Controller Calibration

 

When having difficulty with a controller working within a game, you'll want to check to make sure that the game supports the use of controllers as well as if the controller is properly calibrated within Microsoft Windows. To check if a game supports the use of a controller or other input device, you can simply look on the bottom of the packaging within the minimum requirements. If the game does support the use of controllers, you'll want to make sure that the controller is properly calibrated because most games will look to the operating system calibration tool to verify if the device is functioning properly. Follow these steps to properly calibrate your controller within the operating system:

 

How to properly calibrate your controller in Windows Vista:

  1. Click the Windows button on the Windows Taskbar.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. In the left pane, click Classic View.

  4. Double-click Game Controllers.

  5. If you are using a USB Controller, your device will be listed in the Installed Game Controllers field with OK listed as the Status.

  6. If you are using a 15-pin Gameport controller, your device will not be listed and you will need to add it manually.

    1. Click the Add... button.

    2. Select your controller from the list of available controllers.

    3. If your controller did not come with a driver disk, select a generic controller configuration which best describes your controller to get basic control functionality.

    4. Click OK to add the controller.

    5. To configure either types of controllers, click the Properties button.

    6. You should be shown a test screen with a basic button and Axes screen. Test all of the buttons and axes on your controller, and make sure that the buttons and axis on screen move with you.

    7. If the controller axes are not centered or buttons are not operating properly, click the Settings tab.

    8. Click the Calibrate... button.

    9. Click Next to start the calibration.

    10. Follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate your controller.

    11. Once finished, the status next to your controller should read OK, so click OK to save settings.

 

How to properly calibrate your controller in Windows XP:

  1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. Double-click Game Controllers.

  4. If you are using a USB Controller, your device will be listed in the Installed Game Controllers field with OK listed as the Status.

  5. If you are using a 15-pin Gameport controller, your device will not be listed and you will need to add it manually.

  6. To configure either types of controllers:

    1. Click the Properties button.

    2. Click the Add... button.

    3. Select your controller from the list of available controllers.

      1. Note: If your controller is not listed, make sure that you have installed the driver disk which came with your controller

      2. If your controller did not come with a driver disk, select a generic controller configuration which best describes your controller to get basic control functionality.

        1. Example: 4-button gamepad.

    4. Click OK to add the controller.

      1. Note: If the status listed next to the controller does not display an OK, there is an issue with your controller and you should contact the vendor for further support on the device.

    5. You should be shown a test screen with a basic button and Axes screen. Test all of the buttons and axes on your controller, and make sure that the buttons and axis on screen move with you.

    6. If the controller axes are not centered or buttons are not operating properly, click the Settings tab.

    7. Click the Calibrate... button.

    8. Click Next to start the calibration.

    9. Follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate your controller.

      1. Note: This is different for each type of controller, so pay close attention during this process.

    10. Once finished, the status next to your controller should read OK, so click OK to save settings.

 

How to properly calibrate your controller in Windows 95/98:

  1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Control Panel.

  4. Double-click Game Controllers.

  5. If you are using a USB Controller, your device will be listed in the Game Controllers field with OK listed as the Status.

  6. If you are using a 15-pin Gameport controller, your device will not be listed and you will need to add it manually.

    1. Click the Add... button.

    2. Select your controller from the list of available controllers.

    3. Click OK to add the controller:

  7. To configure either types of controllers, click the Properties button.

    1. You should be shown a test screen with a basic button and Axes screen. Test all of the buttons and axes on your controller, and make sure that the buttons and axis on screen move with you.

    2. If the controller axes are not centered or buttons are not operating properly, click the Settings tab.

    3. Click the Calibrate... button.

    4. Click Next to start the calibration.

    5. Follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate your controller.

    6. Once finished, click Apply to save settings.

 

Controller Driver Links: