Can't use a controller AND a HOTAS?

[ZombieF1]

I've been doing a lot of ground missions recently. Then I got an X56 HOTAS and was shocked to find my Xbox controller won't even work at all alongside it (doesn't respond to attempts to rebind, for on foot controls). Is this really a 2 device limit?

If so then I'll try to press on with the X56 on foot (and please allow 3 devices in future). It's plenty weird but at least I won't feel quite so overpowered much of the time. No high difficulty protect asset missions for a while at least though. I've not even tried a ground combat zone yet

 

[metatheurgist]

Nope. I use mouse, keyboard, x52 and DS4. That's at least 4 devices.

 

[Ashnak]

5. Mouse, keyboard, two Virpils and XBox controller.

 

[Fixitman]

I currently use mouse, keyboard, Logitech G13, Virpil throttle and stick. I also have the Virpil throttle mapped to a pair of VJoy devices. I did successfully add a DS4 controller via DS4Windows at one time, but the controller kept going to sleep during gameplay. ED really doesn't work well when a mapped controller stops working mid-game, so I gave up on that.

The game did "see" eight different devices at one point with no problem. There is definitely not a two device limit.

 

[Bravo17]

I've been doing a lot of ground missions recently. Then I got an X56 HOTAS and was shocked to find my Xbox controller won't even work at all alongside it (doesn't respond to attempts to rebind, for on foot controls). Is this really a 2 device limit?

How is your Xbox controller connected to the PC? I remember reading that not all connection types actually work reliably in ED.

 

[Fixitman]

How is your Xbox controller connected to the PC? I remember reading that not all connection types actually work reliably in ED.

USB obviously works. Bluetooth certainly works as well. There aren't any other options for any XB controller that I'm aware of.

 

[Ashnak]

USB obviously works. Bluetooth certainly works as well. There aren't any other options for any XB controller that I'm aware of.

Direct Bluetooth to the MB's or a third party adapter can work, but is often a source for problems. Bluetooth (or whatever MS is actually using on that connection) to an original XBox adapter usually works. Although my old adapter needs an occasional reboot to connect to the controller.

 

[metatheurgist]

I don't think ED cares at all what connection type is used. As long as it detects a device and input can be registered it uses it.

 

[humhead]

I use a HoTAS in ship and an xbox controller on foot at the same time. I saved a custom preset for both controllers and left the on-foot for the Xbox. No issues.

 

[Ashnak]

ED doesn't - but I suspect that somewhere in the combination of XBox controller and various BT chipsets/stacks, the connection between the controller and the OS occasionally drops and is then reconnected whenever you fiddle with the controller. No deal for games with direct controller support (like most FPSes), they just grab the next input signal that comes along and go with it. Big deal for ED which curls up and dies whenever one of the dozen registered input devices goes missing.

 

[Bravo17]

Direct Bluetooth to the MB's or a third party adapter can work, but is often a source for problems. Bluetooth (or whatever MS is actually using on that connection) to an original XBox adapter usually works. Although my old adapter needs an occasional reboot to connect to the controller.

I thought that that was the issue, but not having an Xbox controller I couldn't be sure.

 

[SteveMacNZ]

I have X52 for flight controls (primary keybind), Xbox controller for SRV and on foot (primary keybind) (USB as Bluetooth would sometimes disconnect - not to mention the inactivity timeout powering off the controller), some keyboard keybinds some in primary and others in secondary, then voice attack and stream deck using the secondary bindings

 

[metatheurgist]

ED doesn't - but I suspect that somewhere in the combination of XBox controller and various BT chipsets/stacks, the connection between the controller and the OS occasionally drops and is then reconnected whenever you fiddle with the controller. No deal for games with direct controller support (like most FPSes), they just grab the next input signal that comes along and go with it. Big deal for ED which curls up and dies whenever one of the dozen registered input devices goes missing.

Must just be an xbox controller problem then. My ancient PC has a dodgy USB bus and it sometimes drops something connected to the hub. Not common but it affects ED when it's the bluetooth dongle. Never had any issue resuming with play the DS4 when that happens. Just like if I were to unplug the x52 in the middle of a game which I've had to do once or twice too.

