Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro

R

Rickitycrate

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Ha ha, I know it is ancient but I just got my hands on one. Does anyone here use this stick? Is there any hope for it? My PC will not auto recognize. I am using a USB adaptor with it. I'm hoping there is a fix 'cause I'ld love to get her working. I would appreciate any help :help:
Something tells me Gimpy might have the poop on this stick
Oh yes, I'm running Vista
 
As in 'not a Sidewinder FF2' ?
I use a MS Sidewinder FF2, have done for years and years and have 2 more for parts
There'd be hope for it for sure, you may have to track down drivers though... does it not have a USB plug on it ?
 
Crankpin, no it is the first one. No USB but I have adaptor.
 
Crankpin said:
As in 'not a Sidewinder FF2' ?
I use a MS Sidewinder FF2, have done for years and years and have 2 more for parts
There'd be hope for it for sure, you may have to track down drivers though... does it not have a USB plug on it ?
Click to expand...
Hey Crankpin, your lucky having two for parts, i've started looking around for one my self.
I have the same MSFFB2 as well but my triggers is showing the sign of ware after 6 years of work. don't spose your up for selling parts are you?
 
Umm no, but I might be able to help you fix it :)
What happens to the triggers/buttons especially the #1 one is the soldering of the switch to the circut board tends to crack.
It's not hard to fix if you have an electronics sized soldering iron.
Simply remove the 5 screws holding the handle together.
Carefully move the circuit board from it's housing under the switches and check out that switch under trigger #1.
Even if the solder/connection of the switch to the board looks ok, it can still be cracked but you can't see it.
Just touch the iron to the existing solder, you won't need more just remelt whats there.
 
Crate, there is hope. Just yesterday I bought a new PCI sound card (Diamond name brand) and it had a old fashion game port. Just $20. At Staples.
 
Well it don't look good for a driver. I think I'll use the stick on my '98 PC and fire up Red Baron 3D. See what I am missing and maybe convince the chief financial officer of it's worth and importance for OFFF BHAH. Did RB3D use FFB, I wonder. Oh well.
 
I remember somebody posting that the older MS Force Feedback sticks will not work through a USB adaptor. For Force Feedback, you will need a gameport and to be running on WinXP. XP should recognize it as a Sidewinder.

Check the schematics for your system board; if you have on-board sound, there's probably a connector on the board for a gameport. You'll need a cable that plugs into the board and ends with a female gameport plug.

Dudley
 
Yup, Windows XP and a game port - I have five of the original new in the box (GOLD to me)- have never let me down - Cat chewed up first one.... - None of the one's I have used so far have worked with the USB plug adapter....XP has the drivers:ernae:
 
Use it as a joystick and enjoy it, the adapters are NO good at Force Feedback. Windows has the drivers required in XP, . , , . Vista ???:kilroy:
 
Thanks everyone. yep, free, too good to be true, my luck. Zippo for vista. I have 4 other sticks non-ffb tho. Cheers!
 
Anyone having trouble getting their MS Sidewinder Precision 2 USB to work under XP? I thoght mine was bad and then figured out the solution. It wouldn't let me program custom settings at first.
 
Crankpin said:
Umm no, but I might be able to help you fix it :)
What happens to the triggers/buttons especially the #1 one is the soldering of the switch to the circut board tends to crack.
It's not hard to fix if you have an electronics sized soldering iron.
Simply remove the 5 screws holding the handle together.
Carefully move the circuit board from it's housing under the switches and check out that switch under trigger #1.
Even if the solder/connection of the switch to the board looks ok, it can still be cracked but you can't see it.
Just touch the iron to the existing solder, you won't need more just remelt whats there.
Click to expand...
Cheers for the heads up Crankpin, i'll have another look. I've had it out several times but can't see an issue. The trigger just dosen't work every now and then. I either have to squeeze harder or put pressue on from one side. Then i'll have a good run with it again. It's only been playing up the last 3-6 months. I had thought it might be something like that but couldn't see it.
I'll try your idea, thanks.
 
Yes AP that intermittant 'fail' sounds exactly right.
You won't see the crack in the solder.... and sometimes it makes contact.
 
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