rec.autos.simulators

by **Steve Smit** » Wed, 21 Apr 2004 03:35:33

Not all ECCI/PDPI combos required Registry tweaking. I only found out 'cuz
I was doing a story on IndyCar Racing for my old alma mater, Car and Driver,
and at the second Calibration screen (steer left/steer right), I wasn't
getting full deflection. Even tho Windows 98 compensated for this at the
end of the Calibration routine, it was extrapolating from too small a
sample, so even tho the jiggles were gone, the steering was still a bit
twitchy. I called PDPI and they gave me some new values to enter into the
Registry. Voila, full deflection and smooth steering. Later ECCI wheels
had higher-ohm pots, so the resistance was spread over a greater range from
TDC to full lock L or R.

> > Maybe you didn't have it set up properly. Tricky to set up, but once
right
> > (particularly w. the ECCI, which sometimes required hairy Registry
edits)
> > resulted in a huge improvement in smoothness. Not only did it calm the
> > typical game-port "jitters" but the PDPI also had a much higher sample
rate
> > (making the steering a lot less notchy) while simultaneously decreasing
the
> > CPU occupancy, giving you a higher frame rate as well.

> > Or maybe you just weren't old enough to drive. (The PDPI was a looong
time
> > ago.)

> I wasn't aware that registry tweaking was required. I guess that's why I

didn't notice any difference.

- Show quoted text -

by mg » Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:37:54

On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:35:33 GMT, "Steve Smith"

>Not all ECCI/PDPI combos required Registry tweaking. I only found out 'cuz
>I was doing a story on IndyCar Racing for my old alma mater, Car and Driver,
>and at the second Calibration screen (steer left/steer right), I wasn't
>getting full deflection. Even tho Windows 98 compensated for this at the
>end of the Calibration routine, it was extrapolating from too small a
>sample, so even tho the jiggles were gone, the steering was still a bit
>twitchy. I called PDPI and they gave me some new values to enter into the
>Registry. Voila, full deflection and smooth steering. Later ECCI wheels
>had higher-ohm pots, so the resistance was spread over a greater range from
>TDC to full lock L or R.

I'm also one who's stubbornly held onto an old rig with an ISA slot so
I could utilize my PDPI with a TSW. After much fiddling with the
Registry numbers, I settled on a set of numbers that works quite well
with the TSW.

However, I've since purchased an ECCI 6000 GT. Unfortunately, I've
yet to discover a set of Registry settings that work. My old TSW
numbers didn't work at all. I decided to use the default Registry
numbers while attempting to utilize the myriad of adjustments
available with the ECCI hardware.

The steering and the gas pedal are fine. But I cannot lock up the
brakes. In fact, I have to *stand* on the brakes to slow down and
kicking the tail out with a touch of brake is impossible. My wheel is
equipped with the PMB II option and the amount of pressure required to
use the brakes is outrageous. I'm sure there's a combination of
hardware and Registry settings that work, but finding them has proven
to be elusive to me...:-(

Before I dump my old PDPI and opt for ECCI's new USB interface, would
you (or anyone else) provide the Registry numbers they're using with
an ECCI/PDPI combo?

FWIW, I'm running Win98SE with DirectX 7.0.

TIA

by **Mitch_** » Wed, 21 Apr 2004 11:39:31

The PMB2 really requires some kind of floor lock system ;) I just moved my
chair closer to the wall and used a 2X4 as a block on the opposite side of
the pedals.

Im still not totally sold on the PMB2 option. I guess it works but as mg
says it takes allot of force to get to full lock which IMO reduces brake
"feel". This with the PMB2 set at full soft setting.

Mitch

> On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:35:33 GMT, "Steve Smith"

by **Steve Smit** » Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:45:53

I'll look up my old #s and post them. As I remember it, the brake & gas
oughtta be the same in the Reg. (You still have the PDPI disc, right?)

> On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:35:33 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> >Not all ECCI/PDPI combos required Registry tweaking. I only found out
'cuz
> >I was doing a story on IndyCar Racing for my old alma mater, Car and
Driver,
> >and at the second Calibration screen (steer left/steer right), I wasn't
> >getting full deflection. Even tho Windows 98 compensated for this at the
> >end of the Calibration routine, it was extrapolating from too small a
> >sample, so even tho the jiggles were gone, the steering was still a bit
> >twitchy. I called PDPI and they gave me some new values to enter into
the
> >Registry. Voila, full deflection and smooth steering. Later ECCI wheels
> >had higher-ohm pots, so the resistance was spread over a greater range
from
> >TDC to full lock L or R.

> I'm also one who's stubbornly held onto an old rig with an ISA slot so
> I could utilize my PDPI with a TSW. After much fiddling with the
> Registry numbers, I settled on a set of numbers that works quite well
> with the TSW.

> However, I've since purchased an ECCI 6000 GT. Unfortunately, I've
> yet to discover a set of Registry settings that work. My old TSW
> numbers didn't work at all. I decided to use the default Registry
> numbers while attempting to utilize the myriad of adjustments
> available with the ECCI hardware.

