Central MS FFB2 topic - repair, settings and mods

[334th_Gazoo]

i saved this off the BBS a while back... i'm guessing it would apply to the FFB2 as well.

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Microsoft Sidewinder FF Pro Info
Hey guys, my Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro gets a real workout when I play AH - especially the hat switches.

Anyway, the switch that selects right view started dying so I toook it apart to see about replacing them.

Here is the information:

The switches used are Omron 150g actuation tactile jobs. They are available from Digi-Key.

The ones for the hat are Digi-Key part number SW408-ND (Omron # B3F3122) and are $0.36 each (4 required).

The switches for the stick buttons other than the trigger are Digi-Key part number SW401-ND (Omron # B3F1002) and are $0.26 each (3 required).

The trigger switch is Digi-Key part number SW426-ND (Omron B3M6009) and are $0.71 each (1 required).

Swapping out the switches is easy and even though I only had one dying, I replaced all of them. The others would also be long in the tooth so I figured get them all while I had it apart.

I guess it has been about two years since new and with optical encoding, I'm expecting it to last a few more years so I bought extras to swap em out next time one decides to go belly-up.

To disassemble the handle to get to the board that the switches mount on, there are the obvious screws on the right side of the handle. The trigger must be removed before splitting the shell - spread it at the top to disengage the pivots. There is a catch at the bottom that will let go once you release the top. Then there are catches that hold the halves of the handle together I guess to make assembly easier. They let go real easy and if one breaks (one of mine did) it's no biggie as there are others and the screws actually hold the halves together.

Once you split it open, you have access to the circuit board. Just desolder carefully and then reinstall the new switches. Be sure to seat them properly down on the board (they have feet to assure the proper setup) then solder them back in.

You need to have a little soldering skill for this but it's no hill for a climber. I saved myself a new stick (about $100) for about $3 worth of switches and a few minutes of my time.
found it in this forum

~S~

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/i...topic=144521.0

[Sully_pa]

I have a FFB2 usb And I'm trying to edit a specific File ....what I want is to have guns and punch and what not but I want the spring to be constant to center....What I mean is I don't want it to lighten up when slow or landing or in a stall fight etc. Can anyone help with that? Thanks

[jameson]

Sully, I think most of us turn off the return to centre forces and set the sensitivity of the stick to all 100's. It will feel very different to a constant force spring stick but has great advantages for controlling the aircraft, you can fly right up to the point of stall with the wings buffeting and feel that through the stick, useful for 109's and spits. The game already has built in return to centre forces and the M$ one in the original stick software isn't required. When this is switched on you have two return to centre forces applied to the stick and it lessens the feel of control, (felt like mixing cement IIRC!). The first time I turned mine off it was a revelation to me and 'flying' started to match RL accounts and make sense. The controls will go light at certain times, but that's how it is and how you can understand what the plane is doing and hence the advantage of FF. I'd stick with it and relearn to fly with stick forces off. If COD's FM is as hard as Luthier has implied you'll need any edge you can get. Best of luck.

[xnomad]

I'm confused, does this stick work with Windows 7 (64 bit)?
I'm going to upgrade in a week or two for COD and I'm worried I won't have a FFB joystick to use.

[swiss]

Originally Posted by xnomad

I'm confused, does this stick work with Windows 7 (64 bit)?
I'm going to upgrade in a week or two for COD and I'm worried I won't have a FFB joystick to use.

It does, but:

- you cannot use the software - the forces are not adjustable(only with fedit which is a pita)

- If you use Alt+Tab while in cockpit you will lose FFB. If you respawn it will be back

[xnomad]

That's good, I never adjust the forces. I only removed the files from IL2 that stop the shaking when shooting.

I had the same Alt-Tab problem years ago with IL2/FB because of that I never Alt-Tab when flying. I guess they must have fixed it at some point.

[Sully_pa]

Originally Posted by jameson

Sully, I think most of us turn off the return to centre forces and set the sensitivity of the stick to all 100's. It will feel very different to a constant force spring stick but has great advantages for controlling the aircraft, you can fly right up to the point of stall with the wings buffeting and feel that through the stick, useful for 109's and spits. The game already has built in return to centre forces and the M$ one in the original stick software isn't required. When this is switched on you have two return to centre forces applied to the stick and it lessens the feel of control, (felt like mixing cement IIRC!). The first time I turned mine off it was a revelation to me and 'flying' started to match RL accounts and make sense. The controls will go light at certain times, but that's how it is and how you can understand what the plane is doing and hence the advantage of FF. I'd stick with it and relearn to fly with stick forces off. If COD's FM is as hard as Luthier has implied you'll need any edge you can get. Best of luck.

Thanks ..been flying with FFB off as of late because I'm having a hard time getting used to the controls going light...they just seem too light....guess I'll just have to get used to it.

[KG26_Alpha]

What forces are you wanting to edit. spring ?

[KG26_Alpha]

Originally Posted by recoilfx

Yep. I tried, but the strength was already set at max 1000.

I tried to add another spring effect. While this makes the overall force stronger, unfortunately it also increase the 'notches' of the stick (when I move the stick one direction, I can feel soft notches of resistance during motion).

Try this file

http://www.mediafire.com/?gtmm3s3mkonjj7m

If you open it in FFE you will see how to increase the tension and smooth the notches

[jameson]

Sully, you will have to learn to be very gentle with it at first, just push the stick or pull it with two fingers at first, making sure that the IR beam at the front of the handle is broken or interrupted. If you look at the base of the grip at the front there is a little hole and another directly above it just under the trigger that needs to have something blocking the path at all times when flying, come to think of it this could be why your stick forces keep disappearing or going light.
Also the need to trim constantly will be much more apparent as you get used to the stick. Have fun...