Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. => Topic started by: Leed3 on January 12, 2008, 11:38:16 PM
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Hi,
I have written a new plugin that uses the XBox360 controller. I wrote it because I wanted to control the X, Y and Z axis of my mill without having to drag the keyboard around. It is located on the Plugins page of the Artsoft site down near the bottom. Hopefully, you will find it useful.
Regards
Lee D.
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G`day Lee,
I am trying to do the same ,IE control the axis with the xbox 360 controller
and not achieving much.
I have installed your plugin ,configured the controller
and all the buttons seem to work ,however I can`t seem to jog the Axis.
From your pdf doc,........... "The ThumbPad (next to the
left Thumbstick) is Incremental jog for the left Thumbstick"
When this Thumbpad is used ,only y axis moves and then cannot be stopped.
Is there something I am missing?
Also I am using G100 (grex) would this be a problem.
any help you can throw this way ,would be good,thanks.
Regards
Whatda?
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HI,
When you go to the plugin screens in MACH3, you can configure the plugin. since you say that you have configured it by selecting the various axes, I can only assume that the problem is the G100. I do not use the G100 so I cannot say for certain. Can you disable it long enough to test?
I am using it in XP and it is working fine. Are you using XP? Have you tested the controller to make sure it is working fine? Also, what version of Mach are you using? When I hear from you, I will make sure I am using the same version. I am currently using 2.6. It is possible that the latest betas will act different.
Let me know more info and I will try and solve the problem.
Thanks
Lee
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Thanks Lee for your reply,
I am using the latest mach3 with windows xp.
I can jog the axis through the keyboard still ,but not with the xbox controller,
I dont have an xbox ,just the controller so I dont know if all of it is working,
the buttons seem to work ok.
Will try and disable the g100 and see if that helps.
Thanks again
Regards
whatda?
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Hi,
If you go to the Control Panel and select Game Controllers you should see "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)" in the window and the Status should be "OK". If you pick the properties button, it will open a new window that allows you to test the controller. Left Thumbstick is X & Y, Thumbpad is shown as POV Hat. Right Thumbstick is shown as Red X and Y Ro. You can also test the buttons there. There is also a Calibrate button if you need it.
In reading over the Yahoo forum, it looks like there are some problems with the G100 in the latest betas of Mach. After you test the controller and temporarily remove the G100 (rename the plugin) , let me know how it goes. If that doesn't solve it, I need to know the exact version of Mach that you are using. It is shown by picking "Help" then "About" on the Mach main screen. Then I can load that version and see if I can recreate the problem.
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Thanks Lee,
I installed mach 3 on another computer and disabled the g100 and the controller/pugin works fine now,
So no problems with the controller.
I will reinstall mach 3 and try again with my original computer with the G100, see how I go.
Thanks again,will let you know how it turns out.
Great little plugin.
Regards
whatda?
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Hi,
Glad you got it solved. I wrote the XBox360 controller Plugin using the same approach as the Shuttlepro plugin. So, if you go to the Yahoo forum and search "G100 Shuttlepro", you will see a number of messages about the 2. It appears that the G100 and Shuttlepro will work together but do have some problems. I do not have a G100. If you come up with any ideas on how to solve the problem, let me know. If I can change the code I will.
Lee
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G`day Lee ,me again
I am going down the G100/xbox 360 road again,trying to jog the axis using the controller .
I have tried different versions of mach/read the posts on yahoo group and still can`t.
Like I indicated before ,all the buttons work ,apart from the axis being able to be jogged.
(the DRO`s on screen also indicate no movement).
I checked the controller and works fine ,also checked it when I disabled the G100 and
it was then able to jog the axis in mach.
At the moment running V2.63. and after any other help you can throw my way.
I will put a post in the G100 section as well,someone probably is using it.
Regards
whatda?
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Hi,
First of all, Brian posted a new G100 plugin. You may try downloading it and see if it helps. Second, go to the Yahoo site and read message 87428. It talks about the different versions of Mach and some of the problems with the G100. You may find that changing Mach versions helps. If you load Mach on a pc and do not connect it to a controller, you can still test the various versions and plugins by watching the screen DROs. They are a pretty good indication of what the plugin is doing.
