Does XP support MS sidewinder II force feedback joystick?

[NICKel]

just wondering? My friend says it is not supported yet?

 

[Tates]

From Microsoft.com:

The following SideWinder products have all recently been tested and accredited as being Windows XP compatible:

Game Pad Pro
Joystick
Freestyle Pro
Force Feedback Wheel
Game Pad USB
Precision Racing Wheel
Plug & Play Game Pad
Game Voice
Force Feedback 2
Strategic Commander
Precision 2


The SideWinder software (version 3.02) included with these SideWinder game port devices is designed to work with Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98. If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP, the operating system includes device drivers for these game controllers listed above, so the device will function properly on both Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However, the accompanying SideWinder software (version 3.02 or any previous version) will not function, so you will not be able to create profiles for these devices using the SideWinder software on Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Microsoft is not planning to update the SideWinder software (version 3.02) for game port devices.

 

[Spuffin]

Generally Microsoft is pretty good about supporting their OWN operating system with their hardware. So even if it doesnt outright say supported it probably is or at least soon will be.
Just my pennies

 

[NICKel]

thanks for the info

 

[bsauerbr]

I'm one of the unlucky fools with a SidewinderForce Feedback Wheel USB. The wheel is not detected at startup.
The fact that M$ hardware doesn't work with its latest OS is bad enough, but look at this explanation: Microsoft Sidewinder Game Controller Not Recognized in Windows XP (Q320554).

USB Sidewinder not detected because of static cling?!?!?!?!

I expreimented last night. During reboot the wheel spins/resets and the FORCE button goes off? If you keep turning it back on, pushing pedals, turning the wheel during boot, it is detected just fine. Static cling my ARSE!

Like Spuffin, I am hoping this will be resolved soon.

EDIT: One point I missed: The article that Tates references, they claim "XP Certification/Compatibility" in 3 places, but only at the bottom of the page do they say "game port devices only". So, NICKel, I'm not familiar with the joystick, but if it's USB then we're probably in the same boat. If it's game port then you're probably OK.

 

[LED]

Joystick works as I use it on XP Pro/Win98SE dual boot and with no problems here!

 

[bwass24]

From the MS information article:

NOTE : If you do not have a second USB port, plug and then unplug your controller between six and 12 times in the same port.

5 times is definately NOT ENOUGH! and 13 times is TOO MANY! I wonder how they determined this?

 

[NICKel]

good info, thanks everyone