Peripheral Problems.

[J37_Spyboy]

I run IL2-GB on PC with Intel i7-7700K CPU 4.20ghz. 16.0gb RAM,  NVIDIA Geoforce GTX 1060 card with 6gb RAM. I use TrackIR. I have VKB Gladiator Pro, VKB T Rudder pedals and Thrustmaster TWCS Hotas. I use Discord and the Push to Talk button is assigned to the orange thumb button on the side of the TWCS unit. This set up  has worked well for years.

This weekend, 25/26 Feb 2 min or so into flight the rudder went to the right hand side and was unresponsive. OOPs! At the same time the Discord button didn't seem to work, I couldn't tell my wingies what was happening. It appeared that the peripherals had become corrupted, still powered but yaw, guns, discord comms all were not working.

Rebooted PC....No change

Deleted peripherals and rebooted, Problem solved...for 2min or so.

Ran AV scans, MalwareBytes, and Avira still no change. Tried to fly in RoF (yes I still have it on HD) Same problem. Rudder starts to flutter then over to RH side and ...OOps again

There was a Windows update last week but I don't know how to check if it is the culprit.

So, virpil techmates, any advice, pointers or solutions would be gratefully received. With IL2-GB containing 35gb or so of data I am reluctant to reinstall. I considered setting a 'Windows Restore Point' from 2 weeks ago, but I have no idea how to effect this as I have never set a data point to restore from. In any case is this not just kicking the can down the road? TBH I think this is a Microsoft problem but would be happy to stand corrected.

Thanks in advance.

Salute and hope to see you in the skies soon

 

[=IRFC=Mols]

It's usually great to figure out if it's a hardware vs software issue first when troubleshooting. I've used System Restore many times. I've only had it screw up once out of dozens, if not 100+ times, that I've used it. (But that was when Windows 7 was fairly new.)

 

System Restore essentially brings your entire computer's system drive (usually C:\) files back to that point in time with exception to everything inside your user home folder. (That is usually C:\Users\<username>, or just %USERPROFILE%) That obviously contains your Documents, Pictures, etc. But that also includes hidden folders such as %USERPROFILE%\AppData. Which usually contains user based application settings. Your TrackIR profiles are under this directory for example.

 

I always have multiple fallback plans, but that does require other means, such as commercial backup software or extensive Linux knowledge. Without that, you are kind of stuck with what Microsoft leaves you.

 

I would try the System Restore, at least you would know to go from there. If it's all working again, at least you know it's software related. And you can take it from there.

Edited February 28, 2023 by =IRFC=Mols

[Charon]

Do you get the same behavior without discord running?

 

Open your favorite joystick testing tool (the default windows tool is fine) while this is happening. Do you see correct events reported by the devices, or is the device itself reporting something wrong?

 

Try it in game with one device at a time unplugged. Are you able to isolate it to a single device?

[76SQN-FatherTed]

What a pisser!  If both ILGB and RoF have the problem with the rudder, I'd say the problem lies with the peripheral.  Have you looked at it in Windows Controllers?

[J5_Adam]

I get what I think is spiking or something. My rudder pedals every once in a while will slowly creep to the left. I have to quickly jam my pedals back and forth to "clear" the problem. It sometimes comes back but usually goes away for a while.

 

For me I think the problem is with the potentiometers that are 13 years old. I use all CH Products.

Edited March 2, 2023 by J5_Adam

[BMA_Hellbender]

My MSFFB2s are 20 years old, if they break that's it for me. 

[RNAS10_Mitchell]

On 3/1/2023 at 1:12 PM, 76SQN-FatherTed said:

What a pisser!  If both ILGB and RoF have the problem with the rudder, I'd say the problem lies with the peripheral.  Have you looked at it in Windows Controllers?

Agree with Ted.  Check our your perihials in windows.  Sounding more like a hardware issue to me.  Doing the check will either confirm or eliminate that possibility

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

9 minutes ago, =IRFC=Hellbender said:

My MSFFB2s are 20 years old, if they break that's it for me. 

Don't worry I have two which I don't use one in  good and second in  great condition, one is  still in the original box , used few times only. I switched to VPC years ago. 

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

I have 7 just because I wanted more than Trupo

[J37_Spyboy]

Ok Techmates.

I have reinstalled IL2 GB (45gb) and the problem persists. I believe the problem is with VKB. VKB Europe are closed for spring break till 27/03. The website is inaccessible.

I have been on VKB USA and d/loaded firmware, & VKBDevCfgDrviceConfigurator, On first look it seems dreadfully complicated. If any VKB equipment users have experience of this software I would appreciate some pointers.

[hsthhsth]

If you're looking for information on VKB I would advice VKB-SIM - In English . The site has a lot of information about hardware & software.

[J37_Spyboy]

Using VKBDevCfg I flashed and recalibrated the joystick and pedals. I deleted TrackIR and reinstalled to a previous version. All good, test flight today and Rudder shifts left after couple of minutes. TrackIR stops. When I look at keybindings curves for pitch rolland yaw there is no response from moving joystick. Yet in VKBDevCfg the hardware is working.  Any ideas techmates?  Thankyou.

[J37_Spyboy]

Just an update for those that follow this thread. I have restored the game to its former glory. Except for the skins. I deleted including hidden files TrackIR, reinstalled to a previous version. I installed a new powered USB 3.0 hub. I updated graphics and motherboard drivers. I now don't have enough C Drive  space to updated the 12gb skins I own, so final question Techmates, is transferring IL2 to G drive 1Tb SSD simply a question of applying a ' move to' option OR should I 'copy to' the G drive and then delete the C version? The latter seems the sensible option. Are there registry/hidden files that need to be transferred? Thanks

[=LD=Bulldog*]

Did you get it working?

I have two Sidewinder 2 FF sticks and mine goes upwards and to the right. I notice that the z calibrartion refuses to budge from the right.

 

Help!

 

Cheers!

 

BD

[Smitty19K]

So was it TrackIR that was causing the problem? I'm having a similar issue. I'm using an X-55 joystick, Orion throttle and CH rudder pedals. I've disconnected everything else so the game only sees these three controllers. I can assign an axis in keymapping, but when I test it nothing happens. Same with buttons. I just fired up the game recently after a long break and had to reassign all controls. Set everything and started a mission. Couldn't even start the engine without using the keyboard. No controls recognized in game. 

[J37_Spyboy]

I think it was a USB hub that the pedals and other things were plugged into. TrackIR was plugged into the PC directly, the USB was changed for a powered hub. Seems to have solved the problem. IRFC Bulldog (post above) was using Windows 11, reverting back to Win 10 solved the problem for him.

Have a look at Naturalpoint forums.https://forums.naturalpoint.com/viewforum.php?f=72 

Edited May 15, 2023 by J5_Spyboy

[=LD=Bulldog*]

Hey Spyboy!

 

I used my Windows 10 laptop last night for Il-2 and the engineer will install Windows 10 onto my new tower. Hope that does the trick.

 

BD