Frequent game crashes with MS Sidewinder FFB2 - normal?

[SASHIMI7-fugumaster]

I am new to sims and managed to acquire a FFB2 stick - but I am getting game crashing to desktop in BoS  when:

 

1. Changing stick curves

2. Occasionally key binding

3. Finishing a mission and then crash to desktop

 

Is this just normal and expected or do you all have problem free flying with the FFB2 stick?

 

Based on a search:

1. Stuttering fixed - I see the fix is pause the game, go to setting and disable FFB and then re-enable. 

2. Buy a powered USB hub - I've been trying to find one... almost impossible these days!

3. Power on, then plug in to USB - seems to help sometimes but still getting crashes

 

[DD_FT-]

Am using MS FFB2, connected via powered USB 2 hub, and have had 1 and 2 occurring as well, though not that often, lately: Could be because I am not changing that much anymore...

 

Can't say I've had the Finish Mission crash to desktop...

[SASHIMI7-fugumaster]

I just ordered a powered USB 3.0 hub with a UK plug (which is what I need) - powered USB 2.0 hubs are even rarer.

Guess if I plug it into USB 2.0 end point it shouldn't matter.

 

Will take about 3 weeks before it gets to me though!

[ACG_Bobo]

USB hub solved all my MSFFB problems which were the same as you describe. 

[ST_Catchov]

17 hours ago, SASHIMI7-fugumaster said:

Is this just normal and expected or do you all have problem free flying with the FFB2 stick?

 

No it's not normal, for me at least. I have the same stick and don't use a powered usb hub and have no probs. Is it okay if you don't mess with settings in-game? If that's what you meant? Good luck.

[J2_Steve]

I'm the same as Catchov. I plug straight into the PC and have no crashes.

[Noisemaker]

Do the crashes go away if you turn off FFb?

Since the last update my game would constantly crash.  Support tracked down the issue to the FFb driver, and said I should contact Saitek (For a discontinued product, sure...) to resolve the issue, otherwise turn off FFb in the game.  Doing so allows me to play without crashes, but I'd like to get FFb back.  Given that the FFb worked perfectly up until the last update, it seems the devs broke something in the FFb support.  Interesting to see it happening with other FFb joysticks as well.

 

[SASHIMI7-fugumaster]

My USB powered hub arrived and I glad to say it has solved at least 95% of issues... I get an occasional crash to desktop, but now I can play and no more stuttering!

 

It was a USB 3.0 hub (plugged into a standard USB port at the back of the PC) with a little switch for each USB port.  So I turn it on, then power on and play.  Then I turn the power off, and turn the USB switch off when finished.

 

MUCH more stable.

Edited July 17, 2020 by SASHIMI7-fugumaster