Here is something you can try: Go to the Plugins folder in C:\Mach3 and rename the XBox360Controller.dll to ABox360Controller.dll. Mach loads plugins in alphabetical order. So, if the XBox360 plugin is loaded before the G100, it may make a difference. Let me know how that goes.
That is about all I can think of now. I wish I could be more help.
Lee
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Thanks Guys for the info,
Lee, I have the latest Version for the G100,also tried the name change (ABOX.dll)and still no good.
I had a read of the posts on yahoo,and apart from the xbox I havnt had any issues yet with the G100.
So I dont know where I can go from here ,I think I`ll try some other controller.
Thanks anyway for your help.
regards
whatda?
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I am sorry it didn't work for you. I would suggest that you do not pick the ShuttlePro since I wrote the XBox plugin using the ShuttlePro method of communicating with Mach. I suspect that it will not work either. Both devices are considered as HID (Human Interface Device) by Windows. So if you pick another controller you should make sure that it is not considered as a HID. Most new devices, including USB joysticks are being defined as HID. An older joystick that plugs into a Gameport should be ok. That is the type that the joystick plugin was written for.
Good luck and let me know what you find.
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I've installed the xbox plugin. But when I start mach3 it says: "plugin defective"
I am using a Logitech xbox controller vendor id: 0x046D , product id: 0xC216.
Could this be the problem?
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Hi arturoc
Yes, that is the problem. I do not have the Logitech controller so I can't test it. However, if you want, I can add your VendorId and productID and you can try it. The question is how Logitech handles the buttons and the thumbsticks. They probably do it the same way as Microsoft. But, I can't say for sure. So, if you want a modified version for the Logitech, send me an email to LeeFairfield at Hotmail dot com and I'll send you a modified version.
Regards
Lee
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Will a messenger pad attached to the controller work in Mach?
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Hi BigZ,
If you are refering to the addin keypad that Microsoft offers for the Controller, the answer is, it should work but I am not sure. As I understand it, the keypad is really just a USB keyboard that uses the XBox360 controller as a pathway for communication. If you hook up the keypad to the controller and it starts working like a keyboard, then it should work. Try it and let me know. If it gives you any error messages, let me know what they are. I might have to add the productId of the keypad, but I don't think so.
Lee
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Hi BigZ,
If you are refering to the addin keypad that Microsoft offers for the Controller, the answer is, it should work but I am not sure. As I understand it, the keypad is really just a USB keyboard that uses the XBox360 controller as a pathway for communication. If you hook up the keypad to the controller and it starts working like a keyboard, then it should work. Try it and let me know. If it gives you any error messages, let me know what they are. I might have to add the productId of the keypad, but I don't think so.
Lee
Lee thank you for such a great plugin and the foolproof instructions( only recieved my XBox controller yesterday).
I am only thinking of buying the messenger pad as I would like to add my camera edge finder offset and zero plate to my controller. I do have some spare buttons left but couldn't work out if I could configure it for hotkeys.
Any plans to get all the buttons working? Just a suggestion would it be possible to expand the joystick menus to include all the functions listed in the button menu?
Great work Lee
Liam
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Hi Liam,
You are welcome. The only things that are not working on the controller are the left and right triggers. I felt it was too easy to bump them. They are analog (like the thumbsticks) rather than push on - push off type buttons. So, I don't plan to enable them. All of the other buttons should be working. If you are asking about adding additional functions to the buttons (such as macros), I will probably be adding it in the future. As far as adding things to the joystick, the problem is that they are analog. Adding pushbutton functions to an analog control can be done. That would be a lot of extra work. I may consider doing it at a later time.
Regards
Lee
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Hi Lee look forward to the future updates.
Unfortunately I ran into a problem today. When starting up Mach3 I get an ""Error Code Art 904. Attempt Recovery".
Unfortunately the program dosn't recover unless I remove the Xbox plugin and reopen Mach3. I have had this plugin working on this computer and have not changed any settings since. Any ideas on how to fix it would be appreciated?
Regards Liam
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Hi,
Did you upgrade to a newer version of Mach? Brian changed the pointers and it caused some problems for the shuttlepro and probably my controller. Let me know if you changed it or anything else. If you went to 3.040 try going to 3.041. See Yahoo board for info.
