Analog Joystick Mystery

Hi!

I've never heard of BIOS support for a joystick/game port.

Windows provides a virtual joystick (vjoyd, IIRC) driver that probably initializes the port and gets it to the point of working before you attempt to use it.

The gameport is usually implemented by way of the sound card/sound chip. Chances are you need a DOS enabler to get the sound chip up and running so you can use the game port.

Most likely you need this: ftp://ftp.esstech.com/pub/audio-modem/Win311_DOS/ISA/DOS/ESS_DOS_config.zip

(quoting the readme: "ESSCFG.EXE allows the user to configure the ESS sound chip with a base address, a DMA channel, an IRQ channel, and an address for the MPU-401 port, if a wavetable is supported by the sound card.")

to get the card/chip running and initialized before you can use the joystick.

Chances are that the ESS1788 is an ISA PnP device and must be initialized somehow before anything can see or use it. The older computer is more likely to have used a chipset that's always enabled and/or has its resources assigned in some "hardwired" method, such as jumpers, switches or possibly even BIOS settings.

William

"Brad" bravely wrote to "All" (15 Feb 06 17:49:31) --- on the heady topic of "Analog Joystick Mystery"

Br> From: snipped-for-privacy@verizon.net (Brad) Br> Xref: core-easynews sci.electronics.repair:358409

Br> Hi,

Br> I have a Compaq Presario 1060 laptop (WIN95), bought around 1997. Br> It has a game port connector. I have two analog joysticks (Kraft and Br> Quick Shot, QS201) which I am unable to use in Dos mode (Windows shut Br> down). I can use them at the Dos "Prompt". I couldn't find a Dos Br> mode driver for either joystick, but there is a handler in BIOS for a Br> joystick so I really don't need a Dos driver.

Br> I used a Dos based "JOYREAD" tool which uses two modes (the Br> joystick handler in BIOS or software loop) to read the joystick port Br> (0201h). Both modes work fine at the Dos "Prompt", but neither works Br> in Dos mode. Simple button/s pressing can't be detected in Dos mode, Br> but detected just fine at Dos Prompt!!!

Br> Note: I have a Dos mode Commodore 64 emulator that will not "run" Br> at the Dos prompt. I have many C64 games that work best with a Br> joystick. Also note, I have a Compaq Presario CDS774 desktop Br> computer I bought in late 1995. These same joysticks work just Br> fine in Dos mode (without Windows) using the BIOS joystick handler.

Br> Is there a direct connection with the sound system (ES1788 from Br> ESS Technology) and this port?

Br> What "enables" this port when Windows is launched, even though Br> there is a BIOS (rom) handler for this port?

Br> Thanks in advance, Brad

Br> Before you type your password, credit card number, etc., Br> be sure there is no active key logger (spyware) in your PC.

Windows loads the drivers which configures the ESS1788 card and activates its various features, i.e. sound, game, etc. When dos is started without windows then the card features don't get configured. What you need is the dos version of the configuration utility for the ESS1788 card. Of course, assuming it is a plug and play (PnP) card.

However, there may be another problem having to do with the speed of the joystick timers on the card itself. With a fast PC, the loop counters in the joystick drivers just breeze right through and overflow. In this case the card's game port won't work on a faster machine. It can sometimes be kludged by changing the resistance value but it might not be easy for just anyone. Use a newer card then.

A*s*i*m*o*v

... You may be a tech if you're entertained by a 6-pack and sparking HV.