rec.autos.simulators

I purchased one of these switching boxes that is to allow you to
switch between a joystick (eg for flight simulation) and my MSFFF
wheel which I use for my racing sims.

The way I see it you have to disable each profile and add a new one
each time you want to swap devices.

Is this so?

If so, I cant understand how they can sell these so called switch
boxes.

Thanks for the help

Glenn

It's my understanding that Windows can only recognize one input device
at a time.  However, a switching box means you don't have to
disconnect and reconnect each device when you want to use it.  Having
said that, I have two wheels connected to my system.  One goes through
a USB port and is only used in Windows and the other goes through the
sound card game port and is only used in DOS.  They never see each so
there is no conflict.

Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

I have a jstick on USB, and a wheel on gameport
Alotta games only look for the gameport, my wheel will only work as ID#1,
however in several flight sims, i can leave the stick as #2.  Some older
flight sims, like rb2, and falcon 4 require me to set the jstick to #1
Other sims like EAW, and CFS, the stick can stay as #2

Martyn_D

Pretty much

Because you just set the switch instead of getting in the
back of your computer and screwing around with the cables.

If you had some USB devices you could get around this
to a point. Your joystick could be on ID#1 and the USB
stuff could be on ID#2 thru whatever. However the problem
is that far too many games (and driving games) will only
recognize the controller on ID#1.

For instance, SCGT used to work great with my LWFF
USB setup on ID#2. Right up until patch 1.5x came out.
Then it was ID#1 all the way...

We are pretty much screwed with this at the moment.

--

Windows will recognize all the controllers you have attached. Some games
do,too, but most will not. It's the game's fault, not Windows'. Windows
makes it easy for the games to do this, but the programmers are lazy or just
don't care. I can have a wheel as ID#1 and my PantherXL as ID#2. When I want
to play Unreal Tournament, it sees the PantherXL with no problems. In other
words, when a game looks for the controller, it could look past ID#1 and
give you a choice of all connected controllers.

--
Slot

www.slottweak.com
Tweaks & Reviews

spoke:

I used to have that problem. I fixed it by going all USB and getting a
USB extension so I don't have to go to the back of the computer to
unplug a device. Now when I need to switch devices I just unplug the
USB connector from one device and plug in the one I wan to use (a 10
second operation). Device is automatically detected by windows and no
changing of ID# needed.
--
Nos

Games like GPL and AMA Superbike do a good job of recognizing multiple
controllers. As you've stated, most of the time the programmers just don't
give you enough options...

Wayne Hutchison

thus spoke:

See my earlier post on this.

--
Nos

writes:

Set up your controllers as ID#1 and ID#2.  When you need to switch, just change
the order.  Take #1 and put it on #3, take #2 down to #1.  You can have both
configs/callibrations, and not have to *re-create* every time.

Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPL hcp. +69.95

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

I have NEVER been able to fathom the two or more controller thing. I have a
Sidewinder wheel, and nothing seems to want to run alongside it. I used to
have, back in the day, two Gravis Grips, and they worked just fine, but I'd
love the opportunity to put something with the wheel for two player. I have
switchboxes, about 15 different controllers....nearest I got was getting two
buttons of each controller to work, I think, and no steering on the second.
If anyone knows a good web page I can gen up on this, please send details!

--

Colin Harris
ColinHarris in N3/NL and VROC

Bomber Racing: http://fullspeed.to/Bomber
ICQ 25485061

Windows will recognize multiple devices, . two normal 2-button joysticks
with Y-cable works in one joystick port. But if you want to use multiple
wheels and other "better" controllers you need second joystick port, like
Thrustmaster ACM-card has. Problem here is that default address
for joystick port is 201 and ACM's second port goes 207-209 or something
and DOS games won't find that second port. In windows second port
works fine.

--
Tuomas Paasiala    | Multitasking in Windows?
                   |  - Use UAE
Helsinki FINLAND   | Remove _NO-SPAM_ for reply

I had problems with EAW until I made the stick my #1 controller.

I just bought a Race Leader FF wheel which connects through the serial
port.  When I start GPL,  I now have 6 axis which can be calibrated
and used as controllers.  It picked up four axis' from the old wheel
through the gamecard,  plus the wheel and pedals from the serial port.

David Snider