Microsoft KB Archive/173606

Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro Readme.txt File

PSS ID Number: Q173606 Article last modified on 09-24-1997

WINDOWS:1.0

WINDOWS

======================================================================

The information in this article applies to:

• == Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro ==

SUMMARY

This article contains a copy of the information in the “SW Force Feedback Pro Readme.txt” file included on the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback compact disc.

MORE INFORMATION

Readme File for Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro

This document provides late-breaking or other information that supplements the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro Joystick Online User’s Guide.

To learn more about the Microsoft game devices, as well as other Microsoft hardware products and updates, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/

————————- CONTENTS ————————-

Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON GAME PORTS AND SOUND CARDS

1.1 Don’t Connect Your Game Device to a Network AUI Port 1.2 Game Port Y-Cables 1.3 Game Port Extender Cables 1.4 Game Port and Sound Card Issues

Part 2: GAMES-COMPATIBILITY WITH SIDEWINDER DIGITAL-ONLY DEVICES

2.1 Games That May Exhibit Problems 2.2 Notes on Other Games and Programs 2.3 Hot Plugging 2.4 Mode Switching

Part 3: COMPATIBLE GAME PORTS

3.1 Use the Latest Drivers from Your Sound Card Manufacturer 3.2 Motherboard Game Ports 3.3 Game Port Add-on Connectors 3.4 Using the SideWinder Game Pad’s Pass-through Connector 3.5 Abnormal Termination of a Game (or other program) 3.6 Drivers for Creative Labs and Ensoniq Sound Cards

Part 4: SOUND CARDS THAT NEED SPECIAL SETUP

4.1 Incompatible Sound Cards 4.2 Aztech Sound Cards 4.3 Logitech SoundMan 4.4 Turtle Beach Wave Front and TBS 2000 4.5 Boca Sound Expression

Part 5: USING FORCE FEEDBACK

5.1 Changing the Force Level to your Joystick Affects Return-to-Center 5.2 Low Force Level Setting Affects the Test Forces 5.3 Diminishing Forces as the Handle is Moved from Center 5.4 Connecting the Joystick to a SideWinder Game Pad 5.5 Erratic Throttle Operation in Some Non-Force Feedback Games

Part 6: TROUBLESHOOTING

Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON GAME PORTS AND SOUND CARDS

1.1 Don’t Connect Your Game Device to a Network AUI Port

Network adapters with an AUI 15-pin port resemble the standard game port. If you plug your SideWinder game device into a network port, you may damage the game device or network card.

1.2 Game Port Y-Cables

Don’t use a y-cable to connect your SideWinder game device to your computer because some y-cables can damage your game device.

1.3 Game Port Extender Cables

Don’t use a game port extender cable to connect the SideWinder game device to your computer. Extender cables can severely reduce the performance of your game device.

1.4 Game Port and Sound Card Issues

If you plug your SideWinder game device into a game port of one of the following sound cards, your joystick or game pad may experience problems or may not work.

(Also note that SideWinder game devices are designed to work with only one game port installed; using multiple game ports may cause problems.)

• Diamond Edge 3D (Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.) or other Nvidia- based 3D accelerator card.

  The onboard game port is incompatible with the Microsoft game devices digital drivers. To use the joystick or game pad, you must install a standard game port.

• Game Jammer PC Card (New Media Systems Corp.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro.

• Hewlett-Packard HP4000CT laptop docking station (Hewlett-Packard Co.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro.

• Media Vision Prosonic and Pro Audio 3D(Media Vision, Inc.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. If you have problems, try loading the DOS drivers for the card.

  For the SideWinder 3D Pro to work properly, you must load the MS-DOS drivers as well as the Windows drivers. If you still experience problems, use the SideWinder 3D Pro in analog mode.

• Microcomputer Microconnect 34

  You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses) with games if you have the sound on. If you disable the sound, your game should play properly.

• Mwave sound card (IBM Corp.), used in the IBM Aptiva

  You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses) with games if you have the sound on. If you disable the sound, your game should play properly.

• Quick Shot PCMCIA (Bondwell Global, Ltd.)

  To properly configure this game port, you need to obtain one of the manufacturer’s new drivers: JOYA.COM or JOYB.COM. For more information, contact Quick Shot.

