CH Products problem...

[rshubert]

Hep me, Hep me!!

I got a brand new shiny CH setup, including the fighterstick Pro USB, pro throttles USB, and pro pedals USB for Christmas.  I have been a very, very good boy apparently.

Uninstalled the thrustmaster USB I have been using for the last year or so, and followed the CH instructions to install the new setup, into USB ports on the computer, no external usb hub.  In Windows (XP SP 1, btw) I can calibrate, test, view, poke buttons, everything works fine on all three devices.

Oh boyohboy, says I.  Into AH we go, offline, to do some setup magic.  All three devices (and the mouse) are listed in joystick/select joystick page, in order as follows:

CH pro throttle
CH pro pedals
CH fighterstick
mouse

This is great!  AH is the best program since CPM!!  Maybe even better than ROM BASIC!!

Now to assign axes (or axises, as Hitech might say).  Select the fighterstick, and wiggle it.  All axis readouts stay at zero.  0.  nada. zip. No freeking movement.

Select the pedals.  Same result.

Select the throttle.  AH-HA!!! IT IS ALIVE!!  Must be something I did, so out of AH we go, uninstall all the hardware, uninstall the CH software, reinstall.

Back into AH, same results.  Now I'm getting frustrated.  12-year-olds can do this.  I am a computer professional.  I cannot be defeated by mere hardware.

So, I contact my homeys in the Birds of Prey.  Spork suggests I rename the AH settings folder, then restart AH.  I comply.  Same results as before.  I take a valium, sip some herbal tea.  BP is now 154/100.

Jpeg suggests I remove all but one device, see what happens.  I take out throttle and pedals, restart AH.  Now the stick works.  OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY.

Install the throttle, go back into AH.  Throttle is listed at top again, axes on throttle are active, and axes on joystick are INACTIVE AGAIN.

I contemplate the end of my existence.  I take a xanax to boost the valium, and have a shot of Old Granddad.  And another.

Then I remember that AH is famous for their famously famous wonderful tech support.  I happily access the internet, and pour out my troubles onto the AH tech support forum, in hopes that one of my player peers, or maybe even the mighty Skuzzy, will pity me and help me get my $300 worth of boat anchors converted into input devices.

HELP!



shubie

[StarOfAfrica2]

You running Windows XP or Windows 98?

[Delirium]

I had the same problem... for some reason the axis read outs will not change until you select the stick. If you select the non functioning '0' axis it will suddenly change and read properly... otherwise, it will read only the first stick.

Not sure why but thats it. If the stuff is being read in Windows it should be ok for AH, what I did is set up axis before I sent the download to the sticks so I could more readily recognize what 'CM Device' each one was (it will read as the actual stick if you do not send the map to the stick or operate in Direct Mode).

Hope that helps...

[rshubert]

That worked.



shubie

[Rolex]

Just a suggestion, but the CH software is not needed if you do not have multiple keys mapped for a function. AH is very CH friendly.

You can map directly in AH and not have the slight delay the CH software seems to have in some systems.

[IronDog]

Hmmm,I never noticed a pause,until Rolex mentioned it.Now I seem to notice a slight pause when moving stick.I been running CH software since I purchased the Rudders,throttle,and stick.Seems I recall using the AH setup for stick with analog,and it was a real hassle.If I thought it would help my hesitations,I would give it a try.
IronDog

[blackfalcon4]

I don't use CH's SW, I use just AH's mapping.
 Works fine.

[rshubert]

Have you guys needed to recalibrate the setup often?  I'm having to recal 2 or three times a night.  That sux.

[DAVENRINO]

Originally posted by rshubert
Have you guys needed to recalibrate the setup often?  I'm having to recal 2 or three times a night.  That sux.

I haven't recalibrated in months. I don't use CM for AH.   I don't know if it makes any difference, but all my controllers are connected to one powered hub.

[maddog]

I have to recal everytime I turn the machine on.... If I leave it on I don't need to recal...... All CH stuff..

[StarOfAfrica2]

Only time I ever have to recalibrate is if I remove the hardware for some reason.  All CH, been using it for years.

If you are having calibration issues you could have a corrupted registry entry.  I'd uninstall the CH software, and use the cleaner CH put out to make sure all traces of it are gone.  Make sure the equipment is unhooked.  After cleaning the comp, turn it off and plug in the equipment.  Let Windows detect it.  Only use the DRIVERS off the CH software CD.  Dont install the control software. Calibrate.  Setup ingame.  Calibrate.  Should never have another problem again.

[maddog]

Those of you who don't use CH software are missing out on "modes"..... I have one mode 2 set for bombers where one of the throttle pots is set to gun positions..... Makes it very handy to track attacking fighter......  Other things programmed like external view.... Bombsite etc

[DAVENRINO]

Originally posted by maddog
Those of you who don't use CH software are missing out on "modes"..... I have one mode 2 set for bombers where one of the throttle pots is set to gun positions..... Makes it very handy to track attacking fighter......  Other things programmed like external view.... Bombsite etc

True, IF I ever got into a bomber.  I am well aware of the CM benefits if needed.  I use 3 modes + SHIFT  and all 184 inputs for jet sims.  I just don't need that many for AH.

[blackfalcon4]

Aint missing any modes,, AH mapper has 4 stick setups.
I use the numbpad to change stick setups 1=fighters, 2=GV's, 3=buffs, 4=gunner