N4 problem with Madcatz andretti racing wheel

Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that it is almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers and recalibrated 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out I will take it back tomorrow.

Welcome to N4 'realism'. "Ron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:c2HP6.17037$[email hidden]... > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that itis > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers andrecalibrated > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out Iwill > take it back tomorrow. > > > >

"Ron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:c2HP6.17037$[email hidden]... > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that itis > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers andrecalibrated > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out Iwill > take it back tomorrow. > The wheel is fine. The "problem" is N4 and you will have it with every other wheel you try. You see, NASCAR cars actually pull to the left that badly. This allows the drivers to " go straight" in the left hand turns resulting not only faster lap times but less fatigue on the drivers over the course of a race as the force on the steering wheel is neutral in the turns where the g forces are high. KFG

On Sat, 26 May 2001 06:06:46 GMT, "Kevin Gavitt" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>The wheel is fine. The "problem" is N4 and you will have it with every other >wheel you try. > >You see, NASCAR cars actually pull to the left that badly. This allows the >drivers to " go straight" in the left hand turns resulting not only faster >lap times but less fatigue on the drivers over the course of a race as the >force on the steering wheel is neutral in the turns where the g forces are >high. > >KFG >

I hardly feel the left pull with a FFB wheel, but with a non-FFB wheel it is much more prominent for some reason. I think everyone playing N4 and complaining about the left pull should get a FFB wheel. There is a pull to the left in the real cars, but like when using a FFB wheel it is not that prominent and becomes second nature - that according to someone who posted here who has driven these cars. -- eFalcon keyboard chart in PDF format http://storm.prohosting.com/~nos146/ef4_keys.zip

"Jagg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Sat, 26 May 2001 06:06:46 GMT, "Kevin Gavitt" > <[email hidden]> wrote: > > > >The wheel is fine. The "problem" is N4 and you will have it with everyother > >wheel you try. > > > >You see, NASCAR cars actually pull to the left that badly. This allowsthe > >drivers to " go straight" in the left hand turns resulting not onlyfaster > >lap times but less fatigue on the drivers over the course of a race asthe > >force on the steering wheel is neutral in the turns where the g forcesare

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> >high. > > > >KFG > > > > I hardly feel the left pull with a FFB wheel, but with a non-FFB > wheel it is much more prominent for some reason. I think everyone > playing N4 and complaining about the left pull should get a FFB wheel. > There is a pull to the left in the real cars, but like when using a > FFB wheel it is not that prominent and becomes second nature - that > according to someone who posted here who has driven these cars. > > -- > eFalcon keyboard chart in PDF format > http://storm.prohosting.com/~nos146/ef4_keys.zip

This is the simple result of the fact that FFB interprets forces at the wheel itself. An attempt is made to make the forces felt match the forces that would be felt in a real car. The could well be cocked to one side and yet FEEL centered. In a non FFB wheel you are simply applying force against a spring, which is applying an equal force in return. To hold even a slight steering bias can be rather onerous and in the long run tiring. KFG

I have the Andretti Wheel. No problems here. Just get used to driving with STAGGER "Ron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:c2HP6.17037$[email hidden]... > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that itis > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers andrecalibrated > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out Iwill > take it back tomorrow. > > > >

"RegularRacer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:1NSP6.613$[email hidden]... > I have the Andretti Wheel. No problems here. Just get used to drivingwith > STAGGER > Ask any Irishman how to accomplish this. Here's a short joke for you: "Two Irishman walk out of a bar." KFG

The problem with FF is at the superspeedways, the wheels are way too loose on center, and the ratio's provided aren't enough. At 32:1, I can run the whole track with 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement. It's very difficult to run a straight line with it that sensitive. Enabling FF makes it worse due to how loose the wheel is. The controller code in N4 needs serious work. Telling folks to buy new wheels is NOT a reasonable option. Papy CAN fix this. The question is, will they ? -Larry "Jagg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Sat, 26 May 2001 06:06:46 GMT, "Kevin Gavitt" > <[email hidden]> wrote: > > > >The wheel is fine. The "problem" is N4 and you will have it with everyother > >wheel you try. > > > >You see, NASCAR cars actually pull to the left that badly. This allowsthe > >drivers to " go straight" in the left hand turns resulting not onlyfaster > >lap times but less fatigue on the drivers over the course of a race asthe > >force on the steering wheel is neutral in the turns where the g forcesare