• Roland RAP 10/AT (Roland Corp.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad and SideWinder Precision Pro; and is incompatible with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro.

• Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-1 (Creative Labs, Inc.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro.

  NOTE: All other Sound Blaster game ports are compatible with digital- only game devices.

• TeleVideo TeleWave Q32/SRS (TeleVideo, Inc.)

  This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the SideWinder game pad, 3D Pro, and Force Feedback Pro. If you have problems, try loading the DOS drivers for the card.

  For the SideWinder 3D Pro to work properly, you must load the MS-DOS drivers as well as the Windows drivers. If you still experience problems, use the SideWinder 3D Pro in analog mode.

• Chromatic MPACT

  This sound card is not compatible with any SideWinder game device except for the SideWinder 3D Pro, which can be operated in Analog mode.

• Toshiba Tecra 700CT notebook computer (Toshiba America, Inc.)

  Uses a built-in game port which may produce erratic results.

• Toshiba Tecra 720 notebook computer (Toshiba America, Inc.)

  In Low power mode, there is not enough power available for the SideWinder game pad to work properly from the docking station game port or from a PCMCIA-based game port. If you switch to Full power, both game ports work properly. For information about changing the notebook setting to Full power, see your computer’s manual.

• Sound cards or systems using the ESS or Opti chip sets

  You may experience problems or poor performance with games if you have the sound on. To correct this problem, the “Use Single Mode DMA” setting should be selected from Control Paneldevices, double click the “Audio for …”, click the settings button, check the box for “Use single Mode DMA”

Part 2: GAMES-COMPATIBILITY WITH SIDEWINDER DIGITAL-ONLY DEVICES

2.1 Games That May Exhibit Problems

The games below may experience problems with SideWinder digital-only game devices (SideWinder Game Pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro). Digital-only game devices are designed specifically for Windows and may have problems establishing proper communication with these non-Windows-based games. You may want to check with the game publisher for possible updates or patches to their product.

GAME Publisher —- ———

AH-64D Longbow Origin Systems, Inc Alien Odyssey Argonaut Software, Ltd. Body Count Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.) Corridor 7 Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.) Cyberia Interplay Productions, Inc. Cyberia 2 Interplay Productions, Inc. Delta V Bethesda Softworks, Inc. Earthworm Jim: The Whole Can Interactive Entertainment, Inc. of Worms Playmates Flight Unlimited (DOS version) Looking Glass Technologies, Inc. Football Pro ’96 Sierra On-Line, Inc. Full Throttle LucasArts Entertainment Co. Hardball 5 Accolade, Inc. Iron Assault Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc. Mortal Kombat I Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Need For Speed Electronic Arts Raiden Imagitec Design, Inc. Savage Warriors Mindscape, Inc. Screamer Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc. Star Trek 25th Anniversary Interplay Productions, Inc. Star Wars: Rebel Assault I and II LucasArts Entertainment Co. Shattered Steel Interplay Productions, Inc. SuperKarts Manic Media Productions, Ltd. System Shock Origin Systems, Inc. Terminator: Future Shock Bethesda Softworks Tetris Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. TFX Ocean Software, Ltd. The Dig LucasArts Entertainment Co. Ultimate Body Blows European Leisure Software Publishers Assoc. Wetlands New World Computing, Inc. Zoop Viacom International, Inc.

2.2 Notes on Other Games and Programs

• Mech Warrior II (Activision)

  Mech Warrior II does not operate correctly with the hat switch on the SideWinder Precision Pro and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. Use the “control configuration” provided with Mech Warrior II to assign the correct directional commands to the hat switch.

• Descent and Descent II (Interplay Productions, Inc.)

  You need to run these games with the “-joypolled” command switch. For more information, check the Descent or Descent II Readme file.

• Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts Entertainment Co.)

  For the SideWinder game device to work correctly, do not use the game’s joystick calibration feature.

• Day of the Tentacle (LucasArts Entertainment Co.)

  For the SideWinder game device to work correctly, do not use the game’s joystick calibration feature.

• Lode Runner (Sierra On-Line, Inc.)

  To activate a move that your game has pre-assigned to a game pad button, you will need to press the button twice.

• Mega Man X (Capcom Entertainment, Inc.)

