Contents

Using ProPanel

What is ProPanel

Selecting a Device with ProPanel

Calibrating with ProPanel

Testing a Device with ProPanel

Advanced

Joystick Properties

Troubleshooting

Using ThrustMaster Game Device Viewer

Un-installing ProPanel and ThrustMaster Game Device Viewer

Support

Contacting ThrustMaster


What is ProPanel

The ThrustMaster ProPanel is an alternative to both the Joystick control panel and the DirectX Game Controllers control panel under Windows 95.  ProPanel does not replace these control panels but offers calibration and setup that corrects many problems often seen under Windows 95.

Device selection and calibration performed in the ProPanel is reflected in both the Joystick and Game Controllers control panels.  If necessary, you can use your ThrustMaster device without use of the ProPanel (using either the Joystick panel or Game Controller panel instead), but the ProPanel does offer a higher degree of functionality for your gaming.  ProPanel solves some problems the standard Joystick panel has with accurate reporting of joystick data, especially on faster computers or with game ports on sound cards and multi-IO cards.

Related topics:

Selecting a Device

Calibrating a Device

Testing a Device


Calibrate Button
The Calibrate button allows you to calibrate the controller under Windows 95.  After selecting a device, you should calibrate it to ensure that Windows correctly interprets the device output.  You only need to calibrate when installing or reconnecting a device.

To calibration procedures:


Test Button
After calibration, it is often helpful to check your calibration by choosing the Test button.  The test window shows real time output of the controller.  If the output does not accurately register in the Test window, you should try to recalibrate your device, being sure to follow the on-screen instructions.

To Test procedures


Device Selection
Before being able to use a game controller, your computer must first recognize it. The main ProPanel window shows which device has been selected as well as its current status. Choose the Device Selection button to add a new controller.

To Select a new controller as the active device


Joystick Properties
Advanced controller features can be altered in the Joystick properties.  This includes using additional devices such as rudders or enabling Point of View Hats.  Do not check properties that you can't access, for example only check the Rudders box if you have a pair of rudder controls connected to your computer.


Selecting a Device with ProPanel

The first step to activating a controller is to select that particular controller as the active device.

1 - To open ProPanel use your mouse and double-click on the My Computer icon on your Windows 95 desktop. Next, double-click on the Control Panel folder icon. From within Control Panel scroll down the list to the ProPanel icon. Double-click on the ProPanel icon.

2 - Once in ProPanel click on the Device Selection Button.

3 - Select the Device ID 1 button at the top of the window. From the list, select the device you wish to calibrate.

NOTE: Please check the entire list for the control you wish to calibrate.  Specific ThrustMaster products are included in the list.

Related topics:

Calibrating a Device

Testing a Device


Calibrating a Device with ProPanel

In order for Windows 95 to interpret values generated by your controller, you must first calibrate the device.  You only need to calibrate when installing a device or reconnecting a device.

1 - Click on the Calibrate button. Depending on the type of controller you selected, a particular calibration routine will display.

2 - Follow the on-screen instructions.  Note, depending on your hardware, the crosshairs position marker may not appear to function.

3 - Choose the Finish button when the calibration routine is complete.

You need to recalibrate only if you change controllers. If you keep the same controller connected all the time, you should need to calibrate only once (when you install the controller), as calibration values are saved to your hard disk.

The Microsoft Joystick panel is still available, if you wish to use it. Just be aware that calibrating the controller using the Joystick panel overwrites the values saved by ProPanel. Likewise, using ProPanel for calibration overwrites values saved by the Joystick panel.

Related topics:

Testing a Device


Calibration routines
Calibration routines are different for various kinds of controllers and configurations.  Notice that driving wheels are treated like a joystick for Windows calibration.  Additional devices or axes are made available as required during the routine.


On-screen directions
Be sure to follow the ProPanel directions carefully.  Note that choosing the Next button instead of using a controller button may invalidate your calibration.  If you inadvertently chose the Next or Back buttons, you can choose Cancel and restart your calibration.


Device ID1


Calibration Window Feeback
If you have a fast system or are using a game port other than ThrustMaster's ACM speed adjustable game card, the crosshair position marker may appear to be "stuck" in the calibration window.  In extreme cases the position marker may not move at all during the calibration routine. This has no effect on the calibration itself.  Continue the calibration process even if you don't see any visible movement of the marker. Accurate crosshair movement is important only in the Test window.


My computer


Control Panel


ProPanel Device Button


ProPanel Open


ProPanel Select Device


calibration screen


Testing a Device with ProPanel

After your initial calibration, it is always helpful to test the outcome of the calibration.  Although crosshair positioning during calibration is not important, it is essential that the crosshairs accurately reflect device moving and operation during testing.

1 - Once you have completed calibration, click on the Test button.  The position marker should be centered.

2 - Move the controller to verify it has been calibrated correctly.  Crosshair movement should accurately track your device movement.

3 - Press the controller buttons to confirm that they work properly.  Make sure that all buttons have registered.  Note that driving wheels will register the shift lever as buttons one and two.

