Question on multiple joysticks.

[mussie]

I am thinking about making a quad throttle similar to the dual throttle here:

http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/dualthr.htm

Basically you can use the game port to support four axis and four buttons, so I would have one axis for each engine on buffs or two axis for engines and two for RPM one for the left and one for the right sides. and so on  

I know that I would have to have different stick sets one for single, twin and four engine planes with the appropriate axis assigned and such.

As I was going to use the game port for the throttle and my X-45 stick (with out the throttle) for flight controls. what I want to know is will AH support the use of what is basically two Joysticks on the game port and the x-45 on USB.

Or will this cause problems.

I dont want to go making this thing up only to find its useless...

Thanks in advance

[Krusty]

Well, you say you want to do a quad? That has 3 already. I wonder which gameport pin is for twist (rudder)? Because you could use that channel for your 4th throttle.

I don't know if that report is entirely accurate, either, because my analog gameport MS Prec Pro Sidewinder has 4 axes and 9 buttons, and it's not even using all the pins in the gameport!!

So there must be ways of putting more info into the existing pins.

As a second option: My motherboard came with a gameport panel for the back of my PC case. In addition to this my SB Audigy also has one. Thus I have 2 working gameports. If you just want to build one exactly like he listed, then build a second one, you could see if your motherboard has a gameport plug and add a panel in the back of your PC (or get a PCI gameport card, fairly cheap!)

Let us know how it works!!

EDIT: One thing I should add. I'm not too impressed with the quality of the work. I'm impressed as hell that he made it himself and it WORKS! However those wires he used for the throttle arms look very weak. If you could tweak the design at all when you work on it, and make a stronger arm, I would highly recommend it.

[Krusty]

Oh and I'm terribly sorry I forgot to reply to the main question at hand:

"what I want to know is will AH support the use of what is basically two Joysticks on the game port and the x-45 on USB."

Yes, AH will handle almost anything you plug in. You will just have to map the controls inside AH to give you "x" control on "x" axes, and "y" control on "y" axes, and so forth.

The tricky part might be getting Windows to recognize it properly. Once that's done AH will read it just fine.

[mussie]

He has kept one of the axis free for his rudder, I was going to use that axis for the 4th throttle.

From what I have read the game port is really simple to use have a look here:

http://vvvv.meso.net/tiki-index.php?page=HowTo+Gameport

Also if I make it it will have to look decent once it is complete....

Later

[mussie]

Originally posted by Krusty

The tricky part might be getting Windows to recognize it properly. Once that's done AH will read it just fine.

It should show up as 2: two axis, two button,  joysticks on one game port

You can also use a chip and make usb joysticks (see the link in my last post)

[Skuzzy]

Like Krusty said, if you can get WIndows to recognize it all, then it will work in Aces High.

[mussie]

Ok then its off to the mad scientists workshop.......

[x0847Marine]

I use 2 USB joysticks ATM, both from Saitek, 1 is the usual rumble twisty, the 2nd is on the floor and used as a gas pedal... I move the throttle slider with my knarly big toe nail... works great for freeing up whatever hand/fingers you normally use to chop throttle.

I use my notebook exclusively to game, so I'm always having to un plug them... every now and then it wont recognize one JS and I'll need to try them in different usb ports and /or restart a few times.

Other than that, two joysticks has worked peachy keen.

BTW.. I have a port replicator on my notebook (a Quanta KN1 barebook 2.2PM 128M 6600go) which is supposed to plug into a base that has all the usb / video plugs... but I cant find a generic one, it seems like they're branded... for example Thinkpads have several.

Anyone had a good experience using a base, generic??, that connects via port replicator?

[mussie]

How does AH run on the notebook

As for the sticks not being recognised I have heard that you need to install the drivers for each USB device, on each USB port

NOTE: This always sounded like crap to me and I have never had to do it but more than one tech I know swears by it.

Later

[x0847Marine]

Originally posted by mussie
How does AH run on the notebook

As for the sticks not being recognised I have heard that you need to install the drivers for each USB device, on each USB port

NOTE: This always sounded like crap to me and I have never had to do it but more than one tech I know swears by it.

Later

My notebook is a "Quanta KN1-PM"

It plays like a wet dream... the 128m 6600go is MXM and fully upgradable, the PM 2.2 runs a bit warm, but as a long time AMD fan I'm liking it... plus it too can be upgraded to a 2.26PM. The best part is the super crisp & sharp 15" WXGA

The 2ch sound is ok, but weak... I need a USB 5.1 audio card.

Heres a review of my notebook by some dude:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2692

I bought mine here for just a bit over $1500
http://www.pcclub.com/product_system_details.cfm?itemno=ENP61104

This place lets you configure one without Windows, or CPU... starts at $700
http://istnc.com/store/products.php?cat=96

[mussie]

Thanks  XMarine I will check it out,

With the exchange rate, $1500 USD is 2,032.8 AUD Still thats pretty good for a laptop with:

Intel Pentium M 750 (1.86GHz/2MB MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
1GB DDR2-533 PC4200 RAM (1 slot open)
Seagate 120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
15.4-inch WXGA widescreen display
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600 128mb MXM PCI-Express
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combination Drive (24x10x8x)
Intel PRO 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11 a/b/g, 54Mbps)
8-cell lithium ion battery (66WHr)
Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste over CPU, GPU, & chipset Northbridge
Windows XP Home Edition
Weight: 6.5lbs with battery

Only thing I really wanted was 17" screen (for my not so great eye site.... lol)