Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: Thargok on February 27, 2008, 01:45:15 am

Title: Question about joysticks in Windows.
Post by: Thargok on February 27, 2008, 01:45:15 am

So I'm getting console controller adapters for my cabinet, which has 2 front mounted USB ports.  However, I am wondering how Windows handles plug and play joysticks.

Will Windows identify and store the settings for each joystick so when I plug them in they work as configured, or will I be forced to change the settings with every switch?

I'm just wondering because I'm using a keyboard encoder on all my cabs and the only time I ever messed with a joystick it was only in MAME which has it's own configuration.

Title: Re: Question about joysticks in Windows.
Post by: u_rebelscum on February 27, 2008, 01:43:57 pm

Are they the same adapter?  If so, mame probably won't be able to tell the difference between the sticks. :-\  So won't know which settings to use, so will probably use the first it finds that matches that adapter.

OTOH, if they have different IDs (such as different brands, or GPwizs with different IDs), then windows can tell them apart, and if you plugg into the same USB port, then yes windows should remember.  (Different port = maybe.)

Title: Re: Question about joysticks in Windows.
Post by: NickG on February 28, 2008, 05:46:37 pm

In order to avoid changing settings manually or (possibly even entirely) you could use an application like joytokey to set your joystick inputs to the same keys as your keyboard encoder.  You can store different profiles for each controller as well, which you can load up when you connect a controller that uses ,for example, a different button numbering layout than the previous controller.  Such an application is, of course, unnecessary when using specific controllers with specific games.