> The steering and the gas pedal are fine. But I cannot lock up the
> brakes. In fact, I have to *stand* on the brakes to slow down and
> kicking the tail out with a touch of brake is impossible. My wheel is
> equipped with the PMB II option and the amount of pressure required to
> use the brakes is outrageous. I'm sure there's a combination of
> hardware and Registry settings that work, but finding them has proven
> to be elusive to me...:-(

> Before I dump my old PDPI and opt for ECCI's new USB interface, would
> you (or anyone else) provide the Registry numbers they're using with
> an ECCI/PDPI combo?

> FWIW, I'm running Win98SE with DirectX 7.0.

> TIA

by **Steve Smit** » Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:47:54

AFAIK, USB works about as well as the PDPI did, even tho the circuitry has
no relationship.

> On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:35:33 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> >Not all ECCI/PDPI combos required Registry tweaking. I only found out
'cuz
> >I was doing a story on IndyCar Racing for my old alma mater, Car and
Driver,
> >and at the second Calibration screen (steer left/steer right), I wasn't
> >getting full deflection. Even tho Windows 98 compensated for this at the
> >end of the Calibration routine, it was extrapolating from too small a
> >sample, so even tho the jiggles were gone, the steering was still a bit
> >twitchy. I called PDPI and they gave me some new values to enter into
the
> >Registry. Voila, full deflection and smooth steering. Later ECCI wheels
> >had higher-ohm pots, so the resistance was spread over a greater range
from
> >TDC to full lock L or R.

> I'm also one who's stubbornly held onto an old rig with an ISA slot so
> I could utilize my PDPI with a TSW. After much fiddling with the
> Registry numbers, I settled on a set of numbers that works quite well
> with the TSW.

> However, I've since purchased an ECCI 6000 GT. Unfortunately, I've
> yet to discover a set of Registry settings that work. My old TSW
> numbers didn't work at all. I decided to use the default Registry
> numbers while attempting to utilize the myriad of adjustments
> available with the ECCI hardware.

> The steering and the gas pedal are fine. But I cannot lock up the
> brakes. In fact, I have to *stand* on the brakes to slow down and
> kicking the tail out with a touch of brake is impossible. My wheel is
> equipped with the PMB II option and the amount of pressure required to
> use the brakes is outrageous. I'm sure there's a combination of
> hardware and Registry settings that work, but finding them has proven
> to be elusive to me...:-(

> Before I dump my old PDPI and opt for ECCI's new USB interface, would
> you (or anyone else) provide the Registry numbers they're using with
> an ECCI/PDPI combo?

> FWIW, I'm running Win98SE with DirectX 7.0.

> TIA

by mg » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:07:46

>The PMB2 really requires some kind of floor lock system ;) I just moved my
>chair closer to the wall and used a 2X4 as a block on the opposite side of
>the pedals.

I've got a stable setup for the pedals, but having to mash the brake
with so much force seems all wrong with a sophisticated rig like the
ECCI.

Well, at least I'm not alone...:-)

I'm wondering if the PMB II might be ill-suited for some people.
What's odd is that John at ECCI said that GPL was used as a reference
for designing it. Yet, I find that trail-braking and/or subtle inputs
to the brakes are impossible when one has to stomp on the pedal.

I'll give John a call and see what he has to say.

Thanx for the reply Mitch.

by mg » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:07:50

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:45:53 GMT, "Steve Smith"

>> Before I dump my old PDPI and opt for ECCI's new USB interface, would
>> you (or anyone else) provide the Registry numbers they're using with
>> an ECCI/PDPI combo?
>> FWIW, I'm running Win98SE with DirectX 7.0.
>I'll look up my old #s and post them. As I remember it, the brake & gas
>oughtta be the same in the Reg. (You still have the PDPI disc, right?)

That'd be great, Steve. I've always used the same numbers for gas and
brake, but perhaps the PMB II option requires a unique number for the
brakes as my gas pedal is fine.

Yes, I still have my PDPI disc. My PDPI is still installed so I'll
try your numbers and see what happens. I'm assuming you don't have to
use Herculean effort to apply your brakes. Did you opt for the PMB II
gadget?

Thanx very much for the help.

by mg » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:07:54

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:47:54 GMT, "Steve Smith"

>AFAIK, USB works about as well as the PDPI did, even tho the circuitry has
>no relationship.

Eventually, I'll have to move to a USB interface as a PC upgrade is
way past due. But, since GPL doesn't require a state of the art rig
to run and an upgrade is going to have to wait, I'm determined to get
my old ISA/PDPI combo working.

According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)

Thanx again.

by **Steve Smit** » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 04:10:23

My notes say, "Navigate: HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE/SYSTEM /CURRENT CONTROL
SET/CONTROL /MEDIA PROPERTIES/PRIVATE PROPERTIES/JOYSTICK/OEM/PDPI /FINE
TUNING/DEFAULT/FINE TINING INFO or some such...

