You may experience problems with your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick if you connect it to a game port on certain sound cards. Please see the Sound Card Compatibility Issues Readme for information about specific sound card compatibly issues with SideWinder Game Controllers.
To access the Sound Card Compatibility Issues Readme, open SideWinder Central, click on More Information, and then click Sound Card Compatibility Issues on the SideWinder Reference screen.
You may experience problems using your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro in certain games. These problems can range from slow response in the game, the game not responding to the SideWinder game controller or some of its controls. In general, older DOS-based games can exhibit irregular behavior when using a SideWinder digital game controller. Please see the Sound Card Compatibility Issues Readme for information about specific game compatibly issues with SideWinder Game Controllers.
To access the Game Compatibility Issues Readme, open SideWinder Central, click on More Information, and then click Game Compatibility Issues on the SideWinder Reference screen.
3.1 Changing the Force Level to your Joystick Affects Return-to-Center
If you change the Force Feedback setting to Off on the Settings page of Control Panel: Game Controllers, no forces will be present at the joystick. This no-force
setting also interacts with and affects the Return to Center (which is a force)
setting.
3.2 Low Force Level Setting Affects the Test Forces
At Low force settings, some forces in the Control Panel Test Forces property
page may not be discernible, such as the "Car Engine Idle."
3.3 Diminishing Forces as the Handle is Moved from Center
As you move the joystick handle farther forward, back, right, or left,
regardless of what game you are playing, the level of the forces you feel is
reduced. Force that appear weak with the handle at the center position, may
disappear as the handle is moved to its extreme limits.
3.4 Connecting the Joystick to a SideWinder Game Pad
You can use your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro when connected to a SideWinder
game pad and the pass-through mode (with the Mode switch) selected on the game
pad. However, you may still receive active forces to the joystick when the game
pad is switched out of pass-through mode.
3.5 Erratic Throttle Operation in Some Non-Force Feedback Games
The throttle display, such as in airplane cockpit, may behave erratically in
some games of this type causing some visual distraction. To elimiate this
problem, you can unplug the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro from the AC supply and
use the joystick in its non-powered mode.
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Part 3: TROUBLESHOOTING
=========================
This section contains answers to specific questions you may have. For
additional troubleshooting information, see the Trouble-shooting sections of the
Online User's Guide for your SideWinder game controller and the Game Controller Profiler
Online Help.
QUESTION: What's the minimum system configuration I need to run the SideWinder
Game Controller Software 3.0?
ANSWER: To use your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick with the SideWinder
Game Controller Software 3.0, you need to have
the following:
* Personal computer with Pentium 90 or higher processor
* Microsoft Windows 95 or later Windows operating system
* 16 MB of RAM
* 15 MB of available hard-disk space, plus 10 MB for setup
* Double-speed CD-ROM drive
* Super VGA, 256-color monitor
* Sound Blaster compatible sound card with MIDI-enabled game port
* Frames-capable browser such as Internet Explorer 3.0a or later or Netscape
Navigator 3.0 or later (to view the online Introduction to SideWinder Game
Controllers.)
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Part 4: REGULATORY INFORMATION
============================================
4.1 United States Radio and TV Interference Regulations
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The Microsoft hardware device(s) that accompanies this software can radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. If not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions given in the printed documentation, the device may cause harmful interference with radio and TV reception. Any cable that is connected to the device must be a shielded cable that is properly grounded.
Your Microsoft hardware device has been tested, and it complies with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful RF interference in a residential installation. There is, however, no guarantee that RF interference will not occur in a particular installation.
To determine if your hardware device is causing interference to other radio-communication devices, disconnect the device from your computer. If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the device. If the interference continues after you disconnect the hardware device, turn the computer off and then on again. If the interference stopped when the computer was off, check to see if one of the input/output (I/O) devices or one of the computer's internal accessory boards is causing the problem. Disconnect the I/O devices one at a time and see if the interference stops.
If this hardware device does cause interference, try the following measures to correct it:
* Relocate the radio or TV antenna until the interference stops.
* Move the hardware device farther away from the radio or TV, or move it
to one side or the other of the radio or TV.
* Plug the computer into a different power outlet so that the hardware
device and radio or TV are on different circuits controlled by different
circuit breakers or fuses.
* If necessary, ask your computer dealer or an experienced radio-TV
technician for more suggestions. You may find helpful information
in the booklet "The Interference Handbook" (1995), published by the FCC.
The booklet is available from the Compliance and Information Bureau of
the FCC (1-888-CALL FCC) and on their website at
http://www.fcc.gov/cib/.
NOTE
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Microsoft could void the user's authority to operate this device.
4.2 Canadian Interference-causing Equipment Regulations
This Class B digital apparatus complies with ICES-003.
Cet appareil numΘrique de la classe B est conforme α la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
