Windows Vista is not compatible with Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Force Feedback.__

Question

I have a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Force Feedback Joystick that worked just great when I had it on my old computer with an XP operating System. Now I have Windows Vista and am trying to play the same game I played on my pc with XP, which is Combat Flight Simulator WWII Europe Series. It will let me configure and test my joystick, which seems to work just great, until I actually try to play the game and then the joystick does not work at all. It can still be pulled up and enabled, configured, and even tested in the settings section of the game, but it will not let me control anything during the actual game mode.

Are there any additional drivers or maybe a patch that I can download that will enable me to use this joystick? I hate to think I have paid this much money for something I can't use anymore. I appreciate any help that you folks can offer.

Thanks,

Bear52660

Answer 1

Hi Bear52660,

When you use a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro joystick to play a Microsoft Flight Simulator game on a Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, or Windows Vista-based computer, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• The joystick may not work at all in the games listed in the "Applies to" section. However, the joystick may still be recognized in the Game Controller/Game Options window.

• The Enable check box for the joystick is selected in the games listed in the "Applies to" section. However, it is unavailable (dimmed).

• The joystick may work in Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator: WWII Pacific Theater. But you feel no forces through it in any of the other games listed.

• You may not feel force feedback effects during flight.

Cause of this issue:

This issue may occur if one of the following sound cards is installed on the computer.

Turtle Beach Santa CruzAC'97-based onboard sound cards made by the following companies:

• Avance

• Intel

• SoundMax

• VIA

These cards are incompatible with the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick when it is installed on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, a Microsoft Windows XP-based comptuer, or a Windows Vista-based computer.

Scenario 1:

If the Force Feedback Pro 1.0 is connected to an onboard game port, contact the computer manufacturer for information about how to configure the BIOS to enable onboard audio support and MPU-401.

Also, make sure that resource settings are set to **300 - 305 (**or similar). Note If you configure the BIOS incorrectly, you may be unable to start the computer. Do not change the BIOS unless you clearly understand the procedures that the manufacturer provides.

Scenario 2:

The Force Feedback Pro 1.0 is connected to a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) sound card game port and the computer has an onboard sound card.

To resolve this issue, disable the onboard game port and midi/MPU-401 port. You can disable the onboard sound card gameport in BIOS

1. Disable the onboard sound card on Windows Vista

a. Click Start, type system in the Start Search box, and then click System in the Programs list.

b. Click Device Manager. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click **Allow.**c. Expand **Sound, video and game controllers.**d. Right-click the onboard sound device, and then click **Disable.**e. Click Yes. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click **Allow.**f. Click OK.

Refer the following link and follow the other methods listed to resolve the issue:

You experience issues when you use a Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro joystick together with Flight Simulator on a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista-based computer**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294672**

Regards,

Divya R – Microsoft Support.

Answer 2

I have the same joystick and it work just find with Vista/XP and Windows 7.