Xbox forum - XBox Controller

Author

XBox Controller

Jack Murphy

2004-12-01, 5:48 pm

I've had my XBOX for about a little over 2 years now, and I noticed that my
controller which is the original one (big thick one) has becoming very noisy
when it vibrates. It makes a lound rattling noise.

Now it has always made some noise, but it seems to have gotten noticably
louder over time. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this
problem, and what is the cause of it? Is there a fix? (other than buying a
new controller?)

Thanks.
J.

Chris H.

2004-12-01, 5:48 pm

You may want to contact Xbox Support:
http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/support/contactus.htm I don't know if they still
do it, but Microsoft used to support controllers very well.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"Jack Murphy" <1seraph_general2547@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ldord.144675$cJ3.96263@fed1read06...

quote:

> I've had my XBOX for about a little over 2 years now, and I noticed that
> my controller which is the original one (big thick one) has becoming very
> noisy when it vibrates. It makes a lound rattling noise.
>
> Now it has always made some noise, but it seems to have gotten noticably
> louder over time. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this
> problem, and what is the cause of it? Is there a fix? (other than buying a
> new controller?)
>
> Thanks.
> J.
>

Kendrick Kerwin Chua

2004-12-01, 5:48 pm

In article <eAXPfy91EHA.3468@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl>,
Chris H. <winxpnews@hotmail.com> wrote:

quote:

>"Jack Murphy" <1seraph_general2547@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:ldord.144675$cJ3.96263@fed1read06...
>You may want to contact Xbox Support:
>http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/support/contactus.htm I don't know if they still
>do it, but Microsoft used to support controllers very well.

Oy, with the top-posting. Let me fix that before I continue...

Okay, the way that a rumble or vibration feature works in a controller is
really mechanically freaky, once you understand it. One or more low
voltage motors can be found in a typical controller made this way, which
by themselves don't produce a lot of vibration. However, when you attach a
purposefully unbalanced weight to the shaft of the motor, you can vary the
speed of rotation and achieve many levels of tactile feedback, from a
pleasant little buzz to a bone-rattling spasm.

The part that makes this freaky is that this is inherently bad for the
controller. Vibration will typically loosen screws and weaken plastic
joints over time, so after many months of use a rumbling controller will
have many little bits and pieces rattling around inside. Worse yet,
sometimes the housing doesn't fit together very well anymore. Personally,
I don't like the idea of controller vibration being a standard feature
instead of a removable option, but I can understand why a game developer
would like to have the capability available.

Sorry, long-winded. Point is, your controller is exhibiting the standard
behavior that comes with normal wear-and-tear. In your shoes, I would
spend seven dollars on the special screwdriver tip to open up the
controller and remove the vibration motors altogether. Another option is
to open it up and pack the controller full of electrically inert
insulation, like shipping foam or that strange expanding cellulose stuff.
There's also an off chance that with the controller open, you'll see
something obviously loose or broken, like a screw hole broken off or a
piece of solder or something.

The usual disclaimer applies. I'm not responsible if you break your
controller through normal use or through modification. Neither Microsoft
nor the game stores owe you a new controller if your old one doesn't work
as well as before. Shake well before serving, contents may settle during
shipping, management is not responsible for damage to your vehicle, there
is no sex in the champagne room.

-KKC, a big believer in the independent consumer philosphy. I'll buy what
I want, and I'll do what I want with it. I'll show you exactly where you
can put your DRM...
--
-- I was treated unfairly and without consideration by eBay - kendrick
and Paypal. If you require independent testimony about - @io.com
or corroboration of illegal or questionable business -
practices by those two companies, please contact me. -

finndo

2004-12-03, 12:49 am

They don't have to be old controllers... I got the green S-controller from
E3 a couple of years back (came in a pretty cool Xbox backpack) and normally
I keep vibration off, as I'm clumsy and my hands get sweaty easily, which is
a horrible excuse to give an opponent when they waste you because the
controller flew out of your hands...

anyway, it was not 4 months after I got it the vibration motor on the left
side of the controller gave out, sometimes it would spin, but if it did, it
was not very fast, or it would sputter, and other times there would be no
vibration (I have learned to enjoy the vibration feedback in some games
("some" read "very few")

"Jack Murphy" <1seraph_general2547@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ldord.144675$cJ3.96263@fed1read06...

quote:

> I've had my XBOX for about a little over 2 years now, and I noticed that
> my controller which is the original one (big thick one) has becoming very
> noisy when it vibrates. It makes a lound rattling noise.
>
> Now it has always made some noise, but it seems to have gotten noticably
> louder over time. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this
> problem, and what is the cause of it? Is there a fix? (other than buying a
> new controller?)
>
> Thanks.
> J.
>

Paul Smith

2004-12-04, 12:47 am

"finndo" <finndo@sc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:jDQrd.343$Pw1.222323@twister.southeast.rr.com...

quote:

> They don't have to be old controllers... I got the green S-controller from
> E3 a couple of years back (came in a pretty cool Xbox backpack) and
> normally I keep vibration off, as I'm clumsy and my hands get sweaty
> easily, which is a horrible excuse to give an opponent when they waste you
> because the controller flew out of your hands...
>
> anyway, it was not 4 months after I got it the vibration motor on the left
> side of the controller gave out, sometimes it would spin, but if it did,
> it was not very fast, or it would sputter, and other times there would be
> no vibration (I have learned to enjoy the vibration feedback in some games
> ("some" read "very few")

I'd say the older ones are a lot more reliable then the new ones, they're
certainly built better.

I just recently brought a new Controller S, to replace one that was killed
in action (I guess it just couldn't take being thrown around and stamped on
anymore, damn PGR2 platinum!). The quality is just nothing compared to the
old ones, the cable on it, just a plastic shield now, I thought I was
holding a PS2 controller for a minute. The buttons feel a bit tackier too.
8-(

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://www.dasmirnov.net/
http://www.xbox2portal.com/

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*