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------------------------------------------------------------
Readme File for Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro
July 1997
------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Microsoft Corporation, 1997
THIS COMPUTER PROGRAM IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW AND INTERNATIONAL
TREATIES. UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROGRAM, OR
ANY PORTION OF IT, MAY RESULT IN SEVERE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES, AND WILL
BE PROSECUTED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE UNDER THE LAW.
This document provides late-breaking or other information that supplements the Microsoft SideWinder
Force Feedback Pro Joystick Online User's Guide.
To learn more about the Microsoft game devices, as well as other Microsoft hardware products and updates,
visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/
------------------------- CONTENTS -------------------------
Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON GAME PORTS AND SOUND CARDS
1.1 Don't Connect Your Game Device to a Network AUI Port
1.2 Game Port Y-Cables
1.3 Game Port Extender Cables
1.4 Game Port and Sound Card Issues
Part 2: GAMES-COMPATIBILITY WITH SIDEWINDER DIGITAL-ONLY DEVICES
2.1 Games That May Exhibit Problems
2.2 Notes on Other Games and Programs
2.3 Hot Plugging
2.4 Mode Switching
Part 3: COMPATIBLE GAME PORTS
3.1 Use the Latest Drivers from Your Sound Card Manufacturer
3.2 Motherboard Game Ports
3.3 Game Port Add-on Connectors
3.4 Using the SideWinder Game Pad's Pass-through Connector
3.5 Abnormal Termination of a Game (or other program)
3.6 Drivers for Creative Labs and Ensoniq Sound Cards
Part 4: SOUND CARDS THAT NEED SPECIAL SETUP
4.1 Incompatible Sound Cards
4.2 Aztech Sound Cards
4.3 Logitech SoundMan
4.4 Turtle Beach Wave Front and TBS 2000
4.5 Boca Sound Expression
Part 5: USING FORCE FEEDBACK
5.1 Changing the Force Level to your Joystick Affects Return-to-Center
5.2 Low Force Level Setting Affects the Test Forces
5.3 Diminishing Forces as the Handle is Moved from Center
5.4 Connecting the Joystick to a SideWinder Game Pad
5.5 Erratic Throttle Operation in Some Non-Force Feedback Games
Part 6: TROUBLESHOOTING
==========================================================
Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON GAME PORTS AND SOUND CARDS
==========================================================
1.1 Don't Connect Your Game Device to a Network AUI Port
Network adapters with an AUI 15-pin port resemble the standard game port. If you
plug your SideWinder game device into a network port, you may damage the game
device or network card.
1.2 Game Port Y-Cables
Don't use a y-cable to connect your SideWinder game device to your computer
because some y-cables can damage your game device.
1.3 Game Port Extender Cables
Don't use a game port extender cable to connect the SideWinder game device to
your computer. Extender cables can severely reduce the performance of your game
device.
1.4 Game Port and Sound Card Issues
If you plug your SideWinder game device into a game port of one of the following
sound cards, your joystick or game pad may experience problems or may not work.
(Also note that SideWinder game devices are designed to work with only one game
port installed; using multiple game ports may cause problems.)
* Diamond Edge 3D (Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.) or other Nvidia-based 3D
accelerator card.
The onboard game port is incompatible with the Microsoft game devices
digital drivers. To use the joystick or game pad, you must install a
standard game port.
* Game Jammer PC Card (New Media Systems Corp.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the
SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback
Pro.
* Hewlett-Packard HP4000CT laptop docking station (Hewlett-Packard Co.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the
SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback
Pro.
* Media Vision Prosonic and Pro Audio 3D(Media Vision, Inc.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as the
SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force Feedback
Pro. If you have problems, try loading the DOS drivers for the card.
For the SideWinder 3D Pro to work properly, you must load the MS-DOS drivers
as well as the Windows drivers. If you still experience problems, use the
SideWinder 3D Pro in analog mode.
* Microcomputer Microconnect 34
You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses) with games if
you have the sound on. If you disable the sound, your game should play
properly.
* Mwave sound card (IBM Corp.), used in the IBM Aptiva
You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses) with games if
you have the sound on. If you disable the sound, your game should play
properly.
* Quick Shot PCMCIA (Bondwell Global, Ltd.)
To properly configure this game port, you need to obtain one of the
manufacturer's new drivers: JOYA.COM or JOYB.COM. For more information,
contact Quick Shot.
