Gameport and XP

[Terry]

Since I believe this is software related, I thought this would be the appropriate place to post.

I am testing a simple set-up for my custom paperboy control panel assembly to see if it will work with windows XP. I have wired two 100K POT's, one for steering, and the other as a throttle/brake, to a 15 pin (game port) connector. I have followed the standard wiring scheme which I have found on a few websites.

I am having a problem with Windows XP PRO recognizing that I have this 'joystick' (or whatever you want to call it) connected.

I first installed a new hardware device (Standard game port).  I then went  to the game controllers menu and selected 'add', then I chose custom, and picked 2 axis, 0 buttons. Windows responds with FOUND NEW HARDWARE, and then says that my new hardware is installed and ready to use.  This new joystick is now listed in the game controllers, though the STATUS in the game controller menu says that it is 'NOT CONNECTED'. I have tried almost every combination with multiple axis, and selecting the 'race car controller' and 'joystick' options, and I always get a NOT CONNECTED in the status column.

Any ideas? Do I need to connect any buttons or anything else to the gameport connector? Currently I only have four wires, 2 wires going to pins 1 and 9 (+5v) which are conected to the center Lug of POTS and the other 2 wires going to J1 X pin 3 and J1 Y pin 6 which are connected to the left side of the POTS.  Do I possibly need any additonal drivers?

Thanks.
 

[Minwah]

Assuming the pins you wired to are correct, that sounds OK to me.  You don't need buttons wired up as the gameport wouldn't see them anyway (they are open when not pressed).

Both axis need to be connected but you have done that.   All I can suggest is check the pins, and double check your solder joints.

[PacManFan]

You need to calibrate the device under the Control Panel->Game Controllers menu.

-PMF

[Terry]

I have verified all my connections with an ohm meter at the connector pins, and the pots are working perfect.

I did go into control panel -> Game Controllers menu and selected add.  I chose a custom configuration of 2 axis and 0 buttons.  When I selected my new controller configuration in the game controller menu, windows responded with FOUND NEW HARDWARE, and told me my hardware was installed and ready to use.  But in the Game Controller menu, the status column showed NOT CONNECTED.  This was the case with all the different configurations I tried.

When I attempt to double click on the controller to configure it, it tells me that the controller is not connected.  So I am not able to go in and test the axis of the controller.  And of course, they don't work in mame either.

Anyway, I am probably missing something.  I messed with it for about 2 hours on both of my machines and couldn't seem to figure it out.  I do have a Gravis controller driver and a Logitech controller driver installed on my machine.  Maybe I should un-install those 2 drivers and try it again.  Although I will need this to work with both of those drivers since I use them on my cab.  Hmmm.. not sure what else to try.

Thanks for the replies.

[Terry]

Tried my controller with a windows 98 machine, still doesn't work.  Game controller menu states that it is not connected.

I'll have to study up on the game port functionality.  I am not sure if the game port wants to see a 0-5v range on the input of the x and y axis, or if it wants to see a change in resistance.

I'll read up on this some more.