Cannot Add a New Gaming Device in the Game Controllers Tool

ID: Q175628


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder FreeStyle Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Game Device software version 2.0


SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to add a gaming device using the Game Controllers tool in Control Panel, the device may not be added to the Game Controllers list.


CAUSE

This behavior can occur for the following reasons:

  • The Gameport Joystick device is not installed.
  • The Gameport Joystick device is disabled in Device Manager.
  • The Gameport Joystick device is not installed correctly.
  • The computer does not have a game port.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, use the following steps:

  1. Verify that the Gameport Joystick device is installed. To do this, follow these steps:


    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


    2. Double-click System.


    3. Click the Device Manager tab, and then click View Devices By Type.


    4. Double-click the Sound, Video And Game Controllers branch to expand it.


    5. Check for the Gameport Joystick device.


  2. If the Gameport Joystick device is listed with an exclamation point in a yellow circle or a red X, skip to step 3. If the Gameport Joystick device is not listed, use the appropriate steps below for your version of Windows:


  3. Windows 95

    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


    2. Double-click Add New Hardware, click Next, click No, and then click Next.


    3. In the Hardware Types box, click Sound, Video, And Game Controllers, and then click Next.


    4. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Models box, click Gameport Joystick, and then click Next.


    5. Click Next, and then click Finish.


    6. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.


    Windows 98

    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


    2. Double-click Add New Hardware.


    3. Click Next, click Next, click the No, I want to select the hardware from a list option, and then click Next.


    4. In the Hardware Types box, click Sound, Video, And Game Controllers, and then click Next.


    5. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Models box, click Gameport Joystick, and then click Next.


    6. Click Next, and then click Finish.


    7. If you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.


  4. If the Gameport Joystick device is listed with an exclamation point in a yellow circle or a red X, use the following steps to enable the Gameport Joystick device:


    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


    2. Double-click System.


    3. Click the Device Manager tab, and then click View Devices By Type.


    4. Double-click the Sound, Video And Game Controllers branch to expand it.


    5. Double-click Gameport Joystick.


    6. In the Device Usage area on the General tab, make sure that the Original Configuration (Current) check box is selected. If the check box is cleared, click it to select it.


    NOTE: If you are using Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 or Windows 98, make sure that the Disable In This Hardware Profile check box is not selected. If the check box is selected, click it to clear it.

  5. If the device is enabled in the current hardware profile, remove and reinstall the Gameport Joystick by using the following steps.




  6. NOTE: To reinstall the Gameport Joystick device, it may be necessary to have your Windows CD-ROM or disks available. Please make sure that you have your CD-ROM or disks available before removing the Gameport Joystick device.

    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


    2. Double-click System.


    3. Click the Device Manager tab, and then click View Devices By Type.


    4. Double-click the Sound, Video And Game Controllers branch to expand it.


    5. Click Gameport Joystick, and then click Remove.


    6. If you are prompted to confirm the removal of the device, click OK.


    7. Click Close.


    8. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.


    9. When Windows has started, repeat step 2 to reinstall the Gameport Joystick device.



MORE INFORMATION

Some sound card and game card manufactures use proprietary game port drivers. If these steps do not correct the problem, contact your card's manufacturer for information about enabling the game port.

For more information about solving problems related to SideWinder Game Controllers, use the SideWinder Game Controllers Troubleshooter located at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/hardware/sidewinder/swtshoot/

Additional query words: blank nothing empty

Keywords : kbenv sidewinder kbimu
Version : WINDOWS:1.0,2.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: April 30, 1999
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