FMS/USB/XP Help

[DSSlopeGuru]

I bought a used Toms cable and It doesnt seem to work, or I dont have it hooked up right. I plug it into the usb connector and it shows new hardware, but when I go to calibrate the sticks.....nothing happens. I have the regular charge plug for the radio/battery pack. Should I use the radio battery or plug it directly into the wall? I was curious if there was another program that will work with my USB sim cable, that I can d/l and try to calibrate the controler, and rule out that fact the cable might be bad? I have a brand spanking new upgraded Media PC set-up, so I think this must be something I am doing wrong on the setup. Thanks T.J.

[SMonkey]

In FMS select Control from top menu bar, then Analog Controller. Make sure correct input is selected......PIC controller/interface I believe?

[DSSlopeGuru]

Pic controller interface for a brand new OS that is hooked with plug through USB ? I am running windows XP, I thought that was the setting for a serial port? I am sure others have had a problem like this? LOL I thought this was going to be an easy fix. Is there a patch for the FMS for drivers or updated software for a newer USB system?
Thanks T,J,

[Malc C]

You shouldn't need a patch or driver when connecting any USB device that is configured as a HID, which most USB interface are. The fact that XP recognised the new hardware was connected means that the built in UART of the 16C745 PIC that forms the hart of the interface is working.

Most USB interfaces emualte a standard windows joystick, so in FMS you need to select that option from the list of interface types. Do not select PIC SERIAL as that is a totaly different protocol.

To check that there is no conflict, open up DEVICE MANAGER in windows and you should find the interface listed under HID DEVICES.

Lastly, unless TOMS USB controller emulates a dedicated protacol, it should be possible to use it with any item of software that accepts a joystick interface. If after all this testing you find that there is still no signals being recognised by FMS, go to CONTROL PANEL and select GAME CONTROLLERS and see if the interface is listed, and if so if you can calibrate it. If you can then the issue is with FMS and not the controler, and you night want to try un-installing and re-installing FMS, or download a previous version and try that.

If after trying all of the above and it still doesn't show up then the only possible cause is that the PPM signal is not being received by the PIC chip in the interface. This could be due to a broken wire, wrong connector for your TX (ie signal pin is different to the one used) or your TX does not output a standard PPM signal.

Hope the above helps

[Zaragon]

I would also suggest that you use the TX on its battery, some will switch off if the charge plug is inserted. Or atleast until you get it working then you can see if pluging the charger in stops it.

You haven't mentioned what your radio is so another thing to be certain of if it is a computer set is that you have it set to PPM. Most of the USB interfaces don't like a PCM signal.