TIR1 misbehaving

[WWSpinDry]

I recently "inherited" a TrackIR version 1 and a Track Hat, and I downloaded/installed version 3.13 of the software. My system is running Windows XP/MCE, and the game software in question is IL-2, "1946" edition.

The problems I'm encountering are:

1. Severe hesitation, usually when looking left or down. When looking at the traveling dot in the software, if I recenter and then look left (or down) there is a pause before the dot jumps to the new position. This does not seem to happen when looking to the right (or up). The behavior does not seem to be affected by changes in the profiles, as I have tried aggressive, smooth and numerous custom ones. I do not have a dead zone defined. I have also tried different settings for the "smoothness" slider, without apparent effect. I have also tried rotating the device slightly to the left, and moving it sideways slightly to the left, both attempts to equalize the movement (since it favors movement to the right), but no effect. This reluctance to track smoothly to the left is repeated in the game.

2. Wild jumping around at the extremes. For example, simulating looking up and to the right, "over my shoulder" will result in the view jumping unpredictably. It freezes there for several seconds, ignoring recentering commands. Once recentered it will freeze in the center position for several seconds or more. This happens even in a darkened room and I've verified in the tracking window it is seeing no other light sources that might cause this jumping (I have seen first-hand what happens when a bright window is in view, and this isn't the same sort of behavior). The behavior happens both when viewing the dot in the software, and in the game.

Are there any suggested configuration changes in the 3.13 software I can try to correct these problems, or are these symptoms of a malfunctioning device?

[VincentG]

What is the Serial # of the device?
It should be located on the end of the cable, near the USB plug, or on the underside of the device.

Could you send us a copy of the Setupapi.log file?
It should be located in the C:\Windows folder

Have you tried the device on another system?

Are you plugging in directly to the system, or are you using a hub?

Have you tried isolating the device on the USB ports?

Have you tried turn off any kind of power save feature for your USB ports?

In the "Device Manager" you can right click the "USB Hub"(s), that show, and then select properties. On the power management tab, uncheck the box that allows the computer to turn off the USB port to save power (i.e. uncheck the box). Sometimes that has an impact on the connectivity of the devices.

Could you attach a screen shot of your device manager (showing USB), and tracking screen (TrackIR software)?

To make Print Screen work, you must save an image of what's displayed on-screen to the clipboard and then paste it into a document where it can be printed.

Windows Help: Print Screen

To do this, follow this procedure:

1. Maximize the window you'd like to capture.
2. To copy/capture the current window, hold down ALT + Print Scrn at the same time. To capture the entire screen, just press Print Scrn alone.
3. Open a new document in MS Paint, MS Word, MS Photo Editor, or Adobe PhotoShop.
4. Paste the screen shot by holding down CTRL and V at the same time.
5. Save the document as a .JPG or .JPEG file and send it in.

[WWSpinDry]

I'll collect the requested information this evening when I get home, and thanks for the quick response. I assume you wish me to attach the files to an e-mail directed to support(at)naturalpoint(dot)com?

In the meantime, in response to two of the items:

1. The device is plugged directly into a native USB port on the computer, not into a hub.

2. "Have you tried isolating the device on the USB ports?" -- could you please explain what you mean by this?

Thanks again!

[VincentG]

Isolate - try disconnecting other USB devices, so that they are not on the same USB hub, as the TrackIR unit....

[WWSpinDry]

Got it. I suppose that's not applicable since the device isn't plugged into a hub, but rather into one of the main system ports.

E-mail with the requested supporting information is on its way.

[VincentG]

Answered in email.....

[WWSpinDry]

Back at you with answers to your questions and a follow-up question of my own, when you get time.

Thanks for all the help thus far, it's making a difference.

[VincentG]

No issues...

[WWSpinDry]

Awesome. I have squad practice online tonight, I'll be giving the new settings a thorough testing.

Thanks again!