 

[ZombieF1]

Thanks all, it's working now. Just booted my PC up and pressed the Xbox button on my controller (which was always plugged in to USB). It kept just causing the mouse pointer to move around the screen, which was weird. Then it opened the steam window. Then it opened Steam Big Picture mode. I loaded up Alien Isolation and everything was normal. Just rebound my on foot controls.

I've already been through all my USB related things in Device Manager and disabled the ability for Windows to turn any of them off to save power.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

use this guide to back up and rename your bindings

lost your binds? want hasstle free backed up binds look no further

keybindings can reset if you visit the control section without one of your usual devices used to play the game ie hotas , xbox pad etc not plugged in or at that present moment is undetected by windows as it thinks your just using keyboard and mouse it simply rewrites your binds for you...

forums.frontier.co.uk

 

[ZombieF1]

use this guide to back up and rename your bindings

lost your binds? want hasstle free backed up binds look no further

keybindings can reset if you visit the control section without one of your usual devices used to play the game ie hotas , xbox pad etc not plugged in or at that present moment is undetected by windows as it thinks your just using keyboard and mouse it simply rewrites your binds for you...

forums.frontier.co.uk

Yeah already did that before I tried the X56. I thought there was something wrong with my X56 at first as it was haunted by ghost button presses. Turns out it's a common issue and I fixed that by plugging in the throttle to a USB port on the front on my PC case.

Edit: of course, after saying I'd fixed the ghost button presses, I get some more. It's rarer though. I'll make do with this until I can be bothered arranging an import of VKB gear. The stick feels like it will break before too long anyway. Not very impressive for £200

Edit 2: nope, still too many ghost inputs. I'll have to try programming these buttons to use keys with a 0.1 second delay. Opening the system map and dropping landing gear mid-fight or something is not good.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

ghost inputs will probably be cured with a mains powered usb hub or card (its the no1 cause)
as it sounds like your mb has low output capacity powered usb ports either that or psu 5v rail is not performing well

 

[ZombieF1]

ghost inputs will probably be cured with a mains powered usb hub or card
as it sounds like your mb has low output capacity powered usb ports

Maybe, it's an ASUS ROG board though with all USB 3.0 and 3.1 ports. I'm thinking it might be noise interference or something. Hopefully programming these buttons as keys with a slight delay will sort it.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

its the milli amp output capacity required of some sticks which can prove problematic if the device has lights that can be disabled in its software that can make a difference
as mentioned it the no1 cause of ghosting

1. Go to Device Manager ( devmgmt.msc )
2. Click View > Devices by connection.
3. Click on your Machine Name, hit the * to expand everything.
4. Look through the properties of the different USB Hubs, you can see what devices are connected.
5. On the power tab, you get to see the power a device is consuming and what is being offered.
   
   

 

[ZombieF1]

its the milli amp output capacity required of some sticks which can prove problematic if the device has lights that can be disabled in its software that can make a difference
as mentioned it the no1 cause of ghosting

1. Go to Device Manager ( devmgmt.msc )
2. Click View > Devices by connection.
3. Click on your Machine Name, hit the * to expand everything.
4. Look through the properties of the different USB Hubs, you can see what devices are connected.
5. On the power tab, you get to see the power a device is consuming and what is being offered.
   
   

Hm, I can't see what you mean by hitting * to expand everything. So I can't see any USB hubs.

One thing that happened when I installed the HOTAS was after the software installation requested a machine restart, there was something else Logitech, I think, that was asking to install/modify my system after Windows loaded up again. I decided to wait a bit but it just vanished after a few minutes. Looking at the X56 HOTAS Throttle (Bulk) properties > Events shows Device install requested, Device configured (oem28.inf), Device not started (WINUSB). In Information it says Device USB\gibberish requires further installation I thought this didn't matter as I thought it was all working, but do I need to somehow uninstall all things X56 and try again?

Edit: now I can see USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) but there is no Power tab in the properties I can't find a Generic USB Hub anywhere. I've moved the Xbox controller to the rear of the PC and the X56 stick to the front - thinking the stick might need less power than the controller (leaving more for the throttle).