Computer/Game Controller question

Factual Questions
1

OK, I bought a cool game controller (NYKO air-flo EX) “as-is”, but when I get it home it turns out that it is only compatible with Windows 2000 or XP. I’m on Win98 (no jokes please).

So, is there a way around this, or am I SOL?

(I tried using the Windows hardware installation wizard, but that ran in to a dead end)

This particular controller plugs in to the USB port, if that helps any. So…can I get any use out of this thing, or do I now own a $5 paper weight?

in case you haven’t guessed, this new-fangled computer stuff is not my bag, so simplistic answers please

2

You may be stuck. Do the basic functions of the controller work?.. I would guess the only thing you might need the software for is custom button assignment. If that is the case, most games will support that in-game (you don’t need the driver software for the controller). I’ve also seen third-party button mappers on shareware.com that could work.

You may want to try to see if you can find a Win98 driver for another Nyko controller - it just may work if they both are designed to use the same APIs.

3

Have you tried telling Windows it’s one of the standard controllers? “4 button joystick” etc. Worth a try - experiment with each of the options.

4

You’re probably SOL…BTW…what games are you playing if you’re running 98? The games I’ve purchased for the last 3 years pretty much all require XP.

5

Thanks all, I’ll try your suggestions tonight.

Jman - I was hoping to use it on Front Page Sports’ Football Pro ‘97. It can be controlled via keyboard, but I was hoping that a controller would help Barry Sanders’ quest for a 3000 yard season.

joemama24_98 - What’s API?

Thanks again.

6

API = Application Programming Interface. If Nyko makes an older “Win98 era” controller and they use a similar API framework in their newer controllers, the older drivers may work for the newer controllers.

7

I think that might have worked if it wasn’t a USB control pad. Windows 98 will require a USB driver for it, or it will not function (upgrade to XP! :slight_smile: )

8

Alternatively you can get a pad that plugs into your sound card’s joystick port (if it has one).

9

I believe Windows 98 (and 95, with OSR2) both support USB natively.

SleepyDuck - does the controller work at all? I’d be surprised if you could not have Windows use its basic functions as DarrenS suggested.