Joystick Problems

[Dark]

Ok i am having a problem with joystick calibration. I have a logitech extreme 3d pro. Was working ok a week ago and now the stick is spiking like crazy. Tried recalibrating and its just made it even worse. Took it apart and cleaned it all out and tried again. Worked for awhile but then started spiking again. Decided to try diff usb ports and nothing is changing. Decided stick might have gone poo. So got another one and it is doing same thing. Tried diff ports and calibrating but its not working. Went to logitechs website and they sd to run a program to delete a registry part so windows will rebuild the driver on it. That didnt work either. Tried a old microsoft joy that i have and thats spiking also and getting worse with calibration. Just updated widows with everything it had but sp2 and video driver and that didnt help either. Anybody got any ideas?

Vista 64bit
*note nothing is plugged into any of the usb ports. Only thing plugged into comp is key/mouse/ethernet/video line so not running a powered usb port

[Ghastly]

First, can you see it spiking in the windows "calibration" - or is it only spiking in the game?

[Dark]

no inside windows itself, acting like it wants to run out of the box lol.

[Ghastly]

So - in summary, two completely different sticks from different manufacturers are now both spiking like crazy in the Window's calibration screen, regardless of which USB port you plug them into?

If you haven't done so already, make SURE that you've disconnected every other USB device.  The most likely reason I can think of that something like what you've described would happen is if the USB voltage is fluctuating - most joysticks require an absolutely stable USB voltage in order to provide a steady output.  That could be a device that is is intermittantly drawing too much power (defective, or you've overloaded it), or the motherboard or power supply isn't supplying steady power.

Otherwise, I'm not sure where else to go with it.

<S>

[Ack-Ack]

Try using a powered USB hub for your controllers.  This will ensure that the USB ports are outputting the necessary 5 volts to power your controllers.


ack-ack

[Dark]

Ya kinda figured wouldnt need a powered hub since not running anything else on the other usb's but will try it. Also went on ahead and cleaned everything checked all the connections even tried a diff usb header but didnt help other than the antec1200 is looking good again Weird thing is hours later and its back stable again with both sticks (logitech ones) so ehhh go figure. If nothing else almost time for new comp anyway this getting kinda slow for my taste. Thx Fellas.

Ps after alot of searching on the web seems to be a major problem with this stick and the old microsoft stick doesnt work on vista so could be one problem with that one (old microsoft sidewinder the very first one that they had lol)

[Ghosth]

Logitech has a reputation for poor potentiometers. Once they start causing problems they just get worse.
Granted some have had a stick that lasted them for years. But they tend to be the exception not the rule.

There are still good MS sidewinders out there on ebay, just picked up a backup for 21$ including shipping.

Or you might want to look at the Saitek line. ST-290, Aviator, Cyborg are all fairly inexpensive.

[skribetm]

i prefer to keep my joystick problems private.

 

kiddin aside, $19.99 ST-290 pro lasted me two years now and counting!

btw, i just use it gently, no jerking or slamming involved. 

[ozrocker]

Go to Logitech web site search "Clear Calibration " utility. Run it.
                                                     <S> Oz