rec.autos.simulators

    Hi.  Sorry if this isn't the best newsgroup to post this in, but
hey, this is mostly for my racings sims anyway.  (If anyone has a
recommendation for a better newsgroup for this question, by all means
tell me.)
    Anyway, I purchased a Soundblaster AWE64 card the other day and
popped it in here yesterday.  I was previously using an ACM card for my
wheel and joystick.  Someone told me to just use the AWE64 instead of
the ACM.
    My questions are: can the AWE64's gameport be disabled?  If so,
would the ACM card work better for me?  (It certainly worked better than
my previous soundcard's port.)  The person who gave me the above advice
also said to use the ACM for my DOS games.  I didn't really understand
this, I can have both of them in there at once?  Could this be done by
just disabling the ACM in Windows?
    Any comments are much appreciated.

I eventually managed to get my AWE64 and ACM card to work in both
Windows 95 and DOS. I disabled the joy port on the AWE64 (you know
My Computer->System->Sound) and ran CTCM in DOS. It then configures
two out of three devices on the AWE64, the third device is the joy
port. Now I can use the ACM card in any DOS or WIndows 95 game.

You may have to work a bit in Windows 95 to make it accept the
disabling and enabling (to avoid collisions) but after that all
you need to do in DOS is to run CTCM (included with the AWE64).

/Michael

On Wed, 01 Oct 1997 15:08:39 -0500, "Scott R. Lund"

snip

Try TM's website (or CH Products)for tips to disable SB port. It's a
real pain to do, but here's a sure fire way.....

1)Delete all Soundblaster software, including config.sys and      
    autoexec.bat entries, shut off computer

2)Remove AWE64, install ACM. Install ACM in windows according to TM's
directions.

3)install Plugplay software included in SB box.

4)run ICU.EXE from plugplay, then disable game port, save settings.

5) install AWE64, then software

6)This should enable the ACM and diable AWE64 Port.

Good luck!!!!!!

There's a better way. Just select properties on the AWE64
joy port. In the 'General' tab theres a selection for
'Disable in this hardware profile'. Click in the checkbox. The
AWE64 port will be shown with a red cross over it. Now the
ACM gamecard will get the resources.

--
Markus

You cannot disable the gameport on the AWE64 so what you are going to end up
with is a RESOURCE CONFLICT.  What we need to do is make sure that the CONFLICT
is with the AWE port and not the ACM.  Windows dishes out resources on a first
come - first server basis so all you need to do is make sure you ACM is
installed and working properly with the default resource assignment.  When you
install your AWE64 and its software it will try (and fail) to install the
joystick port driver.  You will even get a YELLOW circle in your Device Hardware
but who cares - the ACM still works.

If you already have the AWE64 and software installed you will have to pull the
card and delete all the AWE entries from your Device hardware tree.  Restart the
computer and reinstall your ACM support.  Then turn off system and install card
and turn on computer.  When prompted let 95 grab the drivers from the AWE64
CDROM.  When it's all over you should have a working ACM and a Resource Conflict
on your AWE64 which you can ignore....

Your going to have trouble disabling the joystick port on your awe64 pnp
sound card. I ran into the same thing with my awe32. I had to disable the
joystick port in win95 each time I booted up, and add the acm card in
win95. For some reason, every time I booted it went back to original
configuration. I spent a lot of time on the phone with Dell, Soundblaster,
and Microsoft only to come to the conclusion it couldn't be done. I
recently downloaded Thrustmaster's ProPanel utility, removed my game card,
and now run through my soundcard's joystick port. Very smooth, gonna leave
it as is now. You might consider trying the same, save ya a lot of grief.
Good luck,
Don B.

snip snip

My AWE32 has a jumper to disable the gameport.  The AWE64 doesn't have this
jumper??

Joel

Sure, you can disable any SB port. Remove the driver through the control
panel under the system/device manager/sound and video game adapters.
Reboot. Windoze will tell you it has found new software. Ignore the
have disk ready stuff and don't reinstall the drivers. Windoze will put a
yellow
exclamation point through it. I've done this on systems with AWE32 and
AWE64s. Piece of cake. You can then install the ACM card/software.

Regards,

Harry