Hardware & Technical Saitek x52 series Q&A (and general discussion thread) Got a issue? Look in here first.
- Thread starter Skullface360
- Start date
BTW, I'm configuring my new X52 pro right now, and having the digitally signed issue (well, haven't tried yet, but it's obviously what will happen in an hour anyway, so I though I install an older driver anyway since windows just warned me it won't work).
Hence I saw that website FTP you mention, but the "Saitek_X52Pro_Flight_Controller_7_0_34_109_64_Drivers_and_Software" isn't there any longer!?
Like there aren't any software to download anymore... only drivers.
Found online other places on the net where to download this zip folder, but I don't like downloading these zip packages from unknown places... , with the price of this joystick why can't they figure out a way to sign their products digitally after programming them ?? sounds like the right thing to do in order for their programming efforts to actually be used by windows? Maybe someone at Frontier that is in touch with these Saitek guys can ask them?
G
ok so downloaded this "Saitek_X52Pro_Flight_Controller_7_0_34_109_64_Drivers_and_Software.zip"
unzipped it
and got the "Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit.exe" which is presumable the Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit software you are talking about... and I got the same error message about it not being digitally signed... ??
anyone has another idea?
unzipped it
and got the "Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit.exe" which is presumable the Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit software you are talking about... and I got the same error message about it not being digitally signed... ??
anyone has another idea?
Last edited:
sorry for a third post answering on myself, but I suppose this might interest others here.
So finally I saw yet another comment on this issue by another commader on this thread:
So I tried download and installing this older version "SST_Software_64_6_6_6_9.exe" and so far it is working (no error message from windows upon installing).
And for the record, the previous post about the "Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit.exe" that worked for CMDR uppsju up here should have worked for me too since we have the same version of windows (8.1 64bit)... anyway...
So finally I saw yet another comment on this issue by another commader on this thread:
So I tried download and installing this older version "SST_Software_64_6_6_6_9.exe" and so far it is working (no error message from windows upon installing).
And for the record, the previous post about the "Smart Technology 7_0_27_13 64Bit.exe" that worked for CMDR uppsju up here should have worked for me too since we have the same version of windows (8.1 64bit)... anyway...
Saitek X52 - and all its derivatives - are nothing but !
I've been thru 2 of 'em. Maybe they'll last a year. And the software - and MadCatz in particular - is highly suspect. Might as well call it a virus, for a variety of reasons that are in my rear view mirror.
I have a joystick port CH Fighterstick from '96 that works fine - with a 15-pin to USB adapter. But it doesn't support all the buttons (Micro$oft issue). When it comes to HOTAS hardware, there are really only 2 names to remember:
-Thrustmaster
-CH Products
Anything else, is trash!
Right now, I'm using Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (transition hardware) - and it actually works great! Solid construction, no issues ever!
I've been thru 2 of 'em. Maybe they'll last a year. And the software - and MadCatz in particular - is highly suspect. Might as well call it a virus, for a variety of reasons that are in my rear view mirror.
I have a joystick port CH Fighterstick from '96 that works fine - with a 15-pin to USB adapter. But it doesn't support all the buttons (Micro$oft issue). When it comes to HOTAS hardware, there are really only 2 names to remember:
-Thrustmaster
-CH Products
Anything else, is trash!
Right now, I'm using Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (transition hardware) - and it actually works great! Solid construction, no issues ever!
Hmm, I am very happy with my x52 Pro. Everything is perfect for me and I love that stick and the profiles I created for it.
With the new Beta drivers for Windows 10 it even runs really fine on Windows 10. So at least I have nothing to complain about.
With the new Beta drivers for Windows 10 it even runs really fine on Windows 10. So at least I have nothing to complain about.
Last edited:
Just a small detail, it's probably not important, but I'm running Windows 10 64 bit rather than 8.1. It should have worked for sure as digital driver signing hasn't changed afaik.
Thanks CMDR MADmanOne, tried installing the new drivers and sw. Looks good. The directory structure on the Saitek FTP server is a mess, so good find!
I can't get button 6 (the pinkie switch) working anymore (as a UI panel mode trigger), and likewise button 32 (with wheel + button) can't be used as a button anymore? They show up working in the config program. Win10 with the latest beta drivers. I haven't played ED during the summer so I can't say when it broke, though.
Edit: and I found https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26644 so I'll try that!
Edit: and I found https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26644 so I'll try that!
