How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

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Sinbad
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Sinbad »

I've been using my Saitek Cyborg X joystick for almost a year and now it's gone faulty on the Z Rotation axis, that is the axis for twisting the joystick. Basically the response is stuck on one side and won't respond when I twist it either direction. The stick itself moves ok but there's no response. I can manage to get some response if I first hold the stick fully to the right... then twisting it in that position does work. But obviously I can't use it in any practical way like that. Up to now I had ship roll mapped to it so now my ship is permanently rolling to one side!

After checking Saitek's website I went through the recommended diagnostics... re-installing the drivers, downloading and running their reconfiguration programme, and testing it in Vista's controller window from Control Panel. But nothing has worked, so I think there must be a fault inside the stick.

On multiplayer a couple of helpful players said there were some joystick whizzes on the forum, so I'm just wondering if anyone knows of anyway to fix it by taking it apart?

Thanks in advance.:)

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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

Are you sure it is a Hardware issue and not software related..?
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Marvin »

Originally posted by Eclipse

Another possibility is that there is a break in one of the wires which will require a bit of soldering to fix.
:o Soldering ... do the wires lead to any electronic components (like a capacitor or transistor) that could burn out if solder is heated too long? (I do that a lot.)
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by MMaggio »

I would say, NO !
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Sinbad »

Thanks guys for your quick response!

I'm pretty sure the problem isn't software as I've run all the software-related tests suggested by the Saitek website.

I don't think I could send it back to Saitek as I don't have the purchase receipt or original packaging (next time I'll make sure I keep the receipt!). So I might try taking a look inside it although I'm not terribly well-equipped for that... I've never vacuumed the inside of a joystick before but that sounds less technical than soldering wires onto capacitors and transistors and wot-not!

:o

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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by MMaggio »

My experience with Saitek is quite good. I have sent thinks back for repair way past warranty. They have never actually fixed any controller, rather they just sent me a new one.
The only thing I ever paid for was one-way shipping to them.
But that was here in the USA. I understand Saitek is a British company anyway.
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Marvin »

:cool: But taking things apart is fun!
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

LOL...goodluck with your adventure for a fix......;)
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

You see what happens when you get to 40,000 + kills, you wear out your pinky, cms, and trigger buttons....on your X52.....LOL.....:P:P:P:P:P
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by BraveHart »

Originally posted by Eclipse
Originally posted by Maarschalk
You see what happens when you get to 40,000 + kills, you wear out your pinky, cms, and trigger buttons....on your X52.....LOL.....:P:P:P:P:P
The pinkie switch has been non-functional since I got it, otherwise no one would have had a chance. :P
"ROFLMAO" :D

[Edited on 4-24-2010 by BraveHart]
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

LOL....I....was very lucky then to get you at least a couple of times.....LOL...:P:P:P:P:P
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Sinbad »

WOOPEEE!

I fixed it! :P:P:P

I opened it up underneath and immediatley saw a tiny red wire severed where it connects to the solder. I don't have any soldering equipment so I just used my finger nails to strip back a bit of the plastic sheath and wrap the exposed metal fibres around the solder, and voila!

I'm dead chuffed with myself as I've never fiddled around with stuff like that before! Thanks guys for the tips! :D

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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by 49rTbird »

Originally posted by MCCON
WOOPEEE!

I fixed it! :P:P:P

I opened it up underneath and immediatley saw a tiny red wire severed where it connects to the solder. I don't have any soldering equipment so I just used my finger nails to strip back a bit of the plastic sheath and wrap the exposed metal fibres around the solder, and voila!

I'm dead chuffed with myself as I've never fiddled around with stuff like that before! Thanks guys for the tips! :D
Thats great news. Way to go.:)
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

Glad you got it fixed, you could use conductive superglue if there is such a thing...LOL..:P
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Marvin »

:cool: Secure it with a small piece of chewing gum.
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

Originally posted by Eclipse
There is such a thing as conductive glue, handy for electrical repairs.
LOL...good to know...:P
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Sinbad »

Yeah, good tips thanks.

I like the idea of using chewing gum as a replacement for conductive glue! I wonder if that works the other way round too? Might be a bit difficult too clean your teeth afterwards tho.:D

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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

Originally posted by MCCON
Yeah, good tips thanks.

I like the idea of using chewing gum as a replacement for conductive glue! I wonder if that works the other way round too? Might be a bit difficult too clean your teeth afterwards tho.:D
Might work the other way around but make sure you are not brushing with a faulty electric tooth brush.....:P:P:P:P:P
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Marvin »

:o Tried it. Made my upper teeth stick to my lower teeth. But, on the bright side, I can now listen to an MP3 player without using earplugs.
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How to fix a faulty Cyborg X joystick?

Post by Maarschalk »

Originally posted by Marvin
:o Tried it. Made my upper teeth stick to my lower teeth. But, on the bright side, I can now listen to an MP3 player without using earplugs.
ROFL.......:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P...Hahahahaha, Oooooh my poor ribs......:cool:
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