I have a flight sim that uses a black hawk control stick. I let my Grandson take it and a flight sim to try. His(folks) computor is a Gateway and he called and wants to know where to plug the control stick in. Do you need an adapter or what. Its a just about new computor. Should have a place to plug in right??? Thanks Johns from no mans land

I'm not familiar with this controller but it sounds like you need a "game port adaptor" (unless the controller has usb support).

This is not standad equipment but often can be located on a sound card or an adapter that plugs into the sound card.

Best of luck!
Jim.

Jim: The plug is the same as my Dave Brown sim control box. Sure threw away money on that D.B. unit. The newer ones have a disk, mine was the floppy disk version. They want about $50 for the new disk. Is it wort it??? Anyone Know?? Thanks John

I paid $100 for the new CD version and loved it. Don't expect it to run on lower quality computers becasue you need an accelerated video card to get any kind of graphics. Also since memory is so cheap these dayz, I suggest that you get about 256 mb (not necessarily needed) and run with that as well as the video 3d card.
If you want to talk about brands and preferences about hardware please feel free to contact me outside of the RC board.

Only problem that I have with the DB sim is that Simstar transmitter, wow how lame..


I think what you are looking for is the joystick adapter. It should be located on the sound card , next to where speakers plug up.

Sorry, not familiar with the DB Sim (I have Aerochopper that plugs into the serial port).

As I wrote b4, I'm willing to bet you're grandson is looking for the "games port adapter". If there isn't one on his computer (most likely on the sound card), there is likely a cable that may come with the sound card or must be purchased separately.

Not to be nit picky about it but this is called a Joystick adapter

Actually, that port is not necessairly used for a Joystick, and the correct term is "Game port adapter" It can also be called a MIDI adapter as well based on the sound card that you have. On the newer motherboards, this sound card is integrated. The chipset is still based on sound cards (Sound Blaster Live) (AC 97) (Turtle Beach) etc.....Most hardcore gamers will turn off this "on board" sound card, and purchase a high quality separate sound card. Anyways, got off topic. The Game port adaptor has 15 pins, and can only be plugged into one port on the back of the computer (there is no other shaped port that fits)

I guess I will have to drive out and check to see what my Grandsons computor does have for inputs on it. Seems like to me a high-end Gateway should have a simple 15 pin game port. Maybe we do need an apapter. Thanks John

Don't be surprised, my 'high end' IBM Intellistation doesn't have a games port. It's just not standard equipment on a 'business machine.

If the joy stick plug is approximately the size of a 25-pin printer plug, then it needs to go into the game port adapter as mentioned already. If the joy stick plug is only about an inch wide and about a qtr inch thick, then it is probably USB whcih should match up in one of the two (usual config) located generally at the top back of the tower near or around the keyboard and mouse plugs.

However, with a Gateway, there is no telling where it might be located.

If the joy stick is for the game port adapter, if you look at the plug itself, you will see that while it is about the same size as a printer plug, it does not have pins. Since it doesn't have pins like the printer plug, look for the female plug that had the same kind of look.

I'm babbling and thank good its FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck

Here's the skinny: that joystick needs a game adaptor port to plug into. Many new computers don't have those, as most new joysticks are USB-based. Your grandson's computer likely doesn't have the port he'd need, and he'll have to get a different joystick or a card with the right port on it.

I think you will see a lot of things like Game Port Adapters go away. As newer specs for computers are made, they dont want to hold over this old stuff.

Now where is that EISA slot???

I guess the system has what is called a Micro tower. How do you add port or is there an adapter to use a usb port? The next thing is, I got to find out if it has a usb port. I will check for that tomorrow. Any more Ideas? Thanks John

It'd be easiest to buy a USB joystick.

Mike: Thanks for the answer. We will go to town and get one. Our choice is Best buy. Circuit City Office max and Office depot. Any certain brand should I get? Thanks John

I like Best Buy. I also like Gravis. The thing is, the best brand for me may not be for you. Have your grandson try them out. Whatever fits his hands the best, and has the features needed, will be the best.

I think I will look for a Gravis with at least 4 axis with a throttle control. ITS OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD-ooOOPPs !! Captin over and out

Your best bet is to get that usb joystick. If you for some reason went with a game port adapter card to install in that new gateway , you will most likely hate the hassle it will probably give you just to install it.
The simple USB joysticks will not even need software to get going, Just plug it in and the computer will recognize it instantly. Pull it back out and no Problems.
The better ones will need to have software installed which might take a minute or two but then it's smooth sailing.
Also USB ports are usually found in the front of the tower so no digging behind the computer to disconnect for whatever reason.

We found 2 usb ports on front of computor, you are right on. Thanks John

If you are going to continue on with the DB simstar you will need the "Game port adapter" (good catch tmproff). I would suggest tahtt you order a new sound card from the internet and have it installed on your computer system. Most of the sound cards sold today have a built in Joystick adapter. You will probably have to either disable your onboard audio or link the two together. I could guide you toward what you will need and probably do some phone support for you if ya need.

I agree with everyone here about USB being better and faster but to get right down to it, the DB flight sim is not USB and can not be adapted. feel free to contact me.

err upon re-reading your post this was for a different joystick and not actually the DB sim, so maybe you should consider just replacing the joystick with a newer model.

FMS - update. I did get a version of the FMS downloaded and working. I have to have the plane in flying mode or it never gets off the ground. I did use a Gravis BlackHawk controller. The only thing I can,t seem to get the channels working good. The Pitts flys the best, but all planes move with a very slow rate and seem to jerk in 3 second intervals. I am going to try more RAM first. I may try a Geforce vidio card next. Any more ideas will be welcomed. Thanks Captin John P.S. I was able to fly inverted because nothing moves fast.

The Geforce video card will speed up your computer the most in FMS, I'd try that and RAM first.....(ram is cheaper, and might be a quick fix)

Thanks for the reply. Right now it has only 32 mb of ram. The book says the computor will support 256 mb of RAM. Going to ram it first to the max limit? Thanks a lot, Captin john