DirectX: Game Controller Status Reported as "Not Connected"

ID: Q189592

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder FreeStyle Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro, version 1.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Game Device software version 2.0
  • Microsoft SideWinder Game Controller software version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you use a Microsoft SideWinder game controller, the Game Controllers tool in Control Panel may report a status of "Not Connected."


CAUSE

This behavior can occur if DirectInput is not installed correctly.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, confirm that all DirectInput files are correctly installed and are the proper version. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type the following line, and then click Find Now:


    3. dinput.dll dinput.vxd gcdef.dll gchand.dll joy.cpl msanalog.vxd vjoyd.vxd
  3. In the list of found files, verify that a maximum of two copies of each of these files exists, and that all of the files are located in the following folders

    • <drive>:\Windows\System
    • <drive>:\Windows\Sysbckup


    where <drive> is the letter of the hard disk on which Windows is installed.

    If a copy of any of these files is located in any folder other than the Windows\System folder or the Windows\Sysbckup folder, right-click the file, and then click Delete. When you are prompted to confirm the file deletion, click Yes.


  4. In the list of found files, right-click the Dinput.dll file, and then click Properties.


  5. On the Version tab, confirm that the file is the correct version for your version of Windows. If you are using Microsoft Windows 95, the file version should be 4.05.00.0155. If you are using Microsoft Windows 98, the file version should be 4.05.01.1998.

    DirectX 6.0 does not update these files or change their file versions.


  6. Click OK.


  7. Repeat steps 4-6 for each file in the list of found files.


  8. If one or more of these files is missing or is an incorrect version, reinstall the latest version of DirectX.



NOTE: If you are using Windows 98, extract the following files from the Windows 98 CD-ROM:

  • Dinput.dll
  • Dinput.vxd
  • Gcdef.dll
  • Gchand.dll
  • Joy.cpl
  • Msanalog.vxd
  • Vjoyd.vxd
For information about how to extract files in Windows 98, please see the System File Checker Tool section of the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files


MORE INFORMATION

DirectInput is a component of DirectX. For more information about how to install the latest version of DirectX, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q179113 How to Download and Install DirectX
For additional information about how to troubleshoot "Not Connected" status reports with SideWinder game controllers, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q218615 How to Troubleshoot "Not Connected" Status with Game Controllers
For more information about how to solve problems related to the "Not Connected" status in 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: 1.00 2.00 3.00 side winder swff swpp joystick gamepad gaming

Keywords : kbenv kbhw sidewinder kbimu KbDirectX
Version : WINDOWS:1.0,2.0,3.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: May 30, 1999
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