Sidewinder: "Gameport Occupied" Error Message When You Install Sidewinder Device (322605)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SideWinder game pad
  • Microsoft SideWinder Precision Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder FreeStyle Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro
  • Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel
This article was previously published under Q322605

SYMPTOMS

When you try to test the Sidewinder products that are listed at the beginning of this article by using the Game Controllers tool in Control Panel, you may receive an error message similar to one of the following:
Gameport Occupied. The controller MS Sidewinder device currently resides on port Creative SBLive! Gameport. Please remove it or assign the device to another port.
-or-
Gameport Occupied. The controller MS Sidewinder device currently resides on Standard Game Port. Please remove it or assign the device to another port.

CAUSE

This issue may occur when the Sidewinder Auto Detect function does not detect the Sidewinder device correctly.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, allow Microsoft Windows to detect the device, update the driver, and then test the functionality of the device. To do this, follow these steps.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

Allow Windows to Detect the Device

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, double-click Game Controllers.
  3. In the Game Controllers dialog box, click Add.
  4. In the Add Controller dialog box, click Microsoft Sidewinder (Auto Detect), and then click OK.

    Windows automatically detects the device.
  5. Close each of the Game Controllers dialog boxes.

Update the Device Driver

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, double-click System.
  3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
  4. Expand Sound, Video and Game Controllers.
  5. Right-click Microsoft Sidewinder (Auto Detect), and then click Properties.
  6. Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
  7. In the Hardware Update Wizard dialog box, click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and then click Next.
  8. Click Don't Search. I will choose the driver to install, and then click Next.
  9. Click to clear the Show compatible hardware check box.
  10. In the list of manufacturers, click Microsoft.
  11. In the list of models, click Microsoft Sidewinder game pad, and then click Next.
  12. Click Finish to complete the installation.
  13. Close each of the System Properties dialog boxes.

Check Device Status

  1. In Control Panel, double-click Game Controllers.

    The Microsoft Sidewinder game pad is listed with a Status of OK.
  2. Click Microsoft Sidewinder, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Test tab.
  4. Test the functionality of the controller, and then click OK.
  5. Quit Control Panel.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB322605
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