X45 Problems

[cacooke]

I just downloaded the Renegade Demo. I use a Saitek X45 controller. It works fine on other games and the calibration is correct, but when try to play/configure Renegade, it shows the correct controller but the left-right defaults to all right, up down defaults to all up. When I try to play it of course is completely out of control. I have set the dead zone all over - no change.

Any Ideas anyone? I would really like to check this game out cause they don't make many space flight sims anymore.

Thanks in advance

[Vice]

That sounds like either a mechanical problem with the controller itself (not likely since you say it works in other games) or a problem with profiling software (such as key/button input signals being received by the game from the axis channels rather than just the needed axis channel signals). To get started on testing it, make sure to disable any profiling software first, then map the controls the way you want them in the game using the game configuration options (use the 'Configure Controls' menu in the Options menu, then click on the option to configure joystick axis controls). Make sure you click on the option to save the configuration when you are done setting up the axis channels, it's the last step. Test the input in both the main axis menu and in the key/button menu to make sure a key/button signal is not being transmitted to the game when you move the axis controls.

[Edited on 8-3-2008 by Vice]

[BraveHart]

Welcome aboard cacooke Hope to see you in MP soon.


"Yoda Welcomes All New Pilots"

[MMaggio]

Sounds like he accidently assigned the "trim" knobs for pitch & yaw..?

[cacooke]

Thnx for the imput everyone.

It looks to me like a driver issue.

When using the latest Saitek drivers (Saitek_X45_Flight_Controller_SD6_32.exe) the x and y axis stay/default to full right and full up no matter what I do in the config (saitek calibration shows everything fine) so basically with no input on the stick you just stay in a spin. Throttle does the same thing.

I reverted back to an older Saitek driver version (SD_WinNT_2_8_0_1.exe) and everything seems to work fine EXCEPT the lower POV HAT - it doesn't recognize the lower pov as buttons, even in the key config.

I have done this twice so far just to confirm.

Does anyone know of a driver set somewhere in between/newer that will still work and fix the POV problem?

Thnx in advance

[MMaggio]

I suppose you've already done this, but I have to ask.
Have you tried D/Ling the latest drivers from Saitek?
I also use the Saitek X45 on both my Win98 & XP, but I have never encountered the problem as you described and both the 98 & XP recognise the lower HAT switch.
I would suggest deleting the installation and installing again. Barring that, have you verified that all commands work in the test mode?
U2U, email or use ICQ to contact me if you need further help. I might be able to help.
Have fun...MM

[cacooke]

Thx MM,

As stated in my above post, I was using what I assume is the latest Saitek Driver X45 direct from Saitek themselves (Saitek_X45_Flight_Controller_SD6_32.exe).

I have uninstalled and reinstalled both the old and new drivers twice - only the 2.8.0.1 seems to work EXCEPT for the lower hat.

I am using Renegade in demo mode as I haven't been able to evaluate it fully with all these problems with flight control.

Do u mean to try unstalling the game and reinstalling or the Saitek drivers? If u mean drivers, again I have done both old and new twice...

Please advise.

[Vice]

MM is the resident Saitek 'Grand Master', he's very wise in the ways of their profiling software and configuring the devices for these games. Do take him up on his offer if you need any specific help in configuring your X45 as you want.

The lower POV generally returns rotational signals in degrees, not button signals. The game is designed to take advantage of that POV specifically for use as a HAT, which you can enable or disable in the options menu for view control, strafe thrusters, or panning view control. If you want to only use it for button input, then that would likely require using a profile for it. But it's much more useful for the other functions listed due to its location and number of direction controls. I wrote the game on a system with an X52, so it's built to accomodate what the Saitek controllers provide.

[MMaggio]

Ok, you still didn't tell me if all the controls, ie: the HAT switches worked in the test mode. For the lower HAT switch you should get at least 4 inputs, not necessarily all 8.
Forgive me if this seems like a waste of time but, if the controls don't work in test mode. they won't work in the game. If they work in test mode and not in the game, then there is a conflict in assignments.
If they don't all work in the test mode, then either the controller has a problem or the install disc is corruppted.
Excuse me for reminding you of the obvious, but make sure the disc is clean and not terribly scratched. [assuming your still using the disc.]
To keep this furom clear, may I suggest we try the U2U format.
I'm glad to help and I'm sure we can resolve this. Mike

[MMaggio]

Hi Vice, and thanks for the vote of confidence.
But I have to tell you, et al, that your mistaken in your post. You're right about the two hat switches, you just have it backwards.
On the X45, the upper hat switch is an input while the lower one is designated for P.O.V. or rotational.
In tne early X45's the bottom or lower hat switch only had 4 points since it was originally configured for P.O.V.
The later X45's all use the 8 way hat for both top & bottom and allow for extended programming for either switch.
In any event, the programming allows every & any input, wether rotational or not, to be used for any keystroke desired. So either or both "Hat" switches can be programmed to do whatever the player wants.
I hope this makes sense.
have fun...

[Vice]

Ah ok, I didn't know they had changed the design on the X45. I've always attributed the lower HAT as the rotational 'degree' input since it's that way on the X36 and the X52, but the X45 must have been different then for a time. I've generally used the upper HAT for button inputs to control shield arrays and the lower HAT for view control.

[MMaggio]

Hellooo Mr. Cacooke! We have a solution for your X45!
After a few exchanges via U2U, you last said that everything works except the lower hat.
That is the way it should be.
After a few exchanges with Vice, re: his in-game program, here is the explanation and solution;
Since the lower hat switch is for rotational movement only, it will not function as a key input. If you want to use it for POV, then you must click on that particular option from the options menu.
If you want to use the lower hat switch for anything else, then you will have to use the Saitek software, "Full Install", and write your own gaming profile. Only then it is possible to assign any input to any switch or axis.
I hope this answers your questions.
Have fun...MM