* Roland RAP 10/AT (Roland Corp.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as
the SideWinder game pad and SideWinder Precision Pro; and is incompatible
with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro.
* Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-1 (Creative Labs, Inc.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as
the SideWinder game pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force
Feedback Pro.
NOTE: All other Sound Blaster game ports are compatible with digital-only
game devices.
* TeleVideo TeleWave Q32/SRS (TeleVideo, Inc.)
This game port may experience problems with digital-only devices such as
the SideWinder game pad, 3D Pro, and Force Feedback Pro. If you have
problems, try loading the DOS drivers for the card.
For the SideWinder 3D Pro to work properly, you must load the MS-DOS
drivers as well as the Windows drivers. If you still experience problems,
use the SideWinder 3D Pro in analog mode.
* Chromatic MPACT
This sound card is not compatible with any SideWinder game device except
for the SideWinder 3D Pro, which can be operated in Analog mode.
* Toshiba Tecra 700CT notebook computer (Toshiba America, Inc.)
Uses a built-in game port which may produce erratic results.
* Toshiba Tecra 720 notebook computer (Toshiba America, Inc.)
In Low power mode, there is not enough power available for the SideWinder
game pad to work properly from the docking station game port or from a
PCMCIA-based game port. If you switch to Full power, both game ports work
properly. For information about changing the notebook setting to Full
power, see your computer's manual.
* Sound cards or systems using the ESS or Opti chip sets
You may experience problems or poor performance with games if you have the
sound on. To correct this problem, the "Use Single Mode DMA" setting should
be selected from Control Panel\Multimedia\Advanced\Audio devices, double
click the "Audio for ...", click the settings button, check the box for "Use
single Mode DMA"
=================================================================
Part 2: GAMES-COMPATIBILITY WITH SIDEWINDER DIGITAL-ONLY DEVICES
=================================================================
2.1 Games That May Exhibit Problems
The games below may experience problems with SideWinder digital-only game
devices (SideWinder Game Pad, SideWinder Precision Pro, and SideWinder Force
Feedback Pro). Digital-only game devices are designed specifically for Windows
and may have problems establishing proper communication with these non-Windows-
based games. You may want to check with the game publisher for possible updates
or patches to their product.
GAME Publisher
-------------- -------------------
AH-64D Longbow Origin Systems, Inc
Alien Odyssey Argonaut Software, Ltd.
Body Count Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.)
Corridor 7 Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.)
Cyberia Interplay Productions, Inc.
Cyberia 2 Interplay Productions, Inc.
Delta V Bethesda Softworks, Inc.
Earthworm Jim: The Whole Can Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
of Worms Playmates
Flight Unlimited (DOS version) Looking Glass Technologies, Inc.
Football Pro '96 Sierra On-Line, Inc.
Full Throttle LucasArts Entertainment Co.
Hardball 5 Accolade, Inc.
Iron Assault Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
Mortal Kombat I Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
Need For Speed Electronic Arts
Raiden Imagitec Design, Inc.
Savage Warriors Mindscape, Inc.
Screamer Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
Star Trek 25th Anniversary Interplay Productions, Inc.
Star Wars: Rebel Assault I and II LucasArts Entertainment Co.
Shattered Steel Interplay Productions, Inc.
SuperKarts Manic Media Productions, Ltd.
System Shock Origin Systems, Inc.
Terminator: Future Shock Bethesda Softworks
Tetris Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.
TFX Ocean Software, Ltd.
The Dig LucasArts Entertainment Co.
Ultimate Body Blows European Leisure Software Publishers Assoc.
Wetlands New World Computing, Inc.
Zoop Viacom International, Inc.
2.2 Notes on Other Games and Programs
* Mech Warrior II (Activision)
Mech Warrior II does not operate correctly with the hat switch on the
SideWinder Precision Pro and SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. Use the
"control configuration" provided with Mech Warrior II to assign the
correct directional commands to the hat switch.
* Descent and Descent II (Interplay Productions, Inc.)
You need to run these games with the "-joypolled" command switch. For more
information, check the Descent or Descent II Readme file.
* Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts Entertainment Co.)
For the SideWinder game device to work correctly, do not use the game's
joystick calibration feature.
* Day of the Tentacle (LucasArts Entertainment Co.)
For the SideWinder game device to work correctly, do not use the game's
joystick calibration feature.
* Lode Runner (Sierra On-Line, Inc.)