4 - Click on the [image] button when you are finished.

5 - Close the ProPane and you are ready to play!

Related Topics:

Troubleshooting


ProPanel Test


Joystick Properties

Next to the Device Selection button you will see the selected controller icon that represents your device.  Icons include:

 	Driving Wheels

 	Joystick

 	Gamepads

  	Flight Yoke

 	ThrustMastser Attack Throttle

 	ThrustMaster Rage Gamepad

  	ThrustMaster Millennium

If you click on the device icon, the current device settings are displayed.  The only option in your device profile that is configurable is the rudder selection (although ProPanel should automatically detect rudders for you during calibration).

If these preferences do not reflect your hardware configuration, you may need to check your device connections or recalibrate. Only check preferences that apply to your controllers.


Joystick Properties


Troubleshooting

Unable to Calibrate

If after selecting a device the ProPanel Calibrate button is unavailable, you may need to do an initial Windows calibration. Sometimes calibration needs to be done in the Windows control panel before ProPanel will notice the joystick. In the Control Panels window, double click on either the Game Controllers or Joystick control panel. Select your device and calibrate as instructed.

Erratic Crosshairs Movement

If the crosshairs do not follow your device movements or appear to bounce, you may need recalibrate the controller.  When calibrating, be sure to follow the on-screen directions very closely. If recalibration did not resolve improper crosshairs movement, check your device properties to be sure that only the applicable properties are selected.  If erratic crosshair movement still exists, you may have a game port error.  To resolve this problem, consult your card's manufacturer, or install a ThrustMaster ACM adjustable game card.

Device Is Not Recognized by ProPanel

If you can't seem to add a device or the device shows as not connected or errored status, there are a number of areas to check.

1 - Power down your computer and check all of your cable connections. Restart and try again.

2 - Check that the Device ID is set to 1.

3 - If the controls still do not work then the TMScope utility (TMS.EXE, often found in TMSCOPE.EXE and TM_UTILS.ZIP) can help determine if the game card is "seeing" the control. The software is available through on-line services and at ThrustMaster's web site (http://www.thrustmaster.com). If you do not have access to an on-line service, call ThrustMaster's Service Department and request a diskette with TMScope.


Using ThrustMaster Game Device Viewer

ThrustMaster Game Device Viewer, also sometimes referred to as Joyview, is a diagnostic utility that allows the Joystick Registry values to be viewed without affecting the registry.  It is being distributed for the sole purpose of assisting our customer support representatives with diagnosing and resolving joystick problems in the Windows® 95 environment.

The ThrustMaster Game Device Viewer utility is intended to only be used at the request of a ThrustMaster customer support representative. The user will be instructed on how to execute the program and what information to look for.


Un-Install Steps

1. Click on the [image] button located on your taskbar.

2. Click Settings then on Control Panel

3. Find the Add/Remove Programs icon and double-click on it

4. In the window that appears, arrow down until you find ProPanel and click on it to highlight it.

5. Click on Add/Remove button to begin the un- install.

6. Follow screen prompts.


Contacting ThrustMaster

General Information

Customer Support

Or, see our web site for the latest information, software patches, and excellent utilities.

www.thrustmaster.com


General Addresses
World Headquarters:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

7175 NW Evergreen Pkwy #400

Hillsboro, Oregon 97124

Phone: (503) 615-3200

Fax: (503) 615-3300

European Office:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

Unit 8, Station Industrial Park

Oxford Road, Wokingham

Berkshire, United Kingdom RG41 2YQ

Phone: +44-118-978-7087

Fax: +44-118-977-6290


Customer Support
USA

Europe


USA Support
eMail:

DOS/Windows Users-	techsupp@thrustmaster.com

Macintosh Users-	macsupp@thrustmaster.com

Service/Repair-	service@thrustmaster.com

Phone:

(503) 615-3200 Monday - Friday, 7AM - 6PM Monday - Friday

Fax:

(503) 615-3300


Europe Support
<German Customers>

Technical Support and Repairs Center

Tel:	+44 (0) 1189 770 725

Monday - Friday 3:00pm - 6:00pm (GMT)

Fax:	+44 (0) 1189 776 290

eMail:

techsupp@thrustmaster.com

Product Return Address:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

Unit 8, Station Industrial Park

Oxford Road, Wokingham

Berkshire RG41 2YQ

United Kingdom

General Contact Information:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

European Headquarters

Unit 8, Station Industrial Park

Oxford Road

Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 2YQ

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1189 787 087

Fax: +44 (0) 1189 776 290


German Support
Technical Support and Repair Center:

Tel:	+49 (0) 271 488 9430

(Monday - Friday 4:00pm - 7:00pm Central European Time)

Fax:	+49 (0) 271 488 9431

eMail:

techde@thrustmaster.com

Product Return Address:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

Samuel-Frank-Str. 19a

D-57076 Siegen

Germany

General Contact Information:

ThrustMaster, Inc.

Erdinger Strasse 84

85356 Freising

Germany

Tel: +49 (0) 816 187 1093

Fax: +49 (0) 816 187 1084