 23:55z, 04-18-03
    • RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows X...,PaulCroft, 08:03z, 04-19-03
      • RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows X...,Grahame, 11:41z, 04-20-03
        • RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows X...,sw45061, 02:43z, 06-29-03
          • RE: MS Sidewinder Pro and Windows X...,PL965Melo, 23:14z, 06-29-03

Dylan -

There is a known problem with MS SideWinder Pro 1.0 and XP. There is no workaround. An alternative choice would be the SideWinder Pro FF 2.0 USB - I believe the gameport versin also has issues but they can be overcome.

HTH,

Vic

Dylan -

Of All the Things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!

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Registered to: Vic Baron
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Just in case anybody wanted to know I figured one work around.
I'm not one to go buy a new joystick because of MS's problems, althoguh not the best workaround, it works.
I reparitioned my hard drive.. Installed windows 98 on a seprate partition and reset XP's boot loader so I have the option of either booting into XP or 98. Somewhat of a pain but when I want to use the joystick I just boot into 98.
Thanks for your help!
-Dylan

Bit of a drastic workaround Dylan, but one I'm also beginning to think might be required. I've just spent the best part of a day trying to get my Sidewinder FF Pro (non-USB) to work with XP, but to no avail. It seems to work in control panel, but there's no FF and no button programming options.
I do think it's pretty poor when Microsoft can't even provide compatability with their own hardware devices, given that the stick cost a not inconseiderable amount of dosh at the time.
Something else to add to my list of "older things that don't work with XP", and more fuel for the "install a 98 partition" argument...

~Grahame

Hey Grahame and Dylan

If it works with 98 and not XP have you considered the following:
Right click on the shortcut to FS2002, select Properties, select the Compatibility tab and then make FS2002 compatible with FS98. I had some scenery that was designed pre winXP and caused crashes on my system. Taking this route solved the conflict.

Just thought it was less drastic than repartitioning the drive.

Paul Croft
10 miles SE of Heathrow (EGLL)

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Hi Paul;

It's not FS that's the problem; it's XP not supporting Sidewinder joysticks on the gameport. I don't see how making FS compatible will help.

XP does auto-detect the stick, but doesn't offer FF. And FS2002 can see the stick - I can enable it on the settings screen, and I can even test it in the calibration screen, but when I click on the 'assignments' button, suddenly FS can't see it anymore.
The stick does work with other programs.

All very frustrating.

~Grahame

ok guys, i have xp pro and sidewinder 3d pro joystick. it didnt recognize it in fs 2004 but what i did is to go to the joystick inteh control panel and "add it" then choose form the dropdown menu to pick the correct joystick. it worked fine and was automatically configured. i dont knwo if this is just for fs2004 or if it will work in fs2002 also.

>ok guys, i have xp pro and sidewinder 3d pro joystick. it
>didnt recognize it in fs 2004 but what i did is to go to
>the joystick inteh control panel and "add it" then choose
>form the dropdown menu to pick the correct joystick. it
>worked fine and was automatically configured. i dont knwo
>if this is just for fs2004 or if it will work in fs2002
>also.

My configuration is FS2002 and XP Home edition, with a MS Sidewinder 3D Pro stick (gameport).

I found that the Joystick is not operational in FS2002, options are greyed out. When I go to control panel and then Game controllers the joystick is there but listed as Not Connected. Once I either enter and exit from the troubleshooter, or remove and add the joystick then it reports "Ok" and works fine in FS2002 from then on. I have to go through this procedure every time the PC is restarted.

So it works, but is annoying.

Regards,
Melo
PL965 Spitfire pilot,
Glendale, CA