Analog Joystick Mystery
 

Hi,

I have a Compaq Presario 1060 laptop (WIN95), bought around 1997. It has a
game port connector. I have two analog joysticks (Kraft and Quick Shot,
QS201) which I am unable to use in Dos mode (Windows shut down). I can use
them at the Dos "Prompt". I couldn't find a Dos mode driver for either
joystick, but there is a handler in BIOS for a joystick so I really don't need
a Dos driver.

I used a Dos based "JOYREAD" tool which uses two modes (the joystick
handler in BIOS or software loop) to read the joystick port (0201h). Both
modes work fine at the Dos "Prompt", but neither works in Dos mode. Simple
button/s pressing can't be detected in Dos mode, but detected just fine at Dos
Prompt!!!

Note: I have a Dos mode Commodore 64 emulator that will not "run"
at the Dos prompt. I have many C64 games that work best with a
joystick. Also note, I have a Compaq Presario CDS774 desktop
computer I bought in late 1995. These same joysticks work just
fine in Dos mode (without Windows) using the BIOS joystick handler.

Is there a direct connection with the sound system (ES1788 from
ESS Technology) and this port?

What "enables" this port when Windows is launched, even though
there is a BIOS (rom) handler for this port?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active key logger (spyware) in your PC.

Analog Joystick Mystery
 

Hi!

I've never heard of BIOS support for a joystick/game port.

Windows provides a virtual joystick (vjoyd, IIRC) driver that probably
initializes the port and gets it to the point of working before you attempt
to use it.

The gameport is usually implemented by way of the sound card/sound chip.
Chances are you need a DOS enabler to get the sound chip up and running so
you can use the game port.

Most likely you need this:
ftp://ftp.esstech.com/pub/audio-mode...DOS_config.zip

(quoting the readme: "ESSCFG.EXE allows the user to configure the ESS sound
chip with a base address, a DMA channel, an IRQ channel, and an address for
the MPU-401 port, if a wavetable is supported by the sound card.")

to get the card/chip running and initialized before you can use the
joystick.

Chances are that the ESS1788 is an ISA PnP device and must be initialized
somehow before anything can see or use it. The older computer is more likely
to have used a chipset that's always enabled and/or has its resources
assigned in some "hardwired" method, such as jumpers, switches or possibly
even BIOS settings.

William

Analog Joystick Mystery
 

"Brad" bravely wrote to "All" (15 Feb 06 17:49:31)
--- on the heady topic of "Analog Joystick Mystery"

Br From: (Brad)
Br Xref: core-easynews sci.electronics.repair:358409

Br Hi,

Br I have a Compaq Presario 1060 laptop (WIN95), bought around 1997.
Br It has a game port connector. I have two analog joysticks (Kraft and
Br Quick Shot, QS201) which I am unable to use in Dos mode (Windows shut
Br down). I can use them at the Dos "Prompt". I couldn't find a Dos
Br mode driver for either joystick, but there is a handler in BIOS for a
Br joystick so I really don't need a Dos driver.

Br I used a Dos based "JOYREAD" tool which uses two modes (the
Br joystick handler in BIOS or software loop) to read the joystick port
Br (0201h). Both modes work fine at the Dos "Prompt", but neither works
Br in Dos mode. Simple button/s pressing can't be detected in Dos mode,
Br but detected just fine at Dos Prompt!!!

Br Note: I have a Dos mode Commodore 64 emulator that will not "run"
Br at the Dos prompt. I have many C64 games that work best with a
Br joystick. Also note, I have a Compaq Presario CDS774 desktop
Br computer I bought in late 1995. These same joysticks work just
Br fine in Dos mode (without Windows) using the BIOS joystick handler.

Br Is there a direct connection with the sound system (ES1788 from
Br ESS Technology) and this port?

Br What "enables" this port when Windows is launched, even though
Br there is a BIOS (rom) handler for this port?

Br Thanks in advance, Brad

Br Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
Br be sure there is no active key logger (spyware) in your PC.


Windows loads the drivers which configures the ESS1788 card and
activates its various features, i.e. sound, game, etc. When dos is
started without windows then the card features don't get configured.
What you need is the dos version of the configuration utility for the
ESS1788 card. Of course, assuming it is a plug and play (PnP) card.

However, there may be another problem having to do with the speed of
the joystick timers on the card itself. With a fast PC, the loop
counters in the joystick drivers just breeze right through and
overflow. In this case the card's game port won't work on a faster
machine. It can sometimes be kludged by changing the resistance value
but it might not be easy for just anyone. Use a newer card then.

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... You may be a tech if you're entertained by a 6-pack and sparking HV.