Windows 95/98 Controller Troubleshooting

This document is intended to help you install and troubleshoot your joystick or other controller in Windows. You should always check out the FAQ document for the game you're having trouble with to see if a more specific solution exists for your hardware.

Before you can use any controller with any of our games, you'll need to have it installed and correctly configured in the Windows 95 joystick control panel. To get there:

  1. Click the Windows 95 Start button
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Control Panel
  4. When the window appears, double click the Joysticks icon

You should now see a list of any installed controllers on your system.

"I don't see any controllers in the list."

    1. Click the Add button
    2. Choose your controller from the list provided.
    3. If your controller is not listed, click the Add Other button. You'll be presented with a list of controller manufacturers and any hardware that they make that Windows will recognize.
    4. If your controller still isn't listed, select Have Disk, and insert the installation CD or diskette that was provided with your controller.

    Once the controller is installed correctly, it should appear in the status window.

"My controller is listed but reports 'Not connected' in the status window."

    The most likely cause of this problem is a bad connection. Check the cables that go between the controller and your game port on the back of your computer.

    If the connection seems ok, you may have selected the wrong controller when you installed it. Remove it from the list of installed devices by clicking on it once, then clicking the Remove button. You can then re-install using the installation software that shipped with it, if any.

    If this doesn't work, then there may be a problem with the controller itself. Contact your controller manufacturer for assistance.

"The controller is listed and reports OK. What's next?"

    You should now test and calibrate your controller before using it in the game.

    1. Click on the controller you want to calibrate
    2. Click on Properties
    3. Click the Test tab
    4. Follow the on-screen instructions to see if your controller is functioning properly.

      If the controller seems erratic, you'll need to calibrate it like this:

    5. Click the OK button to return to the joystick properties window
    6. Click on the Calibrate button
    7. Follow the on screen instructions for calibrating your joystick
    8. When done, click OK
    9. Follow steps 1-4 again to make sure everything works

    You can now exit the control panel and try playing the game again.

"The controller tests fine and is calibrated correctly but still won't work in the game!"

If you have already followed any available troubleshooting tips for your controller from the game's manual or FAQ document, You may need to update your controller's driver software. Detailed instructions on how to find updated drivers are available in our How to update your drivers FAQ.