PS3 No Longer Recognises My Joystick

[mungee]

I would really appreciate some guidance here.

I have been an avid combat flightsim fan for some 10 or so years now and I decided to branch out and try the "console option" ... once, of course, I had ascertained that one could purchase a compatible joystick for the PS3.

I bought the Thrustmaster HOTAS joystick and on my first attempt at BoP, the joystick was recognised by the PS3 and worked fine (apart from th very large dead-zone, which, I believe, is "staying").

Ever since this first flight, the PS3 does not recognise my joystick and will only take commands from the "gamepad".
I have unplugged the joystick and plugged it back in to the USB port- I've gone under "options", then "controls" and have made sure that Thrustmaster Layout 1 has been selected (applied) ... but still the joysticks existence is ignored by PS3!!

Has anyone got and suggestions?? ... I'm starting to "pull out my hair" with frustration.

Thanks, in anticipation.