Microsoft Force Feedback 2 Joystick

[Ralph Yondola]

I am having the following problems with the force feedback joystick.

1.  The centering tension disappears in the middle of flight and combat.

2.  Force feedback disappears in the middle of flight and combat.

I am running Windows 2000 updated thru serice pack 3.  Resetting the forces using through the game and using Alt Tab does not help.  The only thing that works that I have found is a cold boot.

Does anyone have any suggestions.

Ralph Yondola

[Furious]

You might try cleaning the hand sensor on the stick.

[Ralph Yondola]

Thanks for the suggestion.  How do I clean the head sensor?

[Furious]

The sensor I am refering to is the one on the stick, the one that tells the FFB stuff that someone is holding the sitck.  Over time body oils and dead skin and assorted other crap can block it.

I would think a little isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab would do it

[zroostr]

I've had probs with this stick since I got it. I turned off the feedback and it seems to work much better.

[Blank]

some stuff to try:

1. is your power cable secure? during a fight is the extra movement cause by ACM moving the stick and cable and causeing power loss to the stick i.e. FF stops working.

2. I also have a MS FF2 and when the sensor on the grip gets gunked up it just means the FF is permenent and doesn't need my hand in the way to activate it, so I dont think that it would help to clean it but it would be more pleasant

if its usb model:

3. Check USB ports i.e try another

4. Full uninstall and reinstall of MS FF2 software

5. update usb chipset drivers

6.Full uninstall and reinstall of all usb devices and then install MS FF2 stick first to make sure usb bandwidth is allocated properly.

hope these help.

[Ralph Yondola]

Thankyou for your reply.  Whick operating system do you use?  I was on the phone with microsoft tech support approximately 3 weeks ago because of the joystick problems.  They had me remove the Force Feedback Software, reinstall Windows 2000 thru Service Pack 3, and test and run the joystick using the game controller in Windows 2000.  I am not using the sidewinder software at this time.  I don't like this because I have lost the features included with the software such as profiles and the ability to set forces with the joystick forces.  I am trying to do all the setup thru AH.  I would like to know if there is someone out there using the joystick software with Windows 2000 updated through Service Pack 3.

Thanks again,
Ralph Yondola

[Blank]

sorry i use winXP pro,

have you tried with win 2000 SP4.

Win2000 SP5 should arrive soon as well, maybe you'll be able to use the MS FF software eventually, pretty sucky situation

funny that i get bored at work (IT technical help desk)and end up coming in here and doing the same, mmm

oh well

[fmulder]

I'm using a FFB2 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.
With sidewinder software (Game Controller Software 4.0).

Fortunately, there is no troubles so far....

[Ralph Yondola]

Zroostr:

I have tried turning the forcefeedback off but this also kills the return to center pressure on the joystick making it difficult to set the auto pilot.  Do you have any suggestions?

[Gooss]

I have a MSFF2 stick.  I don't see a stinkin' sensor.

Where is it?

HONK!
Gooss

[Blank]

One at the base of the grip and one at the top,

so when you hold the stick you break the IR beam and it activates the stick and the forces turn on, when you release the stick the forces turn off (can be a pain for autopilot, but nothing a bit of bluetac cant cure or even a build up of skin scum)

[Ralph Yondola]

Goose:

The sensors are two little pin holes on the stick.  One sensor is at the bottom below your pinky finger, the other is above your index finger as you hold the joystick.