Author Topic: Windows 2000 vs Saitek X36 USB (Read 526 times)

DrSoya · « **on:** January 31, 2001, 06:58:00 PM »

Here's the status on January 31, 2001.

The latest version of the Saitek Gaming Extensions, 2.3, does not work under Win2k. It can be installed so that the joystick's basic functions work, but there can't be any programming of profiles.
Aces High only recognizes 16 "DirectX buttons" while the X36 combo has 23
Of those 16 DirectX buttons that are recognized by AH, only 11 of the X36 "buttons" (that's a loose word) actually work in AH

Note that the X36 now works fine under Win2k, at least on my computer, but the problem is that AH only correctly recognizes DirectX buttons 1 to 11. What seems to work is:

on the X36F joystick: the trigger, buttons A, B, C, Launch and the pinkie switch (they are DirectX buttons 1, 2, 3, 7, 4, 8, respectively, in the Aces High stick mapping), and the hat switch
on the X35T throttle: the throttle, the rudder rocker, buttons D and "mouse" (DirectX buttons 5 and 6) and the mode selector; its 3 positions are represented by DirectX buttons 9 to 11

That leaves out:

the second hat switch on the X36F
both hat switches on the X35T
both rotary dials on the X35T
the auxiliary switch

That's a lot.

But anyway I see a two problems with programming the X36 from within the game:

how to use the mode selector? it's locked in one of three positions, and that means one of three "DirectX buttons" (9 to 11) is always engaged. Programming a command on those positions would mean a command would be continually sent to the game, which is not a good idea. The SGE's programming functions take care of that, and a change in mode selector position means a command is sent once, not continually.
(The same would apply to the auxiliary switch, if it was recognized by AH.)
the rotary dials must be used in analog mode, but AH supports analog input only for pitch, yaw, roll, rudder and left and right brakes. The "banded mode" of the dials cannot be used without the SGE programming functions. This means the rotary dials cannot be used.

We really need a Win2k-compatible SGE. But Saitek support has said in an e-mail to a customer that it will take a few months.

For now, I'll continue playing Aces High under Win98SE. (I have a dual boot system.)

------------------
DrSoya
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
Part of the Northolt Wing (First Polish Fighter Wing)

[This message has been edited by DrSoya (edited 01-31-2001).]

RangerBob · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2001, 04:30:00 PM »

I have a local buddy who is currently using the Saitek x36 combo, my profile available on the downloads page, with Win2000, and it all works fine in Aces High.

He may be using the old SGE version or he may have upgraded to the 2.3 version.

Why not try the old version and see.

Let me know if I can get any additional information from him if you need it.

Ranger Bob

DrSoya · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2001, 06:54:00 PM »

According to the Unofficial Saitek Help Center, and Saitek I believe, the only thing that's supposed to work in Win2k is the DirectX buttons. SGE programming is not supposed to work.

It does not work on my pc anyway.

Many people are asking for Win2k support on the Unofficial Saitek Help Center... this is weird that it works for your friend. Does he have a gameport X36 with pre-1.4 software?

Maybe it works over the gameport. I haven't tried that.

------------------
DrSoya
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
Part of the Northolt Wing (First Polish Fighter Wing)

RangerBob · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2001, 11:41:00 PM »

He has the USB version. He said he used the software right out of the box, and did not download any updated software from the site. He installed this just a month or so ago at the most.

He reports no problems and is using my Profile available on the downloads page.

I asked him to send the software version number to me, but haven't heard back yet. I'll give him another try.

You can't find him online, because he isn't a paying online customer.

Ranger Bob

DrSoya · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2001, 10:54:00 AM »

With pre-2.3 versions I never could get the number by asking properties on the SGE icon in the "My computer" folder, as instructed. Doing that always caused an error. (It works with 2.3 though.)

To get the version number I needed to look for the SaiCnfig.exe file in a C:\Program Files\Saitek subfolder and look at its properties.

He's probably got SGE 1.4 or earlier.

I won't be using my X36USB under Win2k anyway, but it's intriguing to know someone can. (I discovered this week that my voice recognition software, GameCommander, doesn't allow concurrent use with chat programs like RogerWilco under Win2k, that means no AH under Win2k for me.)

I still have Win98 for AH.

------------------
DrSoya
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
Part of the Northolt Wing (First Polish Fighter Wing)

[This message has been edited by DrSoya (edited 02-03-2001).]

RangerBob · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2001, 07:49:00 PM »

Well after visiting my buddie to try and make sense out of this system he has I notice that he does not have Win200. Instead he has Win ME, so that ends the whole discussion hehehe.

Sorry, thought I stumbled on a fix for ya.

Ranger Bob

DrSoya · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2001, 12:05:00 AM »

LOL no problem.