Readme File for Microsoft SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel

This document provides late-breaking or other information that supplements the Microsoft SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide. To learn more about SideWinder game controllers, visit the SideWinder Web site. To learn more about other Microsoft hardware products, visit the Microsoft Hardware Web site.

Compatibility Information

• Minimum system requirements
• Version compatibility information
• Compatible operating systems

SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0

• What's new in version 4.0?
• Extra button symbols on the Macro Recorder tab
• Key Combinations that the Game Action Recorder doesn't record
• Installing version 1.5 of the SideWinder software over version 4.0
• In version 2.0, an additional SideWinder game pad appears on the Test tab when the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel is connected
• Accessing the Online User's Guide

Game Play and Game Compatibility Information

• General troubleshooting notes
• Game compatibility
• Playing MS-DOS based games with a USB game controller

USB Connection Information

• Connecting multiple SideWinder USB game controllers to a USB hub

Regulatory Information

• United States radio and TV interference regulations
• Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations

Compatibility Information

Minimum system requirements

To use your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel with the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0, make sure that your system meets or exceeds the following minimum system requirements:

• Multimedia personal computer with Pentium 166 or higher processor and USB port
• Microsoft Windows 98 operating system
• 16 MB of RAM
• 10 MB of available hard disk space
• Quad-speed CD-ROM drive
• Super VGA, 256-color monitor
• Microsoft Windows compatible mouse or pointing device

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Version compatibility information

SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 is designed specifically for SideWinder USB-only game controllers. At this time, SideWinder Game Controller Software 3.02 or earlier is required for SideWinder game controllers that use a game port connector or a game-port-to-USB connector to connect to the computer.

If you want to use or customize your SideWinder game port controllers, do not remove the earlier version of the SideWinder software. Version 4.0 will be installed alongside the earlier version without deleting or overwriting any files. Each version will run with compatible devices.

The table below lists game controllers that are compatible with each version of the SideWinder software as of the date that this product was released. Check the SideWinder Web site for updates to this information.

Version 4.0	Version 3.02 or earlier
SideWinder Dual Strike* SideWinder Game Pad Pro* SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel*	SideWinder 3D Pro SideWinder game pad 1.0 SideWinder Precision Pro SideWinder Force Feedback Pro SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel SideWinder Freestyle Pro

* The device drivers required to operate each of these controllers are included on the particular compact disc that came with that game controller. If you have more than one of these game controllers, you will need to run each controller's Setup program to get full functionality.

Notes

• Your profiles from SideWinder software versions 3.02 and earlier will continue to be kept in the Profiles folder on your computer. Schemes for the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 will be added to the Schemes folder on your computer.
• If you have a profile that you created in version 2.0 or 3.0 of the SideWinder software and you want to use it with SideWinder software version 4.0, you can convert the profile to a scheme. See the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide for more information about converting profiles to schemes.

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Compatible operating systems

SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 was designed to run on Windows 98. It is not compatible with earlier Windows-based operating systems.

At the time this software was released, the Windows 2000 operating system was not yet available. You can install and run SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 on a computer that is running Windows 2000, but all features may not function as expected and the SideWinder software may not function properly. To install the SideWinder software on Windows 2000, you must log on as an administrator.

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SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0

This section outlines the major differences between version 4.0 and versions 3.02 and earlier of the SideWinder software.

• Schemes instead of profiles: Version 4.0 saves your game controller settings as schemes instead of profiles. You can use version 4.0 to convert your profiles to schemes, although you cannot convert a scheme back to a profile.
• Profile Activator and Editor functionality in Control Panel: In version 4.0, the SideWinder Profiler Activator and Profile Editor components have been combined and incorporated into the Game Controllers application in the Windows 98 operating system Control Panel. Now, you can create and manage schemes, adjust device settings, and test your device's buttons all from within the Control Panel.
• Scheme-specific game settings: In the SideWinder Game Controller Software version 3.02 and earlier, the settings that you specified on the Settings tab of Control Panel: Game Controllers were global: they applied to any active profile for a particular controller. In version 4.0, these settings are specific to a particular scheme. The settings you select for your game controller are stored in your scheme.
• Macro playback features: New features in version 4.0 include the ability to print schemes and to select advanced playback options for recorded macros.
• Contents of compact disc: The version 4.0 compact disc that came with your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel includes only the drivers and predefined schemes for the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel. To use another type of SideWinder USB-only game controller, you need to install the software that came in the box with that controller.
• Permanent scheme deletion: In version 4.0, deleting a scheme removes it permanently from your hard disk. You can always reinstall the predefined schemes that are included with the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 by re-running the Setup program on the version 4.0 compact disc and choosing to install schemes only.

