If it is like the Sidewinder 3D Pro there is a switch on the bottom. One position works for Win9x and the other works in NT. Have a document somewhere that explains it but cannot find ATM.
It internally switches the "mode" the stick works in from Digital to Analog. Do not switch it while powered (have computer off or disconnect from game port when switching).
That is all I remember and Here is pics of one of mine where I labeled it decade ago 🤣...

Windows NT 4.0 with SP3 or later supports most analog game controllers. However, it does not support digital game controllers.
Take note that the Sidewinder 3D Pro Plus (also known as the Sidewinder Precision Pro - Part No. 97462) is not the same controller as the standard Sidewinder 3D Pro. It's a digital only joystick and has no analog support.

The switch at the bottom of the Sidewinder 3D Pro is to either select CH Flightstick Pro or a Thrustmaster FCS analog mode in environments where the digital mode would not work.
Found a link with a nice summary of the Sidewinder joysticks that are supported under the various Windows operating systems: https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/kb/315/Q315926/

jesolo wrote on 2021-08-28, 19:22:

Windows NT 4.0 with SP3 or later supports most analog game controllers. However, it does not support digital game controllers.
Take note that the Sidewinder 3D Pro Plus (also known as the Sidewinder Precision Pro) is not the same controller as the standard Sidewinder 3D Pro. It's a digital only joystick and has no analog support.

The switch at the bottom of the Sidewinder 3D Pro is to either select CH Flightstick Pro or a Thrustmaster FCS analog mode in environments where the digital mode would not work.

Thanks ! I did not know the 3D Pro Plus was same as Precision Pro.
Yes I found my 3D Pro manual and it switches to Thrustmaster Analog mode which does work under NT but with limited buttons and no throttle.
Did a (poor) scan and created a PDF of the manual, uploaded here: http://www.vogonsdrivers.com/getfile.php?file … 840&menustate=0

So my 3D Pro Plus is out then. How about the Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, is that analog or digital?

Well in 1999 MS says only works under Win95 and Win98 and has a built in Processor so my guess is it is digital.
http://web.archive.org/web/19990429041120/htt … ack/default.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/19990429050906/htt … k/technical.htm

p6889k wrote on 2021-08-28, 19:45:

So my 3D Pro Plus is out then. How about the Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro, is that analog or digital?

The only Sidewinder controllers that have an analog mode is the Microsoft Sidewinder Standard & the Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro.
All Sidewinder controllers released after that were digital only (and would therefore also not work under DOS, including those that were still released with a game port connector).

What a bummer, was really hoping to use them for gaming on NT4. I guess I'll have to use Win95 instead or use my other less sophisticated analog joysticks. I was surprised how many Glide games I managed to install on NT4 so was hoping I could do quiet a bit of gaming on it.

Thank you everyone though for your help.

Just found another problem. This time using Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro in Win95. Force Feedback doesn't work when you use Midi split cable where one cable goes to the Sidewinder and the other to Midi device. I think the way around it would be to install MPU-401, use that for external Midi only and then use the gameport on the soundcard (AWE32) only for the SideWinder. I used to have it setup this way on a different machine for other reasons, but never realized Force Feedback uses Midi communication for itself. Found this article that talks about it:https://www.betaarchive.com/wiki/index.php/Mi … _Archive/175021. Also found this interesting article about game compatibilities: https://www.betaarchive.com/wiki/index.php/Mi … _Archive/173606

It also seems that Microsoft offered serial adapter for computers without MIDI capable gameport, I have never seen such a device. Have you?

Some of the Precision Pro's came with a Game Port to USB adapter. Picture taken off Ebaay...

Horun wrote on 2021-08-29, 18:32:

Some of the Precision Pro's came with a Game Port to USB adapter. Picture taken off Ebaay...

I'm familiar with the USB adapter, actually have one, but it doesn't work with Force Feedback, also doesn't work with Sidewinder 3D Pro Plus. I was wondering about a serial adapter that MS references in this document https://www.betaarchive.com/wiki/index.php/Mi … _Archive/175021

quoting here: "The SideWinder Force Feedback Pro uses MIDI to transmit force feedback effects. If the MIDI features of the sound card are not functioning properly then the force feedback effects will not be felt. Microsoft has created a serial adapter that uses a serial port to communicate the force feedback effects signal. If the steps outlined in the RESOLUTION section of this article do not resolve this problem, you may need a serial adapter."

Hmmm must be some modification of : https://www.compuphase.com/electronics/midi_rs232.htm but using the Midi in/out from the 15 pin like in this https://allpinouts.org/img/midi.gif. There has to be a serial port driver that intercepts the Midi port address from the Game and transfers it to the serial port. just a guess, only looked into it for a few minutes....

I have a Pro Plus and it's my least favorite Sidewinder because it won't work in DOS.

Windows 98/Me are OK. Never tried it on NT.

ETA: It also does not work in modern Windows via the usual USB/Game port adaptors.