Strategic Commander: Buttons Do Not Light in Setup Test Window (268943)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander
This article was previously published under Q268943

SYMPTOMS

When you install the Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander game controller software, the buttons on the control pad may not appear to light in the Test window when you test the game controller during Setup.

In addition, you may receive one of the following error messages:
  • Setup was unable to detect whether the controller is connected.
  • The system cannot detect your SideWinder Strategic Commander.
NOTE: These symptoms can occur even if the Strategic Commander is listed in Device Manager under the Sound, Video and game controllers branch.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you connect the Strategic Commander game controller to your computer before you install the Microsoft SideWinder game controller software.

Device Manager detects the game controller as soon as you connect it to the computer and attempts to install the needed drivers, but all of the drivers may not be successfully installed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, uninstall the SideWinder Strategic Commander software, disconnect the Strategic Commander game controller, and then reinstall the software. Do not reconnect the Strategic Commander game controller to the computer until you are prompted to do so by Setup.

To uninstall the SideWinder Strategic Commander software:
  1. Click Start point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click SideWinder Strategic Commander, and then click Add/Remove.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Click Remove All when you are prompted to do so.
  5. Close all open windows on the desktop.
After you uninstall the SideWinder Strategic Commander software, disconnect the Strategic Commander game controller from the computer and reinstall the SideWinder Strategic Commander software. Wait for Setup to prompt you to reconnect the Strategic Commander game controller during the "Connection and Test" phase of Setup.

The buttons on the control pad should now light in the Test window when you test the game controller during Setup.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/9/2002
Keywords:kbHardware kbprb kbsetup KB268943
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.