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Q. I did not get any diskettes with the XL Action controller. Should I have received any driver disks with it?

A. No, Windows 95 has its own game controller/joystick drivers. The software or games that you install will either use the Windows 95 drivers or use their own drivers.

Q. How do I install the Action Controller in Windows 95?

A. Go to the Control Panel. You will see the Joystick icon. Under Current Joystick, you should have Joystick 1. In the Joystick configuration, select the 2 axis, 4 button joystick. You will be given the option of calibrating the joystick as part of the installation, it is recommended you do this.

Q. I went to the Control Panel and I don’t have a Joystick icon, I have a Game Controller icon. I don’t see any of the options mentioned above. How do I install the Action Controller?

A. You have DirectX installed and this changes the icon and the installation procedures. Double-click on the Game Controller icon. Click the Add button. Select the 2-axis, 4-button joystick by clicking on it. Then click the OK button. You will be given the opportunity to calibrate the joystick, it is recommended that you do this.

Q. I am not moving my XL Action Controller but the object in my game is drifting. What is wrong and how do I fix it?

A. You need to calibrate the joystick. If it is a Windows 95 game, go to the Control Panel and double click on the Joystick or Game Controller icon.

If you have the Game Controller icon, click on the Properties button and then click on the Calibrate button under Game Controller Calibration. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If you have the Joystick icon, under Joystick configuration click on the calibrate button and follow the instructions on the screen.

In games that have their own game controller drivers, which will include MS-DOS games, you will need to calibrate the XL Action Controller using the procedures for that software. They should be found in the help files for the game or in the documentation that came with it.

Q. When I set up the XL Action Controller in my MS-DOS based game I can only use two buttons. What is wrong?

A. You will need to select a ThrustMaster driver if one is included with the game’s drivers. If that is not an option, you will need a separate controller card that will support the additional buttons in the game.

Q. I have a WinBook XL what do I need to do to use my ThrustMaster XL Action Controller?

A. You must have a port replicator connected to the WinBook XL, this provides the game port to connect the XL Action Controller to the computer. Then you will need to go into the BIOS to enable the game port. Press DEL as the computer starts. Use your arrow keys to navigate to Peripheral Setup. The Port Rep Joystick option is at the bottom of the page, use the arrow keys to navigate to it. Use the PgUp / PgDn keys to change the option to Enabled. Press Esc and then press the f10 key to exit and save changes. Press the Enter key to confirm that you wish to save the current settings and exit.

When you are in Windows 95 use the procedures above to install and configure your XL Action Controller for use.

Q. I have a WinBook LM and it looks like it has a game port on the port replicator. Why won’t the XL Action Controller work attached to it?

A. The port on the LM port replicator is a MIDI port not a game port, so a joystick or game controller will not work connected to it.

Q. My WinBook does not have a built in game port what do I need to be able to use the ThrustMaster XL Action Controller or any other joystick?

A. If your WinBook does not have a built in game port then you will have to purchase a PCMCIA game card. These are available through a number of major computer stores and other sources.

Q. I have a WinBook XP/XP5 and a docking station. What options do I have to be able to use the XL Action Controller?

A. You can either use a PCMCIA game card or if you have an available slot in the docking station, you can install an ISA game card there. It is recommended that you do not use a Plug and Play card.

Q. Are there any games that come with Windows 95 that I can play using the XL Action Controller?

A. On the Windows 95 CD there is a game called Hover. It is located in the Funstuff\Hover folder and can be played directly from the CD.

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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you as a service from the Technical Support Department of WinBook Computers. It is intended to assist you in the resolution of your technical problems or questions. If you feel uncomfortable implementing any of the information or suggestions contained herein then you should e-mail the WinBook Technical Support Department. WinBook will not be held responsible for any loss of information, data or programming as a result of the use of this TechNote.