Hardware & Technical X52 driving me insane!

irtuk · Jun 10, 2015

Hey,

Reaching out here because my X52 is driving me completely bonkers. I am running ED on Windows 8.1 with an asus crosshair formula V motherboard and my symptom is that the X52 stick repeatedly disconnects then reconnects mid-flight.

This means that if the stick is at an angle when the disconnect / reconnect occurs it immediately takes that angled position as it's new centre. Subsequently when the stick is returned to it's true centre your ship is spinning around.

This makes combat a pain and docking almost impossible.

I can reset the stick by yanking the PS2 connector cable out and reconnecting it, but it's mighty annoying.

I have read reams of info on windows 8.1 having issues with USB joysticks, X52's having issues with USB3 ports. I have tweaked a number of BIOS settings, I have changed power management settings at the USB controller level, I have added a separate PCIE USB card to use that controller instead... nothing will stop this damnned disconnect.....

Do I have a malfunctioning stick or do I get an excuse to go shopping..... and if so, do I go with another saitek product like the Rhino, or go all out for a thrustmaster warthog?

-Ed.

Ferret06 · Jun 10, 2015

Using Team speak when this happens?

irtuk · Jun 10, 2015

Nope. although there is a microsoft lifecam attached to the system, a USB3 multi-card reader, keyboard & mouse obviously. I had not considered disconnecting that camera, that might be a useful test.

Ferret06 · Jun 10, 2015

I and a couple of friends were having the same issue, we tracked it to TS.

TS settings --> options ---> hotkeys ----> bottom right hand corner is a drop down box that will say default. Change that to "keyboard & mouse only"

Fixed it for us, has not happened since changing that setting.

So probably worth looking for w/e software is conflicting with it.

Axdrenalin · Jun 10, 2015

My main PC is Win 8.1 Pro and neither of my two X52 Pro setups have caused me issues like this, so it's possible you might have a stick going down on you. My son was getting into ED as well so I gave him my old X52, looked hard at the X55 as a replacement but was so impressed with the performance of my X52 Pro that I bought another new one to replace it with. No problems with either one.

I don't have any recent experience with Thrustmaster products, but they made awesome products 16 years ago for racing. Do you have any local friends you could borrow a HOTAS from to verify your stick might be at fault?

My system for reference: Win 8.1 Pro / ASUS Sabertooth X58 / Intel i7-970 / 18 GB DDR3-1600 / Sandisk Extreme 480 GB SSD / Saitek X52 Pro

Elprez · Jun 10, 2015

irtuk said:
Hey,

Reaching out here because my X52 is driving me completely bonkers. I am running ED on Windows 8.1 with an asus crosshair formula V motherboard and my symptom is that the X52 stick repeatedly disconnects then reconnects mid-flight.

This means that if the stick is at an angle when the disconnect / reconnect occurs it immediately takes that angled position as it's new centre. Subsequently when the stick is returned to it's true centre your ship is spinning around.

This makes combat a pain and docking almost impossible.

I can reset the stick by yanking the PS2 connector cable out and reconnecting it, but it's mighty annoying.

I have read reams of info on windows 8.1 having issues with USB joysticks, X52's having issues with USB3 ports. I have tweaked a number of BIOS settings, I have changed power management settings at the USB controller level, I have added a separate PCIE USB card to use that controller instead... nothing will stop this damnned disconnect.....

Do I have a malfunctioning stick or do I get an excuse to go shopping..... and if so, do I go with another saitek product like the Rhino, or go all out for a thrustmaster warthog?

-Ed.

I had similar issues with my X-55....I eventually bought a powered USB hub from Amazon. It was about $25 and had 10 ports on it. Overkill but it took care of my problem....

Sapient6 · Jun 10, 2015

Is the entire x52 disconnecting, or just the flight stick?

I ask because if I disconnect my x52 from the USB port while playing ED, ED responds by dropping the x52 control scheme entirely. Plugging back in is not enough, I have to quit all the way out to the desktop and restart to get the x52 working again (I also lose my selected x52 profile and have to select it again, otherwise about half the buttons are unusable).