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Extra button symbols on the Macro Recorder tab

When you record a macro consisting of two or more keys or buttons pressed simultaneously, the Game Action Recorder may insert extra keys or button presses into the macro. This occurs because the Game Action Recorder is extremely sensitive to steering wheel and keyboard input. For example, A+B might get recorded as A A+B B; AA+B; or A+BB. If this occurs, select the extraneous keystroke or button press, right-click, and then click Cut.

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Key Combinations that the Game Action Recorder doesn't record

It is not possible to record the following keystroke combinations on the Keystrokes or Macros tab of the Game Action Recorder:

• CTRL+ALT+DELETE
• ALT+TAB

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Installing version 1.5 of the SideWinder software over version 4.0

If you install SideWinder Game Device Software version 1.5 on your computer after version 4.0 has already been installed, your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel will no longer appear in the Game Controllers list in the Control Panel. To fix this problem, disconnect the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel from the USB port, and then reconnect it.

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In version 2.0 of the SideWinder software, an additional SideWinder game pad appears on the Test tab when the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel is connected

If you are using version 2.0 of the SideWinder Game Controller software with a SideWinder game pad and you also have version 4.0 of the SideWinder software installed for your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel, the Test tab in Control Panel: Game Controllers for the SideWinder game pad will display two game pads when both the SideWinder game pad and the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel are connected. The buttons on the second game pad (Game Pad 2) will not respond when you press buttons on either the SideWinder game pad or the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel.

This happens because the Test tab in version 2.0 is able to test up to four SideWinder game pads that are connected together. It recognizes the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel as a game pad and displays a second device even though the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel is not compatible with version 2.0 of the software. You cannot test the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel on the Test tab for the SideWinder game pad. You can use this page to test the buttons on your SideWinder game pad, however only Game Pad 1 in the picture will respond when you press the SideWinder game pad's buttons.

To test the buttons on your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel, select it from the list of devices in Control Panel: Game Controllers, click Properties, and then click the Test tab.

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Accessing the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide

To access the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide, you can:

• Right-click on a control on any tab in the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0, and then select User's Guide from the menu.
• Double-click the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 icon on the Windows taskbar, and then select Online User's Guide.

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Game Play and Game Compatibility Issues

You may experience problems in some games while using the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel. If this occurs, try the following troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the problem. For more help, see the "Troubleshooting" section of the Online User's Guide.

• Try switching to the other pedal mode. Games that allow menu selection by means of a joystick may behave erratically.
• Make sure that the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel is connected securely to a USB port on your computer, monitor, keyboard, or USB hub.
• Make sure that the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 is installed. If this software is not installed, you won't be able to use the SideWinder software to program game actions for steering wheel buttons.
• Use the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 to test the buttons on your steering wheel to see if they're working correctly. If the buttons work correctly on the Test tab, but not in your game, you may need to select the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel in your game's Options or Configuration menu. Many games automatically detect which game controller is connected; however, in some cases, you may have to manually set the controller type to "steering wheel," "joystick," or, if the option is available, "SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel."
• Check your game's manual to find out if your game uses all of the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel buttons. If not, you can use the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0 to assign game actions (keystrokes and macros) to the wheel controls that are unused in your game.
• Make sure your SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel is assigned as Controller 1 on the Advanced tab in Control Panel: Game Controllers.
• Make sure that Windows 98 is configured correctly for your USB port. (See the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide for directions on how to do this.)
• Make sure your computer system meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel and the SideWinder Game Controller Software 4.0. Click here to jump to the "Minimum system requirements" section of this document.