  In order to get the most functionality from this game, select the Capcom controller in the game’s Option Mode screen.

• Wing Commander 3 & 4 (Origin Systems, Inc.)

  For the SideWinder game pad to work correctly with these games, you need an alternate joystick DLL file (WC3JOY.DLL or WC4JOY.DLL) that is available from Origin Systems.

• NFL Quarterback Club ’97 (Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.)

  When played with a SideWinder game device, this game detects a single game device as two game devices. In the case of a joystick, only buttons 1 and 2 on the joystick work with this game. When using a game pad, only buttons A and B work with this game.

2.3 Hot Plugging

Some games will not detect a game device that you connect during game play. To change or add a game device, exit your game, connect the game device you want to use for that game session, and then re-start your game.

Connecting your game device during game play may work better with either the Editor, Activator, or Control Panel running.

2.4 Mode Switching

In some games, when you switch from a SideWinder game pad to a SideWinder joystick during game play, the game will not recognize the joystick. In these cases, you may need to recalibrate the joystick in your game in order for it to work properly. Or, you may need to restart your game.

For more information about joystick calibration, refer to your game’s manual.

Part 3: COMPATIBLE GAME PORTS

3.1 Use the Latest Drivers from Your Sound Card Manufacturer

To ensure the compatibility, be sure you have the latest drivers for your sound card. For full compatibility with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, the drivers must be DirectX 5.0 certified. Most sound card manufacturers have a BBS or Worldwide Web site with their latest drivers. Refer to the your sound card manual for that location.

3.2 Motherboard Game Ports

Some computers have a gameport on the motherboard, and most pass the MIDI lines (needed for force feedback to operate) out to the game port connector. If your gameport is on the motherboard, consult your system manual to be sure your gameport contains an MPU-401 compatible MIDI port that is available at the game port connector.

3.3 Game Port Add-on Connectors

Some high-end audio sound cards have a gameport add-on connector that does not pass the MIDI lines (needed for force feedback to operate) out to the gameport. These cards are not, and cannot be made, compatible.

3.4 Using the SideWinder Game Pad’s Pass-through Connector

The SideWinder Force Feedback Pro should be connected directly to your computer’s gameport. However, it will usually work when connected via the pass-through connector of a SideWinder game pad. If you experience any trouble in pass-through mode, connect the stick directly to your gameport. (If you have a MIDI-splitter cable, you will need to bypass that and plug directly into the gameport.

3.5 Abnormal Termination of a Game (or other program)

Sometimes a game or other program will terminate unexpectedly, causing the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro to keep moving. To reset the joystick and stop the movement, unplug the joystick and plug it back into the game port.

3.6 Drivers for Creative Labs and Ensoniq Sound Cards

If you experience problems with any of the following sounds cards:

• Sound Blaster from Creative Labs
• Audio PCI from Ensoniq
• Soundscape from Ensoniq
• Soundscape Elite from Ensoniq
• Vivo from Ensoniq

Please load the appropriate driver from the CD. To do this:

1. Place the CD in your CD drive.
2. Choose “Explore the CD.”
3. Find the “Sound Card Drivers” folder.
4. Open the folder and double-click the appropriate driver to load it.

Part 4: SOUND CARDS THAT NEED SPECIAL SETUP

4.1 Incompatible Sound Cards

The following sound cards are known to be incompatible with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, and as a result, will not allow the joystick to operated in the force feedback mode.

• Mozart 16
• ATI Stereo FIX
• Roland Rap 10
• NEC PC98 CX3 and its integrated sound system

4.2 Aztech Sound Cards

Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Aztech. Some Aztech sound cards such as the Multimedia Pro AB and the 3D Stereo require you to run their DOS based configuration program in order to enable the external MIDI port (required for force feedback to work). Follow the instructions provided with your sound card for using this program and setting up the external MIDI port (a.k.a. MPU-401) functionality.

4.3 Logitech SoundMan

Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Logitech. The LogiTech SoundMan sound card may automatically disable the external MIDI port (required for force feedback to work). To configure your LogiTech sound card, choose Basic Configuration 0000. For detailed instructions, see the following steps.

1. Open the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking My Computer and choosing Properties, then Device Manager.

