Flight simulator - game controller issue

Author

game controller issue - TM WCS/FCS & pedals

FatKat

2005-05-24, 8:37 pm

I've recently replaced my P4 for a newer Dell Dimension running at
3ghz. Unfortunately, the gameport is out of the picture emtirely,
which mucks up the controller set-up I used in my last system.

Previously, using the gameport, I had a Thrustmaster WCS/FCS, and
(though they said it couldn't be done) CH gameport pedals (not the pro
pedals). I recently "won" a dual connector gameport-to-USB, but
hooking it up proved a dissappointment: after hooking one of the pedals
into one of the connectors, and putting the throttle into the other
connector (with the joystick going into the throttle), I was able to
get little more than one of the fire buttons and joystick movement.
Throttle buttons (because the WCS has a KB pass-through) were
recognized as keyboard punches, but movment of the throttle or pedals
was completely ignored. I tried adding the joystick w/throttle set-up
and rudders enabled in the WinXP gamecontroller section, but I kept
getting an error message; also, the USB gamebox comes up on winxp
control panel, but it won't be edited or removed unless in the device
manager.

Am I doing something wrong with this setup, or should I just junk it?

I figure I'd save myself trouble by just getting a new gameport, but
nobody seems to make one - just soundcards with gameports. That option
seems uneccessarily expensive, and also hints at numerous
conflicting-devices headaches. Is there a simple way to add an old
soundcard and disable the sound part while keeping the gameport?

Jay Williams

2005-05-24, 8:37 pm

"FatKat" <robynari@juno.com> wrote in message
news:1116786143.706362.223190@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

quote:

> I've recently replaced my P4 for a newer Dell Dimension running at

<Snip>

quote:

> Is there a simple way to add an old
> soundcard and disable the sound part while keeping the gameport?
>

Yes. Disable the sound part in device manager. (Big red X)

FatKat

2005-05-24, 8:37 pm

Bob Church wrote:

quote:

> On 22 May 2005 11:22:23 -0700, "FatKat" <robynari@juno.com> wrote:
>
> Hi FatKat,

Hey Bob Church, and thanks for the response.

[snippage]

I take it that you weren't that enthused about the first alternative
and just sort of added it in just in case your second idea (really the
principle one) didn;t pan out. It looks like I'll just toss caution to
the wind and get a sound card. I don't suppose my Dell has an ISA slot
deep in there - I could just dig my ACM card out of my junk draw and
just slip that in. Is it me or is it strange that they still make
cards with gameport connectors, but not a single dedicated gameport
card that can actually fit on any contemporary mobo? And while I've
got your attention, one question about USB controllers - since I've
been a dedicated gameport person, I never gave them a try. Besides not
having to shut down when you want to remove the controller, what other
advantage does USB have over non-USB controllers? Just a question....

quote:

>
> If you do go to the soundcard with gameport, then you need to set it
> as a ThrustMaster FCS to get the Hat recognized and check the Rudders
> box going in. In that case you have to set it for Analog Hat, and so
> Digital Throttle (GAME 1 0 or GAME 2 0).

quote:

> If you want to program the
> hat with the WCS, then set for Digital Hat, Analog throttle (GAME 0

quote:

> and tell Windows it's a 3-Axis w/Pedals. It's best to decide on one

quote:

> the other. If you switch you've got to pull the setup out of Game
> Controllers and then Add it again under the other moniker.

It's at this point I really should mention that, while I was able to
get my FCS/WCS & Rudders to work, I never got them to work quite right.
I had movement of the axes and recognition of the buttons, but I never
got the hat right, at least not that I could remember. The only way I
could get it to work was by setting the HAT to digital & the red switch
to analog. What do you mean when you say (GAME O O) and so forth?

quote:

>
> You might also check with your motherboard manufacturer. Some of the
> chipsets have the game port, they just need one of those slot-cover
> things with a DB15 on it and the right cable to go to whatever header
> is on the motherboard.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> - Bob
>
> The StickWorks
> http://www.stickworks.com

I'll check on that last one ASAP. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going
to find the MB maker - on my last computer it was easy, the model no.
flashed on boot-up. I tried running the part no. fo rthis setup on the
dell website, but nothing came up. In any case, thanks for the right
back.

FatKat

2005-05-26, 8:33 pm

So it looks like I'll just pick up a 2nd hand PCI card. My next
question goes to the CH Pedals's stated requirement for a 2-connector
gameport. I managed to get it to work using my first machine's single
connector card, but had limited play - for one thing, I could never get
the hat to work right. (oops, I said that already). Anyway, do I
really need 2 connectors? And if i do, can I get away just using a Y
cable? Lastly, just for the gameport alone, and with the intention of
keeping the sound card I already have, will any PCI card do?

Bob Church

2005-05-27, 12:33 am

On 26 May 2005 12:41:44 -0700, "FatKat" <robynari@juno.com> wrote:

Hi FatKat,

quote:

> So it looks like I'll just pick up a 2nd hand PCI card. My next
> question goes to the CH Pedals's stated requirement for a 2-connector
> gameport. I managed to get it to work using my first machine's single
> connector card, but had limited play - for one thing, I could never get
> the hat to work right. (oops, I said that already).

Pro Pedals, yes? Plug the FCS into the WCS, the WCS into the
"Joystick" connector on the pedals, plug the "Gameport" connector on
the pedals into the PC. The toe brakes come out on the X/Y axes of the
"Aux.Port" connector. Just leave it dangling. The toe brakes won't
work, but the rudders will. Also, make sure the switch on the pedal
base is in "Plane Mode" and not "Car Mode".

quote:

> Anyway, do I really need 2 connectors?

Only for the Toe Brakes.

quote:

> And if i do, can I get away just using a Y cable?

No. There are only 4 inputs to a game port, X, Y, Z, and R. X and Y
are the stick, Z is throttle or TM hat, R is rudders. The toe brakes
don't have anywhere to go without the second game port.

quote:

> Lastly, just for the gameport alone, and with the intention of
> keeping the sound card I already have, will any PCI card do?

You want one that allows you to disable the sound portion and still
leave the gameport running. Some disable everything. I can't give you
a particular model. Maybe someone else knows a specific card that will
do the trick.

Best regards,

- Bob

The StickWorks
http://www.stickworks.com