Readme File for Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
(USB)
February 2002
(C) 1995-2002, Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.
This document provides late-breaking or other information
that supplements the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel Online User's Guide.
To learn more:
- See the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel Online User's Guide in the SideWinder software for
troubleshooting information, feature descriptions, and tips on using the
SideWinder software to customize the controller's in-game performance.
To access the Online User's Guide, double-click the
SideWinder icon on the Windows taskbar, and then
select User's Guide.
CONTENTS
Compatibility Information
SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0
Force Feedback Troubleshooting
Game Play and Game Compatibility Information
USB Connection Information
Compatibility Information
Version compatibility information
- The compact disc that came with your SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
includes only the drivers and predefined schemes for the SideWinder Force
Feedback Wheel. To use another SideWinder USB-only game controller, you need
to install the software included in the box with that controller.
- If you want to use or customize your SideWinder game port controllers, do
not remove the earlier version of the SideWinder software. The SideWinder
Force Feedback Wheel software will be installed alongside the earlier
version without deleting or overwriting any files. Each version will run with
compatible devices.
- The SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel includes version 4.0 of the
SideWinder software. If you have a scheme (or profile) that you created in
version 2.0 or 3.0 of the SideWinder software and you want to use it with
SideWinder software version 4.0, you can import schemes (or profiles)
from other SideWinder controllers using the SideWinder Force
Feedback Wheel software.
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Compatible operating systems
The SideWinder software included with your SideWinder wheel was designed for
Windows 98 and later . It is not compatible with earlier Windows-based operating systems.
If you have Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows XP Home Edition,
simply install the SideWinder software according to the instructions in this manual.
To install the SideWinder software on Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional,
you must log on to a user account that is a member of the Administrators group. For
information about user account groups and security settings, see Windows Help.
Note If you get a message indicating that the software was designed
for Windows 98 and features may not work properly on Windows 2000, you can ignore the
message and continue with Setup. The software is compatible with Windows 98 and later
operating systems.
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USB host controller
The following problems may be related to your USB host controller:
- The wheel doesn't enumerate (i.e. show up in the Control Panel's list of
controllers).
- Some of the forces don't work.
- The wheel moves in and out of a working state during game play.
If you're experiencing one or more of these problems, your USB host
controller may not be compatible with the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
(USB).
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SideWinder Game Controller Software
Extra button symbols on the Macro Recorder tab
When you record a macro consisting of two or more keys or buttons pressed
simultaneously, the Game Action Recorder may insert extra keys or button
presses into the macro. This occurs because the Game Action Recorder is
extremely sensitive to steering wheel and key board input. For example, A+B
might get recorded as A A+B B; AA+B; or A+BB. If this occurs, select the
extraneous keystroke or button press, right-click, and then click
Cut.
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Key Combinations that the Game Action Recorder doesn't record
It is not possible to record the following keystroke combinations on the
Keystrokes or Macros tab of the Game Action Recorder:
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Installing version 1.5 of the SideWinder software over version 4.0
If you install SideWinder Game Device Software version 1.5 on your computer
after version 4.0 has already been installed, your SideWinder Force Feedback
Wheel (USB) will no longer appear in the list of Game Controllers in the Control
Panel. To fix this problem, disconnect the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB)
from the USB port, close the Control Panel, and then reconnect it.
CONTENTS
In version 2.0 of the SideWinder software, an additional SideWinder game pad
appears on the Test tab when the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) is
connected
If you are using version 2.0 of the SideWinder Game Controller software with
a SideWinder game pad and you also have version 4.0 of the SideWinder software
installed for your SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB), the Test tab in
Control Panel: Game Controllers for the SideWinder game pad will display
two game pads when both the SideWinder game pad and the SideWinder Force
Feedback Wheel (USB) are connected. The buttons on the second game pad (Game Pad
2) will not respond when you press buttons on either the SideWinder game pad or
the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB).
This happens because the Test tab in version 2.0 is able to test up to
four SideWinder game pads that are connected together. It recognizes the
SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) as a game pad and displays a second device
even though the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) is not compatible with
version 2.0 of the software. You cannot test the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
(USB) on the Test tab for the SideWinder game pad. You can use this page
to test the buttons on your SideWinder game pad, however only Game Pad 1 in the
picture will respond when you press the SideWinder game pad's buttons.
To test the buttons on your SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB), select it
from the list of devices in Control Panel: Game Controllers, click
Properties, and then click the Test tab.
