DOCUMENT:Q315926 07-MAY-2002 [homegame] TITLE :Flight Simulator 2002: Troubleshooting Joystick Problems Part 1 PRODUCT :Microsoft Home Games PROD/VER:: OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbimu ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, you may see one or more of the following symptoms: - The joystick behaves erratically. - The joystick does not respond. - The rudder or throttle does not respond. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this issue, use the following troubleshooting methods in the order in which they are presented. After each method, test to see if the issue is resolved. If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method. NOTE: If you use a Logitech Warrior joystick, connect it to the game port. Do not connect it to the serial port. The Logitech Warrior does not function properly with Microsoft DirectX 5.0 or later when it is connected to a serial port. Verify That Your Operating System Supports Your Game Controller --------------------------------------------------------------- To enable support for the game port in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, you must install Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later. Windows NT 4.0 with SP3 or later supports most analog game controllers. However, it does not support digital game controllers. Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98 support both analog and digital game controllers. For best performance, verify that the latest version of the game controller driver for your game controller is installed on your computer. The following table contains an operating system compatibility list for Microsoft SideWinder game controllers. The table shows the compatibility for Windows 95, Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows XP: +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Game Controller | Windows 95 | Windows 98 and Windows Me | Windows NT 4 | Windows 2000 and Windows XP | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder 3DPro | Yes | Yes | Yes * | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Game Pad | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Plug and Play Game Pad | No | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Game Pad Pro | No | Yes | No | No ** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder FreeStyle Pro | Yes *** | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Dual Strike | No | Yes | No | No ** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Joystick | No | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Precision Pro | Yes *** | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Precision Pro 2 | No | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Pro | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Pro 2 | No | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel | No | Yes | No | No ** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) | No | Yes | No | No ** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ * NOTE: Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or later only supports the SideWinder 3DPro joystick in analog mode. ** NOTE: You can install and run SideWinder software version 4.0 on a Windows 2000-based computer or a Windows XP-based computer. However, not all features may function as expected, and the SideWinder software may not function properly. To install the SideWinder software on Windows 2000, you must log on as an administrator. For additional information about Sidewinder software, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q253769 SideWinder Error Message: A Limitation Exists with Your Computer's Resources or Configuration Q254463 SideWinder Error Message: Setup Has Detected You Are Running Windows 2000 *** NOTE: To use a hybrid game port and Universal Serial Bus (USB) game controller with a Windows 95-based computer, you must connect the game controller to the game port in your computer. Windows 95 does not support USB. NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated in the preceding table, support for all current USB game controllers and game port/USB-only SideWinder game controllers is included in Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000. Check the Game Controller Connection to the Game Port ----------------------------------------------------- If you use a game port game controller, verify that the game controller is connected directly to the game port in your computer. "Daisy-chained" game controllers or game port adapters can interfere with communication between the game port and the game controller. If you use a USB game controller, verify that the game controller is connected properly to the USB port in your computer or to a compatible USB hub that is connected to the USB port in your computer. NOTE: Windows NT 4.0 does not support daisy-chained game controllers, game port adapters, or USB game controllers. Disable the SideWinder Game Device Profiler ------------------------------------------- If you use a SideWinder game controller, disable the SideWinder Game Device Profiler or SideWinder Game Controller software. To do this, right-click the Game Device Profiler icon or the Game Controller Software icon in the status area on the taskbar, and then click Unload or Disable. Confirm That Your Game Controller Is Assigned to Controller ID 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Many games do not recognize game controllers that are not assigned to Controller ID 1. To verify that your game controller is assigned to Controller ID 1, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Game Controllers. 3. Click the Advanced tab. 4. If the game controller that you want to use is not assigned to ID 1, click Change. If the game controller that you want to use is assigned to ID 1, proceed to the "Confirm the Version of SideWinder Game Controller Software" section of this article. 5. In the Game Controllers box, click the game controller that you want to use, and then click the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW to change the Selected ID value to 1. 6. Click OK, and then click OK again. 