Lee
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Hi Lee
I was using R2.63. I have upgraded to 3.041 as suggested but problem still persists.
Liam
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Hi
Go to message number 90496 on the Yahoo board. It explains the problem with 3.040 and 3.041. I will try and find out what is going on with the pointers and try to adjust the XBox360 controlller code to compensate. But, it will take a couple of days. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Version 2.63 should have worked. That is what I tested it on. You must have received an update from Microsoft or added (or removed) some program. Have you done anything with the Microsoft SDK or DirectX as far as loading or unloading a new one? Let me know what changes may have occurred between the time it was working and when it quit working. I need that info to help figure out what is happening.
Thanks
Lee
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Hi Lee
I was using R2.63. I have upgraded to 3.041 as suggested but problem still persists.
Liam
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To get the controller working I was using MACH3 V2.63 with Xbox360_32Eng.exe and Nov2007 DirectX SDK files installed. All worked OK.
The next day it still worked just I reconfigured the buttons to suit and everything worked fine.
On the third day I recieved the error message on startup. My only file change was to delete the plugin file after the error. Mach then started up as normal. Since then I upgraded to 3.041 added the plugin ande recieved the same error on startup.
Lee I appreciate the time your taking on this.
I have a Xbox messenger on order . So will let you know the results(testing it on the home PC)
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Lee have managed to replicate the problem when transferring my XML file from the machines computer to the home PC.
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Hi BigZ,
Your XML file does not look right. I think that maybe you copied it from a very old version of Mach into the current version. Let me suggest a couple of things.
1. Write down all your settings and then save the XML file. Use the new Mach3Mill.xml (copy it and rename it to Mach3Milliam.xml. Then redo your settings from inside Mach 3.
2. You can go to the following Microsoft link and download the free XML Notepad if you want:
http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?familyid=72D6AA49-787D-4118-BA5F-4F30FE913628&displaylang=en
3. You can use the XML Notepad to see the things that are different between your XML and the new Mach3Mill.xml
4. If possible, you should uninstall the files that were installed with Xbox360_32Eng.exe if you are using XP with Service Pak 2. A better approach is to simply hook up the XBox controller and let Windows see a new device and then ask if it can search the Internet for the right drivers. It will then go to Microsoft's site and download just the files it needs for the Controller. They are slightly different from the files inside XBox360_32Eng.exe. That file was written sometime ago and has some problems. Microsoft should have replaced it with a new version. When it is right, you will see "Game Controllers" in the Control Panel. When you open the Control Panel, you will see "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)" and status "OK". If you click on "Properties", you will see a test window wher you can test the various buttons.
Once you have taken care of the above, I think you will be fine.
Let me know how it goes.
Lee
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Thanks for your time Lee. I will give that a go.
I bought a chatpad frm ebay. Luckly I bought it cheap as Microsoft hasn't released a driver even though it advertised as being Xbox and PC compatable.
Liam
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Good news. I am back up and running after following your advice. Thanks Lee.
I did notice that if I have duplicate commands on different sticks and conflict the the command, I end up with the same error.
I have noticed though when jogging with one axis the jog speed is 1/2 of max s ther a way of altering this. I do have my jog speed set at 100%?
Many thanks Liam
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This may be a silly question but is the Xbox 360 controler simply a USB device ? I have a few controllers for the older Xbox and found that these could be converted to USB simply by soldering a USB cable on it (instead of the strange plug it comes with). Would the old Xbox controllers work with this plug in ?
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I am working on a new version of the controller and testing it now. It should be ready to give to Artsoft today or tomorrow. It includes lots of new features.
When a USB controller is plugged in Windows recognizes it based upon ProductID and VendorID. If you go into the Device Manager in Windows and check "Human Interface Devices" and then pick each on and look at driver details. If you see one that has a VID of _045 (Microsoft) and a PID such as 028 then that is a start. If you go to the Control Panel and open "Game Controllers" and see the controller then select Properties and test it. If if works then everything should be fine. If these two tests are okay then let me know what the PID is. If it is not in the list in the controller, then I'll add it and send you a modified version. If you can get it to me today, I'll add the number in the version going out shortly.
