Configuring Your Game Controller

Game controllers and joysticks -devices that enable you to play arcade-style games on your computer-come in many sizes and shapes . Windows includes drivers for many game controllers (see "What Are Drivers?" in Chapter 14).

To install a game controller, follow the instructions that come with it. Usually, you just shut down Windows, turn off the computer, plug the game controller or joystick into the game port on your computer, and turn on your computer again. Windows should recognize the new device and install it. Have the CD or DVD that came with the game controller handy, and insert it when Windows is looking for the driver. If you've downloaded a driver, tell Windows where the driver file is stored.

To find out whether Windows has recognized your game controller or to change the settings for a game controller, look at the Game Controllers dialog box, shown in Figure 13-4. To see this dialog box, open the Game Controllers icon from the Hardware And Sound category of the Control Panel.

Figure 13-4: The Game Controllers dialog box.

Displaying and Changing Game Controller Settings

To see the settings for your game controller, select it from the list in the Game Controllers dialog box and click Properties. You see the game controller's Properties dialog box.

One computer can have several game controllers attached. Each controller has an ID number, starting with 1. You can see and change the controller ID numbers by clicking the Advanced button in the Games Controllers dialog box.

Testing Your Game Controller

To test your game controller, select it from the list in the Game Controllers dialog box, click Properties, and click the Test tab in the game controller's Properties dialog box. Move the joystick or yoke and see whether the cross hairs in the Axes box move. Click the buttons on the game controller and see whether the button indicators light up. If not, calibrate the game controller by clicking the Settings tab, clicking the Calibrate button, and following the instructions.