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Post by magryphon on Dec 25, 2013 12:36:35 GMT -5
I decided it was time to get back into flight simulation after an 18-month hiatus (moved cross country). Last spring I built a new computer system running Window 8.0 which I recently updated to Windows 8.1. Today I tried to launch FS9, which seems to run OK. However, the system doesn't recognize my old Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick. No error message, but the usual USB connection tone doesn't sound when I plug it in. The device does not appear when I access the Device Manager. Also, when I attempt to calibrate it from within FS9 the only joystick option that appears is "None". An internet search revealed suggestions to turn off the computer, plug in the joystick, then turn the computer back on, at which point the system would recognize the device. It did not. Other suggestions included upgrading to the latest device drivers for my system processor, but when I tried this Windows said the best drivers available are already installed. Some folks suggested upgrading the BIOS but I prefer not to mess around with that too much.
Has anyone else encountered this situation? Do you have a recommendation as to how to fix it? I did a search of the forum, but didn't turn up anything useful.
Thanks in advance.
Mike Griffin
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Post by dc6tryer on Dec 26, 2013 11:24:19 GMT -5
Hi,
we also have W8.. Howls at the Moon...
Going into Device Manager you will see Human Interface Devices in the list, and if you open that with the little triangle you will see that the controller would be shown as 'HID compliant game controller' in that submenu if it was being recognized. If it isn't shown there I don't know what to suggest, but if it is there when you plug it in, then at least you are one step along the route.
Also the Control Panel/Devices and Printers would at least show if it was there under 'Devices' in the top line.
Andy.
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Post by magryphon on Dec 26, 2013 12:31:57 GMT -5
Thanks, Andy. For some reason I can't explain, today the system is recognizing the joystick and I am able to calibrate it from within the FS9 settings. I did check the device manager HID section as suggested here: support.microsoft.com/kb/2900614I didn't have to do any registry changes, but you or others might find the information at the above link useful. Now I have a different problem. When I try to run FS9 in full screen mode it hangs my system - just a black screen with a rotating circle. Sometimes I can close FS9 using the task manager, but most of the time I have to turn the power off and then restart the system. I think the issue is probably related to the fact that I didn't do a complete reinstall when I originally built this system and installed Windows 8.0 (with a later upgrade to Win 8.1). I guess FS9 came over from my old Windows 7 system during the 'files and settings' transfer process. I'm actually surprised it runs at all. Now I have to decide how much time I really want to spend on getting FS9 to work. I started flight simming with Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator and went through the second and third versions of that before I started using FS9. Tried FSX for a while, but didn't like it much. I really enjoyed flying the CalClassic propliners with all the great scenery available on Tom's website. However, now that I live in Florida, the golf courses hold more attraction than parking my butt in front of a computer and imagining I'm winging my way across the country in a DC-6B. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm probably just going to hang up my wings. |
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Post by dc6tryer on Dec 26, 2013 14:36:03 GMT -5
Hi,
I found it's best to run FS9 in Windowed mode as otherwise the aircraft window is plain black! Although when I've sorted out the aircraft I want to crash that day I can go back to full screen; but even that jumps when switching views, so it's fairly hopeless trying to do anything excessive with it and i generally leave it in windowed mode. Strangely, if I set it on Unlimited I have seen numbers like 165/ 180 fps so it does work in some ways. I also have it installed in it's own folder on the C drive as C: Microsoft Games/FS9, and outside the Program Files folders on that drive.I also read somewhere that the 8.1 update takes everything back to the Stone Age so this is just Windows 8.
Maybe the windowed mode will help a bit.
Andy.
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Post by magryphon on Dec 26, 2013 15:03:19 GMT -5
I have always used and preferred the full screen mode, as that gives the most realism, in my opinion. Never had any problems with it on systems using versions of Windows ranging from XP to Vista and Windows 7.
I also have it installed in a location other than the Windows Program Files folder (in fact, on an different hard drive). The compatibility mode is set to Windows XP Service Pack 3. However, even though it seems to run OK except in full screen mode, FS9 does not appear in the 'Programs and Features' list accessible through the Control Panel, which is why I'm surprised it runs at all. Windows 8.1 is probably doing its best to run FS9 but would probably do better if I re-installed it from scratch. At present, that's more work than I care to do. Maybe some day.
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Post by bernardo on Feb 24, 2014 16:17:54 GMT -5
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