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> >high. > > > >KFG > > > > I hardly feel the left pull with a FFB wheel, but with a non-FFB > wheel it is much more prominent for some reason. I think everyone > playing N4 and complaining about the left pull should get a FFB wheel. > There is a pull to the left in the real cars, but like when using a > FFB wheel it is not that prominent and becomes second nature - that > according to someone who posted here who has driven these cars. > > -- > eFalcon keyboard chart in PDF format > http://storm.prohosting.com/~nos146/ef4_keys.zip

In article <bJvQ6.86931$[email hidden]>, "Larry" <[email hidden]> writes: >The problem with FF is at the superspeedways, the wheels are way too loose >on center, and the ratio's provided aren't enough. > >At 32:1, I can run the whole track with 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement. It's >very difficult to run a straight line with it that sensitive. >Comparing to GPL(sorry), I have to change the steering ratio on a lot of setups that I've downloaded. The steering is too sensitive for me, but that's how the hotshoes are able to have that fine edge. When I change it to 17:1 or 18:1, I give up a lot of control that someone who can use 15:1 get. >Enabling FF makes it worse due to how loose the wheel is.I've never driven a 'home' FF wheel.

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> >The controller code in N4 needs serious work. Telling folks to buy new >wheels is NOT a reasonable option. > >Papy CAN fix this. The question is, will they ? > >-Larry

Doubtful. How many(as a %age) of people have serious issues that they can't handle? Is it even financially worthwhile for Papy to spend time on this? I don't think the numbers are that big... Eldred -- Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett F1 hcp. +24.63...F2 +151.26... Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Load the easy setups. They don't have the pull due to suspension/weight issues. Ron wrote: > > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that it is > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers and recalibrated > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out I will > take it back tomorrow. -- Jason Monds http://www.proracingclub.com - Pro Racing Club! (N4, GPL, Fun Run Sims) http://www.racersdomain.com - Race hosting. (Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

You should also try setting your linearity to 100% (all the way to the right) in the controller setup screen. Ron wrote: > > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that it is > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers and recalibrated > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out I will > take it back tomorrow. -- Jason Monds http://www.proracingclub.com - Pro Racing Club! (N4, GPL, Fun Run Sims) http://www.racersdomain.com - Race hosting. (Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

Larry you mean 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement with No FFB right? Cuz I have 3/4" each way play before feeling anything at 32:1 & it suxx!! Way too much play via FF wheels so I must crank the steer lock way down. Depending on setup almost 12:1 sometimes. yuk! "Larry" wrote: | The problem with FF is at the superspeedways, the wheels are way too loose | on center, and the ratio's provided aren't enough. | At 32:1, I can run the whole track with 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement.It's | very difficult to run a straight line with it that sensitive. | Enabling FF makes it worse due to how loose the wheel is. | The controller code in N4 needs serious work. Telling folks to buy new | wheels is NOT a reasonable option. | Papy CAN fix this. The question is, will they ? | -Larry

"Thom j." wrote: > > Larry you mean 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement with No FFB right? > Cuz I have 3/4" each way play before feeling anything at 32:1 & it > suxx!! Way too much play via FF wheels so I must crank the steer > lock way down. Depending on setup almost 12:1 sometimes. yuk! Wow. What the hell kinda settings you guys running on your wheels?? I'm running a MSFF & don't have a lick of problem in N4. I run 32:1 on SS. I used DXTweak to set my dead zones to 0, and I have the linearity turned to 100%. Once I tried it at the default 20% & it was horrendous. In the Sidewinder software, under the Settings tab, I have deadzone at small & sensitivity at about the "H" in high. Under the Forces tab, I have Force Feedback set to high & Return to Center Tension set to low. Hope this can help somebody, it's hard to believe there could be this much trouble with controllers. (Not calling anybody a liar, BTW.) -- Fester

