rec.autos.simulators

Just ordered a T2 for use with IC & WC (among others)...now I hear that
I'll need an adjustable game card (coincidentally made by Thrustmaster).
1.  Why do I need it?
2.  What are the benefits?
3.  Is this all I'll need to make it functional and usable to the max?

I've got a 486 DX2/66 w/ 12megs of RAM + 6xCD-ROM & SB16.

Replay by e-mail if possible...don't want to miss anything. Thanks.

I have a AMD 5x86-133 mhz, and Thrustmaster said that people who have
pentium's or higher should get a dedicated game card.  Ehh.  I don't use
my SB16 for my joystick port, though, I use a midi adaptor that has 2
ports.  But anyway, I have no problems controlling my games, and I don't
see how a game card will help...it all depends on your setup I guess.  I
say just try it.  If it messes up, try a game card...

Ray

It is not needed, but some people still swear by it.  Mine works just fine
from my SB16. I initially had trouble, and Thrustmasters tech support said
I need to get the ACM, but what else were they going to say?  I did break
down and buy a no-name brand gamecard for about $9.00 from Wally World for
my Pentium, but my 5x86 AMD 133 works fine with my SB16 value.

I am sure someone will give them to you.  I don't have one, so I don't
know.  The advantage of having one in my Pentium is that I now have two JS
ports available without a Y-Cable.

Functional?  No.   To the max, probably.  Supposedly makes for a more
precisely calibrated joystick.  Maybe so.  I you have a slot and $30+ to
spare, go for it.  I am out of slots at the moment, so it is not a
possibility at this time.

He wanted a direct response so he would be sure to get the answer.  This is
rude?  In newsgroup land, this seems more practical than anything else.
Messages here are easy to miss, while direct email is pretty hard to.
Lighten up the rules some, *** cop.  Oh, and if someone else wanted to
know the answer, why haven't they bothered to ask the question?  Let the
lurkers beware!!

        Hope this helps.

        -- Emerson

<><><><><><><><><><>
Writing from Pasadena, Maryland, USA

In my case the computer booted :-) Plus the card is built
for *** with the best componants. Pretty much a rock-
solid setup now.

You may *not* even need it. I suggest trying without first. Then
if you have problems, go to a speed adjustable card. BTW, the
TM-ACM card is just one of many.

Mine is a P5-133.

: > Just ordered a T2 for use with IC & WC (among others)...now I hear that
: > I'll need an adjustable game card (coincidentally made by Thrustmaster).
: > 1.  Why do I need it?
: > 2.  What are the benefits?
: > 3.  Is this all I'll need to make it functional and usable to the max?
: >
: > I've got a 486 DX2/66 w/ 12megs of RAM + 6xCD-ROM & SB16.

I've got mine hooked up through a soundblaster 8 clone with no problems.  I
have a P-90 with 16 meg of ram.
--
Regards,

-Dirt-

*******************************************
* Mechanical Engineering 1996             *
* University of Missouri, Rolla           *
*******************************************

Paco
Nostromo Racing Team
http://edafo1.usc.es/gp2.html

Try a Win95 calibration.  You'll probably need a game card then.

Nope, calibration works fine in Win95 and a SB16.

Regarding the necessity of game cards...

I needed one.  

Why?  Because I have a cheap no-name sound card, that's why.  Sound Blaster
cards seem to have better joystick ports than some of the other cards.  It is an
area where the no-name guys can save a little $$.  

Anyway to make a long story short, when I put the card in my new pentuim
motherboard (upgrade from a 486)....  The joystick was uncontrolable.  It
wouldn't stay calibrated, and was generally jerky in movement.  I then disabled
the joystick port on the sound card, bought a thrustmaster game card, and
everything is smooth as silk again.

However ... Does everybody need a game card?  I think not.  I chose to buy the
game card for a few dollars now and I'll probably be throwing it away as soon as
I can afford the killer sound card I really want.

Things will "run perfectly" as I was running everything perfectly...at least,
everything was "running", but as I found out, not optimally.

Just my 0.02 worth...

John Wehman

I'll state the details of my experience.

Cyrix 5x86-120  /  Galaxy Sound card / Thrustmaster Grand Prix I.

Nascar,  Indycar2, and Screamer 2 all calibrate and run fine through cheapy
sound
boards' joystick port.

Win95 Calibration fails WITH the axis adapter.  Using Thrustmasters
directions.

Additon of ACM game card allows Win95 Calibration and ultimately Monster
Truck
Maddnes!

Thrustmaster said my experience was common.  They surmised that the value
and or
range of the Grand Prix's potentiometers were different than standard
joystick pots.

If you'd like my comments about how I like my Grand Prix 1, email me.

Regards
D. Blackburn