February 17, 2001

This is part of a series of articles about Caring for Your Computer.

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The basic process for setting up a joystick is simple - just insert the cable into the 15-pin game adapter, usually in the back of the computer, and possibly add the driver or other software.

However, there are often additional considerations, sometimes caused by hardware conflicts between the mouse, the video adapter, or the sound card. Perhaps this may be because joysticks are not used as frequently as other peripherals, so manufacturers are less careful about working out conflicts. You or your computer technician may have to disable selected peripherals, one at a time, in order to get everything working properly.

In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the various conflicting drivers. Windows will then restart and try to reinstall them. However, this does not always guarantee that the joystick will work.

The multitude of joysticks, joystick adapters, and drivers seems to complicate the issue still more. The joystick companies probably did not talk to each other before creating their new products - and they certainly did not talk to the mouse, video, or sound companies.

Ideally, the joystick should be installed while Windows is still fresh, and before other things have been installed. This will reduce the number of conflicts.

Alas, we live in an imperfect world. We often acquire joysticks as a subsequent little luxury, possibly together with a new game. The installation can then be rather iffy.

I was recently asked to set up both a joystick and a combination steering wheel-pedal combination. Both of them had a 15-pin plug that was to be installed in the game port. I may have been able to work it out, but I strongly advised against it.

Your computer probably has only one game port. Yes, it may be possible to add a second game port. Yes, you may be able to buy an external switchbox that would allow either the joystick or the steering wheel-pedal combination to work properly.

However, the joystick causes so many difficulties and problems under the best of circumstances that I would not risk trying to operate both of them together.

I'd like to hear your experiences in setting up two game devices simultaneously.

Click here to contact David Grossman directly with comments or suggestions on setting up two game devices.

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