Force Feedback: Error Message: An Unknown Error Occurred While Trying to Initialize Force (306820)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to test or use any of the products (controller devices) listed at the beginning of this article, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:

An unknown error occurred while trying to initialize forces.

-or-

An unknown problem occurred while trying to initialize force feedback.

As a result, force-feedback functionality does not work in conjunction with the device.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if any of the following conditions are true:

Microsoft DirectX 7.0 or later is not installed on your computer.
After you install DirectX 7.0 or later, you do not restart your computer.
Some system files are not the correct version.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method according to your circumstances.

Method 1: Download and Install the Most Recent Version of DirectX

To download and install the latest version of DirectX, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads/default.asp

Method 2: Restart Your Computer

If you installed DirectX but have not yet restarted your computer, restart your computer now.

Method 3: Checking and Replacing System Files

To learn more about replacing your system files, which may be causing this behavior, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

285877 SideWinder Error Message: Error While Trying to Initialize Forces, Please Reinstall the Software for This Hardware

Note The most likely file to cause this behavior is Hidusb.sys.

MORE INFORMATION

If these methods do not resolve the issue, locate the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article, and then follow the prescribed steps:

216096 SideWinder USB: Status Reported as Not Connected

REFERENCES

For additional support for Sidewinder devices, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/support.asp