Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Skuzzy on June 09, 2006, 03:22:29 PM
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Currently there is a problem with Version 2.08 Patch 2 as it relates to players who have the Microsoft force feedback sticks.
If you are experiencing loss of forces and/or centering, please see the following instructions.
1) Download this zip file (http://downloads.hitechcreations.com/htsim8r.zip) to your computer.
2) Unzip/Extract the "htsim8r.exe" file into your Aces High II installation folder. (default location C:\Program Files\HTC\Aces High II).
3) Execute/run that file instead of your normal Aces High II ICON. You can create a shortcut to the file if you like, but DO NOT change the name of this file and do not copy it over the existing aceshigh.exe file, or you will not be able to auto-update the game.
If you hear anyone in the game having problems with thier MS force feedback stick, please tell them about this thread. Thank you.
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scuzzy...don't know if this will help tying down the problem but...i'm using one of the long discontinued ffb pro gameport only sticks (not xp compatible). first off just to get it to work at all i had to wire a 12 volt ps into it. (had no center force with out) also, it's not compatible with usb adapter. but i have no issues with it in game. works perfectly. i do have to run with forces disabled (performance issues, drops my frames to low teens) but that's my system. the point is, maybe if you look at the old school software, there my be an easy fix. just my 2.5 cents.;)
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It doesn't work.
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i mean the coding, not the actual drivers....i know they don't work...i just let windows detect it and it does work
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SKUZZY, YOU DA MAN BRO !!!
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Ok
Green-Light model SWFF2 will work (return to center only, but thats all you really "need" to fly) IF you get the software ( http://www2.driverguide.com/uploads/uploads9/9321.html just in case your disk went tits-up like mine did like 3 years ago, btw... many thanx to those who posted link before :rolleyes: ).
Start game
Alt-Tab out
Go to the forces tab in the properties of the stick
Return to center will magically reappear
Go back to game.
It's a little weak but better than nothing.
This works with or without the patch posted in first thread by Skuzzy. The patch, itself without the software (control panel) steps, did absolutely nothing for my machine. My apologies to those who can't alt-tab in and out successfully. This is what worked for me, apparently there are no garuntees.
AMD FX-57
2g PC3200
Asus A8R-32 MVP Deluxe (ATI Crossfire)
X1900XTX 512 Vid
SB 2 ZS
CH Pro Throt (USB)
CH Pro Peds (USB)
MS Sidewinder FF2
XP Home
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Skuzzy, it works, and here is something further that you may or may not find useful. I have a MSFFPro2 USB, older version with green status light.
My computer is a dual boot system. On D: drive is Windows XP Home and on C: drive is XP x64. Until now I had AH installed on the x64 drive only.
Tonight, I installed a freshly downloaded copy of AH on the Home (32-bit) drive to see if my stick would work. If it worked there, I would install the patch on the x64 drive, where I have always played.
When I installed a new copy of AH on the Home drive, and entered AH, the stick went limp and there was no force feedback. I tried Filth's solution, but it was no go. I then downloaded today's temporary fix file, installed it, and the j/s works. Wizard show, skuzzy!
So I rebooted to the x64 drive and started up Aces High. It made me download the patch of yesterday, and I installed it. All of my j/s settings on this drive remained working so I never had to download the temporary fix zip file.
I am not sure what this may mean. I will let you techno folks chew on it. But it makes me think that (at last) Windows XP Professional x64 is good for SOMETHING!
:aok
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So far its not working for me...
I've rebooted to put the viagra back in the stick....Once I launch the game from the new icon, which is loaded in the correct folder...Anything I'm missing?
I have the joystick with the red light.
and i have usb
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dosent work with that temp fix. soon as i load ah now it just does nothing. when i quit game it works. so that fix isnt working for my ms ff2
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Make sure, those of you who are not working, are using the Version 4.0 of the MS controller software.
Next, I need to know the following:
Red or Green LED?
USB or Gameport?
and the software driver version.
I will assume everyone is using Windows XP, unless noted otherwise.
I am glad we did not do the patch if some of you are still not working with the htsim8r.exe file. Why you are not working is going to be a bugger.
Just be sure you are executing the htsim8r.exe file and not the regular Aces High II startup file. Also, DO NOT alter the aceshigh.exe file.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Make sure, those of you who are not working, are using the Version 4.0 of the MS controller software.
Next, I need to know the following:
Red or Green LED?
USB or Gameport?
and the software driver version.
I will assume everyone is using Windows XP, unless noted otherwise.
I am glad we did not do the patch if some of you are still not working with the htsim8r.exe file. Why you are not working is going to be a bugger.