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Force Feedback Troubleshooting
Force feedback troubleshooting tips
- On the Forces tab, if you get an error message that reads "An
unknown problem occurred while trying to initialize force feedback," a few
problems may exist:
- Microsoft DirectX 7.0 is not installed. To install DirectX 7.0,
re-install the SideWinder Game Controllers Software 4.0, and make sure you
select "Yes" when you are asked to install DirectX 7.0. Then, restart your
computer before using the SideWinder software.
- After installing DirectX 7.0 (part of the SideWinder software
installation), your computer was not restarted. Close down any open
applications, restart your computer, and then try using the SideWinder
software again.
- Force feedback only works with games that support force feedback. Check
the game's manual to see whether it uses forces.
- If the wheel's return-to-center tension does not work while you are
playing a non-force feedback game, check that forces are on. (To toggle forces
on and off, press the Force button on the steering wheel. When forces are on,
the red LED on the Force button will be lit.)
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The red LED on the Force button is not lit
If the LED is not lit, either forces are turned off, or the wheel does not
have a working USB connection. Try the following:
- Press the Force button on the center of the wheel to turn forces on.
- Check the USB connection: make sure that the USB connector is plugged in
securely to both the steering wheel and the USB port on your computer. If this
doesn't solve the problem, see the Online User's Guide to find out how to
troubleshoot your USB connection.
If troubleshooting the USB connection didn't solve the problem, and the LED
is still not lit, the USB port or USB hub may be nonfunctional. If your computer
has more than one USB port, try plugging your wheel into a different USB port.
Or, if you're using a USB hub, try plugging your USB connector into a different
port on the USB hub.
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The red LED on the Force button is blinking
If the LED on the Force button is blinking, your wheel is not getting
power.
Try the following:
- Check that the AC adapter is securely plugged into the wheel console.
- Check that the AC adapter is plugged into a wall outlet that works. You
might want to try a different outlet.
If you've tried the previous steps and the red LED is still blinking, it's
possible that the power connection on the wheel or AC adapter is broken. Visit
the Microsoft Product Support Services
Web site for more troubleshooting information.
CONTENTS
The red LED on the Force button is lit
A lit LED indicates the following:
- The wheel is getting power.
- The USB connection is working.
- The Force button is activated.
If force feedback is not working:
- Check the game's manual to see whether the game supports force feedback.
Not all games use forces.
- Check the selected scheme to make sure that the force feedback level is
NOT turned off. To do this, go to the Forces tab in the SideWinder
software and check that the force feedback level is set to Low,
Medium, or High.
CONTENTS
If return-to-center tension is not working:
- Check the game's manual to see whether the game supports force feedback.
Generally, games that use force feedback do NOT use return-to-center tension.
- Check the selected scheme to make sure that the return-to-center tension
is NOT turned off. To do this, go to the Forces tab in the SideWinder
software and check that return-to-center tension is set to Low,
Medium, or High.
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Game Play and Game Compatibility Issues
General notes
You may experience problems in some games while using the SideWinder Force
Feedback Wheel (USB). If this occurs, try the following troubleshooting steps to
help you resolve the problem.
If your game isn't responding to the steering wheel or some of its controls,
try the following:
- Make sure that the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) is connected
securely to a USB port on your computer, monitor, keyboard, or another USB
hub.
- Make sure that the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 is installed.
If this software is not installed, you won't be able to use the SideWinder
software to program game actions for steering wheel buttons.
- Use the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 to test the buttons on
your steering wheel to see if they're working correctly. If the buttons work
correctly on the Test tab, but not in your game, you may need to select
the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) in your game's Options or
Configuration menu. Many games automatically detect which game
controller is connected; however, in some cases, you may have to manually set
the controller type to "steering wheel," "joystick," or, if the option is
available, "SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB)."
- Your game may not use all eight buttons and triggers on the SideWinder
Force Feedback Wheel (USB). In this case, you can use the SideWinder software
to assign game actions (keystrokes or macros) to the wheel controls that are
unused in your game.
- Make sure your SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) is assigned as
Controller 1 on the Advanced tab in Control Panel: Game
Controllers.
- If you have multiple game devices plugged into your computer, try these
steps:
- Unplug all game port controllers.
- Unplug all other USB controllers (keep the SideWinder Force Feedback
Wheel (USB) plugged in).
- Make sure that the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) is the only
controller listed in the Control Panel.
- Restart the game.