2. Make sure View Devices By Type is selected.

3. Scroll down the list to Sound, video and game controllers, and then click the (+) icon to display the list of controllers connected to your computer. Click the entry in the list that identifies the Logitech SoundMan sound card.

4. Click Properties to open the Properties dialog.

5. Click the Resources tab.

6. Deselect the Use automatic settings check box.

7. Select Basic configuration 0000 from the Setting based on list box.

8. If this results in a device conflict message appearing in the Conflicting device list, then change the settings for either the sound card or the conflicting device. Look for one of the following values:

   0300 - 0307 0310 - 0317 0320 - 0327 0330 - 0337

For more information, open the Windows Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.

4.4 Turtle Beach Wave Front and TBS 2000

Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Turtle Beach. These cards may automatically disable the external MIDI port (required for force feedback to work) by default.

To configure these Turtle Beach sound cards, choose Basic Configuration 0001. For detailed instructions, see the following steps:

1. Open the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking My Computer and choosing Properties, then Device Manager.
2. Make sure View Devices By Type is selected.
3. Scroll down the list to Sound, video and game controllers, and then click the (+) icon to display the list of controllers connected to your computer. Click the entry in the list that identifies your Turtle Beach sound card.
4. Click Properties to open the Properties dialog.
5. Click the Resources tab.
6. Deselect the Use automatic settings check box.
7. Select Basic configuration 0001 from the Setting based on list box.
8. If this results in a device conflict message appearing in the Conflicting device list, then change the settings for either the sound card or the conflicting device. For more information, open the Windows Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.

4.5 Boca Sound Expression

Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Boca. Versions dated earlier than 3/29/96 may exhibit problems when used with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. Experiment with various configuration settings for the Sound Expression MPU401 entry in the Sound, video and game controllers device list. If this results in a device conflict, then change the settings for either the sound card or the conflicting device as described in the Windows Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.

Part 5: USING FORCE FEEDBACK

5.1 Changing the Force Level to your Joystick Affects Return-to-Center

If you change the Force Feedback setting to Off on the Settings page of the Game Controller Properties, no forces will be present at the joystick. This no-force setting also interacts with and affects the Return to Center (which is a force) setting.

5.2 Low Force Level Setting Affects the Test Forces

At Low force settings, some forces in the Control Panel Test Forces property page may not be discernible, such as the “Car Engine Idle.”

5.3 Diminishing Forces as the Handle is Moved from Center

As you move the joystick handle farther forward, back, right, or left, regardless of what game you are playing, the level of the forces you feel is reduced. Force that appear weak with the handle at the center position, may disappear as the handle is moved to its extreme limits.

5.4 Connecting the Joystick to a SideWinder Game Pad

You can use your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro when connected to a SideWinder game pad and the pass-through mode (with the Mode switch) selected on the game pad. However, you may still receive active forces to the joystick when the game pad is switched out of pass-through mode.

5.5 Erratic Throttle Operation in Some Non-Force Feedback Games

The throttle display, such as in airplane cockpit, may behave erratically in some games of this type causing some visual distraction. To elimiate this problem, you can unplug the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro from the AC supply and use the joystick in its non-powered mode.

Part 6: TROUBLESHOOTING

This section contains answers to specific questions you may have. For additional troubleshooting information, see the Trouble-shooting sections of the Online User’s Guide for your SideWinder game device and the Game Device Profiler Online Help.

QUESTION: When using the Windows Control Panel, Game Controllers properties, Test page, certain buttons don’t light up on the image when I press them on my SideWinder Force Feedback Joystick. Is my joystick defective?

ANSWER: This is normal operation if you have assigned game actions to these buttons and the Profile Activator is running with the associated profile activated. If the Profile Activator is not running, a problem with your joystick is indicated.

QUESTION: In the Control Panel, I see a “Game Controllers” icon, but I can’t open it; or, I can open it, but my joystick is listed as “not connected.”

ANSWER: If you previously had a game port, but it was removed, the Setup program incorrectly detects that you still have a game port. Install a card with a game port (such as a sound card), and then run Setup again.

If there is no response from the joystick, or the Windows Device Manager reports that the joystick is not present, not working properly, or does not have all of its drivers installed, perform the following procedure.

