Re: Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel

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Thanks to all for the replies. It makes sense now. I will pick up a cheap
sound card with a gameport and give it a try. I am not sure if the USB
adapter connector that I am using is actually the one that came with the
steering wheel. In fact, I am not sure if a USB Adapter even came with it. I
might have just tried using the one that came with the Joy Stick I have. If
so, then that might explain why not working also.

Thanks again,
Ed.

"Joshua Smith [MSFT]" <joshsm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uj4sz2eOFHA.1172@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>I can clear up some of this for you guys. :) There were two major releases
>of Sidewinder devices. The version 3 and version 4. The version 3 devices
>were all gameport devices with the exception of some of the Precision Pro's
>and the Freestyle Pro gamepad. Those devices came with a USB dongle that
>allowed them to operate on the USB bus. As Cari pointed out those devices
>had USB firmware on the device that allowed it to communicate on the USB
>bus. The two force feedback devices (the stick and the wheel) did not have
>the capability of connecting on the USB bus because the method they used to
>transmit force data was through the MIDI channels of the MIDI/gameport
>connector. Since gameport devices don't notify Windows they connected the
>user has to use the Add... button in the Gaming Options control panel to
>add the device. That will use the version of the 3.02 drivers that were
>specially modified and built into Windows XP.
> The version 4 devices are USB only and have drivers built into Windows XP.
> Just plug them in and they should be detected and load the drivers.
> Hope that helps.
>
> Joshua Smith
> OpenGL Test Lab
> Microsoft
> -----
>
> Get Secure! www.microsoft.com/security
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
>
> "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote in message
> news:OfYEaoaOFHA.204@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>I believe I saw on the Microsoft hardware site that many of
>> the earlier FF joysticks and wheels are not supported by XP.
>> A new FF wheel is needed that is supported by XP. It will be
>> USB.
>>
>>
>> --
>> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
>> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
>>
>>
>> "Cari (MS-MVP)" <Newsgroups1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
>> message news:%23V4OB$YOFHA.1476@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> | Yes, it won't work with an adapter. The USB Controller
>> needs to have the
>> | correct data hard coded in the actual device so that it
>> knows what is
>> | connecting to it. No data = no connection. Since you
>> cannot add the data
>> | to the FF Wheel you have a couple of options...
>> |
>> | Buy a separate soundcard with a gameport controller on it.
>> | or
>> | Buy a new Wheel.
>> |
>> | There is a Sidewinder FF Wheel with a USB connection but
>> all Sidewinder
>> | devices are now discontinued. You can still often find
>> them at EBay.
>> | Logitech also currently manufacture a similar device.
>> | --
>> | Cari (MS-MVP)
>> | Printing & Imaging
>> |
>> | In Loving Memory of our dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
>> |
>> | "Ed." <esmithoh(at)zoominternet.net> wrote in message
>> | news:%237qTGzYOFHA.4028@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> | > OK, thanks for the reply and the link. I will check it
>> out.
>> | >
>> | > I forgot to mention and don't know if it makes any
>> difference or not but
>> | > this newer computer has onboard sound and no onboard
>> gameport. The
>> | > steering wheel had a gameport plug on it but also has
>> the adapter from it
>> | > to USB and I am trying to use as USB. My USB ports are
>> working cause other
>> | > things will work in them.
>> | >
>> | > Does this make any difference with XP not being able to
>> detect and use
>> | > it's built in drivers cause there is no gameport?
>> | >
>> | > Thanks,
>> | > Ed.
>> | >
>> | > "Rich Barry" <rbarry@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> | > news:OPh4e.5653$kk2.4960@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> | >> Ed, XP should have built-in drivers for Sidewinder.
>> Take a look here
>> | >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216096/EN-US/
>> | >>
>> | >>
>> | >> "Ed." <esmithoh(at)zoominternet.net> wrote in message
>> | >> news:umETh4UOFHA.3560@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> | >>> Does the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel
>> work in XP?
>> | >>>
>> | >>> I have this steering wheel and I go to Control Panel
>> to Game Controllers
>> | >>> and select Add and then the Microsoft Sidewinder (auto
>> detect).
>> | >>>
>> | >>> It then comes up with a message "Your gameport or
>> gameport drivers are
>> | >>> not properly configured, please consult your device
>> manager".
>> | >>>
>> | >>> My device manager shows no problems and I have all my
>> sound card updated
>> | >>> drivers. Does this mean this device don't work in XP?
>> It has worked in
>> | >>> 98 and ME for me in the past.
>> | >>>
>> | >>> If it does work in XP, does anyone know if I need to
>> download additional
>> | >>> drivers or software to make it work?
>> | >>>
>> | >>> Thanks,
>> | >>> Ed.
>> | >>>
>> | >>
>> | >>
>> | >
>> | >
>> | >
>> |
>> |
>> |
>>
>>
>
>


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