Lee
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Ok I'll go find one of my xbox controller and convert it. If all goes well I'll be back in 10 minutes with the required PId. Thanks
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ok a bit more than 10 minutes..i hadn't factored in Vista in the equation... anyway it appears to be running fine in vista now and the numbers are
USB\VID_045E&PID_0202&REV_0100
USB\VID_045E&PID_0202
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all works good in the game controller test.. :)
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Hi Perfo,
I'll add Product Id 0202 in. When the new plugin is posted and you try it out, let me know how it works. There may be some difference in sensitivity that I will have to adjust for you.
Thanks
Lee
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Splendid thanks. I think the old Xbox controllers are a lot cheaper and more plenty full than the newer 360 ones so this may be a handy addition. There is a simple wiring mod that's need to be done to the controller to get it to work and a driver to download that I've tested on Vista and XP and seems to work great. Once we've tested it and found it to be ok I'll write a little guide on how to do it if anyone's interested. When you say 'sensitivity' will I be able to gauge this in Mach or will I need it connected to my CNC mill ? Reason I'm asking is I haven't finished building the MILL yet though I can whir the motors in a threatening manner :)
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Hi Perfo
You should be able to get a good idea about sensitivity by looking at the DRO while moving the thumbstick. You can compare that by how fast it moves using the keyboard. If both are about the same then you should be okay.
Lee
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Righty ho Leed3. I'll give it a checking. Let me know when I should download the new plugin and bish bosh.
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A new version (Version 2) of the XBox360 Controller plugin has been given to Artsoft and should be available shortly. It includes a number of improvements over Ver 1. Please read the PDF that comes with it for more info. It also includes support for Perfo's controller.
Enjoy
Lee D.
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Thanks. I shall await with the most baited of breath.
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Hi Perfo,
It is there. Let me know how it works.
Lee
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ok downloaded plugin. Put it in the mach 3 plugin folder and started mach 3. It comes up with a message saying mach 4 xbox 360 dll faulty ..reload? It doesn 't reload and then ignores it...Am I installing it wrong?
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Hi Perfo,
I just downloaded it from the Mach site and tried it and it works fine. I thought that maybe the file was damaged on the Artsoft site, but it appears fine. Try downloading it again. Yes, it goes in the C:\Mach3\Plugins folder (or whatever drive and path you are using).
What version are you using?
One thing that is different is that, normally, Artsoft will convert dll files into m3p files that you download and click and they will self install into the plugins folder. This time, they just put the DLL there directly. You said that you received a Mach4 dll faulty message. Do you mean Mach 3?
Anyway, try downloading it again and let me know.
Lee
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I noticed the non self install difference and I've downloaded the latest Mach 3 just to make sure I was on the right version and it did say mach 4 in the window. I'll erase everything and try again. There is a possibility that due to trying to self install it damaged the file somehow. Be right back.
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Ok. I've done a fresh install of everything. I found the smooth stepper plug in was still installed even after going to control panel and saying de install mach 3. When I tried to do it manually it appears even though admins had full control and I was signed in as an admin vista thought I didn't have permission to delete anything in the mach 3 folder so looked as if it had but didn't delete anything. Anyway changed the owner to me and ensured every thing gone. Reinstalled Mach 3 version R2.63 and downloaded Xbox360 plug in. Hmmmm no change as mach 3 boots up the pop up is titled mach 4 and the message is
"plug in DLL defective. Reload" I clicked OK and the next message was (again titled Mach 4) Xbox360controller.dll-defective plug in found...ignoring" then Mach 3 continues to load up but without the plug in.
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Hi,
I have just been advised by Artsoft that there is a problem with the download. I am trying to figure out happened to the file and will let you know as soon as I have an answer. Hopefully, that will be tomorrow.
Lee
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Ah. It's always good to know that it wasn't my fault......then again it may still be my fault, just not totally. :) I'll keep my eyes on the thread and give it another go when appropriate.
thanks
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Lee, I haven't had a look at the plug-in yet but just wanted to say thanks. Another great gift from one of our fine members. I must say it is really nice to have a lot of great people here.