Just be sure you are executing the htsim8r.exe file and not the regular Aces High II startup file. Also, DO NOT alter the aceshigh.exe file.
Although I'm not sure what I did, but it works now...fyi...I am not running sidewinder drivers.
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Thnx Skuzz....I knew you guys would be all over that one .:aok
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fwiw I am not using the MS software... just the stuff that XP installed when it found the stick. That's true for both my 64 bit and 32 versions of XP.
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The fix that Skuzzy posted, works great. After 2 days of not playing for 2 days my wife told me to buy a new one before I drove her crazy. Bought a Saitek x52. When I got home I found the patch installed it following his directions. Now I have my MS FFB 2 back up and running. Going to install the new one this weekend, with a fresh game download of the game. But keeping the patch on my computer incase I have to go back to the FFB2.
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Mine has a green light, and did not use the 4.0. Just plugged it in
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MS FF2 RED LIGHT
USB
XP PRO DRIVERS
PATCH WORKS!
SKUZZY!
Lucchini
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green stat light
USB
never had to use the software under XP it has always worked with out the software. Even said i didnt need software using XP. Until patch
It works when i load AH, But as soon as i go offline/online it quits, i dont get FFB untill i completely close ah after it goes. then it comes back
also I have hardrive with Windows ME on this with software 4.0 , win me needs software for stick. patch does not work on that system either. soon as it goes online with Win ME stick forces quit
so two different systems with and without 4.0 and patch that always worked dont now.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Make sure, those of you who are not working, are using the Version 4.0 of the MS controller software.
Next, I need to know the following:
Red or Green LED?
USB or Gameport?
and the software driver version.
I will assume everyone is using Windows XP, unless noted otherwise.
I am glad we did not do the patch if some of you are still not working with the htsim8r.exe file. Why you are not working is going to be a bugger.
Just be sure you are executing the htsim8r.exe file and not the regular Aces High II startup file. Also, DO NOT alter the aceshigh.exe file.
The Fix worked for me
I used software version 4.0 for my stick
I have teh Red LED (newest version of stick)
Windows XP Media edition
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Originally posted by Sarge1
green stat light
USB
never had to use the software under XP it has always worked with out the software. Even said i didnt need software using XP. Until patch
It works when i load AH, But as soon as i go offline/online it quits, i dont get FFB untill i completely close ah after it goes. then it comes back
also I have hardrive with Windows ME on this with software 4.0 , win me needs software for stick. patch does not work on that system either. soon as it goes online with Win ME stick forces quit
so two different systems with and without 4.0 and patch that always worked dont now.
You have the same stick as mine. UNINSTALL not delete the microsoft software. When you UNINSTALL a window will pop up asking about shared files, click NO TO ALL. Skuzzys patch works fine.
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Could not get the htsim8r fix to work probably because I am too dumb. Doing an alt-tab and testing force under MS controllers , closing then going back into game does work, however the forces including centering seem a tad weak as I already have everything turned up. It's a real pain in the rear though. I know you HT guys will find a fix that will come in a patch so I can just log in & enjoy. Thanks for your help. Ubb :aok :aok
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Hi all,
I am sorry but the MS controller software 4.0 only work with USB sticks. So mine is a 15pole game port stick (green back light). Neither the "special patch" nor all other hints work. Awaiting the next patch or other solution.
Any ideas how to get an "old" stick like this working?
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Mosca, that is the stick we actually tested the fixup with. You sure you are executing the htsim8r.exe file and not the regular Aces High II (aceshigh.exe) file?
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MS2 FF Red Light USB
Worked!
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WOW Very nice... it works like new. Thank you for such a great response and resolution. Once again, this is the greatest group of folks and finest support staff ever!
Salute Skuzzy
K-KEN
http://www.cutthroats.com/
(http://www.webdesignbyken.com/images/CMCsmall.gif)
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Originally posted by Ubb
Could not get the htsim8r fix to work probably because I am too dumb. Doing an alt-tab and testing force under MS controllers , closing then going back into game does work, however the forces including centering seem a tad weak as I already have everything turned up. It's a real pain in the rear though. I know you HT guys will find a fix that will come in a patch so I can just log in & enjoy. Thanks for your help. Ubb :aok :aok
Ubb,
Just in case, in Windows. I did adjust mine up to High. on both settings. Then, in AH, go to Options, Controls, Force feedback. I moved all these to 75% . for my settings. I had set them to 100% but that was too much. (for me) I may end up around 80% but am happy with what I have going on currently.