Which leads me to wondering if the problem might be somewhere in your PS2 cable or ports.

For the record: I can use my x52 on either type of USB port but I'm running Windows 7 (I never use the latest version of Windows, support is always spotty).

MattBlaK · Jun 10, 2015

Myself and two others have experienced this since PP was released. Will try the TS fix later when home. I am not sure if it occurred only when TS was running though, but we do use it when on-line together.

Edit: Situation: The joystick begins looping the ship (I think that it's only pitch) and you can fight (correct for) it but to resolve fully you unplug the joystick cable from the throttle (PS2 connector) and plug it back in. Instant fix, whilst in flight, in game. No need to go to any menus or change anything, just a hardware manoeuvre.

Below is the issues' regularity...

X52 Pro (MattBlaK) - 1x (15 hours + game time)
X52 (Neomim) - Multiple events (20 hours game time)
X52 (Baq99)- 1x (3 hours game time)

Edit: I am not saying that PP caused it, but it wasn't happening before Saturday!

Sorry to poach but whilst I'm here... any fix for the mouse functions (scroll wheel specifically)? It skips subsystems and the left click function erratically multiple clicks. Thumb (nipple) pointer is erratic too. Basically all mouse functions of the stick are loopy and seems to kick in on some alt tabs to windows so could be a windows interference...

Asp Explorer · Jun 10, 2015

Try disabling USB power saving in the registry. It can do some very strange things.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2900614/en-us

MattBlaK · Jun 10, 2015

ASP: Is that for the mouse functions of the ship looping? Will try it anyway

Thanks

Bacon Sarnie · Jun 10, 2015

This might sound daft but remove and replug the cable that connects the throttle to the stick.
I was having random rolls and dives and climbs, just like yours
Turned out the cable while it looked fine wasnt actually in properly, I had removed it from the throttle a couple of times to check it with no effect.
I took it out totally and replugged it at both ends and my issues have disappeared.

Ferret06 · Jun 10, 2015

MattBlaK said:
Myself and two others have experienced this since PP was released. Will try the TS fix later when home. I am not sure if it occurred only when TS was running though, but we do use it when on-line together.

Edit: Situation: The joystick begins looping the ship (I think that it's only pitch) and you can fight (correct for) it but to resolve fully you unplug the joystick cable from the throttle (PS2 connector) and plug it back in. Instant fix, whilst in flight, in game. No need to go to any menus or change anything, just a hardware manoeuvre.

Below is the issues' regularity...

X52 Pro (MattBlaK) - 1x (15 hours + game time)
X52 (Neomim) - Multiple events (20 hours game time)
X52 (Baq99)- 1x (3 hours game time)

Edit: I am not saying that PP caused it, but it wasn't happening before Saturday!

Sorry to poach but whilst I'm here... any fix for the mouse functions (scroll wheel specifically)? It skips subsystems and the left click function erratically multiple clicks. Thumb (nipple) pointer is erratic too. Basically all mouse functions of the stick are loopy and seems to kick in on some alt tabs to windows so could be a windows interference...

The scroll wheel works faultlessly on mine i've changed nothing other than bind it (in game) to cycle sub systems, the click however for me was not working for anything i tried to bind to it.

To fix the click on the scroll wheel i went into the saitek profile editor and rebound it in there to be my z key (FA toggle) since then it's worked without fault.

The mouse thumb nipple (giggles) as you put it i found the same issues, it would on occasion do it's own thing.

2 fixes i have found for that, disable it completely OR open up the saitek control panel go to the deazones tab and add some deadzone into the thumb mouse. (mouse x and y in the deadzones tab)

Possible third fix for the thumb mouse would be to change it's function in the profile editor to perform more like a hat switch.