First Uncle thank you for your informative re-post!! Now! In my cal setup applet [in control panel, game controllers] I only have Test Input tab nothing but checking buttons x,y,z-axis etc then the Test Forces tab for checking the FF' on each button etc then Gain Setting that has, Overall Device Gain, Spring Gain, Damper Gain & Default Spring for NonFF games. So I have no dead zones setting & to be honest I never knew this worked via FFB wheels? So should I get DxTweak to get my dead zone to 0? I'm using such a small steer lock most of the time you would not believe it Uncle F!! Also when I use many of the hot-setups and have to use my low steer lock I have a wobble in the turns that feel likes it grabs-relaxes grabs-relaxes etc all thru the turn It is a mess!! Any help is appreciated!! Tia.. Thom_j. Btw: In my N4 game, Linearity is set at a 100%, Delay is 0 My wheel is a TM Ferrai FFB Race Wheel "Uncle Fester" wrote:

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| Wow. What the hell kinda settings you guys running on your wheels?? | I'm running a MSFF & don't have a lick of problem in N4. I run 32:1 on | SS. I used DXTweak to set my dead zones to 0, and I have the linearity | turned to 100%. Once I tried it at the default 20% & it was | horrendous. In the Sidewinder software, under the Settings tab, I have | deadzone at small & sensitivity at about the "H" in high. Under the | Forces tab, I have Force Feedback set to high & Return to Center Tension | set to low. Hope this can help somebody, it's hard to believe there | could be this much trouble with controllers. (Not calling anybody a | liar, BTW.) | -- | Fester

"Thom j." wrote: > > Also when I use many of the hot-setups > and have to use my low steer lock I have a wobble in the turns > that feel likes it grabs-relaxes grabs-relaxes etc all thru the turn Unless I'm mis-interpreting you here (not impossible for me!), it sure sounds like you have a large deadzone. I think default is 5%, IIRC. Yes, try DXTweak & see how you fare then. I set my deadzones to 0. -- Fester

Uncle F, I forgot I had "DXTweak" from the days I has a TSW2 wheel and a TM Sprint wheel. So I tired it 2am last night but it did appear to change anything in any great manner but it was also 2am In DXTweak it tells you your raw settings. Mine are +/-x=0-1024 +/-y=0-1024 but z was/is +/-z=0-255 {z is my gas!} In the other settings x,y,z were all 0-1024.. I changed z to 0-255 Is this right? If so I did this went into both N4 & GPL and I saw *no* real change in my steering with my low steer lock! Finally does DXTweak have to be in a special place 'i.e. Win98 {my Windows98 folder}Win98\system or Win98\command? as I do not have it in any of these places and what happens when I re-boot? Do the dead zone values go back to the default 5% as they were 5% for x-y when I first opened DXTweak' and I did change them to 0... Again all help is appreciated!! Tia Thom_j. "Uncle Fester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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| | "Thom j." wrote: | > | > Also when I use many of the hot-setups | > and have to use my low steer lock I have a wobble in the turns | > that feel likes it grabs-relaxes grabs-relaxes etc all thru the turn | | | Unless I'm mis-interpreting you here (not impossible for me!), it sure | sounds like you have a large deadzone. I think default is 5%, IIRC. | Yes, try DXTweak & see how you fare then. I set my deadzones to 0. | | -- | | Fester

"Thom j." wrote:

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> > Uncle F, I forgot I had "DXTweak" from the days I has a TSW2 > wheel and a TM Sprint wheel. So I tired it 2am last night but it did > appear to change anything in any great manner but it was also 2am > In DXTweak it tells you your raw settings. Mine are +/-x=0-1024 > +/-y=0-1024 but z was/is +/-z=0-255 {z is my gas!} > In the other settings x,y,z were all 0-1024.. I changed z to 0-255 > Is this right? If so I did this went into both N4 & GPL and I saw > *no* real change in my steering with my low steer lock! > Finally does DXTweak have to be in a special place 'i.e. Win98 > {my Windows98 folder}Win98\system or Win98\command? as > I do not have it in any of these places and what happens when I > re-boot? Do the dead zone values go back to the default 5% as > they were 5% for x-y when I first opened DXTweak' and I did > change them to 0... Again all help is appreciated!! Tia Thom_j.

