SideWinder FF2: "Unknown Problem" Error Message When You Try to Initialize Force Feedback (297428)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
This article was previously published under Q297428

SYMPTOMS

When you click the Forces tab in the Properties dialog box of your Microsoft SideWinder game controller, you may receive the following error message:
An unknown problem occurred while trying to initialize force feedback. For more information, please see the Readme File in the troubleshooting section of the Online User's Guide.
and you are unable to use force feedback with the game controller.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if you install a SideWinder Force Feedback 2 game controller on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer. A version conflict may occur with some of the Windows 2000 system files.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, reinstall Windows 2000 by using the Upgrade option. This will refresh the system files. To do this, follow these steps.

Note It is recommended that you perform a backup of important data before performing the following steps.
  1. Log on to Windows by using the Administrator account.
  2. Insert the Windows 2000 compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
    • If the Microsoft Windows 2000 CD window does not appear, double-click My Computer, and then double-click the drive letter of the drive that contains the Windows 2000 CD.
    • If the Windows 2000 system files are stored in another location, use Windows Explorer to navigate to that location, and then double-click Winnt32.exe.
  3. Click Install Windows 2000.
  4. In the Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard dialog box, click Upgrade to Windows 2000 (Recommended), and then click Next.
  5. Click I accept this agreement, and then click Next.
  6. Type your Product Key into the Product Key boxes, and then click Next.

    The Windows 2000 files are copied to the computer, the computer restarts, and then Windows 2000 Professional Setup upgrades the installation.
  7. Reinstall the Windows 2000 service pack if it was previously installed.
  8. Test the game controller:
    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
    2. In Control Panel, double-click Game Controllers.
    3. In the Game Controllers list, click the controller that you want, and then click Properties.
    4. Click the Forces tab.
    5. Test the force feedback settings of the game controller.

MORE INFORMATION

To obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/default.asp

To obtain the latest game controller software for Microsoft game controllers, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/Downloads.asp

REFERENCES

For additional information about Windows 2000 service packs, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

265381 Release Notes for Windows 2000 Service Pack 1

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB297428
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