If you have already changed those settings, then it might be something else.
K-KEN
http://www.cutthroats.com/
(http://www.webdesignbyken.com/images/CMCsmall.gif)
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Hi Skuzzy,
yes I am starting the htsim8r.exe. I have put a link on my desktop which says "Verknüpfung mit htsim8r.exe" (thats german and means Link to htsim8r.exe). I also tried it several times, but the result is always negative. My problem seems to be that I am not able to use the MS Controller Software 4.0, because it tells me that this only can be used with USB sticks. The Controller Software I am using is 3.02 and this one doesn´t offer any FF adjustments.
Maybe I should buy a new stick and throw this one into the trash bin. Meanwhile im getting angry about these MS guys, because they never stick to their own rules when programming software.
The only thing is that I love that stick and in my opinion is of a very good quality. Will break my heart throwing it away.
:cry
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Hi Skuzzy,
I need to correct myself in one point. I only thought I would use the MS controller software. But 3.02 does not work for XP and 4.0 does not support 15 pole game port sticks.
So what software did you guys use for testing?
Btw, I appreciate a lot your support!
;)
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MSFFB green light gameport xp non compatible patch did not work :cry
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Originally posted by mosca-g
Hi Skuzzy,
Maybe I should buy a new stick and throw this one into the trash bin. Meanwhile im getting angry about these MS guys, because they never stick to their own rules when programming software.
The only thing is that I love that stick and in my opinion is of a very good quality. Will break my heart throwing it away.
:cry
mosca,
That is way too harsh an idea presently. It is a good quality stick and very reliable. Like I posted in another board, this is but a bump in the road and I have every confidence that HTC is working hard to correct this issue.
Just an FYI, have you tried to price a MS FF stick lately?? Microsoft discontinued the line, sadly :cry I have the really old analog I bought in 1997 for $175 US as well, and the MSFF Prec Pro II USB I am currently using I paid around $39.00 for, as I recall...brand new. It is selling for as much as $135 on ebay and other sites-used.
I did find a source at the amazon.com site that might work for other users.
(used are cheaper there-but several selections are not available too)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/002-0764540-5020015?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=Microsoft+Joysticks&Go.x=12&Go.y=4
I am not suggesting you sell or buy sticks, but do not trash them. :D
They are gold to someone else!
K-KEN
http://www.cutthroats.com/
(http://www.webdesignbyken.com/images/CMCsmall.gif)
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Hi all.
I tried this patch but I have AH on a harddrive all by it self (D:) and the patch is set to work on default C: only and will not work.
Can you help?
FTFLY
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Originally posted by FTFLY
Hi all.
I tried this patch but I have AH on a harddrive all by it self (D:) and the patch is set to work on default C: only and will not work.
Can you help?
FTFLY
Make sure you extract the .exe file into the "Folder" in the "HTC Folder" called "Aces High II" . There should be several of the red Aces high executables called aceshigh.exe and AH2008T20010.EXE to list a couple. If you have to, copy it (htsim8r.exe) from C: and drop it into the D: drive, inside the HTC folder and inside the Aces High II folder. Then the path should be like this for you:
"D:\Program Files\HTC\Aces High II\htsim8r.exe" or "D:\HTC\Aces High II\htsim8r.exe" if you don't have it in the "Program Files" folder.
(http://www.kkenshome.com/shorts/HTC folder.JPG)
and then inside here!
(http://www.kkenshome.com/shorts/ahiifolder.JPG)
Hope that helps.
K-KEN
http://www.cutthroats.com/
(http://www.webdesignbyken.com/images/CMCsmall.gif)
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Originally posted by FTFLY
Hi all.
I tried this patch but I have AH on a harddrive all by it self (D:) and the patch is set to work on default C: only and will not work.
Can you help?
FTFLY
When you open the ZIP file extract it to the HTC folder, them make a shortcut on the destop ans start the game from that shortcut
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Older Force Feedback with green status light and gameport plug. Does not work with USB adapter.
Afer adding the htsim8r.exe I do have force feedbackalthough it is rather light even at 100% when compared to 100% in the Beta 2.07patch 5 version.
I can live with how my stick is acting though.
Thanks for the Fix Skuzzy.
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My SWFF2 green light works with patch but when i shoot at ground targets my rds seem to go threw the ground.
Dont have the MS software installed
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BZ Skuzzmeister...
Works like a charm...
There is however a sequence to get it working properly...
My schtick is a MS FF PPr02 with the RED light and USB, on WinXP Pro SP2.
Here's what I did:- Make sure you have the proper DirectX version.