To activate a move that your game has pre-assigned to a game pad button,
you will need to press the button twice.
* Mega Man X (Capcom Entertainment, Inc.)
In order to get the most functionality from this game, select the Capcom
controller in the game's Option Mode screen.
* Wing Commander 3 & 4 (Origin Systems, Inc.)
For the SideWinder game pad to work correctly with these games, you need
an alternate joystick DLL file (WC3JOY.DLL or WC4JOY.DLL) that is available
from Origin Systems.
* NFL Quarterback Club '97 (Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.)
When played with a SideWinder game device, this game detects a single game
device as two game devices. In the case of a joystick, only buttons 1 and 2
on the joystick work with this game. When using a game pad, only buttons A
and B work with this game.
2.3 Hot Plugging
Some games will not detect a game device that you connect during game
play. To change or add a game device, exit your game, connect the game device
you want to use for that game session, and then re-start your game.
Connecting your game device during game play may work better with either the
Editor, Activator, or Control Panel running.
2.4 Mode Switching
In some games, when you switch from a SideWinder game pad to a SideWinder
joystick during game play, the game will not recognize the joystick. In these
cases, you may need to recalibrate the joystick in your game in order for it to
work properly. Or, you may need to restart your game.
For more information about joystick calibration, refer to your game's
manual.
===================================================
Part 3: COMPATIBLE GAME PORTS
===================================================
3.1 Use the Latest Drivers from Your Sound Card Manufacturer
To ensure the compatibility, be sure you have the latest drivers for your sound
card. For full compatibility with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, the
drivers must be DirectX 5.0 certified. Most sound card manufacturers have a BBS
or Worldwide Web site with their latest drivers. Refer to the your sound card
manual for that location.
3.2 Motherboard Game Ports
Some computers have a gameport on the motherboard, and most pass the MIDI lines
(needed for force feedback to operate) out to the game port connector. If your
gameport is on the motherboard, consult your system manual to be sure your
gameport contains an MPU-401 compatible MIDI port that is available at the game
port connector.
3.3 Game Port Add-on Connectors
Some high-end audio sound cards have a gameport add-on connector that does not
pass the MIDI lines (needed for force feedback to operate) out to the gameport.
These cards are not, and cannot be made, compatible.
3.4 Using the SideWinder Game Pad's Pass-through Connector
The SideWinder Force Feedback Pro should be connected directly to your
computer's gameport. However, it will usually work when connected via the pass-
through connector of a SideWinder game pad. If you experience any trouble in
pass-through mode, connect the stick directly to your gameport. (If you have a
MIDI-splitter cable, you will need to bypass that and plug directly into the
gameport.
3.5 Abnormal Termination of a Game (or other program)
Sometimes a game or other program will terminate unexpectedly, causing the
SideWinder Force Feedback Pro to keep moving. To reset the joystick and stop
the movement, unplug the joystick and plug it back into the game port.
3.6 Drivers for Creative Labs and Ensoniq Sound Cards
If you experience problems with any of the following sounds cards:
Sound Blaster from Creative Labs
Audio PCI from Ensoniq
Soundscape from Ensoniq
Soundscape Elite from Ensoniq
Vivo from Ensoniq
Please load the appropriate driver from the CD. To do this:
1. Place the CD in your CD drive.
2. Choose "Explore the CD."
3. Find the "Sound Card Drivers" folder.
4. Open the folder and double-click the appropriate driver to load it.
===================================================
Part 4: SOUND CARDS THAT NEED SPECIAL SETUP
===================================================
4.1 Incompatible Sound Cards
The following sound cards are known to be incompatible with the SideWinder Force
Feedback Pro, and as a result, will not allow the joystick to operated in the
force feedback mode.
- Mozart 16
- ATI Stereo FIX
- Roland Rap 10
- NEC PC98 CX3 and its integrated sound system
4.2 Aztech Sound Cards
Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Aztech. Some
Aztech sound cards such as the Multimedia Pro AB and the 3D Stereo require you
to run their DOS based configuration program in order to enable the external
MIDI port (required for force feedback to work). Follow the instructions
provided with your sound card for using this program and setting up the external
MIDI port (a.k.a. MPU-401) functionality.
4.3 Logitech SoundMan
Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Logitech. The
LogiTech SoundMan sound card may automatically disable the external MIDI port
(required for force feedback to work). To configure your LogiTech sound card,
choose Basic Configuration 0000. For detailed instructions, see the following
steps.