The mouse button next to the thumb stick was a little loopy for me as well (only in ED) again into the profile editor and rebound it to be left ALT (my PTT key for Team Speak)

Another top tip that some people don't know about is the POV switch on the throttle is an 8 way switch but by default is set to 4 way. ( i use it for my lateral thrusters) again in the profile editor you can change it from 4 to 8, i much prefer having diagonal lateral thrusters rather than just vertical and horizontal.

irtuk · Jun 10, 2015

@sapient - it's just the stick. the throttle unit seems fine.
@Bacon - that's what I do to reset it.
@ Matt - I get this issue every five minutes.

I have tried a replacement PS2 cable but that flat out refused to work, maybe the saitek one is special

Bacon Sarnie · Jun 10, 2015

The only other suggestion then is go with a powered hub.
I have read on a fair few places people having issues with X52's and solving them by using a powered hub or usb3.
If the powered hub doesnt solve it then I'd be sending it back for a replacement.

icehoodedfox · Jun 10, 2015

If you can't get your X52 to work, I HIGHLY recommend the Thrustmaster Warthog. I've had mine for a year and change and it's still working flawlessly. Right now I have it paired with a T16000m(left handed stick), and pedals and it makes any ship a dream to fly!

Elan · Jun 10, 2015

I'd actually recommend talking to Saitek / Madcatz. I've had similar issues with my previous X52 Pro and after going through a few troubleshooting steps they agreed to an RMA.

As suggested above I'd got a powered hub and was running it through a USB 2.0 port. They also asked me to uninstall any logitech drivers I had to see if a driver conflict was causing problems.

MattBlaK · Jun 10, 2015

@ Irtuk- Do you mean the looping or the mouse wheel?
@ Ferret- Thanks, I'll give the bind to key a go. My fix for the thumb button was to bind it to something like the Shield cell bank or chaff that will only react to one of the multiple clicks as it requires a recharge before firing again.

Ogidch · Jun 10, 2015

irtuk said:
@sapient - it's just the stick. the throttle unit seems fine.
@Bacon - that's what I do to reset it.
@ Matt - I get this issue every five minutes.

I have tried a replacement PS2 cable but that flat out refused to work, maybe the saitek one is special

If its a cyclic issue and can be timed to roughly 5 minutes, then I doubt very much it's a cable, but. Saitek may have crossed the wires over in the cable, if you have a multimeter you should be able to do a basic continuity check between pins. Assuming it's just some wires crossed over and not some embedded component in the cable, you can then replicate the same with a new able with some cutting and soldering to elimiate the cable as being an issue.

SERGI- · Jun 10, 2015

irtuk said:
Hey,

Reaching out here because my X52 is driving me completely bonkers. I am running ED on Windows 8.1 with an asus crosshair formula V motherboard and my symptom is that the X52 stick repeatedly disconnects then reconnects mid-flight.

This means that if the stick is at an angle when the disconnect / reconnect occurs it immediately takes that angled position as it's new centre. Subsequently when the stick is returned to it's true centre your ship is spinning around.

This makes combat a pain and docking almost impossible.

I can reset the stick by yanking the PS2 connector cable out and reconnecting it, but it's mighty annoying.

I have read reams of info on windows 8.1 having issues with USB joysticks, X52's having issues with USB3 ports. I have tweaked a number of BIOS settings, I have changed power management settings at the USB controller level, I have added a separate PCIE USB card to use that controller instead... nothing will stop this damnned disconnect.....

Do I have a malfunctioning stick or do I get an excuse to go shopping..... and if so, do I go with another saitek product like the Rhino, or go all out for a thrustmaster warthog?

-Ed.

Similar issue just after 1.3 updating. Disconnections only occur while I'm playing ED. After yesterday patch, seems to work properly...

Bingo Brewster · Nov 10, 2015

I also have this issue with my X52. It usually happens in combat. Will try the Teamspeak fix and if that dont work the registry fix. Will post results.

EDIT: Applied the Teamspeak "fix" (set Hotkeys to mouse/keyboard) last night and enjoyed an evening of untroubled combat. So hopefully thats solved this LONG standing problem.

Many thanks to Ferret06 for posting. I was on the verge of buying another joystick