I usually just change my deadzones to 0 & that's it. But if you changed your z axis from 1025 to 255, you've made your gas pedal more sensitive. Although if you're mostly a plate racer (& I suspect you are) you'd never really notice a difference because the vast majority of the time your throttle is wide open. If anything, I'd decrease the #'s on your steering axis to increase sensitivity to steering inputs. Dead zone values stay the same after a bootup too. Check DXTweak after a reboot & you'll see they're still at 0. Good Luck! -- Fester

First thank you for the informative re: Uncle Fester..:o) Ok, With my TM Ferrari for some reason the Y-axis is only 255 in all my sims/games that I use the Ferrari wheel in.. Dunno why it just comes out at 255 on Y-axis.. Now question, When you say: "If anything, I'd decrease the #'s on your steering axis to increase sensitivity to steering inputs." Do you mean change the #s down in "DxTweak."? Is this what you mean? 'i.e. 0-1024 to maybe 0-512 or something? yes? Finally, Yes I did see that the dead zone stayed at 0 after reboot! Again thanx for the great info... Please inform on the decrease #s cuz this might really help my steering. Then maybe I can bring my lock up? Tia.. Thom_j. "Uncle Fester" wrote:

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| I usually just change my deadzones to 0 & that's it. But if you changed | your z axis from 1025 to 255, you've made your gas pedal more | sensitive. Although if you're mostly a plate racer (& I suspect you | are) you'd never really notice a difference because the vast majority of | the time your throttle is wide open. If anything, I'd decrease the #'s | on your steering axis to increase sensitivity to steering inputs. Dead | zone values stay the same after a bootup too. Check DXTweak after a | reboot & you'll see they're still at 0. Good Luck! | -- | Fester

"Thom j." wrote:

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> > First thank you for the informative re: Uncle Fester..:o) > Ok, With my TM Ferrari for some reason the Y-axis is only 255 in > all my sims/games that I use the Ferrari wheel in.. Dunno why it just > comes out at 255 on Y-axis.. > Now question, When you say: "If anything, I'd decrease the #'s on > your steering axis to increase sensitivity to steering inputs." Do you > mean change the #s down in "DxTweak."? Is this what you mean? > 'i.e. 0-1024 to maybe 0-512 or something? yes? > Finally, Yes I did see that the dead zone stayed at 0 after reboot! > Again thanx for the great info... Please inform on the decrease #s > cuz this might really help my steering. Then maybe I can bring my > lock up? Tia.. Thom_j.

Yes that is what I mean. If this proggy works the way I think it does, decreasing the value should make it more sensitive. Just pick an arbitrary # & go from there until you like the feel. If you can get the sensitivity up, you should be able to increase the lock. If DXTweak can't do it, I know CTFJ can. -- Fester > > "Uncle Fester" wrote: > | I usually just change my deadzones to 0 & that's it. But if you changed > | your z axis from 1025 to 255, you've made your gas pedal more > | sensitive. Although if you're mostly a plate racer (& I suspect you > | are) you'd never really notice a difference because the vast majority of > | the time your throttle is wide open. If anything, I'd decrease the #'s > | on your steering axis to increase sensitivity to steering inputs. Dead > | zone values stay the same after a bootup too. Check DXTweak after a > | reboot & you'll see they're still at 0. Good Luck! > | -- > | Fester

Great & Thanx again I will do this and if per chance it doesnt work, What is "CTFJ"?? Tia.. Thom_j. "Uncle Fester" wrote:

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| Yes that is what I mean. If this proggy works the way I think it does, | decreasing the value should make it more sensitive. Just pick an | arbitrary # & go from there until you like the feel. If you can get the | sensitivity up, you should be able to increase the lock. If DXTweak | can't do it, I know CTFJ can. | -- | Fester

