Weird Controller Problem I Can't Make Sense Of.

Ok, so my GF finally got FFXI installed on her PC. We couldn't get the controllers she had to work so she ordered another one. Still nothing. I will explain in detail.

The first 2 controllers are just plug-n-play, no CDs, etc. After plugging them in, the devices are installed fine. I showed her how to open up the Controller Config in Windows 7. I got her to open up the properties for the controller to test all the buttons, and to figure out which button is which #. Came across a weird problem that I've never noticed before. The Directional Pad moves the X Axis/Y Axis thing around just like the Right Analog stick does. The D-pad should be moving the 'Point of View Hat' but it doesn't. Also, the Left analog sticks doesn't moved the bars for the Z Axis, X/Y Rotation. Instead the Left Analog stick presses buttons 1 through 4 (Pushing up presses triangle, down presses X). That causes problems for things like calibrating like when it says to move the Left analog in all directions then press Button 1. Well, when you move it down it's also hitting X so it thinks you hit Button 1 and closes. I really don't know why it's being like that.

Anyways, so we scrapped those controllers because of that problem and also in FFXI Config in the gamepad setup, nothing is recognized when trying to set up movement/camera/menu controls.

She likes PS2 controllers so I bought her one of those PS2 to PC USB adapters to use a PS2 controller on her computer. She just got it today and it is supposedly Plug-n-play as well since there was no CD for drivers. After plugging it in it sais it wasn't installed correctly, so whatever, we went to Game controller properties anyways and it shows the controller with 'OK' under status. So after testing all the buttons, it has the same *** problem. D-pad and Right Analog are moving the same Axes, and the Right analog is still only pressing buttons 1 to 4. It is also not getting recognized in FFXI config. So...sigh. She still can't play on PC. Any advice?

I've switched from using a Xbox controller to a cheap logitech USB controller that's PS2 style, never had any issues. Was only like $10. Even got a wireless one now to use when I play games on my TV instead of my PC monitor though that one was like $25-30.

Are you running Windows 7?

I don't really like Microsoft and I don't have a 360, but I'd still recommend using the 360 controller for PC games because it seems that's what every developer has embraced for gaming. I currently use a ps3 controller with motionjoy drivers, but it bugs the crap out of me that all the controller menus in game are for the 360s layout. Anyone who has ever played a game with quick-time events will understand what I mean.

For FFXI specifically, I don't play with a controller so I don't know what I'm talking about. But, if you really really want to use a ps2 layout the motionjoy drivers for the ps3 controller has a mode to emulate a 360 controller which seems to do the trick. It is however a larger pain in the butt than it should be to set up and I don't really recommend doing that unless you already have a ps3.

Plug and play... Clearly isn't. So she's got 3 controllers, all utilizing plug and play but all do the same thing. I use an old radio shack ps2 to pc adapter that has always worked for me prior to switching to win7. Then it gave me a ton of trouble with the D-pad buttons not being recognized. But my adapter has drivers, and I was eventually able to get it to work.

What model controllers/adapters does she have? Perhaps there are drivers online somewhere or perhaps you can test those controllers with another pc and see if the issue lies in her computer.

She is, yes.

install motionjoy and it's drivers. Callibrate controller, configure on Motion Joy Ds3 and ffxi config.

I had a similar problem with my computer so I decided to look for solutions and I found this: Xpadder

There's another updated version you can buy, but this one worked fine for me. It's fairly easy to use as well. And when you download it, right-click Xpadder and change it to run in compatibility mode for Windows Vista.

Xpadder pretty much lets you assign any key to any button/pad/joystick on your controller. Hopefully that provides a solution.