How do I get a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick to work on Windows 8?

Question

When I plug it in, Windows 8 doesn't recognize the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick as being plugged in at all and it doesn't work. How do I fix it?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 24 '12 at 21:13

6

I ended up shutting off the computer (actually, just sleeping it, but you could try shutting it off). With the computer off I plugged in the joystick, started it up, and Windows 8 found the joystick, installed the correct drivers, and I was good to go.

Screenshot of the joystick recognized in Windows 8:

edited Dec 24 '12 at 21:13

Karan

57,289

answered Dec 24 '12 at 20:23

Jamon Holmgren

203

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

1

The accepted answer also works for Windows 7 with Sidewinder joysticks. If Windows sees the device but doesn't recognize it as a game controller, go into the Control Panel and uninstall the driver or the device. Then connect the joystick, restart Windows, and it should work.

edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

Community

1

answered May 04 '13 at 12:49

Gavin

11

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 25 '15 at 07:03

0

If it doesn't work, please try an USB port that's directly on the mainboard. The joystick draws quite some power and secondary connected 'front' ports or ports on a hub do not always work.

answered May 25 '15 at 07:03

XenixUser

1

How do I get a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick to work on Windows 8?

3 Answers3