7. Quit Control Panel. Confirm the Version of SideWinder Game Controller Software ---------------------------------------------------------- If you use a SideWinder USB-only game controller, verify that SideWinder Game Controller software version 4.0 is installed on your computer. If you use a game port-only game controller or a hybrid game port/USB game controller, verify that one of the following is installed on your computer: SideWinder Game Device Profiler version 3.02 or earlier, or SideWinder Game Controller software. If you use both SideWinder USB-only game controllers and SideWinder game port or hybrid game port/USB game controllers, make sure that the following are installed on your computer: SideWinder Game Controller software version 4.0 and SideWinder Game Controller software version 3.02 or earlier. The following table lists the SideWinder game controllers that are supported by each version of SideWinder Game Controller software: +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Game controller | Version 4.0 | Version 3.02 or earlier | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Game Pad Pro | Supported | Not supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Dual Strike | Supported | Not supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder 3D Pro | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Game Pad 1.0 | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Precision Pro | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Pro | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SideWinder Freestyle Pro | Not supported | Supported | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ If you use one of the SideWinder game controllers listed in the preceding table, see the following Microsoft Web site to check whether a software update is available for your game controller: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder Calibrate the Game Controller ----------------------------- If you use a digital Microsoft SideWinder game controller with Microsoft SideWinder Game Device software version 2.0 or later or Microsoft SideWinder Game Controller software, the software calibrates the game controller automatically. To use Microsoft SideWinder Game Device software version 2.0 to test the calibration for your digital SideWinder game controller, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Game Controllers. 3. On the Test tab, test all of the functions for your digital SideWinder game controller, and then click OK. 4. Quit Control Panel. To use Microsoft SideWinder Game Controller software version 3.x or 4.0 to test the calibration for your digital SideWinder game controller: 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Game Controllers. 3. On the General tab, click the game controller that you want to test in the Game Controllers box, and then click Properties. 4. On the Test tab, test all of the functions for your digital SideWinder game controller, click OK, and then click OK again. 5. Quit Control Panel. If you use an analog game controller, or if you use a Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro or a Microsoft SideWinder game pad with SideWinder Game Device software version 1.5, you may need to calibrate the game controller manually. To do this: 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Game Controllers. 3. Select the gaming device that you want to calibrate in the Controller column, and then click Properties. 4. Click Calibrate, and then follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate the game controller. If you use a SideWinder 3D Pro with SideWinder software version 1.0, when you are prompted to press a button on the controller, press a button on the joystick, not on the joystick base. NOTE: Because of differences among analog game controllers, you may notice a certain amount of deviation between the graphic display for the joystick position and the actual joystick movement. This is normal and does not affect the calibration of the game controller. 5. When you receive the "You have successfully calibrated your device" message, click Finish. 6. On the Test tab, test all of the functions for your game controller, and then click OK. 7. Quit Control Panel. NOTE: No calibration option is available in SideWinder Game Device software version 1.5 unless you install Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 with Microsoft DirectX 5.0. If you cannot calibrate your game controller, or if your game controller does not function properly when you test it, Windows may be unable to communicate properly with the game controller. If this is true, contact the manufacturer of your game controller for information about how to configure the device correctly in Windows. You may also need to obtain and install the latest version of the game controller device driver. If you calibrate and test the game controller successfully, start Flight Simulator 2002 to test the game controller in the game. If the issue continues to occur, calibrate the device in Flight Simulator 2002. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Start Flight Simulator 2002. 2. On the main screen, click Settings. 3. Click Calibrate Joystick. NOTE: If Calibrate Joystick is unavailable, click Enable Joystick, and then click Calibrate Joystick. 4. In the Game Controller box on the General tab, click the game controller that you want to use, and then click Properties. NOTE: The procedure may be slightly different, depending on the version of your operating system and which version of Microsoft Sidewinder software is installed. 5. On the Settings tab, move the sliders to the settings that you want, or click Calibrate, and then follow the instructions in the Device Calibration Wizard. 6. Click OK, and then click OK again. Reset the Default Actions ------------------------- To reset the default actions assigned to the game controller, follow these steps: 1. Start a new flight in Flight Simulator 2002. 2. On the main screen, click Settings. 3. In the Controls box, click Assignments. 4. On the Buttons/Keys tab, click Reset defaults. 5. On the Joystick Axes tab, click Reset defaults. 