1. Open the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking My Computer and choosing
Properties, then Device Manager.
2. Make sure View Devices By Type is selected.
3. Scroll down the list to Sound, video and game controllers, and then click the
(+) icon to display the list of controllers connected to your computer.
Click the entry in the list that identifies the Logitech SoundMan sound card.
4. Click Properties to open the Properties dialog.
5. Click the Resources tab.
6. Deselect the Use automatic settings check box.
7. Select Basic configuration 0000 from the Setting based on list box.
8. If this results in a device conflict message appearing in the Conflicting
device list, then change the settings for either the sound card or the
conflicting device. Look for one of the following values:
0300 - 0307
0310 - 0317
0320 - 0327
0330 - 0337
For more information, open the Windows Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.
4.4 Turtle Beach Wave Front and TBS 2000
Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Turtle Beach.
These cards may automatically disable the external MIDI port (required for force
feedback to work) by default.
To configure these Turtle Beach sound cards, choose Basic Configuration 0001.
For detailed instructions, see the following steps:
1. Open the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking My Computer and choosing
Properties, then Device Manager.
2. Make sure View Devices By Type is selected.
3. Scroll down the list to Sound, video and game controllers, and then click the
(+) icon to display the list of controllers connected to your computer.
Click the entry in the list that identifies your Turtle Beach sound card.
4. Click Properties to open the Properties dialog.
5. Click the Resources tab.
6. Deselect the Use automatic settings check box.
7. Select Basic configuration 0001 from the Setting based on list box.
8. If this results in a device conflict message appearing in the Conflicting
device list, then change the settings for either the sound card or the
conflicting device. For more information, open the Windows Hardware Conflict
Troubleshooter.
4.5 Boca Sound Expression
Make sure you have the latest sound card drivers available from Boca. Versions
dated earlier than 3/29/96 may exhibit problems when used with the SideWinder
Force Feedback Pro. Experiment with various configuration settings for the
Sound Expression MPU401 entry in the Sound, video and game controllers device
list. If this results in a device conflict, then change the settings for either
the sound card or the conflicting device as described in the Windows Hardware
Conflict Troubleshooter.
===================================================
Part 5: USING FORCE FEEDBACK
===================================================
5.1 Changing the Force Level to your Joystick Affects Return-to-Center
If you change the Force Feedback setting to Off on the Settings page of the Game
Controller Properties, no forces will be present at the joystick. This no-force
setting also interacts with and affects the Return to Center (which is a force)
setting.
5.2 Low Force Level Setting Affects the Test Forces
At Low force settings, some forces in the Control Panel Test Forces property
page may not be discernible, such as the "Car Engine Idle."
5.3 Diminishing Forces as the Handle is Moved from Center
As you move the joystick handle farther forward, back, right, or left,
regardless of what game you are playing, the level of the forces you feel is
reduced. Force that appear weak with the handle at the center position, may
disappear as the handle is moved to its extreme limits.
5.4 Connecting the Joystick to a SideWinder Game Pad
You can use your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro when connected to a SideWinder
game pad and the pass-through mode (with the Mode switch) selected on the game
pad. However, you may still receive active forces to the joystick when the game
pad is switched out of pass-through mode.
5.5 Erratic Throttle Operation in Some Non-Force Feedback Games
The throttle display, such as in airplane cockpit, may behave erratically in
some games of this type causing some visual distraction. To elimiate this
problem, you can unplug the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro from the AC supply and
use the joystick in its non-powered mode.
=========================
Part 6: TROUBLESHOOTING
=========================
This section contains answers to specific questions you may have. For
additional troubleshooting information, see the Trouble-shooting sections of the
Online User's Guide for your SideWinder game device and the Game Device Profiler
Online Help.
QUESTION: When using the Windows Control Panel, Game Controllers properties,
Test pagte, certain buttons don't light up on the image when I press them on my
SideWinder Force Feedback Joystick. Is my joystick defective?
ANSWER: This is normal operation if you have assigned game actions to
these buttons and the Profile Activator is running with the associated profile
activated. If the Profile Activator is not running, a problem with your
joystick is indicated.
QUESTION: In the Control Panel, I see a "Game Controllers" icon, but I can't
open it; or, I can open it, but my joystick is listed as "not connected."
ANSWER: If you previously had a game port, but it was removed, the Setup
program incorrectly detects that you still have a game port. Install a card with
a game port (such as a sound card), and then run Setup again.
