need help installing joystick

Question

I need advice on how to get my son's new joystick to work. It's a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2. My OS is a Dell OEM version of Windows Me. Microsoft tech support tells me Me and the Sidewinder 2 are fully compatible. My PC is a Dell Dimension L 800CXE. Here's what happens: During the joystick software installation process, the setup program instructs me to plug the joystick into a USB port. At this point my computer gets stuck. I haven't been able to get beyond this point in the installation process. MS tech support advised me to boot into safe mode, go to device manager and remove all the USB controllers. Then I was supposed to reboot and plug the joystick into the USB port while Windows was restarting. My first problem is that for some reason I can't boot into safe mode. I've tried pressing CTRL and F8 during the start-up process, but these get me to a start-up menu that does not include safe mode as an option. I'v also tried booting off my system disk -- both with and without my Dell Resource Disk loaded in the CD-ROM. This also gets me to a start-up menu that does not include safe mode as an option. Finally, I tried removing the USB controllers in regular Windows mode, but this crashed the computer and I had to use system restore to get it back up and running. So the first thing I need to know is how to boot my PC into safe mode. The second thing I need to know is if there's something about either my Dimension L or about Dell's OEM version of Windows Me that doesn't allow me to install the Sidewinder 2. Finally, if the answer to question #2 is no, what do I need to do to install the joystick. I'd be much obliged for any help anyone can provide. The joystick was a birthday present for my son and so far I've spent several hours trying to get it to work. Thanks, --erhard

Charger_1 · Answer

Here's a link on how to boot into safe mode:
http://www.laplink.com/support/kb/article.asp?ID=102

Now, about your joystick...
I don't think that the Dell modified ME would cause the instalation to freeze up. You might have a corrupt or damaged installer.
Also, the problem of getting into safe mode could not is, be caused by a virus. Just to be on the safe side I would run an antivirus check: http://housecall.antivirus.com

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whole9yard · Answer

you should test your direct-x first. if you don't know how to do this; just click on start; then run; then type in the box dxdiag. Then run the test and make sure you have the update verison of direct-x I think it's 8.1a

erhard · Answer

Thanks for the tips. I'll try them soon. While there have been a lot of viruses going around lately, I don't think I've been attacked. I update my Norton definitions pretty regularly and do a full virus check every week, the last one this morning.
--erhard

PS -- Nice Charger, even if you don't own it!

erhard · Answer

Thanks, I'll check that out soon. --erhard

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