OK, Funtime over. Sidewinder, Inspiron 8100, Windows XP Yes or No?

Question

Hi, Folks,     Well, this has been fun so far, but I still want to know whether to keep trying to add the Sidewinder joystick(s).    So, this is a YES, keep trying to add the Sidewinder (hopefully with some suggestions on how to do that) or NO, ditch the Sidewinders and buy a USB Joystick.    There seem to be several threads on this forum concerning this, so I don't think that I am the only one with this problem.    Here are the details:    I am running an Inspiron 8100 and Windows XP Home.    I have 2 Sidewinder non-USB Joysticks.  A 3D Pro and a Force Feedback Pro.     I want to use one of these on Flight Simulator 2004, which is up and running.  I would rather use the Force Feedback, but I'll settle for the 3D.    I searched the 'Net and found a Belkin F3U200-8INCH adapter cable, reputed to solve the Sidewinder problem.  I connected this to a USB port on my replicator and one on my keyboard.  Neither worked.    Microsoft's articles said to install a Standard Game Port using Device Manager.  I was unsuccessful at this.  No I/O resources are available for this game port.  I went to the Resources tab, and there are 3 configurations.  The first 2 are presets and the third has an 'Auto Assign' scroll window with 'several' addresses available.  All of the available I/Os are used by the System Board.  I can't find how to end run this problem.    I did install the Aureal Vortex Game Port, and it was installed successfully.  However, it did not let me install the Sidewinders.    One of the messages on this forum said to use a Game Traveler PCMCIA card.  However, the 'Net says that the card doesn't work with Windows XP.  So, this seems a non-starter.    Another message says that I should buy a fancier adapter.  But this seems a pig in a poke after the Belkin.    Another message says that the USB is better than a PCMCIA card anyway.  This seems to put the Traveler out of the running further.    Another messate says to download DirectX from Microsoft.  I did download 9.0, and now the machine detects the Sidewinder and immediately goes into safety shutdown and restart.     A message says to install the 'Stick in Control Panel\Other Hardware.  I don't have an 'Other Hardware' icon.  However, under Game Controllers, I can add the Sidewinder under an Auto Detect link.  This puts me immediately in the Safety Restart Blue Screen of Death.    There is a message that says that there is a driver that is only available on the Windows Update site.  I have gone there, but the only option I have is an 'Auto Detect' one, and it doesn't think I need a Sidewinder Driver, and it won't give it to me.    I did download a Sidewinder Force Feedback driver from one of the driver sites.  It looked good, even had a registration routine that took me to Mictosoft.  However, the registration won't take my serial number, so,,,,,  When I installed this, it knocked my Logitech Marble Mouse for a couple of frantic hours.    I have a CD for the Force Feedback 'Stick, but XP won't even consider it.  When I try it, it restarts the computer.    Here are my machine particulars: Inspiron 8100 INtel Pentium III Mobile  1000Mhz  running at 996 Mhz Microsoft Windows XP Home 5.1.2600  I run auto update, so I think I am up to date. Norton Anti Virus and Personal Firewall.   Thoughts? Thanks, John

seto_kaiba · Answer

One thing I can tell you is that if you're using a Force Feedback type game pad or joystick, that means it needs power. I heard somewhere that Inspiron USB ports are low or some units have unpowered USB ports, so that may be the reason. A fix that works that a friend of mine uses is a powered USB hub.

Flatlander2233 · Answer

Yeah, that makes sense. The Force Feedback one has a honkin' great AC adapter attached.

So, I think that all it needs is some sort of feedback signal, and the AC takes over from there. So, even the unpowered hub should work.

Thanks,

John

mnguyen281 · Answer

i have a gravis xterminator and it works fine with force feedback. the only wierd thing is my computer buzzes all the time when it is active.

Dell Latitude C840 BIOS A12
WindowsXP Media Center Edition
15" Samsung ASV UXGA 1600x1200
Intel Pentium4 2.5GHz-M
512MB PC2100 Crucial
512MB PC2100 Dane Elec
Hitachi 60GB 7200rpm Primary
IBM 60GB 5400rpm Modular
Hitachi 40GB 5400rpm USB2
HLDS 8x DVD-Rom Fixed
Matshita 24x CDRW Modular
Teac 1.44MB Floppy Modular
Sanyo 66Whr Battery
Sony 66Whr Battery
Nvidia Geforce4 440 Go 64MB
(53.03 Forceware with Teraphy's Modified Inf)
Dell TrueMobile 1300 802.11b/g Mini-Pci
NEC 4Port USB2.0 PCMCIA

Latitude X200, XP Pro, pIIIm 800, 384MB, 30GB 4200, TM1150

Latitude X300, XP Pro, P-M 1.2GHz, 640MB, 40GB 5400, TM1300

Flatlander2233 · Answer

Thanks, I'll check it out.  But, you seem to think no on the Sidewinders, not?   Thanks, John

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