Problem getting Sidewinder 3D Pro recognized on ME

Slugbait · Post by **Slugbait** » Wed Aug 01, 2001 1:24 pm

My step-dad just got a Dell Dimension 8100 and cannot get his Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick to be recognized by the SW control panel. He verified it's properly plugged into the SB gameport. Plus, his Dual-Strike Sidewinder works fine (tho' that's a USB device). The soundcard also seems to be working just fine.

Dell told him to call MS...it isn't "their problem". So he called me...

He shared out his desktop, and I rummaged thru Device Mangler. It would appear the SB takes IRQ 11, and shares it with his NIC and USB, plus two instances of PCI steering...and IRQ 5 is empty. No conflicts were listed. Doesn't seem so bad, since his DSL, Dual-Strike and audio all work, but I can't help but feel this IRQ sharing is the culprit.

I attempted to wipe out the SB and let ME re-install it, hoping it would grab IRQ 5 (it didn't). I also found out that ME won't let you change the IRQ manually (ick...).

He's 1500 miles away, so I can't be there is something goes horribly awry, but he's far more savvy with computers than most people his age. I'm thinking perhaps he should first try removing the NIC from Device Mangler and letting ME re-install it, and hope it takes IRQ 5. If that doesn't work (again...), I think he should then try opening the case and moving the SB or the NIC to a different PCI slot...or move both of them.

Any other ideas? Or has anyone else ever dealt with this issue before on ME? Thx.

Donkee · Post by **Donkee** » Wed Aug 01, 2001 1:35 pm

In the device manager can he see the game port installed under sond devices (it's been a while for me on the 95/98/me platform).

I'd tell him to remove the game port (if installed) out of device manager and use add new hardware to add it back. Maybe that will work......

Slugbait · Post by **Slugbait** » Wed Aug 01, 2001 3:10 pm

Yes, it's there. Tried removing just the gameport, then tried removing both the gameport and the SB (btw, it's a Value)

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 3:04 am

He won't get it to work...I've got the same problem with My3D Pro. It won't work with Win2k or Me from what i've heard. It works fine in Win98se but i have to use the CH Flightstick Pro drivers instead of MS's. His gameport config is more than likely correct and it isn't an IRQ problem i'd almost guarantee it. I read an article a while back that when MS first made the 3d pro many moons ago there were a lot of screwed up ones in the first batch. I got lucky and got one of those and it sounds like he has one also. When they corrected the problem they worked great off of thier own drivers. But the first ones put out had some issues of some sorts. Wish i could find the article on them but i can't. And Ms never bothered recalling any of the faulty ones which figures...

JMan · Post by **JMan** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 3:17 am

If what Predator says is true, you could try to RMA it with MS. I'm not sure it would still be under warranty, but Microsoft is pretty liberal with their RMA policy.

JMan

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 3:59 am

I tried to RMA mine about 2 years ago and got no where with them. I had already had the stick for over 3 years and they told me there wasn't nothing thye could do about it. I know MS hasn't made the 3d Pro for almost 3 years now. They are one of the first sticks MS put out. Its a shame cause i love mine.

Gand1 · Post by **Gand1** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 12:57 pm

I have a sidewinder 3D pro and am running it in Win2000 without a problem. I don't know about ME. Now I know that won't help you but since I don't use it anymore I could sell it. It's in perfect condition, well maybe a bit dusty but I know it works great in W2K.

LMK