...then edit the lines that read

5b 00 00 00 5b 00 00 5b 00 00 00 5b 00 00 00

so that they read

[line 1] 0000 50 00 00 00 50 00 00 00 P... P...

[line 2] 0008 50 00 00 00 50 00 00 00 P... P...

[line 3] 0010 [blank]

Or something like that (this doesn't look right).

On another piece of paper, it says the as-installed digits (not hex) are

[line 1] 0000 95 00 00 00 80 00 00 00

[line2] 0008 80 00 00 00 80 00 00 00

[line 3] 0010 [blank]

and that that this should be edited to

0000 50, etc., and

0008 50, etc.

So I'm guessing the key numbers are 5&6 and 13&14 in each line.

5b is obviously hex.

So fiddling with non-hex values between 50 and 95 is what changes the range.

I wish I still had a copy of the old Registry, but I don't.

Hope this helps.

--Steve

> On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:47:54 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> >AFAIK, USB works about as well as the PDPI did, even tho the circuitry
has
> >no relationship.

> Eventually, I'll have to move to a USB interface as a PC upgrade is
> way past due. But, since GPL doesn't require a state of the art rig
> to run and an upgrade is going to have to wait, I'm determined to get
> my old ISA/PDPI combo working.

> According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
> interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
> I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
> Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
> towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)

> Thanx again.

by **John Simmon** » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 06:15:53

says...

> On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:47:54 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> >AFAIK, USB works about as well as the PDPI did, even tho the circuitry has
> >no relationship.

> Eventually, I'll have to move to a USB interface as a PC upgrade is
> way past due. But, since GPL doesn't require a state of the art rig
> to run and an upgrade is going to have to wait, I'm determined to get
> my old ISA/PDPI combo working.

> According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
> interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
> I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
> Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
> towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)

Well, I ordered my ECCI with both PBM/2 and the USB/HD option, so I'll
be hapy to comment on the combination in a few weeks.

by **Steve Smit** » Thu, 22 Apr 2004 19:34:30

The PMB is adjustable is it not?

> says...
> > On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:47:54 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> > >AFAIK, USB works about as well as the PDPI did, even tho the circuitry
has
> > >no relationship.

> > Eventually, I'll have to move to a USB interface as a PC upgrade is
> > way past due. But, since GPL doesn't require a state of the art rig
> > to run and an upgrade is going to have to wait, I'm determined to get
> > my old ISA/PDPI combo working.

> > According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
> > interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
> > I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
> > Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
> > towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)

> Well, I ordered my ECCI with both PBM/2 and the USB/HD option, so I'll
> be hapy to comment on the combination in a few weeks.

by **Mitch_** » Fri, 23 Apr 2004 02:20:15

Yes it is adjustable but I cant imagine anyone using anything but the
softest setting. Even at the softest it takes tremendous force to get full
range of motion. Its like the last few cm's require more leg than I have ;)

Mitch

by mg » Fri, 23 Apr 2004 14:06:23

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:10:23 GMT, "Steve Smith"

[...]

Thanx for those numbers, Steve. I tried them, but didn't see any
noticeable difference in the way the brakes react. I eventually ended
up with 1b for gas and brake as it gives me the most range in the GPL
calibration screen ( 25---226 & 40---206 respectively).

I'm convinced that the PMB II brakes on the ECCI are designed to
require a *ton* of pressure to activate them. Since the guys at ECCI
are very helpful, I'm going to give them a call & see if a hardware
tweak ( different spring, removal of PMB II, etc) is in order.

Thanx again for the help.

by mg » Fri, 23 Apr 2004 14:06:27

>says...
>> According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
>> interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
>> I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
>> Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
>> towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)
>Well, I ordered my ECCI with both PBM/2 and the USB/HD option, so I'll
>be hapy to comment on the combination in a few weeks.

That'd be great, John. I'd also be interested in what numbers you see
in terms of range when you calibrate your new wheel. Hopefully, you
run Papy sims so I can compare my numbers with yours...:-)

Thanx for the reply.

by **John Simmon** » Fri, 23 Apr 2004 18:25:39

says...

> >says...

> >> According to ECCI, their new USB HD Ultra is "the absolute best
> >> interface available for driving controllers." Perhaps it is. But,
> >> I've spent a ton of time fiddling with the brakes on my ECCI and like
> >> Mitch, I'm not totally sold on the PMB II option. Makes me leery
> >> towards buying anymore "absolute best" gear...:-)

> >Well, I ordered my ECCI with both PBM/2 and the USB/HD option, so I'll
> >be hapy to comment on the combination in a few weeks.

> That'd be great, John. I'd also be interested in what numbers you see
> in terms of range when you calibrate your new wheel. Hopefully, you
> run Papy sims so I can compare my numbers with yours...:-)

> Thanx for the reply.

I sure wouldn't put $1000 into a game controller if I was playng
something along the lines of Nascar Thunder... :)

rec.autos.simulators

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