SideWinder USB game controller does not work after installation (297184)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel USB
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Joystick 1.0 (USB)
  • Microsoft SideWinder Plug and Play game pad USB
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision 2
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel
This article was previously published under Q297184

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to install the Microsoft SideWinder game controller, the following behavior may occur:

You are able to install the Microsoft SideWinder Game Controller software, but the SideWinder game controller does not work as expected. Additionally, Microsoft Windows is unable to detect the joystick plugged into the universal serial bus (USB) port.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if you install the SideWinder game controller on a computer that uses the VIA 3038 USB Host Controller or a Sis 7001 USB Host Controller.

This behavior may be caused by a missing or corrupted VIA USB Host Controller software update.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
  1. Remove the VIA USB patch from the computer by using Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel:
    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
    2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
    3. Select the VIA USB patch, and then click Add/Remove (Change/Remove in Microsoft Windows 2000).
    4. Follow the instructions to remove the program from the computer.
  2. Remove SideWinder Game Controller software:
    1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Hardware, point to SideWinder Game Controller Software version, point to SideWinder Force Feedback 2, and then click Uninstall SideWinder Game Controller Software version.
    2. Follow the instructions to remove the software from the computer.
  3. Unplug the game controller from the computer, and then restart the computer.
  4. With the game controller unplugged, reinstall the SideWinder Game Controller software.

    NOTE: Do not plug the game controller into the computer if prompted during the software installation.
  5. Install the VIA USB Host Controller update, and then restart the computer.
  6. Plug the SideWinder game controller into the computer, and then allow Windows to detect and install it.
  7. Restart the computer, and then test the game controller for proper function:
    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
    2. In Control Panel, double-click Gaming Options (Game Controllers in Windows 2000).
    3. On the Controllers tab (General tab in Windows 2000), click the game controller that you want in the Game Controllers list, and then click Properties.
    4. On the Test tab, test the game controller functions.
NOTE: If the user has more than one ViaTech host controller, the SideWinder patch/update only applies to the host controller the SideWinder is plugged into when the patch is installed. To use the SideWinder on the other host controller (the 2nd pair of USB ports) you may need to uninstall the SideWinder update (from add remove programs in control panel), restart, reinstall the update, and restart again at which point the SideWinder should test on the 2nd pair of USB ports.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

To download the VIA USB Host Controller software update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/default.mspx

For additional USB support for VIA Chipset-based computers, browse to the following ViaTech Web site to download the USB Filter driver:

http://www.viaarena.com/

For additional information about issues with the VIA host controller, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

277464 SideWinder Force Feedback 2: Buttons in the Game Controllers Tool Do Not Light Up

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB297184
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