TracKIR has stopped working with GTR/GTL

[Jeff Lee]

I recently received a new TrackIR 4 unit to replace my previous unit that had died.

The new unit works well in most games; unfortunately, I am now having problems with 2 racing games which I did not have with the old unit before it conked out on me.

The new TrackIR 4 does not track properly in GT Legends and GTR. The old unit worked fine in both games. While centering works correctly, the unit will not track head movements at all within the game. The yellow and blue lights are on when the game first loads, although the yellow light turns itself off within these games frequently once I get to the track (I don't think that is supposed to happen). I can't identify any configuration problems, and both the hardware and software seem to be working fine otherwise.

The new TrackIR 4 works fine (just like the old one did) in the following games : F1 Championship 99-03, Grand Prix Legends, netKar PRO, Richard Burns Rally, rFactor.

I'm at a loss. Any advice appreciated.

[Barred]

Check you key mapping and in one of them thee is a TIR on/off button. If it is not ticked try assigning a buttion/key to it and then give it a try. It is not unknown for a setting to glitch internatlly.

[Jeff Lee]

Thanks, Barred.

I have checked key mapping.
That does not appear to be the problem.

[Jeff Lee]

Thanks for your rapid response, Warren.

I guess I am a bit colorblind.
The light I am calling yellow is the same color as the light I see in any other game in which TrackIR works normally (e.g., rFactor) when I am on the track, driving, and TrackIR is tracking correctly. So I will call this light green from now on.

3D heads and tracking are working normally before starting the game (GTL or GTR), and are also working normally when I switch to check the software while I am on the track within the game (head tracking not working, both the green and blue lights are lit).

As far as I can tell, I do not have a competing key binding; I am not using F keys with overlapping assignments.

[warrenEBB]

Hi Jeff,
you describe a yellow light.
I only get a yellow light if the unit is already tracking (which causes a green light - meaning TrackIR sees reflectors) and then i hit the "pause" hotkey (hitting Pause usually causes a bright red light, if TrackIR wasn't tracking anything).
the combination of tracking green, and pause red, is the only way i know of to get the yellow light.

I guess the best way to check this is to check the 3D heads in the TrackIR software before loading any game (andcheck tracking window), then load either game and load the track, and confirm trackIR isn't moving view, then alt tab to the software and see if trackir is moving the 3D heads in the heads window.

My guess is that a key binding in those games is competing with TrackIR's pause hot key. Though since you've got it working in other games, i doubt it'll be this simple. Just wanted to check this before getting more technical.

please let me know if this helps, Jeff.

[ May 17, 2006, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: NaturalPoint-Warren ]

[warrenEBB]

ok,
two quick thoughts.
- have you run "check for game updates" (in the TrackIR software's help menu).

- If the green light is going out, that is an indication that the TrackIR isn't seeing you. Please alt-tab out of the game once you're on all loaded up and ready to go, and let me know what you see in the tracking window (a screenshot of the tracking window would be even better, if you could email it to me).
sometimes a light source behind you competes with the TrackClip's reflectors, and there are many ways to fix this.

hope this helps

[Jeff Lee]

1. Yes, I have run the "check for game updates." Games are up to date.

2. When I load up the game and alt-tab out, the tracking window looks normal to me (trackhat is being tracked). I will e-mail you a screenshot.

3. I am aware of the light source problem and have eliminated lights behind me routinely to avoid it. I don't think that is the issue, especially since all my other games work and there is no head movement at all in the game (not even the herky-jerky movement you tend to get with interference from a light source behind you).

4. Yes, the green light goes out on me in the game. However, it is not out all the time. It will stay lit for a while (perhaps a minute or so), then go out randomly and stay off for a while (half a minute or so), then come back on again for a while. It does not flicker. At no time, regardless of whether the green light is lit or not, do I have head tracking in the game.

[Jeff Lee]

Warren,

I have found the problem; totally my fault.

In the PLR file for GTL and GTR, I had changed the following line:
High Process Priority="0" // Improves FPS on some systems, but may conflict with some background applications
To:
High Process Priority="1" // Improves FPS on some systems, but may conflict with some background applications

Of course, the result was a conflict with TrackIR.
I changed the value back to �0� and all works fine now.

I can�t emphasize enough how much I appreciate your help with this.

Jeff

[warrenEBB]

Thanks Jeff,
I will try to get this up in the tips&tricks areas for both games asap!