- Make sure that you've selected the appropriate scheme for the game you're
playing from the SideWinder software. If there isn't a scheme listed for your
game, check the SideWinder Update Web site for updated schemes or create a new
scheme using the SideWinder software.
- Make sure that Windows 98 is configured correctly for your USB port. (See
the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) Online User's Guide for instructions
on how to do this.)
- Make sure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements
for the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) and the SideWinder Game
Controller Software 4.0.
For more information about any of the previous troubleshooting tips, please
refer to the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB) Online User's Guide.
If you continue to experience problems:
If the troubleshooting tips included here and in the SideWinder Force
Feedback Wheel (USB) Online User's Guide don't resolve your problem, your game
might not be compatible with the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB). You can
also try:
- Consulting your game's manual and readme file to see if either of these
sources contains information about configuring the SideWinder Force Feedback
Wheel (USB) for the game.
- Checking the game publisher's Web site to see if a software update is
available.
- Checking the SideWinder Update Web site for updated information.
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Game compatibility issues for the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB)
Because USB is a relatively new technology, some games do not yet work with
USB game controllers, or the game may not work as expected. For example, game
response may be slower than normal when playing with a USB game controller.
- Incompatible games:
- If you're having difficulty getting your game to recognize the
SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel (USB), go to the game publisher's Web site,
the Direct X Web
site, or the SideWinder Update Web site to see if there is a software
update.
- For an updated list of incompatible games, please check the SideWinder Update Web
site. (If a game is incompatible, you may want to check the game
publisher's Web site to see if a software update is available.)
- Other game issues:
- If the pedals do not work as expected in the game, try changing the
pedal mode. To select a pedal mode, go to the Settings tab in the
SideWinder software. Then, under Pedal mode, select Combined
or Separate. Next, apply the changes, then launch the game and
reassign functionality to the pedals.
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Playing MS-DOS based games
SideWinder USB game controllers will function with most MS-DOS games played
under Windows 98; however, there are some games that do not work with USB
controllers. If you are having difficulty playing your MS-DOS game, it may be
due to USB incompatibility.
When playing MS-DOS games with SideWinder USB game controllers, keep in mind
the following:
- If no game port controllers are set up in Control Panel: Game
Controllers, the first USB game controller connected and recognized by
Windows 98 will be the only game controller recognized by an MS-DOS game
launched in Windows 98. As long as that game controller is attached to the USB
bus, it will be the controller used by MS-DOS games, even if you remove it
from Control Panel: Game Controllers. If you have multiple SideWinder
USB game controllers attached, unplugging the first USB game controller will
shift the MS-DOS controller emulation to the USB game controller with the next
highest ID listed in Control Panel: Game Controllers.
- If you have an MS-DOS-compatible game port controller set up in Control
Panel: Game Controllers, no USB game controller will be visible to an
MS-DOS game until you remove the game port controller(s) from Control
Panel: Game Controllers, unplug all USB game controllers, then re-connect
the USB game controller you wish to use in the MS-DOS game. The reverse is
also true: if you want to use a game port controller in MS-DOS games when USB
game controllers have been the only game controllers listed in the Control
Panel, you must unplug all USB game controllers, add your game port game
controller in Control Panel: Game Controllers, and then re-connect the
USB game controllers if needed.
- If you're using a USB game controller for MS-DOS games, but you set up a
game port game controller on a lower ID in Control Panel: Game
Controllers, the USB game controller will continue to function as the
MS-DOS controller until you restart Windows 98. When you restart, the game
port controller will become the MS-DOS game controller.
CONTENTS
USB Connection Issues
Connecting multiple SideWinder USB Game Controllers to a USB hub
If you have a USB hub and you connect, disconnect, and then reconnect two or
more SideWinder USB game controllers to the hub in succession, Control Panel:
Game Controllers may not update correctly and you may receive a "Game
Controller Not Connected" message for a game controller that is connected to the
hub.
To fix this problem, close Control Panel: Game Controllers and then
re-open it to update the game controller's status in the Control Panel.
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System may freeze when starting the computer with multiple USB game
controllers connected
If you have both version 3.02 and version 4.0 of the SideWinder Game
Controller Software installed on your computer and have at least one version
3.02-compatible USB controller (SideWinder Precision Pro USB or SideWinder
Freestyle Pro USB) connected in addition to the SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
(USB), your system may freeze up when you start or restart your computer.
If this occurs, unplug any version 3.02-compatible game controllers that are
connected to your computer, start Windows 98, and then re-connect your USB game
controllers.
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