Problems With Axis Assignments

[KenR]

I just registered the latest version on my FSX machine. I'm also using Saitek Pro flight Yoke System and throttle quadrant. I just recently bought a new PC with Win 8.1. After installing FSX and SP 1 & 2  I copied over all my aircraft, AI aircraft, and scenery files from my XP machine. These file are rather large since I've been simming for many, many years. Until now I've been using the unregistered version of FSUIPC (thank you). But with a new PC I decided to do the right thing and register. So here's my problem. My Saitek throttle will not go into reverse thrust  on this PC. It worked fine on my XP machine but not on the new one. After reading the user guide I thought I could use the joystick calibration feature in FSUIPC to overcome this issue but it's not doing anything. When I go to the Axis Assignment tab nothing is being shown (all greyed out). No Saitek anything. I pressed Reload all Assignments and Rescan but nothing happened. So I guess until FSUIPC recognizes my stick it can't calibrate it. All I really want is to get my throttle to go into reverse thrust. I contacted Saitek tech support and they were no help. If you can help with this I'd appreciate it. Thanks.   

[Pete Dowson]

It sounds like a USB problem between Saitek and Windows 8. Seems Saitek and Windows 8 are rather incompatible, at least judging by all the problems folks seem to have with unrecognised devices and ones which simply stop working mid-flight, all with Saitek.

 

BTW I don't think there's any reverse zone as such on Saitek throttles, Most folks assign the button which is pressed when you pull the throttles back to "throttle decr" controls (like F2, but there are controls for each engine).  Calibrating a reverse zone doesn't work in any case for some aircraft, which is why FSUIPC provides a "no reverse zone" option.

 

Pete

[KenR]

FSX does recognize the Saitek yoke but not the throttle quadrant although when calibrating within FSX I can calibrate all axis and buttons on the quadrant. So if FSX recognizes it then doesn't win 8 also recognize it?

 

So if There's a compatibility issue between Saitek and Win 8, and therefore FSUIPC doesn't recognize the throttle quadrant (in the Axis Assignments page), can FSUIPC program my throttle to go into reverse thrust?  

[Pete Dowson]

FSX does recognize the Saitek yoke but not the throttle quadrant although when calibrating within FSX I can calibrate all axis and buttons on the quadrant.

 

Where do you calibrate in FSX? There is no calibration there! FSX relies solely on good calibration by the driver or by Windows' Game Controllers.

 

If you can assign in FSX then you certainly should be able to in FSUIPC as it uses exactly the same interface -- but it can only identify devices to which Windows assigns a joystick number in the range 0-15. Unless you actually have more than 16 joystick type devices attached it should certainly be so assigned. Maybe the Registry entries for your device are incorrect -- try uninstalling them and thir driver in Windows' device manager, then re-booting.

 

Also, you do NOT have to assign axes in FSUIPC in order to Calibrate in FSUIPC. The FSUIPC calibration is NOT axis calibration, but FSX control calibration. In other words it works on the control value inside FS, not on the input from the axis.

[KenR]

I verified that Win 8 recognizes the yoke (control panel/devices & printers) and I can actually go into its settings and properties and find that the throttle (axis Z) does move into reverse (button 21). On my PC I have a total of 10 devices and one joystick device. So far so good.

 

In game, I go to options/settings/controls/calibration tab - controller type pull down lists three items 1. Saitek Pro Flight Yoke, 2. Mouse yoke, 3. Mouse look.

 

I then click on calibrate/properties/settings/calibrate, and run through the game device calibration wizard. Going through this wizard is where the problem is because the wizard doesn't allow movement past the detent, thus no reverser. I know it worked on my XP machine but I repeat myself.

 

I understand your comments about not needing the Axis Assignment tab to calibrate the axis, but you didn't explain why that tab does not recognize my yoke. Shouldn't it?

 

So I'm back to relying on FSUIPC to remedy this situation. I tried to follow the instructions for calibrating the joystick as mentioned previously but with no success. So any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

[Pete Dowson]

I verified that Win 8 recognizes the yoke (control panel/devices & printers) and I can actually go into its settings and properties and find that the throttle (axis Z) does move into reverse (button 21). On my PC I have a total of 10 devices and one joystick device. So far so good.

 

In game, I go to options/settings/controls/calibration tab - controller type pull down lists three items 1. Saitek Pro Flight Yoke, 2. Mouse yoke, 3. Mouse look.

 

I then click on calibrate/properties/settings/calibrate, and run through the game device calibration wizard. Going through this wizard is where the problem is because the wizard doesn't allow movement past the detent, thus no reverser. I know it worked on my XP machine but I repeat myself.

 

Several points there. That "calibration" is not in FSX at all. FSX merely sends you to the Control Panel applet which does it for you. That calibration would apply to the input which FSUIPC would get in any case, it is done at driver level.

 

Second, the Saitek quadrant is surely not the Yoke?

 

Third, the Saitek quadrant has no range past what you call a "detent". When you pull back far enough.to the part at the front after the mini detent it operates a button, not any lower axis values. This is why everyone I know of uses the button programmed to "throttle decr" to engage reverse, as I keep telling you. If you really want a reverse range you'll have to give up part of the main lever movement.

 

I understand your comments about not needing the Axis Assignment tab to calibrate the axis, but you didn't explain why that tab does not recognize my yoke. Shouldn't it?

 

Yes, it would do if things were working correctly on your system. FSUIPC uses standard Windows DirectInput facilities for reading joystick axes and buttons and it has worked fine over all these last 10 and more years. There's no other way for me to implement it, and it works correctly for 99.99% users, at least. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to help you solve this problem which apparently is just one of the many problems folks have with Win8 and Saitek incompatibility.

 

So I'm back to relying on FSUIPC to remedy this situation. I tried to follow the instructions for calibrating the joystick as mentioned previously but with no success.

 

Well, I don't think you need to remedy anything, merely program reverse the way it is intended for Saitek Quadrants. 

 

Anyway, what do you actually mean by "no success"? Do you mean you assigned the throttles in FSX but don't then see them operating in FSUIPC's Joystick Calibration tab, on the throttles page? If that is what you do mean then you most certainly have a serious problem with SimConnect, because all that tab does is use SimConnect to intercept the actual assigned FS controls and allow you to calibrate the final values before sending them on to FS's simulation engine. If your SimConnect system is trashed you need to repair or reinstall FSX I'm afraid.

 

Pete

[KenR]

I'm happy to report that I have successfully programmed my throttle quadrant button 21 to engage the thrust reverser. I did this by selecting throttle decr from the pull down menu in the buttons tab. All is well now. Thanks for the help.