Troubleshooting

Problem: Joystick-To-Mouse does not start automatically

Solution(s):

Verify that the automatic start-up with Windows check box has been checked.

In Windows 8, you should use the option to start at the Start Screen - see System & Startup Options. The built in start options referred to in the following had to do with the Startup Group and normal operation prior to Windows 8. Changes to Windows 8 may allow both capabilities.

If already installed, from the Start Menu, copy the Joystick-To-Mouse icon from the Joystick-To-Mouse group to the StartUp group, and restart Windows. If unfamiliar with this, Re-install Joystick-To-Mouse - the Setup default is to install Joystick-To-Mouse in the StartUp group (Auto-Start with Windows).

If you see a message indicating the joystick cannot be started, review "I can not calibrate the joystick" below.

Problem: I can not calibrate the joystick

Solution(s):

Various joysticks have different capabilities and hardware settings, and Joystick-To-Mouse was written to take advantage of the standard joystick drivers & multimedia extensions provided by Microsoft.

The calibration and hardware issues are beyond the Joystick-To-Mouse software application. If you cannot calibrate and test the joystick within the Windows control panel, do not try and run Joystick-To-Mouse - it is a software program that needs a joystick, and it simply will not work until you have resolved this issue.

In testing and through feedback from our users, we can offer the following information as a starting place:

• Start off in Control Panel ("Joystick", "Game Controllers", "Gaming Options" icon)

• USB joysticks should be automatically recognized by Windows - note that any driver software (on diskette or CD) that came with the joystick MUST be installed as required by the joystick manufacturer.

• Verify the joystick is plugged into the proper game port. Some systems have more than one (1 with the system, and 1 on a sound card). If there is more than one, there could be a conflict. Refer to the hardware manuals that came with your system if Microsoft Diagnostics (MSD.EXE) does not detect a Game Port Adapter.

• Joystick-To-Mouse requires the joystick to be on Controller ID 1 (Available in the Advanced Tab, or in Windows XP, the Advanced setting for Preferred Device (i.e. primary joystick))

• Verify the orientation of the joystick - the calibration routine will not operate if it assumes you are at the upper-left, while the joystick is actually lower-right.

• Confirm the proper settings of the joystick. Some joysticks have the capability of removing (or lessening) the auto-centering feature. In most cases, these should be left on, so the joystick returns to the center position when released.

• Verify the "Auto-fire" setting is not turned on (if applicable to the joystick).

• Most Analog joysticks have sliders or knobs to fine tune the joystick center position. Verify these are at their center positions before attempting calibration.

Problem: The cursor moves on its own

Solution(s):

Check that the joystick is in its center position, and if it has any physical settings, that they are in their proper position.

Most USB joysticks will not have this problem - if you do experience any cursor drifting, always start by re-calibrating & testing the joystick in Windows Control Panel.

Analog joysticks: There are various settings available to compensate for joystick variability. The most effective method is to counteract the off-center position by using the sliders on the joystick itself. These may need to be adjusted periodically since the joystick values reported can be affected by temperature, joystick use, humidity, etc.

The single most important setting in Joystick-To-Mouse to compensate for cursor drift is the Center Range Sensitivity, available in Joystick-To-Mouse Custom Calibration or Advanced Menu | Joystick.

You may wish to Calibrate and select the Calibration Method to be Joystick-To-Mouse Custom Calibration. This screen gives you options to modify the motion threshold (how far the joystick must be moved in order to register motion) and center range sensitivity (how far off center the joystick must be moved to register motion). You will be able to modify settings and get instant feedback of the results at this screen.

Verify that the Relative Mode of Joystick-To-Mouse is selected - in Absolute Mode the cursor may be jumpy do to the inherent nature of analog joysticks - you may wish to use a digital joystick if higher precision is required.

On older PCs that have the game port as part of the sound adapter, playing sound while operating with Joystick-To-Mouse can cause errant values to be read by Windows (this is due to voltage problems within the sound card) and cause erratic motion of the cursor. Disable sound (Mute) while working with Joystick-To-Mouse, or try a different sound adapter.

DriftGuard - the DriftGuard feature is enabled everytime Joystick-To-Mouse begins operation. (In Windows 8, DriftGuard is default off because of the use of the screen corners). If the cursor gets stuck in one of the corners of the display during the initial few seconds, Joystick-To-Mouse will turn Off, and give you a warning message. During normal operation (with no cursor drift), this feature will be transparent. Incorrect calibration is the most common reason why DriftGuard would stop Joystick-To-Mouse. Refer to the displayed information for further assistance. See the Joystick-To-Mouse Notes for more details on DriftGuard, and how to disable if necessary.

Refer to the Joystick-To-Mouse Initialization File for a detailed description of the settings available.

For other known issues, please refer to Joystick-To-Mouse Operation.