SideWinder: Cannot View Game Controller Properties (266309)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Dual Strike
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel USB
  • Microsoft SideWinder FreeStyle Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad
  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Plug and Play game pad USB
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
This article was previously published under Q266309

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to view the properties of a Microsoft SideWinder game controller in the Game Controllers tool in Control Panel, the Properties button may be unavailable.

As a result, you cannot test the SideWinder game controller.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if DirectInput files on your computer are missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, download and install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX:
  1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp

  2. Click the appropriate DirectX 8.0a Runtime (English) link to download DirectX 8.0a.
  3. Under Download Now, click the DX80eng.exe - 11,478 Kb link.
  4. In the File Download dialog box, click Save this program to disk, and then click OK.
  5. In the Save in box, click Desktop, and then click Save.
  6. On the desktop, double-click the DX80eng.exe file, and then follow the instructions on the screen to install DirectX 8.0a.
For additional information about how to install the latest version of DirectX, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179113 How to Download and Install DirectX

MORE INFORMATION

This issue occurs only on Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition-based computers.

To confirm that DirectInput files on the computer may be missing or damaged, use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then click OK.
  3. Click the Input tab.
  4. In the Notes section, look for a message regarding the status of connected game controllers. If any devices are listed in this section or if there is a reference to corrupted DirectX files, then DirectInput files on the computer may be missing or damaged.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/18/2005
Keywords:kbenv kbHardware kbprb KB266309
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.