Nascar Pro co-existing with Joystick

We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and configure the joystick all over again. Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect one and connect the other? -- Bill Jones e-mail addresses: (860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj

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> We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the > Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the > port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, > configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control > Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow > Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the > cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game > Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked > up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and > configure the joystick all over again. > Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control > Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect > one and connect the other? > -- > Bill Jones

Are you using TM ProPanel to select your controler. I have both the TM Nascar Pro and MS Precision Pro and have no problems when using the ProPanel. Paul

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> We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the > Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the > port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, > configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control > Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow > Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the > cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game > Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked > up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and > configure the joystick all over again. > Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control > Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect > one and connect the other? > -- > Bill Jones e-mail addresses: > (860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj

Bill, Your problem is not uncommon, and I can recommend the "Joyswitch." I bought mine from Flight Sim Central ([link lost in import] They cost about forty bucks but have some mighty cool features that many cheaper switchboxes don't have. You can plug in up to four main devices and two foot controllers and then switch between any combination. The best part is that the devices not being used still receive juice so the memory is not lost. The flexibility is really pretty cool, I can switch between my full Thrustmaster stick and rudder rig for *** sims, my CH Flightstick Pro for casual simming, and either the TM T2 or GP-1 for racing. It even looks pretty cool. Best forty bucks I ever spent. All the best, Mike -- Michael S. Davis Creative Media-Works Computer/Audio/Video Convergence "from Creative minds spring Creative solutions." http://www.creativemedia-works.com Member, International Webmasters Association http://iwanet.org

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> > We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the > > Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the > > port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, > > configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control > > Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow > > Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the > > cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game > > Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked > > up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and > > configure the joystick all over again. > > Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control > > Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect > > one and connect the other? > > -- > > Bill Jones e-mail addresses: > > (860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj > Bill, > Your problem is not uncommon, and I can recommend the "Joyswitch." I bought > mine from Flight Sim Central ([link lost in import] They cost about forty > bucks but have some mighty cool features that many cheaper switchboxes don't > have. You can plug in up to four main devices and two foot controllers and then > switch between any combination. The best part is that the devices not being used > still receive juice so the memory is not lost. The flexibility is really pretty > cool, I can switch between my full Thrustmaster stick and rudder rig for > *** sims, my CH Flightstick Pro for casual simming, and either the TM T2 or > GP-1 for racing. It even looks pretty cool. Best forty bucks I ever spent. > All the best, Mike > -- > Michael S. Davis Creative Media-Works > Computer/Audio/Video Convergence > "from Creative minds spring Creative solutions." > http://www.creativemedia-works.com > Member, International Webmasters Association http://iwanet.org

Do you have to re-calibrate devices under control panel every time you switch?

I use a switch called quickshot, which also supports a midi device (ms ffpro) it works just fine and I don't have to recalibrate the 3 different controllers that I use. Just add and remove them as needed, Which is a little bit of a pain, but not as bad as trying to get the back of my machine all the time. If I remember correctly they have two switches, one has lights or something, I got the cheap one. Mike >> > We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the >> > Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the >> > port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, >> > configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control >> > Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow >> > Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the >> > cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game >> > Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked >> > up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and >> > configure the joystick all over again. >> > Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control >> > Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect

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>> > one and connect the other? >> > -- >> > Bill Jones e-mail addresses: >> > (860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj >> Bill, >> Your problem is not uncommon, and I can recommend the "Joyswitch." I

bought >> mine from Flight Sim Central ([link lost in import] They cost about forty >> bucks but have some mighty cool features that many cheaper switchboxes don't >> have. You can plug in up to four main devices and two foot controllers and then >> switch between any combination. The best part is that the devices not being used >> still receive juice so the memory is not lost. The flexibility is really pretty >> cool, I can switch between my full Thrustmaster stick and rudder rig for >> *** sims, my CH Flightstick Pro for casual simming, and either the TM T2 or >> GP-1 for racing. It even looks pretty cool. Best forty bucks I ever spent.

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>> All the best, Mike >> -- >> Michael S. Davis Creative Media-Works >> Computer/Audio/Video Convergence >> "from Creative minds spring Creative solutions." >> http://www.creativemedia-works.com >> Member, International Webmasters Association http://iwanet.org >Do you have to re-calibrate devices under control panel every time you >switch?

I have one of those JoySwitch things. For the Nascar Pro, do I have to split the wheel and the peals into separate items on the joyswitch, or can I leave the set plugged in the way it's supposed to be?