To resolve your joystick problem:

1. Start the computer in Safe mode since real-mode device drivers may conflict with the Windows drivers and disable the game port. (For step- by-step instructions, consult your Windows manual.)

2. Remove the GamePort Joystick from the Control Panel Device Manager and then add it again:

   1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the System icon and then click the Device Manager tab.
3. Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, and then check for a GamePort Joystick. If one exists, click it and then click Remove.
4. Click OK, and then click Close.

To add the GamePort Joystick, or if there is no GamePort Joystick entry, run the Add New Hardware Wizard in the Control Panel. For more information, consult your Windows manual.

3. Verify that the GamePort Joystick is working at the MS-DOS level. To do so, try to use the joystick with an MS-DOS-based game. Refer to the game’s manual for information about configuring the joystick.

QUESTION: The General tab on the Control Panel/Game Controllers does not list the new game pad when I plug it into first game pad(s) already connected to the computer.

ANSWER: This is normal operation. To get the game pad to appear in the list, click the Advanced tab and then the General tab again.

QUESTION: I just turned on my computer and opened the Control Panel. Why don’t I see Game Controllers icon?

ANSWER: Your sound card may not be initialized properly due to a game port or driver problem.

To reinitialize your sound card so that you can access Game Device Properties:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon, and then click the Device Manager tab.
3. Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, select Gameport Joystick (or the device that has an error), and then click Properties.
4. Click the Resources tab, and then click Set Configuration Manually.
5. Clear the Use Automatic Settings check box, and then click OK.
6. In System Properties, click OK, close the Control Panel, and then restart your computer.

QUESTION: What’s the minimum system configuration I need to run the SideWinder Game Device Software 2.0?

ANSWER: You must have a personal computer with a 486DX/66 or higher processor, with 8 megabytes of RAM, 6 megabytes of available hard disk space, 256-color VGA or better display, and running Windows.

QUESTION: Why doesn’t my SideWinder game device work when I restart my computer in MS-DOS mode (“real mode”)?

ANSWER: Other than the SideWinder 3D Pro, SideWinder game devices digital- only devices. Only games that run under Windows or in an MS-DOS window under Windows will work with digital game devices.

QUESTION: I connected a game device while I was playing a game, but the game does not recognize it. What’s the problem?

ANSWER: Some games do not recognize game devices that are connected after the game has already been started. To change or add a game device, exit your game, connect all of the game devices you want to use for the session, and then re-start your game.

QUESTION: The Test page of the Game Controller Properties shows the joystick handle still twisting after I let go. Why is this happening?

ANSWER: This is normal behavior for a digital joystick.

QUESTION: I’m having trouble calibrating my joystick in my game’s joystick calibration routine; what do I need to do?

ANSWER: If your game’s joystick calibration routine requires you to press a button (such as the trigger) on your joystick, the game will not “see” the button press if you have changed the way this button works in your game by means of the Profile Editor. It is recommended that you do not change the functions of the primary button(s) on your joystick.

QUESTION: I have more than one game port on my computer; will this pose any sort of problem when using SideWinder game devices?

ANSWER: Multiple game ports can cause the game device to not function, especially in the case of a SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. The solution is to remove or disable any game port not being used by removing the board or following the manufacture’s instructions on disabling it.

QUESTION: I had my analog controller connected to my computer with a status of “OK” in the Game Controllers properties window then I added a SideWinder game device. Now my analog controller is not in the list, but there are two SideWinder devices. How do I get my analog controller back in the list so that I can use it.

ANSWER: SideWinder game device take priority in the Control Panel when they are connected. To use your analog controller, reconnect it to the game port and assign it to ID1 as described under “My other game device isn’t working” in the Online User’s Guide.

Also, you can remove unwanted game controllers from the list in the Game Controllers properties window by selecting it and clicking the Remove button.

CORRECTIONS

In the printed Getting Started booklet, reference is made to “MIDI Troublshooter” and “Troubleshoot MIDI button.” These should read “Force Feedback Troubleshooter” and “Troubleshoot Force Feedback button” respectively.

Additional query words: read me side winder forcefeedback feed back 1.00 gaming joy stick ====================================================================== Keywords : joystick sidewinder Version : WINDOWS:1.0 Platform : WINDOWS Issue type : kbreadme ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1997.