# Computer/Game Controller question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847 "2005-09-22T06:18:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/1 "2005-09-22T06:18:44Z")
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_ ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/2 "2005-09-22T15:16:38Z")
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](http://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. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/3 "2005-09-22T16:16:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/4 "2005-09-22T17:26:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/5 "2005-09-23T00:35:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/6 "2005-09-23T13:59:00Z")
> [@SleepyDuck](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/7 "2005-09-23T15:27:54Z")
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! 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/8 "2005-09-23T15:29:30Z")
Alternatively you can get a pad that plugs into your sound card’s joystick port (if it has one). ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-game-controller-question/322847/9 "2005-09-23T16:35:22Z")
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.