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>>We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We >>also have the Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The >>joystick was connected to the >>Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going >>to the Control Panel and configuring the joystick and >>steering wheel when you disconnect one and connect the >>other? >Your problem is not uncommon, and I can recommend the >"Joyswitch." I bought mine from Flight Sim Central >([link lost in import] They cost about forty bucks but >have some mighty cool features that many cheaper switchboxes >don't have. You can plug in up to four main devices and two >foot controllers and then switch between any combination. >The best part is that the devices not being used still >receive juice so the memory is not lost. The flexibility is >really pretty cool, I can switch between my full Thrustmaster >stick and rudder rig for *** sims, my CH Flightstick Pro >for casual simming, and either the TM T2 or GP-1 for racing. >It even looks pretty cool. Best forty bucks I ever spent.

-- ========================================================= John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12) http://www.members.home.net/jms1/index.html John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector http://members.home.net/jsimm/diecast_index.html If you want to send me email, go to either of the URL's shown above & click "Send Me Mail" in the contents frame. =========================================================

>I have one of those JoySwitch things. For the Nascar Pro, do I have to >split the wheel and the peals into separate items on the joyswitch, or >can I leave the set plugged in the way it's supposed to be? I did not have to split the wheel and pedals on my Nascar Pro

I have another suggestion... CH Products "Joystick Switchbox"... It will work with any analog.. make sure it is not a digital Joystick and you can plug up to 4 in it. I have the Nascar Pro and it works like a charm.. along with my Flightstick Pro and a gravis game pad. It comes with this program called "QuickJoy" that runs in your task bar.. and it lets you calibrate all your controllers from there.. then when you want to use a controller.. just push a button on the controller.. and pow.. it is already to go.. calibrated and everything.. you can even switch controlers.. in mid-game.. or go head to head if you so desire!!! it was only 18 bucks at http://www.shopping.com CH wants $30 don't work for CH.. but this is a very good product.. would be alot better.. if worked with digital though!!!!!! (hint, hint) http://www.chproducts.com for more info... Miller. >> > We just got the Thrustmaster NASCAR Pro steering wheel. We also have the >> > Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick. The joystick was connected to the >> > port on our Soundblaster 16 card. We hooked up the steering wheel, >> > configured it in the Game Controllers utility in the Windows 98 Control >> > Panel, and it worked fine with Precision Cart Racing. But when we follow >> > Thrustmaster's directions for temporary joystick use by disconnecting the >> > cable at the steering column and plugging in the joystick there. The Game >> > Controllers utility, however, still thinks that the steering wheel is hooked >> > up, so we've had to completely unplug the wheel, and then plug in and >> > configure the joystick all over again. >> > Is there any way to avoid the constant repetition of going to the Control >> > Panel and configuring the joystick and steering wheel when you disconnect

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>> > one and connect the other? >> > -- >> > Bill Jones e-mail addresses: >> > (860) 437-5650 WWW: http://pages.cthome.net/billj >> Bill, >> Your problem is not uncommon, and I can recommend the "Joyswitch." I

bought >> mine from Flight Sim Central ([link lost in import] They cost about forty >> bucks but have some mighty cool features that many cheaper switchboxes don't >> have. You can plug in up to four main devices and two foot controllers and then >> switch between any combination. The best part is that the devices not being used >> still receive juice so the memory is not lost. The flexibility is really pretty >> cool, I can switch between my full Thrustmaster stick and rudder rig for >> *** sims, my CH Flightstick Pro for casual simming, and either the TM T2 or >> GP-1 for racing. It even looks pretty cool. Best forty bucks I ever spent.

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>> All the best, Mike >> -- >> Michael S. Davis Creative Media-Works >> Computer/Audio/Video Convergence >> "from Creative minds spring Creative solutions." >> http://www.creativemedia-works.com >> Member, International Webmasters Association http://iwanet.org >Do you have to re-calibrate devices under control panel every time you >switch?

>I have another suggestion... >CH Products "Joystick Switchbox"... It will work with any analog.. make sure >it is not a digital Joystick and you can plug up to 4 in it. I have the >Nascar Pro and it works like a charm.. along with my Flightstick Pro and a >gravis game pad. It comes with this program called "QuickJoy" that runs in >your task bar.. and it lets you calibrate all your controllers from there.. >then when you want to use a controller.. just push a button on the >controller.. and pow.. it is already to go.. calibrated and everything.. you >can even switch controlers.. in mid-game.. or go head to head if you so >desire!!! it was only 18 bucks at http://www.shopping.com CH wants $30 I >don't work for CH.. but this is a very good product.. would be alot better.. >if worked with digital though!!!!!! (hint, hint) >http://www.chproducts.com >for more info... I got one of these too, for $22 at Media Play - I've also seen them at Best Buy. I have a TM NASCAR Pro and a CH Flightstick Pro / CH Pedals combo. Just plugged each into the Switchbox, and you just push a button on a controller to switch them. On the TM wheel, you actually have to move the gearshift, seems to only pick up buttons 1 or 2 to switch controllers, but all 4 buttons work fine in sims. Sometimes I have to re-calibrate a controller after switching it using the included program, but no biggie - and certainly much easier than reaching around the back of the PC. Ken