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greetings to All,
Has anyone found a solution to this:
I have a PC with no game port (DB15) but only USB ports and I'm trying to use my good ol' Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital joystick.
I bought one cable adapter USB to DB15F and thought it would work...
but it does not ;-(
Am I trying to do something that cannot work by design (USB vs game port) or is there any trick around ?
Thx
I'm sorry but after looking around, it appears unless the joystick was designed to be usb or gameport then the adapter will not work.
Apparently a usb device identifies itself to the usb controller. A normal gameport device does not have the means of identifying itself, so it cannot work.
Thx Noo Noo.Quote:
Originally Posted by NooNoo
I guess I got to find some sort of adapter card (PCI or USB) that has one or more MIDI/joystick ports with XP drivers. Heard about a manufacturer/product ?
Cheers
any cheapie cmedia based card will work. Two sound cards are relatively easily configured in windows.
Cheers Noo Noo for the prompt advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by NooNoo
I thought about the sound card option but that would give only one joystick port ? any thoughts about sthg that would grant more ? (got wingman and sidewinder !!).
Thx
Hello again Noo Noo, I am still searching for a solution but before I run to the shop, I guess I'd better ask the experts !Quote:
Originally Posted by NooNoo
Here's the idea: if it ain't gonna work via USB, will it work via Serial ?
I mean connecting the j'stick to the PC with a gameport (DB15) to serial (DB9) adapter ? Would this avoid the device identification problem that you mentioned ?
Next Q is: does such an adapter exist ?
Thx
How about just buying a usb joystick?
Wait a minute before oyu go out buying another joystick or a card with gameport. I have that same joystick, and yes it does have a DB15 port on it, mine came with a usb-DB15 adapter. It was in the box, and that's how I use it since I don't have a gameport either. Now, I remember back in the day when ps/2 mice were coming out, and going form a serial to ps/2 mouse required an adapter, and for some reason the microsoft and logitech adapters were different. As in, if i used the adapter that came with a MS mouse for a logitech, it wouldnt work. Maybe this DB15-USB adapter is the same thing all over again? Need to find that original logitech adapter that came with your joystick (unless you didnt buy it retail like I did). Or even try and find some other really cheap Logitech controller or joystick that comes with the adapter and buy it (be cheaper than buying a controller card at the store). Look into it, there are more options than you think.
>> for the benefit of all, I've searched the web for a DB15 to serial converter and only found sthg called Unwinder which was designed to connect sticks (DB15) to serial ports of SGI workstations !!! at 300$ a piece that's definitely not aimed at general public !!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kick_As2k1
Anyway I subscribe to your POV re more options but after numerous hours searching I am coming slowly to the conclusion that beyond connectivity there will be XP support issues to deal with (think about fantastic games that needed to run in native DOS and/or with IPX for multi-players...doom, quake, duke3D, etc) unless you buy the latest version of the game (if it exists !!).
I had the same problem. I have a LogicTech Xtreme 3D Pro joystick that fell apart. It's a piece of junk. LogicTeck's option was to reload the drivers from LogicTeck. However, it was also the hardware. I let it sit for six months. Now, I've put my thinking cap on and surfed the web until I found a solution.
I went to Tom's Hardware Guide online and they said that the "Hotas Cougar" joystick was the best, and also the most expensive, $250. However, I still have an old "CH Flightstick Pro" with a serial 15 pin cable. I just need a usb to serial cable.
Next I looked at an adaptor, cheap, $9.00 on pricegrabber.com, Belkin USB to dsb-15 joystick adapter. However, this is only for the "Microsoft Sidewinder" Joystick.
Finally, I found the RM-203 USB GAMEPORT CONVERTER, $13.00, Total with Shipping $18.66 from PCCABLES.COM. The serial input device is a box which is set to send a signal in different modes which are set by the user.
Below is a cut and paste from the above website showing the setup instructions.
USB Type A Male to Joystick Box DB15 Female.
Converts USB to a joystick port to hook up external Joysticks.
Has Switch for different joystick types.
M1: Thrustmaster FCS Compatible
M2: CH Flightstick Pro Compatible
M3: 4-Axis, 4-Button Joystick Compatible
M4: Sophisticated 2-Axis, 8-Button Joystick Compatible
Windows 98 Installation: Follow Instructions in Box
Windows 2000 Installation:
THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISK SUPPLIED WITH THE RM203 ARE FOR WINDOWS 98 ONLY.
FOR Windows 2000 IGNORE BOTH.
1. SET A MODE ON THE RM203 1,2,3 OR 4 AS SUITS YOUR JOYSTICK REQUIREMENT.
2. START UP THE COMPUTER (shut down running Programs).
3. PLUG THE RM103 INTO A USB SOCKET. WINDOWS 2000 WILL SAY, "NEW HARDWARE".
4. PLUG YOUR GAME CONTROLLER GAMEPLUG INTO THE RM203.
5. GO TO YOUR GAME MENU AND CALIBRATE YOUR CONTROLLER AS NECESSARY.
Windows XP Installation: Follow Windows 2000 Installation.
Negatives:
Will not operate MIDI Devices
Will not operate DIGITAL Joysticks eX. MICROSOFT Force Feedback
I know, you are all saying, "We are not worthy".
Sincerely,
DownBeachBreeze
radio shack makes am adapter that reports a gameport joystick to windows as USB. http://www.joy-stick.net/reviews/other/usbadapt.htm try that link. I think that may work for you. at $15 apiece it may be cheaper than buying a new joystick and a more convient way then installing two extra soundcards in a machine. Hope that helps'
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegrasss
Sorry, but when I tried to access the page,
http://www.joy-stick.net/reviews/other/usbadapt.htm
I recieved this error message:
"error 404: File not found"
"The document you requested is not found."
I too have the same problem with my motherboard and lack of a game port. And like you I'm not into trying to disable the sound stuff just to get a midi connection working.
One other option I'm looking into is to buy the old serial/parallel/game port add-on card. I see I can order one via the net at http://www.ramplus.com/2xsepagapomu.html
for $12.75.
Everything can be jumper disabled if I don't want the extra ports and just use the game port. At least this way I won't need to mess with my sound setup which I currently use with a wave editor, etc.
Here's my thoughts on what I've read here so far (for what they're worth.)
A. Digital USB Joysticks are far superior.
- No need for calibration adjustments
- Can "hotswap"
B. I question whether it's possible to run 2 multi-button gameport based joysticks on the same pc at once. My flight-stick joysticks have always collected dust, but based on my experience with Gravis gamepad joysticks, they were limited to 4 button 2 axis for one port. If you added a second gamepad, you could have 2 axis, 2 buttons per port. Now I know that there were some other Flight stick controllers that had more than 4 buttons, but I question wether you could run two at once. I never did have much experience with the CH Advanced line of Products, but I'm wondering if they were daisy-chained and still just used one port.
C. With the long-windedness of B., I've forgotten what my other thoughts were.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Silent_One_1
The RM-203 serial to USB adaptor works like a clock. My Thrustmaster joystick has never needed calibration after the initial game start synchronization. Whereas the Logiteck Extreme USB joystick would be continullly out of calibration.
I usullly turn off the music anyway. Who has time for music when your playing X-wing anyway. I've found the solution and I'm satisfied.