Last edited:
Yep, that was the post I would point you at. This worked for me for the pinkie switch but it's still not 'perfect'. Have a look here for my experience http://elitepve.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2948&p=34871&hilit=x52#p34871
I just spent two days trying to get this joystick to accept the programmable controls. The problem I had is that I if I attempted to use the profile editor to map keystrokes to button/axis activity on my joystick, nothing happened. I read every forum post I could find and saw several possible solutions but nothing worked.
I am running Windows 8.1 64 bit in case anyone else has the same problem.
I am running Windows 8.1 64 bit in case anyone else has the same problem.
wow when they said saitek drivers are crap, they werent kiddin. Just bought a x52, downloaded the latest drivers. started up the install program, hooked up the joystick when the program asked for it. it installs the drivers, but when finalising the installer, it just gets stuck, Ive waited half an hour. the installer just sits there, doing nothing.
I aborted the install with my task manager. after that I rebooted the system, when the pc just freezes up, and they only way solve that is to unplug the stick.
Im running it on a Windows7 64 bits, updated. never had any problems before that.
anyone got any ideas, otherwise will return it tomorrow
I aborted the install with my task manager. after that I rebooted the system, when the pc just freezes up, and they only way solve that is to unplug the stick.
Im running it on a Windows7 64 bits, updated. never had any problems before that.
anyone got any ideas, otherwise will return it tomorrow
Last edited:
Did you get the same version as from here ftp://ftp.saitek.com/pub/software/full/ ?
Might be worth a go to remove the drivers following the instructions here and try again. Yes, I know it's the instructions for the Win 10 beta drivers but I think the principle will be the same.
Last edited:
The lights + MFD on the throttle don't light up
Hi,
Was wondering if anyone is using an X52 pro on their mac and managed to get the lights + MFD on the throttle to light up?
My X52 Pro works perfectly on a my PC. But Throttle dosent light up and the MFD is not lit.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Hi,
Was wondering if anyone is using an X52 pro on their mac and managed to get the lights + MFD on the throttle to light up?
My X52 Pro works perfectly on a my PC. But Throttle dosent light up and the MFD is not lit.
Anyone have any suggestions?
I will quote myself here from a posting in March, as I had the exact same problem:
[h=2]
There seems to be an issue with the Saitek USB drivers and recent Intel chipsets. The issue only shows if USB 3 ports are enabled in BIOS.
1. What happens if you have the USB driver issue
The Saitek USB driver will not install completely. You will get to the point where you can test the HOTAS functions, afterwards the install will freeze. The installer cannot be cleanly ended through task manager, the system may become unstable and may not shut down cleanly. The X52 Pro will not work, the LCD screen on the throttle will not light up. Essentially, the X52 Pro will be useless.
2. Quick Fix
Disable USB 3 mode in BIOS. The driver will then install and the X52 Pro will work normally. Do not re-enable USB 3 after installation, the driver will still malfunction, the HOTAS will not work and system instability will result
3. Permanent Fix
Install a USB card in your system and connect the HOTAS to that. To be on the safe side, it would be better to install an USB 2-only card, but these are quite hard to find for PCI-E only motherboards. I found a USB 2 card based on a NEC chipset and it works fine (USB 3 re-enabled on the motherboard ports without issues).
4. What did not help
Saitek Support was utterly useless. They do not acknowledge the issue and blame Intel, motherboard manufacturer, Microsoft, phase of the moon, you name it.
5. List of affected motherboards
This is were a community effort would be helpful. Allegedly all X79 and X99 motherboards are affected, some reports have been spotted on other forums for Z97 boards. I will start the list with my mainboard:
Asrock X99 Extreme 3
Also, it would be helpful to hear from people that have the same issue with other Saitek products.
1. What happens if you have the USB driver issue
The Saitek USB driver will not install completely. You will get to the point where you can test the HOTAS functions, afterwards the install will freeze. The installer cannot be cleanly ended through task manager, the system may become unstable and may not shut down cleanly. The X52 Pro will not work, the LCD screen on the throttle will not light up. Essentially, the X52 Pro will be useless.
2. Quick Fix
Disable USB 3 mode in BIOS. The driver will then install and the X52 Pro will work normally. Do not re-enable USB 3 after installation, the driver will still malfunction, the HOTAS will not work and system instability will result
3. Permanent Fix
Install a USB card in your system and connect the HOTAS to that. To be on the safe side, it would be better to install an USB 2-only card, but these are quite hard to find for PCI-E only motherboards. I found a USB 2 card based on a NEC chipset and it works fine (USB 3 re-enabled on the motherboard ports without issues).
4. What did not help
Saitek Support was utterly useless. They do not acknowledge the issue and blame Intel, motherboard manufacturer, Microsoft, phase of the moon, you name it.