- Make sure Windows XP is 100% up-to-date.
- Download & Install the MS FF Drivers pack mentioned above. {WInXP default drivers will NOT work properly on my system}
- Load Skuzz's Patch
- Once in game, ALT TAB out and bring up your Controllers menu & change any setting on your JStick setup and apply changes. {this was what got mine working - I only had center until I did this [& you can change the setting right back and apply it again to maintain your force settings]}
- Go Fly
Thanks Skuzz! :aok
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In order to attempt to reach some level of consistency with these sticks, I think I need to explain some things.
1) The stick should go limp at all times, unless you are in a cockpit.
2) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
3) Please do not attempt to find a work-around while testing. It muddles the results. BigMax, your work-around may not do what you think and we need to know this.
Here is something to try in order to find out what is happening.
1) Pick a plane from the hangar.
2) Spawn on the runway.
2a) Does the stick center when you are on the runway?
3) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
4) Take-off
5) Attempt a stall and see if you get stall buffet shakes.
6) Level the plane in controlled flight.
7) Pull the trigger and fire the guns. Do you have gun shake?
8) Put the plane in a 1G dive from high altitude.
9) At high speed, pull out of the dive. Do the forces feel increased on the stick?
10) Level out and slow down. Roll a bit from left to right. Do the stick forces feel reduced as compared to the high speed dive pull-out?
What we want to be sure of is the forces are actually being applied.
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1 Thing to remember skuzzy about these joysticks. There is a sensor that detects your hand on the joystick (1 located under the trigger were u rap your hands around otherdown by your pinky finger). If your hand is not near these sensors, the stick will do nothing. This is to prevent the stick going wild and breaking itself with no resistance on it (your hand). If these sensors are bad your joystick will NOT work!
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I made these tests and here are my results.
All FF forces had been set in the beginning to 50%. During flight I increased them to 80% to increase the forces. This was done only to 80% because the trim set made the stick very stiff durin flight. But now step by step.
1) Pick a plane from the hangar.
2) Spawn on the runway.
2a) Does the stick center when you are on the runway?
The stick centered even with 100% trim very, very soft. Nearly no FF sensable. Stick can be put very easily out of center.
3) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
4) Take-off
5) Attempt a stall and see if you get stall buffet shakes.
Very very slightly
6) Level the plane in controlled flight.
7) Pull the trigger and fire the guns. Do you have gun shake?
Very very slightly
8) Put the plane in a 1G dive from high altitude.
9) At high speed, pull out of the dive. Do the forces feel increased on the stick?
They increased a lot.
10) Level out and slow down. Roll a bit from left to right. Do the stick forces feel reduced as compared to the high speed dive pull-out?
They feel very reduced.
In the beginning I thought there would be no FF at all, but when I started the plane the FF increased a lot and also the stick stayed centered.
FF seems to work, but there is some lack in center force if your speed is low. Also the stall and weapon FF is weak.
Hope this helps.
:D
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Big help mosca. We appreciate it.
And by the way. The description of how it worked for you is exactly how it is supposed to work. There should be virtually no force when you first get into the cockpit and it should increase as speed picks up. That is the way a stick in a plane works.
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wish i had enough cpu to handle the ffb feature...it kills my performance....unless it's just the stick being modified to work with xp (had to solder a power supply into it to make it work)
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1) The stick should go limp at all times, unless you are in a cockpit.
This happens
2) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
All forces set to 50%
1) Pick a plane from the hangar.
P-51B, Typhoon, and ME-163
2) Spawn on the runway.
2a) Does the stick center when you are on the runway?
Yes
3) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
All forces enabled
4) Take-off
5) Attempt a stall and see if you get stall buffet shakes.
Joystick does emulate buffet/ stall shakes
6) Level the plane in controlled flight.
7) Pull the trigger and fire the guns. Do you have gun shake?
Yes
8) Put the plane in a 1G dive from high altitude.
9) At high speed, pull out of the dive. Do the forces feel increased on the stick?
10) Level out and slow down. Roll a bit from left to right. Do the stick forces feel reduced as compared to the high speed dive pull-out?
There is no variance in forces. Stick feels same as it does on ground not moving. I also believe at the top of a loop as plane is about to stall there should also be a lightened feedback and this does not occur.
Also Skuzzy as a side note I got a newer version of FF2 to test with that is straight USB only but it still has green status light. I also tried test on my Gameport feedback stick and it acted same.
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Hi Skuzzy,
I agree. But for me it would be good to increase the "center force" of the stick, because this is very weak at low speed and makes it difficult to use the auto pilot functions. Is that possible?
