Microsoft KB Archive/831361

= How to troubleshoot game controllers in Microsoft games =

Article ID: 831361

Article Last Modified on 12/4/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator X Standard
 * Microsoft Halo 2 for Windows Vista
 * Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
 * Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater
 * Microsoft Crimson Skies
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Century of Flight
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Gears of War (PC)
 * Microsoft Halo: Combat Evolved for PC
 * Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
 * Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
 * Microsoft Midtown Madness 2
 * Microsoft RalliSport Challenge PC
 * Microsoft Shadowrun (PC)
 * Microsoft Viva Pinata (PC)

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SUMMARY
''This article describes how to troubleshoot game controllers in Microsoft games. This article includes steps for checking for game compatibility, testing the game controller in Microsoft Windows, and how to turn on game controller support in Microsoft game titles.''



INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to troubleshoot game controllers in the products that are listed in the &quot;Applies To&quot; section of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
To troubleshoot game controller problems, follow these methods in the order they appear.

Method 1: Verify that your game supports game controllers
Some games do not provide direct support for game controllers.

For more information about game controller support in these games, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

300970 Games: Game controller does not work or does not work as expected in some games

Method 2: Test the game controller in Microsoft Windows
Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

To test the game controller in Windows, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Control Panel, open Game Controllers. To do this, use one of the following methods:
 * 2) * In Windows Vista, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type joy.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) * In Windows XP and in earlier versions of Windows, click Start, click Run, type joy.cpl, and then click OK.
 * 4) Click your game controller, and then click Properties.
 * 5) On the Test tab, test the game controller to verify functionality.

If you cannot select your game controller or the game controller does not work correctly, contact the game controller manufacturer for more information.

Method 3: Configure your game controller as the preferred device
To configure your game controller as the preferred device, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Control Panel, open Game Controllers. To do this, use one of the following methods:
 * 2) * In Windows Vista, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type joy.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) * In Windows XP and in earlier versions of Windows, click Start, click Run, type joy.cpl, and then click OK.
 * 4) Click Advanced.
 * 5) Under Preferred device, select the game controller that you want to use.
 * 6) Click OK two times.

Method 4: Research known issues with the game controllers in your game
For more information about known issues with game controllers, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then select your game:

http://support.microsoft.com/games

Method 5: Enable the game controller in the game
You may have to enable the game controller in the game. To do this, follow the steps that are for your game.

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2

 * 1) Click Settings.
 * 2) Click to select the Enable Joystick check box, and then click OK.

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3

 * 1) Click Options, and then click Control Options.
 * 2) Under Joystick Type, click the game controller that you want to use.
 * 3) Click OK.

Microsoft Crimson Skies

 * 1) Click Preferences, and then click Controls.
 * 2) Under Controller Type, click Joystick/Key.
 * 3) Click Accept Changes.

Microsoft Halo: Combat Evolved

 * 1) Click Settings, and then click Controls Setup.
 * 2) In the Devices list, click the controller that you want to use.
 * 3) Verify that the controller appears in the Devices list.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000

 * 1) On the Options menu, point to Controls, and then click Enable Joystick.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002

 * 1) Click Settings.
 * 2) In the Control list, click to select the Enable Joystick check box.

Microsoft MechWarrior 4 Vengeance and Microsoft MechWarrior Mercenaries

 * 1) Click Options.
 * 2) On the Controls tab, under Joystick, click the game controller that you want to use.

Microsoft Midtown Madness 2

 * 1) Click Options, and then click Control.
 * 2) Under Controller, click the game controller type that you want to use, and then click Done.

Microsoft Rallisport Challenge

 * 1) Click Start Game, and then click your profile.
 * 2) Press ENTER.
 * 3) Click Options, and then click Controller Settings.
 * 4) Under Controller Settings, click the game controller that you want to use.

To learn more about how to troubleshoot games in Windows Vista, follow the instructions in the &quot;Troubleshoot game problems&quot; topic in Windows Vista Help and Support. To view the topic, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start vistastartbutton.jpg], and then click Help and Support.
 * 2) In the Search Help box, type Troubleshoot game problems, and then click Search Help.
 * 3) Click the appropriate topic.

Additional query words: gamecontroller gaming device

Keywords: kbhowto kbhardware KB831361

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