Brett
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Hello,
i bought a controller this week, install the new driver (running ok in control panel), the new plugin 2.0, and configure Mach3 but when i start Mach 3 (Version R3.041 registered), i receive an
error that say that controller batterie are empty. But control panel of the XBOX 360 controller say that the batterie are full.
I changed also the batterie with 2 news bat.
Any idea ?
Fabrice
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Not knowing anything about the Xbox 360, is there any other hardware needed if I get a wireless Xbox 360 controller? Looking at the web sites, the Xbox 360 has wireless built into it, what do we need on the PC to use a wireless controller?
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Hello,
you need the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows, that is sell with a controller, near the 50€.
It is also sell alone without Joypad for 20$.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360wirelessgamingreceiver/
Does anybody have an idea for the batterie message. I cannot use the xbox pad actually.
Fabrice
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hello fab. I haven't got one of these nor do I know much about them. Does the battery warning come up as soon as you put new batteries in it? or does it wait a while? If it does wait a bit it may be caused by either a fault in the device draining the battery or (quite common with radio controlled gear) it can't make a connection with the Base unit..IE it continually scans even when you think it's not on. Like I said I thought it was worth a mention for a shot in the dark type thing. Can you borrow someone else's controller and see if this does the same?
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Hello,
the message are directly in Mach3 after the start of the program. This Pad run well under Windows (only in the property control panel). I have nothing else to test on this PC.
Strange ! I will test it on an other PC.
Fabrice
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Hi,
I am in the process of moving and should be operational again next Tues. I will then check the code and see if I missed the full battery indicator. It sounds like you are using tha Microsoft controller and receiver so that should be okay. Send me an Email with your return email address. If the code needs any touch up I'll do it and send it to you directly for testing. Got to run-- back to packing.
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Hi Fab,
I am operational again. I need more info. What model of Wireless Controller and Wireless receiver are you using? Are you using XP or Vista? Normally, the Control Panel will not show battery level but it will allow you to test the controller. Are you using rechargable batteries or standard? If you are using the Play And charge Kit (sealed rechargeable battery pack), you need to charge it with the cable connected to the controller and the other end connected to the XBox360. Do not try and charge the battery with that cable connected to the pc. I'll wait to hear from you.
Lee
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Hello Lee,
thank's for the help, i send you the information :
- the model is the set of controller and wireless receiver (JR9-00002),
- i use a dedicated PC for Mach3 with Windows XP Pro SP3,
- yes the control panel doesn't show the batterie level but the the tool 'Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories'
installed with the pack show the batterie level. It is Version 1.10.123.0
I stopp the automaticaly run of this tool, but Mach3 continue to say the batterie level is low.
- I use standard batterie, no rechargeable.
Fabrice
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Hi,
That is the same wireless controller that I have and it works fine on my pc. The problem you are experiencing is likely caused by changes that Microsoft made in the XInput.h and XInput.lib files.
I suspect that you are using old DirectX files.
Here is a link to the June 2008 DirectX end-user redistributable :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=822640ab-0983-4c41-9c70-632f6f42c557&displaylang=en
or you can simply go to Microsoft's site and search for "DirectX June 2008" Then pick the June 2008 end-user redistributale from the list.
If you download and install it, it will update your DirectX. The August 2008 version may work fine,but, I haven't tried that version yet. So stick with the June version for now.
Try that and then let me know how it goes.
Lee
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Good mornig Lee,
unfortenately, doesn't run better.I installed the version of June 2008 but Mach3 continu to found a battery error. I send you in attachement the output of dxdiag and the lasterror file from Mach3.
Thank's again for your help.
Fabrice
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Hi,
I looked at your files and everything looks good. I do not know why you are having this problem. I will send you a new plugin that does not test for the battery. In that way, you can use it now until I can figure out what is happening.
Let me know how that works.
Lee
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Good Morning Lee,
with the file that you send me, the control with Xbox 360 pad run very well.
I hope that you found the reason for further version.
I can test if you need some results or information, i will waiting for you.
Thank's a lot,
Fabrice
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I to am having the same problem I just picked up a controller today and am getting the same think
Thanks
Tom
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never mind i found it
Tom