rec.autos.simulators

Here's my problem.  I'm trying to install two controllers on my computer at
the same time (a T2 and a Gravis gamepad) so that BOTH will work and be
calibrated at all times without having to get behind the computer and unplug
and plug in every time I want to play a different game....and also w/o
having to recalibrate one or the other every time.  I also want both to be
able to support 4 buttons.
    Here's what I've tried:  first, I tried an ACM game card by
Thrustmaster.  I had the T2 plugged into port 1a and the Gravis in 1b.  The
T2 worked fine in N2, but the Gravis did not work in all the other games I
needed it for.  (mostly sports games)  It worked in some, but not all.  I
tried switching the controllers in the 2 ports.....then the Gravis worked
for all games but N2 wouldn't recognize the T2 in the N2-calibration screen.
    After taking the ACM back, I tried some kind of special Y-plug made by
some foreign company called Alfa-romeo or something like that.  It DID work
for both types of controllers in all games, but my control in N2 was
terrible....just way too choppy of control.  I even tried the Thrustmaster
ProPanel but it just didn't drive smooth enough....especially after having
the ACM card and seeing how smooth IT was.  So back went the Alfa-romeo
thingy.
    Now, I just bought a Gamecard3 by CH Products.  First I tried the T2 in
port1 and the Gravis in port2....T2 worked, Gravis nada.  Now I have the
Gravis in port1 and the T2 in port2.  Gravis works fine in all games.....now
here's the problem.  I go to N2 in-game calibration screen and have to
calibrate it on "Joystick 2" since it's plugged in port 2.  It recognizes
the T2 and calibrates fine!  Then I set all the controls (gas, brake, etc.),
and they all are recognized as joystick2.  BUT, when I go to race, the T2
doesn't work.
    Now my questions.  First, how can N2 recognize my T2 perfectly as
joystick2 on the calibration screen, but when I race it doesn't work?  Has
anyone raced using "joystick2" in N2?  Or is everyone using "joystick 1"?
Is there some way I can edit a file in N2 to tell it to race using
"joystick2" instead of 1?  Also, is there anyone that has two controllers
like me and has found a way to get them both to work in all games, w/o
having to plug and unplug, and having to re-calibrate every time?
Aaron

There are a couple of products out there that will allow you to "select"
between different game controller devices hooked up to one port.  You
hook up your controllers to the device and then manually select the one
you want.  One is the Joy-Switch which has been around for some time.
I've seen a new (and less expensive one) at Software Etc. that is called
J-??????? (my mind draws a blank).

However, this won't solve the one problem you are trying to avoid
(having to re-calibrate or re-select device in Win95).

I took the cheapest route and have an joystick extension cable so I can
easily swap devices withouth having to crawl behind the computer.

About the only way I know to accomplish what you want 99% of the time is
to use a dedicated gamecard and use a Y-cable to connect both devices.
However, this does mean that you will not be able to use products that
use more than one joystick (Older T1/T2/GP1 without the converter, TM
Pro series with pedals set to separate, etc.).  The reason I say a
"dedicated" gamecard, is that you obviously noticed the decline in
performance with a y-cable and your soundcard.  

I am not familiar with the CH Gamecard3.  When you say Port1 and Port2
are these really just Joystick 1 and Joystick 2 or are they completely
different ports with different I/O's like Thrustmaster's ACM card?  If
it is not the latter, then the above won't apply to the CH card.

Thrustmaster has a utility which is supposed to allow you to use their
second port on their ACM gamecard (I/O 209-209) for driving wheels.
Whether this will work inside Win95's environment, I don't know.
(ftp://208.129.210.78/pub/library/raceptch.exe).  This method if it
works could wind up giving you virtually 3 ports if combined with a
Y-cable.

As to why N2 is not allowing you to have all of your controls assigned
to Joystick2, I don't have a clue.

% Here's my problem.  I'm trying to install two controllers on my computer at
% the same time (a T2 and a Gravis gamepad) so that BOTH will work and be
% calibrated at all times without having to get behind the computer and unplug
% and plug in every time I want to play a different game....and also w/o
% having to recalibrate one or the other every time.  I also want both to be
% able to support 4 buttons.
%     Here's what I've tried:  first, I tried an ACM game card by
% Thrustmaster.  I had the T2 plugged into port 1a and the Gravis in 1b.  The
% T2 worked fine in N2, but the Gravis did not work in all the other games I
% needed it for.  (mostly sports games)  It worked in some, but not all.  I
% tried switching the controllers in the 2 ports.....then the Gravis worked
% for all games but N2 wouldn't recognize the T2 in the N2-calibration screen.
%     After taking the ACM back, I tried some kind of special Y-plug made by
% some foreign company called Alfa-romeo or something like that.  It DID work
% for both types of controllers in all games, but my control in N2 was
% terrible....just way too choppy of control.  I even tried the Thrustmaster
% ProPanel but it just didn't drive smooth enough....especially after having
% the ACM card and seeing how smooth IT was.  So back went the Alfa-romeo
% thingy.
%     Now, I just bought a Gamecard3 by CH Products.  First I tried the T2 in
% port1 and the Gravis in port2....T2 worked, Gravis nada.  Now I have the
% Gravis in port1 and the T2 in port2.  Gravis works fine in all games.....now
% here's the problem.  I go to N2 in-game calibration screen and have to
% calibrate it on "Joystick 2" since it's plugged in port 2.  It recognizes
% the T2 and calibrates fine!  Then I set all the controls (gas, brake, etc.),
% and they all are recognized as joystick2.  BUT, when I go to race, the T2
% doesn't work.
%     Now my questions.  First, how can N2 recognize my T2 perfectly as
% joystick2 on the calibration screen, but when I race it doesn't work?  Has
% anyone raced using "joystick2" in N2?  Or is everyone using "joystick 1"?
% Is there some way I can edit a file in N2 to tell it to race using
% "joystick2" instead of 1?  Also, is there anyone that has two controllers
% like me and has found a way to get them both to work in all games, w/o
% having to plug and unplug, and having to re-calibrate every time?
% Aaron

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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