5. List of affected motherboards
This is were a community effort would be helpful. Allegedly all X79 and X99 motherboards are affected, some reports have been spotted on other forums for Z97 boards. I will start the list with my mainboard:
Asrock X99 Extreme 3
Also, it would be helpful to hear from people that have the same issue with other Saitek products.
I will then quote myself too from a posting in January, as I too had the exact same problem (the thread is still on page one
)
X52 Blinking Joystick of Death
So I appear to have joined the ranks of unluckies who have plumped for this joystick.
Now that I randomly got a blinking joystick that refuses to work anymore. Great. Fantastic.
I gather from reports online that this is a TINY product - Tough It's Now Yours
I gather this is a problem with the PS2 cable? But the pins look fine, and it obviously has power. I've endlessly uninstalled drivers, reinstalled, tried unsuccessfully to load a profile, rebooted etc etc.
Is this device a lost cause?
If so what is the REAL long term alternative?
Cmdr Count von Weiss
Drifting in space,
Near Neville Horizons
So I appear to have joined the ranks of unluckies who have plumped for this joystick.
Now that I randomly got a blinking joystick that refuses to work anymore. Great. Fantastic.
I gather from reports online that this is a TINY product - Tough It's Now Yours
I gather this is a problem with the PS2 cable? But the pins look fine, and it obviously has power. I've endlessly uninstalled drivers, reinstalled, tried unsuccessfully to load a profile, rebooted etc etc.
Is this device a lost cause?
If so what is the REAL long term alternative?
Cmdr Count von Weiss
Drifting in space,
Near Neville Horizons
X52 Blinking Joystick - taken apart
Okay - so I have taken it apart and discovered the issue... a fundamental manufacturing defect - it's going to need me to redo some of the internals here. But at least I can see the problem.
Do you see the black gunk on the wires and the white outer sleeve?
Now do you see this scuffed patch on the underside of the bottom cover?
Basically, the problem is thus; the stem of wires that comes out of the central control stick of the joystick juts out beyond the end of the metal tube too far, and the whole thing rubs up quite severely against the underside of the plastic casing.
Do you see all that gunk on the white bit and the wires? That is plastic that has rubbed away from the underside of the casing due to friction. It is rubbing away at the wires and slowly going through them. I've lost this little blue wire. So it's an easy short term fix, but I'm going to have to re-engineer this whole bottom section to prevent that from happening.
Bad Quality Control.
The stub of wires juts out further than the space allowed. Doh.
EDIT: UPDATE
One wire is snapped entirely as can be seen in the pics, but there are other wires with micro-breaks. Which will explain why the device has been randomly failing in small ways before it failed altogether with the snapped wire.
Okay - so I have taken it apart and discovered the issue... a fundamental manufacturing defect - it's going to need me to redo some of the internals here. But at least I can see the problem.
Do you see the black gunk on the wires and the white outer sleeve?
Now do you see this scuffed patch on the underside of the bottom cover?
Basically, the problem is thus; the stem of wires that comes out of the central control stick of the joystick juts out beyond the end of the metal tube too far, and the whole thing rubs up quite severely against the underside of the plastic casing.
Do you see all that gunk on the white bit and the wires? That is plastic that has rubbed away from the underside of the casing due to friction. It is rubbing away at the wires and slowly going through them. I've lost this little blue wire. So it's an easy short term fix, but I'm going to have to re-engineer this whole bottom section to prevent that from happening.
Bad Quality Control.
The stub of wires juts out further than the space allowed. Doh.
EDIT: UPDATE
One wire is snapped entirely as can be seen in the pics, but there are other wires with micro-breaks. Which will explain why the device has been randomly failing in small ways before it failed altogether with the snapped wire.
Last edited:
Fixed it... for now!
Tape the blue wire, which shortened it, meaning that it becomes taught when the joystick is at an extreme angle! Needs a permanent fix. Also cut a couple of mil off the white sleaving to give the wires a bit more freedom.
I also put some masking tape on the underside of the case, and rubbed some candle wax on it to reduce friction of the wires rubbing.
See how long this last.
*puff* goes the warranty I guess then!
Tape the blue wire, which shortened it, meaning that it becomes taught when the joystick is at an extreme angle! Needs a permanent fix. Also cut a couple of mil off the white sleaving to give the wires a bit more freedom.
I also put some masking tape on the underside of the case, and rubbed some candle wax on it to reduce friction of the wires rubbing.
See how long this last.
*puff* goes the warranty I guess then!
Last edited: