force feedback help needed

[hertzie]

Hi all,

I have different CFS2's running on different rigs with Windows XP, Win7 and WinX. All work ok, but I have only 1 (one) CFS2 on a WinXP-machine that allows me to put an X in the settings boxes for "enable forcefeedback". In all my other versions this line won't lighten up and allow me to tick it. Even when I do a fresh install of CFS2 I have the same problem.

Suggestions for a solution very welcome.

Regards,

hertzie.

[bearcat241]

If you have your sims installed on the primary C: drive, Win7 and Win10 security may be blocking attempted changes made by the sim's programming in the session. You may have to enable FFB manually.

Open the CFS2.cfg files in the offending installs with a text editor. Scroll down to the [CONTROLS] section that looks like below:

[CONTROLS]
force_master_gain=10000
force_stick_force_enabled=1
force_stick_shaker_enabled=1
force_gear_bump_enabled=1
force_crash_enabled=1
force_ground_bumps_enabled=1
force_machinegun_enabled=1
force_bulletdamage_enabled=1
force_rocket_enabled=1
force_bomb_enabled=1
force_flak_enabled=1
PAN_RATE=999
force_master_enabled=1

All of the lines that have "enabled" should be '1', which indicates "yes".

First, copy the CFS2.cfg file to your desktop to make the edits and save the file there. Then move it back to the original CFS2 folder and overwrite the original.

If you get blocked from pasting you'll have to give yourself admin rights to the entire CFS2 folder by right-clicking the folder and scrolling down to Properties > Security and look for your computer username to designate yourself as owner with full rights.

This is important when working with security protocols in Win7 and Win10 which a sensitive to program writes on the primary drive. Its why it would be best to move your sims off the C: drive and re-install them on a separate partition or secondary drive.

[hertzie]

Thanks Bearcat, I'll let you know if this works

hertzie

[hertzie]

Hi Bearcat,

I did what you said, result is none.

Any more ideas welcome!

hertzie.

[bearcat241]

Ok...which parts did you do? The first thing I suggested was the text editing on the desktop and replacing the original cfg files. The alternative was moving your sims to a separate drive or a separate partition created on your single hard drive, which takes time and effort. But its still the simplest workaround against restrictive security controls. All of my sims and games are kept on a separate partition on my primary hard drive to keep real time program writes unrestricted.

[hertzie]

I have an old MSi gaming laptop with Windows XP. ALL my CFS2's on THAT PC have working FF. I installed the software of my FF-joystick, a Logitech Wingman 3D, on all my other computers and it was recognised. I can use the settings and calibrate it. Then I made an exact copy of one of my CFS2's on the MSi on an external HD, tested if that copy had working FF on that MSi, which it did and then connected it with some of my other PC's . On all of the PC's the joystick works ok, but the FF won't work. When calibrating the joystick I can x the opportunity for FF, but that doesn't do anything.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your interest in helping me !!!!

Regards,

hertzie.

[UncleTgt]

Hertzie,

Given you only see the setting active on your XP machine, it suggests Force Feedback was dropped by MS when they transitioned to WIN 7 etc...

Maybe the newer Operating Systems only recognises your joystick as an ordinary joystick?

[UncleTgt]

I followed a Google link & found this on a Rise of Flight forum...

"Is a thing of luck and settings. Sometimes work sometimes not. I have utilised this one with FS2004 and FSX three months; then a day was not more detected by Windows 7.
Actually by Microsoft is listed as NOT COMPATIBLE:

http://www.microsoft...llers&os=64-bit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.microsoft.../windows/compat … &os=64-bit

That I have finded in a specialised forum:

Despite Microsoft's own misleading claims on their website, the MS SideWinder 2, Precison Pro and Force Feedback controllers are NOT compatable with Windows 7 (32/64 bit).

For while the stick will work "as is" and "out of the box" when plugged into any USB port (as it will in any Win OS)……

- Win7 refuses to recogonize the stick in the Device Mananger.

- As there are no drivers for the SideWinder you cannot force an "update to install" a SideWinder from within the Device Manager.

- Likewise you cannot force an istall of a SideWinder through the use of the Add Hardware utility/feature.

- The SideWinder software (versions 3-4) itself will install in Win7, but the installation setup will always fails at the testing portion, asking you to then exit or continue.

- The Sidewinder System Tray icon will show in the taskbar and the SW Control Panel will actually open and run. The SideWinder will even be correctly listed in the Control Panel, but as soon as you click on Properties to modify the stick settings or create/test an existing/new profile, the listing of the SideWinder in the Control Panel will disapear.

- The SideWinder calibration software (from earlier versions of the software) will install and run, but without being able to modify and customize the stick is otherwise useless.

- The SideWinder settings may be able to be modified/customized from within and while in/running certain games, but the success rate of the settings working and being saved is near Zero.

- Neither the use of compatability mode or installing/running as an adminstrator will correct the problems.

- Nor will the installation of a ready made/saved stick profile into the SW folder.

Conclusion:

Buy a new stick for Win7 after first checking with others that it will actually work and can be customized in Win7 (and is not simply listed as being compatabile the way the SideWinder is)."

[hertzie]

Hi Bearcat & Uncle,

Thanks for all your efforts and information. I'm not out of joysticks, it's just that I wanted to play CFS2 with ForceFeedback, if possible on my Win7 desktop. So that's why I bought an old FF stick.

But fortunately I can use it on my old MSi gaming laptop, so it's not a waste of money. And I'll forget Win7 and WinX.

Again, thanks very much for help,

hertzie.

PS: any idea what would happen if I had a virtual WinXP installed on my Win7 of WinX desktop PC's ?