:D
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FF2 RED LIGTH
XO PRO SP2 DRIVERS - NO MS SOFTWARE
The forces are all OK. The only problems are trim effects - centering force that seems to be always the same, on the runway or in a 450 mph dive.
As you told, Skuzzy, I'd have no centering on the runway or at stall speed, but this not happens. Besides if I set trim effects more than 15% the stick is really hard to use: centering force works like you are always at top speed.
It is not a problem of this patch but has always been so since I changed my FF1 with this FF2.
FF1 was OK.
Bye
Lucchini
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Skuzzy
dont know if this is related but my thrustmaster ffb has all kindsa problems now that the new patch has been released, in particulair, spikeing, and my forcefeed back is considerably losser (if that makes any sence) than it was prior to the new patch.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Big help mosca. We appreciate it.
And by the way. The description of how it worked for you is exactly how it is supposed to work. There should be virtually no force when you first get into the cockpit and it should increase as speed picks up. That is the way a stick in a plane works.
Skuzzy... the MS FF2 stick needs a strong return to center. The "force" is what keeps it centered at all. Without FF working, it's "too" limp... likely because it's so big in comparison. (best non-force stick I ever had was a Gravis Firebird... tiny thing).
What mosca described happens occasionally on home-made MSFS planes when the designer hasn't done a good job.
Tumor
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Still can't get mine to center and now I have to fly with combat trim on just to control the plane.
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Tumor, the stick should center, when you get into the cockpit, but the forces should be very light.
Gw, you are not getting any forces at all? I do not understand. If you are turning on trim and getting forces, then I am really confused.
I made this post tp gather information which would help us. Please try it and let me know the results. I am not trying to be difficult here, but simply saying it does not work is not going to help us or you.
As of this minute, we are assuming everyone who has tried this beta test is working. Unless I hear some details on what is and is not working, we are going to go with it.
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In order to attempt to reach some level of consistency with these sticks, I think I need to explain some things.
1) The stick should go limp at all times, unless you are in a cockpit.
2) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
3) Please do not attempt to find a work-around while testing. It muddles the results. BigMax, your work-around may not do what you think and we need to know this.
Here is something to try in order to find out what is happening.
1) Pick a plane from the hangar.
2) Spawn on the runway.
2a) Does the stick center when you are on the runway?
3) Make sure you have trim, stall buffet, and gun shake forces enabled in the games force feedback panel.
4) Take-off
5) Attempt a stall and see if you get stall buffet shakes.
6) Level the plane in controlled flight.
7) Pull the trigger and fire the guns. Do you have gun shake?
8) Put the plane in a 1G dive from high altitude.
9) At high speed, pull out of the dive. Do the forces feel increased on the stick?
10) Level out and slow down. Roll a bit from left to right. Do the stick forces feel reduced as compared to the high speed dive pull-out?
What we want to be sure of is the forces are actually being applied.
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Oh, I forgot to start the game with the htsim8r.exe file,forces are workng now but the auto pilot works on and off, Like it will stay on for a min or 2 then pop back off.Mite be this stick it's 5 years old.Just mite be time for a new stick.
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Sounds liked some spiking causing the auto-pilot to jump out. Try setting the deadband up for the suspect axis.
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Thank's for the help Skuzzy, did that and it work's fine now.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Tumor, the stick should center, when you get into the cockpit, but the forces should be very light.
Understood Skuzzy... that's the point I was trying to make. Until I installed the Sidewinder Software, I had "0" return to center even when in the cockpit, in-flight and even fast (another ref to MSFS, in some planes, increased speed would increase return-to-center "force"). In AH, without the software trick, I had no return to center at all.. as a matter of fact, I don't think I had any forces whatsoever. I've generally grown out of the need of "forces" other than RTC, so don't quote me on having none at all, but as I recall I didn't.
With the softwar installed.. I start the game, then alt-tab back to desktop, open the properties for the stick and all I have to do is click on the forces tab... you can watch the stick snap into position when I do this (I have all forces set to HIGH). The return to center is slightly weaker than my old setting of "med", and I'm not entirely sure how much other forces I even have, but it's minimal... I don't think the AH force input is contributing at all, don't know.
Not trying to overkill you with info, just want to help as much as possible.
Tumor
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OK So you make a patch my JS finaly gets working now you patch again no JS again geez:mad:
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I am closing this thread as it really only pertained to Version 2.08 Patch 2.
If you are hainv troubles with Version 2.08 Patch 3, then something else is going on and needs to be looked at in a separate thread.