6. To check whether the default events are selected for your 4-axis game controller, verify that the Axis settings for each event match the settings in the following table: +----------------------------+ | Event | Axis | +----------------------------+ | Elevator axis | Y | +----------------------------+ | Ailerons axis | X | +----------------------------+ | Rudder axis | Z Rotation | +----------------------------+ | Throttle axis | Slider | +----------------------------+ If the default events are not selected, proceed to the "Manually Assign Actions" method in part 2 of this article to assign the default events manually. To view part 2 of this article, click the article number below: Q315941 Flight Simulator 2002: Troubleshooting Joystick Problems (Part 2) If the default event is assigned to an axis, but the event behaves in reverse (for example, up instead of down, or right instead of left), click to select or clear the check box under the Reverse column for that axis. 7. Click OK. Rebuild the Fs2002.cfg File --------------------------- To rebuild the Fs2002.cfg file, press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT as you start Flight Simulator and start a new flight. Continue to hold down CTRL+SHIFT until the game is in Cockpit view. NOTE: When you rebuild the Fs2002.cfg file, some of your joystick settings may change. If your game controller is installed properly and the Devices.cfg file contains the default settings for your game controller, Flight Simulator 2002 adds the appropriate entries for your game controller to the Fs2002.cfg file. The Devices.cfg file contains the following joystick headings: [Generic] [Generic SLEW] [Generic Gamepad] [Generic Gamepad SLEW] [Mad Catz Panther XL] [Mad Catz Panther XL SLEW] [Gravis GrIP MultiPort] [Gravis GrIP MultiPort SLEW] [Logitech ThunderPad Digital] [Logitech ThunderPad Digital SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro] [Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro SLEW] [Microsoft USB SideWinder Game Pad] [Microsoft USB SideWinder Game Pad SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel SLEW] [INTERACT Vortex 3D (General 2)] [INTERACT Vortex 3D (General 2) SLEW] [Logitech CyberMan 2] [Logitech CyberMan 2 SLEW] [Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro w/combined pedals] [Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro w/separate pedals SLEW] [Logitech WingMan Warrior] [Logitech WingMan Warrior SLEW] [Logitech WingMan Extreme Digital] [Logitech WingMan Extreme Digital SLEW] [INTERACT Vortex 3D (Flight Simulation)] [INTERACT Vortex 3D (Flight Simulation) SLEW] [Spacetec SpaceOrb 360] [Spacetec SpaceOrb 360 SLEW] [Creative GamePad] [Creative GamePad SLEW] [Gravis Gamepad] [Gravis Gamepad SLEW] [Gravis GrIP] [Gravis GrIP SLEW] [Gravis Analog Joystick] [Gravis Analog Joystick SLEW] [Gravis Analog Pro Joystick] [Gravis Analog Pro Joystick SLEW] [Thrustmaster Formula T1/T2 without adapter] [Thrustmaster Formula T1/T2 without adapter SLEW] [Thrustmaster Formula T1/T2 with adapter SLEW] [Thrustmaster Flight Control System] [Thrustmaster Flight Control System SLEW] [ThrustMaster Attack Throttle] [ThrustMaster Attack Throttle SLEW] [Logitech WingMan Light] [Logitech WingMan Light SLEW] [Logitech WingMan Extreme] [Logitech WingMan Extreme SLEW] [Logitech WingMan] [Logitech WingMan SLEW] [Logitech ThunderPad] [Logitech ThunderPad SLEW] [CH Flightstick] [CH Flightstick SLEW] [CH Flightstick Pro] [CH Flightstick Pro SLEW] [CH Virtual Pilot] [CH Virtual Pilot SLEW] [CH Virtual Pilot Pro] [CH Virtual Pilot Pro SLEW] [CH Flight Sim Yoke LE] [CH Flight Sim Yoke LE SLEW] [CH Flight Sim Yoke PC (Win98)] [CH Flight Sim Yoke PC (Win98) SLEW] [CH GameStick 14] [CH GameStick 14 SLEW] [CH GameStick 3D USB] [CH GameStick 3D USB SLEW] [CH GameStick 3D] [CH GameStick 3D SLEW] [CH Force FX Joystick (analog mode)] [CH Force FX Joystick (analog mode) SLEW] [Suncom Sceptor LCD] [Suncom Sceptor LCD SLEW] [Suncom SFS Flight Controller USB] [Suncom SFS Flight Controller USB SLEW] [Suncom SFS Throttle and SFS Flight Controller with Left grip] [Suncom SFS Throttle and SFS Flight Controller with Left grip SLEW] [Mad Catz Panther DX] [Mad Catz Panther DX SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder game pad] [Microsoft SideWinder game pad SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder] [Microsoft SideWinder SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro] [Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro (USB)] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro (USB) SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Dual Strike] [Microsoft SideWinder Dual Strike SLEW] [CH FLIGHT SIM YOKE USB] [CH FLIGHT SIM YOKE USB SLEW] [CH PRO PEDALS USB] [CH PRO PEDALS USB SLEW] [CH Pro Pedals USB Rudder Pedals] [CH Pro Pedals USB Rudder Pedals SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision 2] [Microsoft SideWinder Precision 2 SLEW] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2] [Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2 SLEW] [SideWinder Precision 2 Joystick] [SideWinder Precision 2 Joystick SLEW] [SideWinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick] [SideWinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick SLEW] The settings under the SLEW headings determine how the game controller behaves in Slew mode. The settings under the RUDDER headings determine how the game controller behaves when the rudder is enabled. To enable the rudder settings, click to select the Rudder check box on the Settings tab in the Game Controllers tool in Control Panel. NOTE: If your game controller is not defined in the Devices.cfg file, Flight Simulator 2002 may not assign any actions to the buttons on your game controller. To manually assign actions to the buttons on your game control device, proceed to the "Manually Assign Actions" method in part 2 of this article. This article is continued in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To view part 2 of this article, click the article number below: Q315941 Flight Simulator 2002: Troubleshooting Joystick Problems (Part 2) Install the Latest Version of Microsoft DirectX ----------------------------------------------- Download and install the latest version of DirectX from the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp For additional information about how to obtain and install the latest version of DirectX, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q179113 How to Download and Install DirectX MORE INFORMATION ================ This article is part 1 of the "Flight Simulator 2002: Troubleshooting Joystick Problems" article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To view part 2 of this article, click the article number below: Q315941 Flight Simulator 2002: Troubleshooting Joystick Problems (Part 2) The third-party products discussed in this article are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability. Additional query words: msgame ====================================================================== Keywords : kbimu Technology : kbGamesSearch kbFlightSimSearch kbFlightSim2002 kbFlightSim2002Pro Version : : Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.