Using two Joysticks on the MS range of
computers.
Introduction
There are four main types of Gameport found in todays PC’s, they
are as follows:-
(1) Half Gameport - Supports only one Joystick with upto 2-buttons and
2-axis, this type of port is usually found on a Multi I/O card.
(2) Full Gameport - Supports one joystick with upto 4-buttons and 4-axis. Also supports
two joysticks with upto 2-buttons and 2-axis when connected via a Y-Cable (see diags
below).
(3) Sound-Card Gameport - Same functions as a Full Gameport but also capable of connecting
a MIDI device to it. This type of Gameport is found on Sound-Cards (eg Sound-blaster) and
is also the type used in the MS range of Apricot Computers.
(4) Special Gameport - These are designed by Joystick manufacturers to allow full use of
Joysticks that have more than 4-buttons and 4-axis.
Y-Cables
Y-Cables come in two types, Generic and Sound-Card. Generic Y-cables
(see diag 2) split the gameport wires so that half go to the A joystick and half go to the
B joystick. This works well on a normal full gameport but when used on a Sound-Card
Gameport such as the one on an Apricot computer only one Joystick is recognised. This is
because Sound-Card gameports have a second function to be a connector for a MIDI
instrument and some of the wires used by the MIDI instrument clash with the B Joystick
wires.
If you wish to use two Joysticks on a Soundcard Gameport, a special
Y-Cable made for a Sound-Card Gameport (see diag 1) is required. This ensure’s that
only joystick wires are sent to the joystick connectors.
Setting up two Joysticks in Windows’95
When using a Joystick Y-Cable only 2-axis and 2-buttons are recognised
per Joystick. Therefore when setting up and calibrating the Joysticks in Windows’95
you need to do the following.
(1) Ensure that both Joysticks are properly connected to the Gameport
via the Y-Cable.
(2) In Windows’95 load the Control Panel and then Double-click on Joystick.
(3) Ensure that Joystick 1 and Joystick 2 are setup and calibrated as below.
If an End-User wants to know which Y-cable to purchase, it is suggested
that they buy one made by or for a sound card manufacturer such as Creative Labs. This
should ensure that the cable they purchase is compatible with the Joystick/MIDI port on
there computer.
Related Internet Links
http://www.gravis.com/faq/joystick/Joy00000.htm - PC Joystick FAQs
http://www.gravis.com/default.htm
- Gravis Website
http://www.creative-labs.co.uk/clenet/contents.html
- Creative Labs Website
http://www.quickshot.com/ -
Quickshot Home Page
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