They don't have time to fix their controller code that's causing folks with current-day, mass-market wheels such as the MSFFW ? Man, if that ever became true I'd lose any interest in them pronto. -Larry "EldredP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > In article <bJvQ6.86931$[email hidden]>, "Larry" > <[email hidden]> writes: > > >The problem with FF is at the superspeedways, the wheels are way tooloose > >on center, and the ratio's provided aren't enough. > > > >At 32:1, I can run the whole track with 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement.It's > >very difficult to run a straight line with it that sensitive. > > > Comparing to GPL(sorry), I have to change the steering ratio on a lot ofsetups > that I've downloaded. The steering is too sensitive for me, but that'show the > hotshoes are able to have that fine edge. When I change it to 17:1 or18:1, I

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> give up a lot of control that someone who can use 15:1 get. > > >Enabling FF makes it worse due to how loose the wheel is. > I've never driven a 'home' FF wheel. > > > >The controller code in N4 needs serious work. Telling folks to buy new > >wheels is NOT a reasonable option. > > > >Papy CAN fix this. The question is, will they ? > > > >-Larry > > Doubtful. How many(as a %age) of people have serious issues that they

can't > handle? Is it even financially worthwhile for Papy to spend time on this?I

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> don't think the numbers are that big... > > Eldred > -- > Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001 > Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett > F1 hcp. +24.63...F2 +151.26... > > Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats

you > with experience... > Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Ok, so I can have a properly functioning wheel as long as I don't want to go fast and be competitive, right? Paleaase. -Larry "Jason Monds" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Load the easy setups. They don't have the pull due to suspension/weight > issues. > > Ron wrote: > > > > Has anyone had a problem with the car pulling to the left so bad that itis > > almost impossible to drive. I have re installed the drivers andrecalibrated > > 5 or 6 times. I just got this wheel today, If I can't fiigure it out Iwill

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> > take it back tomorrow. > > -- > Jason Monds > http://www.proracingclub.com - Pro Racing Club! (N4, GPL, Fun Run Sims) > http://www.racersdomain.com - Race hosting. > (Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

Yes, FF is disabled and the phony-spring is in effect. Ratio is at 32:1. Very little wheel movement can be done due to the sensitivity. The largest amount of movement is at the initial turn-in into the corner. Then it's down to very small inputs again, and finally back to the right coming out of the corner. It really stinks. -Larry "Thom j." <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:NABQ6.12070$[email hidden]...

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> Larry you mean 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement with No FFB right? > Cuz I have 3/4" each way play before feeling anything at 32:1 & it > suxx!! Way too much play via FF wheels so I must crank the steer > lock way down. Depending on setup almost 12:1 sometimes. yuk! > > "Larry" wrote: > | The problem with FF is at the superspeedways, the wheels are way too

loose

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> | on center, and the ratio's provided aren't enough. > | At 32:1, I can run the whole track with 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement. > It's > | very difficult to run a straight line with it that sensitive. > | Enabling FF makes it worse due to how loose the wheel is. > | The controller code in N4 needs serious work. Telling folks to buy new > | wheels is NOT a reasonable option. > | Papy CAN fix this. The question is, will they ? > | -Larry > > >

Been there, done that. WHY all this is going on is pretty much known. Will it ever be fixed? That's the question. -Larry "Uncle Fester" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> > "Thom j." wrote: > > > > Larry you mean 1/2" to 1" of wheel movement with No FFB right? > > Cuz I have 3/4" each way play before feeling anything at 32:1 & it > > suxx!! Way too much play via FF wheels so I must crank the steer > > lock way down. Depending on setup almost 12:1 sometimes. yuk! > > > Wow. What the hell kinda settings you guys running on your wheels?? > I'm running a MSFF & don't have a lick of problem in N4. I run 32:1 on > SS. I used DXTweak to set my dead zones to 0, and I have the linearity > turned to 100%. Once I tried it at the default 20% & it was > horrendous. In the Sidewinder software, under the Settings tab, I have > deadzone at small & sensitivity at about the "H" in high. Under the > Forces tab, I have Force Feedback set to high & Return to Center Tension > set to low. Hope this can help somebody, it's hard to believe there > could be this much trouble with controllers. (Not calling anybody a > liar, BTW.) > > -- > > Fester