For more information about any of the above procedures, please refer to the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide. Click here to jump to the "Accessing the Online User's Guide" section of this document.

If the troubleshooting tips included here and in the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel Online User's Guide don't resolve your problem, your game might not be compatible with the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel. You can also try:

• Consulting your game's manual and readme file to see if either of these sources contains information about configuring the SideWinder Precision Racing Wheel for the game.
• Checking the game publisher's Web site to see if a software update is available.

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Game compatibility

Because USB is a relatively new technology, some games do not yet work with USB game controllers, or the game may not work as expected. (For example, game response may be slower than normal when playing with a USB game controller.) You may want to check the game publisher's Web site to see if a software update is available.

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Playing MS-DOS based games

SideWinder USB game controllers may function with MS-DOS games played under Windows 98. Keep in mind the following points:

• If no game port controllers are set up in Control Panel: Game Controllers, the first USB game controller connected and recognized by Windows 98 will be the only game controller recognized by an MS-DOS game launched in Windows 98. As long as that game controller is attached to the USB bus, it will be the controller used by MS-DOS games, even if you remove it from Control Panel: Game Controllers. If you have multiple SideWinder USB game controllers attached, unplugging the first USB game controller will shift the MS-DOS controller emulation to the USB game controller with the next highest ID listed in Control Panel: Game Controllers.
• If you have an MS-DOS-compatible game port controller set up in Control Panel: Game Controllers, no USB game controller will be visible to an MS-DOS game until you remove the game port controller(s) from Control Panel: Game Controllers, unplug all USB game controllers, then re-connect the USB game controller you wish to use in the MS-DOS game. The reverse is also true: if you want to use a game port controller in MS-DOS games when USB game controllers have been the only game controllers listed in the Control Panel, you must unplug all USB game controllers, add your game port game controller in Control Panel: Game Controllers, and then re-connect the USB game controllers if needed.
• If you're using a USB game controller for MS-DOS games, but you set up a game port game controller on a lower ID in Control Panel: Game Controllers, the USB game controller will continue to function as the MS-DOS controller until you restart Windows 98. When you restart, the game port controller will become the MS-DOS game controller.

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USB Connection Issues

If you have a USB hub and you connect, disconnect, and then reconnect two or more SideWinder USB game controllers to the hub in succession, Control Panel: Game Controllers may not update correctly and you may receive a "Game Controller Not Connected" message for a game controller that is connected to the hub.

To fix this problem, close Control Panel: Game Controllers and then re-open it to update the game controller's status in the Control Panel.

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Regulatory Information

United States radio and TV interference regulations

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

The Microsoft hardware device(s) that accompanies this software can radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. If not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions given in the printed documentation, the device may cause harmful interference with radio and TV reception. Any cable that is connected to the device must be a shielded cable that is properly grounded.

Your Microsoft hardware device has been tested, and it complies with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful RF interference in a residential installation. There is, however, no guarantee that RF interference will not occur in a particular installation.

To determine if your hardware device is causing interference to other radio-communication devices, disconnect the device from your computer. If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the device. If the interference continues after you disconnect the hardware device, turn the computer off and then on again. If the interference stopped when the computer was off, check to see if one of the input/output (I/O) devices or one of the computer's internal accessory boards is causing the problem. Disconnect the I/O devices one at a time and see if the interference stops.

If this hardware device does cause interference, try the following measures to correct it:

• Relocate the radio or TV antenna until the interference stops.
• Move the hardware device farther away from the radio or TV, or move it to one side or the other of the radio or TV.
• Plug the computer into a different power outlet so that the hardware device and radio or TV are on different circuits controlled by different circuit breakers or fuses.
• If necessary, ask your computer dealer or an experienced radio-TV technician for more suggestions. You may find helpful information in the booklet “The Interference Handbook” (1995), published by the FCC. The booklet is available from the Compliance and Information Bureau of the FCC (1-888-CALL FCC) and on their Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/cib/.

Note

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Microsoft could void the user's authority to operate this device.

Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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