If there is no response from the joystick, or the Windows Device Manager
reports that the joystick is not present, not working properly, or does not have
all of its drivers installed, perform the following procedure.
>>>To resolve your joystick problem:
1. Start the computer in Safe mode since real-mode device drivers may
conflict with the Windows drivers and disable the game port. (For step-by-step
instructions, consult your Windows manual.)
2. Remove the GamePort Joystick from the Control Panel Device Manager and
then add it again:
a. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the System icon and then click the Device Manager tab.
c. Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, and then check for a
GamePort Joystick. If one exists, click it and then click Remove.
d. Click OK, and then click Close.
To add the GamePort Joystick, or if there is no GamePort Joystick entry, run the
Add New Hardware Wizard in the Control Panel. For more information, consult your
Windows manual.
3. Verify that the GamePort Joystick is working at the MS-DOS level. To do
so, try to use the joystick with an MS-DOS-based game. Refer to the game's
manual for information about configuring the joystick.
QUESTION: The General tab on the Control Panel/Game Controllers does not list
the new game pad when I plug it into first game pad(s) already connected to the
computer.
ANSWER: This is normal operation. To get the game pad to appear in the
list, click the Advanced tab and then the General tab again.
QUESTION: I just turned on my computer and opened the Control Panel. Why don't
I see Game Controllers icon?
ANSWER: Your sound card may not be initialized properly due to a game port
or driver problem.
>>>To reinitialize your sound card so that you can access Game Device
Properties:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon, and then click the Device Manager tab.
3. Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, select Gameport Joystick
(or the device that has an error), and then click Properties.
4. Click the Resources tab, and then click Set Configuration Manually.
5. Clear the Use Automatic Settings check box, and then click OK.
6. In System Properties, click OK, close the Control Panel, and then restart
your computer.
QUESTION: What's the minimum system configuration I need to run the SideWinder
Game Device Software 2.0?
ANSWER: You must have a personal computer with a 486DX/66 or higher
processor, with 8 megabytes of RAM, 6 megabytes of available hard disk space,
256-color VGA or better display, and running Windows.
QUESTION: Why doesn't my SideWinder game device work when I restart my computer
in MS-DOS mode ("real mode")?
ANSWER: Other than the SideWinder 3D Pro, SideWinder game devices digital-
only devices. Only games that run under Windows or in an MS-DOS window under
Windows will work with digital game devices.
QUESTION: I connected a game device while I was playing a game, but the game
does not recognize it. What's the problem?
ANSWER: Some games do not recognize game devices that are connected after
the game has already been started. To change or add a game device, exit your
game, connect all of the game devices you want to use for the session, and then
re-start your game.
QUESTION: The Test page of the Game Controller Properties shows the joystick
handle still twisting after I let go. Why is this happening?
ANSWER: This is normal behavior for a digital joystick.
QUESTION: I'm having trouble calibrating my joystick in my game's joystick
calibration routine; what do I need to do?
ANSWER: If your game's joystick calibration routine requires you to press
a button (such as the trigger) on your joystick, the game will not "see" the
button press if you have changed the way this button works in your game by means
of the Profile Editor. It is recommended that you do not change the functions
of the primary button(s) on your joystick.
QUESTION: I have more than one game port on my computer; will this pose any sort
of problem when using SideWinder game devices?
ANSWER: Multiple game ports can cause the game device to not function,
especially in the case of a SideWinder Force Feedback Pro. The solution is to
remove or disable any game port not being used by removing the board or
following the manufacture's instructions on disabling it.
QUESTION: I had my analog controller connected to my computer with a status of
"OK" in the Game Controllers properties window then I added a SideWinder game
device. Now my analog controller is not in the list, but there are two
SideWinder devices. How do I get my analog controller back in the list so that
I can use it.
ANSWER: SideWinder game device take priority in the Control Panel when
they are connected. To use your analog controller, reconnect it to the game
port and assign it to ID1 as described under "My other game device isn't
working" in the Online User's Guide.
Also, you can remove unwanted game controllers from the list in the Game
Controllers properties window by selecting it and clicking the Remove button.
CORRECTIONS
In the printed Getting Started booklet, reference is made to "MIDI Troublshooter"
and "Troubleshoot MIDI button." These should read "Force Feedback
Troubleshooter" and "Troubleshoot Force Feedback button" respectively.