rec.autos.simulators

Sidewinder force feedback wheel USB
software version 4.0

I installed the software. In the Sidewinder Control panel I select the wheel
and it recognizes it but when I select properties I get an error message
that memory is full or a component may be missing.  So I uninstalled the
software then reinstalled it. and the same thing. I installed nascar 2003
and got the wheel to work but the six buttons on the wheel don't work.  The
button setup is in the Sidewinder control, properties I think but I cant get
there.  Anyone having this problem.

The reason I ask is, I have the MS FF with the serial cable  hooked up on a
second pc and the software won't install on XP. So I ran windows update and
there was a  install for the wheel and it works fine.

MS hasn't updated the sidewinder software, EVER, for this wheel, yet they
gave it HWQL certification for XP even though it still says for 95/98 only
when installed.

I guess when you own the hardware 'quality' lab you can do whatever you
want.

-Larry

The Sidewinder software however will not work with XP. From memory it
even tells you that if you try to install it.

Just plug the wheel in, fire up the PC and add a "Microsoft SideWinder
(Auto Detect)" game controller through the Control Panel.

You can't program the buttons without the Sidewinder software but most
games these days let you do that through their own configs.

I passed my old game port Sidewinder to a friend who has been using it
successfully with XP and NR2003, LfS, rFactor, etc. for a few years.

--

Mr Q
-------------------

I have knowledge that something in windows XP service pak2 screws up the
installation, (something to do with scripting that was an open hole for
security).  If you have a PreService pack 2 install disk, install the wheel
before you do win updates.  Hell I even got this wheel (sidewinder FF wheel)
working under RC1 of vista, by installing the wheel before I did the
upgrades for xp, then installed the trial version of Vista as an
"upgrade"...

Yes, in any case, XP did warn you it was not software for "your version of
windows", but we go ahead and install it and all the profiles anyway.  But I
repeat something in ServicePack2 ruins the ability to change profiles from
inside the controlpanel appication that is in use when you install the
driver and profiles.

I do not know the work around if you get everything on SP2, I do know you
cannot mess with the particulars of profiles but I was sure you could select
one & load one if you had one.  if you need one pick the GPL or get a
profile from a buddy.  I created the one I use, from the GPL one supplied,
with seperate pedals and all that.   this allowed me to race GPL, RBR, GTR,
GTLegends, NRO3 and some others without changing the profile all the time.
It aint as great as changing for each game, but this way all the games are
relatively the same to me, the way I like it...

YOu can install and half heartedly use the "profier app" if you have SP2
already built in on your version of XP, But I repeat something in
ServicePack2 ruins the ability to change profiles from inside the
controlpanel appication that is in use when you install the driver and
profiles, ONLY if you install SIDEWINDER software, after XP service Pack 2
is INSTALLED...

If  you need one to test my theory, pick the GPL or get a profile from a
buddy.  AGAIN you cant get in to see what the settins are or anything, but
you would at least have controls setup seperate etc.  I recomend maybe find
a POS 98 machine install the SW temporarily to harvest profiles?  <<that
would be the hard way>>

I created the one I use, from the GPL one supplied, with seperate pedals and
all that.   this allowed

--

Mr Q
-------------------

--

Mr Q
-------------------

"Sidewinder force feedback wheel USB
software version 4.0
"

He is talking about the crash issues within the profiler, which is a known
issue caused by some MS windows update that has not yet been identified
(that I know of).

-Larry

You able to seperate the brake and throttle axis?  Last person I helped with
installing the sidewinder wheel found he could not seperate the wheel
without the profiler sidewinder stuff.  But someone might have figurued out
a way around that?

BTW, this makes a helluva difference in many racing games, being able to
touch the brakes yet not lift the throttle...
Mr Q enlightened us with:

I passed the wheel onto a friend who is still using it. I'll get him to
check and confirm.

--

Mr Q
-------------------

Does it also work without the profiler software?

It's a shame Microsoft seemed to just completely abandon support for
their controllers.

--

Mr Q
-------------------