Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: lyric1 on July 03, 2011, 01:26:21 PM
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Twice in the past month while in mid flight I have lost all or partial settings on my CH controls. This time it is the throttle last time it was pedals joystick & throttle any ideas as to why?
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Well I restarted my PC & now they are back?
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Lyric do you have an externally powered USB hub that you are using, that would be my best idea so you won't lose your settings.
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You need to add a fair bit more information to get some practical advice.
What is it exactly that goes wrong - Axis no longer working? or just button functions ?
How have you connected your gear to your PC. With CH gear each item has it's own USB connection. Are you perhaps overloading a USB port? If you use a separate powered Hub is the power connection plugged in properly!
Do you use your CH gear with button assignment in AH? or do you use the CH Control Manager. Have you checked it in Windows after a failure to see if it is still a problem (without rebooting).
Next time it happens, make some notes on exactly what is not working in AH then check it again in windows.
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Lyric do you have an externally powered USB hub that you are using, that would be my best idea so you won't lose your settings.
Yes I do.
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You need to add a fair bit more information to get some practical advice.
What is it exactly that goes wrong - Axis no longer working? or just button functions ?
How have you connected your gear to your PC. With CH gear each item has it's own USB connection. Are you perhaps overloading a USB port? If you use a separate powered Hub is the power connection plugged in properly!
Do you use your CH gear with button assignment in AH? or do you use the CH Control Manager. Have you checked it in Windows after a failure to see if it is still a problem (without rebooting).
Next time it happens, make some notes on exactly what is not working in AH then check it again in windows.
This time the entire throttle was down every thing, last time it was all CH products. They are all plugged in to the same external power supply.
I just purchased the CH pedals after my old Saitek pedals failed. They were not on the external power supply though the CH pedals are now? Maybe to much draw on that external unit now?
Did not check it in windows will do next time. I use CH control manager it was plugged in correctly.
Thank you for all of your advise. :aok
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This time the entire throttle was down every thing, last time it was all CH products. They are all plugged in to the same external power supply.
I just purchased the CH pedals after my old Saitek pedals failed. They were not on the external power supply though the CH pedals are now? Maybe to much draw on that external unit now?Did not check it in windows will do next time. I use CH control manager it was plugged in correctly.
Thank you for all of your advise. :aok
I think you decyphered your problem in your last post......... try taking the CH Pedals off the Powered USB Hub, and plug them into your PC's rear panel........
I am thinking you probably will not have this issue anymore........
USB ports can act very strange and their powering abilities can differ greatly depending on the MB manufacturer ........ example: using higher end ASUS boards - I have never had any issues with pluging my (3) CH Controls in to the rear panel... do not lose the functions and seldom lose a calibration........ using an ABit board have seen several issues when all (3) are connected........ using an off the wall eMachine PC have seen extreme issues ( Powered USB Hub definitely needed )...... using a Gigabyte MB I would every now and then see a control drop out........ using a low end ASUS board I would see spiking alot but never had a control drop out.....just spiking issues.....
also, a good power supply ( PSU ) is very important as well.......... a good quality well built PSU with an 80% bronze or Silver certified tag is always better than a "cheap high wattage" PSU.......
even when using a powered usb hub, I would recommend going with one with great reviews and is of a known "Good Brand"......... ( but remember even the best bBrand Names have low end leser quality components ).......
hope this helps
<S>
TC
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Lyric... its possible the powered hub you are using has personal issues of its own. However... there isnt a single motherboard out there that can deliver enough power to CH over the lifetime of the controller to warrant leaving the controls plugged into the MB USB slots. There is a very real danger that the draw could be so significant as to cause a loss of the entire motherboards ability to regulate voltage to the USB ports or peripheral slots. While this isnt as serious as ripple on a PSU it is bad enough since the only solution is replacement of the motherboard. Im just like Tequila in that I have MBs that do not show any signs of having this problem but the risk is not worth it. CH controllers in particular draw a high amount of power across the USB ports and simply put there isnt a single MB design out there that will handle that for the full course of its life.
The first sign of a problem in a USB port is loss of calibration followed by loss of the controller being recognized. If either of these occur then the first thing to do (and the cheapest) is to buy a powered USB hub or replace a questionable unit. Why wait? Just get another one and I suggest Belkins 7 port powered hub.
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Lyric... its possible the powered hub you are using has personal issues of its own. However... there isnt a single motherboard out there that can deliver enough power to CH over the lifetime of the controller to warrant leaving the controls plugged into the MB USB slots. There is a very real danger that the draw could be so significant as to cause a loss of the entire motherboards ability to regulate voltage to the USB ports or peripheral slots. While this isnt as serious as ripple on a PSU it is bad enough since the only solution is replacement of the motherboard. Im just like Tequila in that I have MBs that do not show any signs of having this problem but the risk is not worth it. CH controllers in particular draw a high amount of power across the USB ports and simply put there isnt a single MB design out there that will handle that for the full course of its life.
The first sign of a problem in a USB port is loss of calibration followed by loss of the controller being recognized. ~snip~
and I suggest Belkins 7 port powered hub.
I was going to mention that I think Belkin makes a better "Powered USB Hub" product than most......
in regards to leaving a CH Control ( or Controllers ) plugged in to USB ports on the Back I/O Panel of PC.... regardless if it is just 1 or is 2+ , even.......
I personally can not say that it will or will not cause damage to the USB ports or even to the MB or other devices/connections over the long haul.... since I most
times will have upgraded to a new self built Computer within 2 to 4 years........ yet I have had CH Fighterstick/Throttle/Pedal HOTAS setups that I had used
for many a year....
the longest I ever used a Hotas, were the old Analog Gameport types that pushed well past 10 years of use without problems or issues....... and being fortunate
enough to acquire numerous CH Products Controllers ( FighterSticks, Pro Throttles, Pro Pedals all USB connection types ) from others not wanting or needing them
any longer....... I have not taken the opportunity to stay with and use the same CH Hotas for any length of time......... probably the longest I went using the same
USB CH Hotas setup was 3 years max before switching over to a new or newer CH Hotas setup and giving the one I had been using to another AH Community Member in need......
all in all I have given away 5 complete CH Hotas setups ( 2 - all gameport / 3 - all USB ), 1 USB - CH Combat Stick and CH ProThrottle, and sold 1 USB CH FighterStick and
CH ProThrottle just for the amount of shipping only......
anyhows..... I'll cross that bridge and fix the issue if it ever arises.......... hopefully it will not
cheers
TC
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Lyric1, I recently had the similar problem with my ch gear. All of my ch gear is USB and is plugged into a separate power hub. I also use the ch program manager. If you are using the ch program manager, I suggest that you try the following, which resolved my problem: 1. backup your settings in your settings folder. 2. delete the ch program manager. 3. plug in all your usb ch gear then download program manager (following onscreen instructions). 4. select option for ch gear to work as 1. 5. use the wizard to create your map (select 4 axis 32 buttons). 6. calibrate flight stick, pro peddle and rudders. 7. download your new map. 8. install your settings from your backup setting folders. Hopefully this will work for you. I did for me. :salute wizer
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I have CH stick, throttle and peddles and every now and then I have that issue but mine will do it as soon as I go on line, at that point I have to log and restart my computer to get it all back up and running. I have not found out what is causing this issue so I just deal with it.
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Suggest you all go into your device manager, and stop the computer shutting down the usb ports. It may well help with loss of calibration etc.
Wurzel
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I suggest Belkins 7 port powered hub.
It is a Belkin 7 port. :D
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Ty all again will try these suggestions out. :aok
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It is a Belkin 7 port. :D
Might want to change it out with another one! ;)