TrackIR Software Installation.

[phaetn]

I have TrackIR ser#001272 and cannot succesfully install the software in Windows XP (latest versions of either the Track IR GX or SmartNav).

After installing the software, and then plugging the TrackIR into a USB port (right on the Mobo, not a hub, and not using the extension cable) a standard "USB Device Found" message appears, rather then the "ECT Naturalpoint Firmware Loader." As a result, it cannot find the proper drivers when I continue on with the installation, and I have no way to direct it appropriately.

In the Device Manager an unknown USB device appears; I do install the software first, however, without the TrackIR plugged in. I have a Logitech cordless mouse, and have tried the installation with the mouse plugged in and out in case there was a conflict or other interference, but still no dice.

Note that this same rig (on which I normally use WinXP) is a dual-boot system; I have booted it into Win98 and it recognizes the TrackIR just fine, so I wouldn't think it's a USB or Mobo issue (all the hardware is identical, only the boot-up O/S is different).

Also, the hardware and installation from floppies has been tested on an entirely separate laptop with Win98 and it works fine.

[update]
I've tried the installation on the same dual-boot computer in Win98 and WinXP multiple times in each O/S. It works every time in Win98, and never in WinXP.

I let it install to default folders, and have tried custom folders (always works 98, never XP).
Win98 will even recognize the device (albeit without drivers) as "ECT... Firmware" in the USB devices list of the Device Manager if it's plugged in right away without loading the software first.

WinXP, on the other hand, always stubbornly refuses to label it as anything but an Unknown USB device no matter what.

Interestingly, Win98 doesn't require a reboot after the software is loaded, whereas WinXP does request one. I've tried both rebooting and not rebooting after the software install in WinXP, and doesn't work either way.

Out of ideas....

I do use a Via based motherboard (MSI K7T266-Pro2), but the fact that it's okay in Win98 seems to preclude this being a problem, and it's more of WinXP identification issue rather than anything else. Is there any way I can redirect the installation to find the drivers manually?

[Secondary Update]
I have a third computer networked downstairs, running WinXP only. Everything installed and worked fine on that.

I wonder if I've got some old info stuck in the registry or something for my main machine. I'll check it out.

[Tertiary Update]
No dice. Did a RegEdit and search for "NaturalPoint" and "TrackIR" and deleted anything even remotely linked (only items were Web browser stuff).

Unplugged all USB devices (HOTAS devices, X-Keys programmable keyboard, USB mouse) and reinstalled sofware. No luck, the TrackIR is always recognized as an Unknown USB Device in WinXP.

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers,
phaetn

[ November 21, 2002, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: phaetn ]

[phaetn]

Spoke to a tech support rep. on the phone, but haven't yet heard back from programmer who can help out with intallation issues.

On my machine WinXP is on a partition (E:/) while Win98 is on the root drive (C:/). Think this could cause a problem where drivers/files are getting dumped to the wrong place?

Every other installation under WinXP has been fine (including CH Products' complicated install where odd USB devices have to get recognized), so the O/S normally finds required files.

I've also tried pointing the Unknown USB Device install routine everywhere I can think of, but it steadfastedly refuses to find the required drivers. Is there any way I can install them manually and force the re-direct?

Cheers,
phaetn

[Jim]

Hello:

I can help out here. What happened is that the USB Device ID got assigned wrong, so you have to fix it manually. I am copying in the text from another post on this site:

Can you use the System Restore feature to go back in time before the Critical Upgrade? This might take things back to the way they were, which would be good at this point.

To delete the trackIR completely, which we have only done in Win2K, you must do the following:

Have device plugged in, delete from Device Manager. Unistall our software. Run Regedit and delete everything with the following in it: NaturalPoint, Eye Control Technologies, Pid_2235, Pid_1002, EZUSB, EZmon

That should do it, restart and then install our software, then install the device, it should seem like the computer is finding it for the first time, if it doesn't run you through the "new device found" proceedure, like it did the first time then we didn't get all the entries. Make sure it shows up properly in the Device Manager and then try it out

FULL THREAD HERE: http://forums.naturalpoint.com/cgi-bin/ ... 3;t=000003

[phaetn]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jim.

I followed your instructions to the letter, and found a registry entry with the PID_2235 in it (Vid_0547&Pid_2235), and deleted all occurences of it. No instances of Pid_1002, EZUSB, or EZmon were found.

After a reboot, reinstallation of the software, and then plugging in the TrackIR, it's still listed as an Unknown USB Device (and an entry for Vid_0547&Pid_2235 is in the registry again, but not any of the others). EZUSB and EZmon sys files are in the /system32/drivers directory.

Any other thoughts? Is there a way I can force the wizard to find the right drivers?

Cheers,
phaetn

[Jim]

Hello:

This is a tough one for sure. Once the USB ID Handle, the ViD number, is assigned to the Unknown driver then it is very hard to fix. The only way to do it is to rip out all references to our device in the Registry. This is a pain to do, but usually works. Can you go back in time with the System Restore feature? That also works. Other wise you will have to uninstall your complete USB sub system, by removing it from the Device Manager, then reinstall all USB devices. If that doesn't work then I am out of ideas. We are sure that the unit works because you tried it on another machine, so I will be interested to read the results.

[phaetn]

Hello again, Jim. Thanks for taking the time to reply on a Sunday night.

Unfortunately, it's still a no go on my end. This morning I again followed the initial steps (uninstalling software, deleting references in the registry) then unplugged all USB devices except for my mouse and deleted the USB Controllers section from the Device Manager by deleting all the sub-menu items (General Purpose USB Hub; USB Root Hoob (x3); VIA Rev 5 or later USB Univeral Host Controller (x3)). Deleting these items made the parent directory "USB Controllers" disapper (and I lost mouse functionality, naturally).

I then rebooted, and WinXP began the finding hardware process, where it found the mouse without asking for drivers (and therefore I lost a little hope, figuring it was going to rely on old assignments). Without any other USB devices plugged in, I then reinstalled the TrackIR GX software and rebooted as per the NaturalPoint install routine.

Then I plugged in the TrackIR as the second USB device attached (mouse being the first).
Again, it came up as a USB Device, and not as the ECT Firmware, like it should.

Then I plugged in my other controllers and USB Hub, and all the old devices were found without requiring relocation of drivers or any other installation. This would suggest that deleting the USB items from the Device Manager didn't do much good, as it simply relied on old assignments for the IDs when they were plugged back in. Did I do something wrong?

I'm flumoxxed. Any other suggestions? This TrackIR unit not only works, but works on this machine when booting in a different O/S. It's defintely a WinXP issue with my configuration.

Is there not any way I can force it to use particular drivers as a USB device, or is it all lost if it doesn't recongize the ECT...Firmware from the get-go?

Unfortunately, a System Restore is not an option since the TrackIR was plugged in when I initially got WinXP (a year ago?) and when it didn't work at the time I just let it sit on my desk, hoping new TrackIR software would eventually resolve the issue (quite a few devices I had didn't have WinXP drivers for a while, so I wasn't particularly worried).

Thanks again for your help and cheers,
phaetn

[ November 25, 2002, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: phaetn ]

[phaetn]

S.O.S.!

Cheers,
phaetn

[craigtunstall]

I have exactly the same problem with Windows XP, trackIR and the same the motherboard. Maybe it's something to do with the drivers for the USB ports on the motherboard?

[phaetn]

Indeed, might be. I know all the actual hardware works (TrackIR, USB port, mobo) because its functional on the same machine in Win98.

I wish there was a way I could just force it to find the right drivers manually, rather than it relying on finding the ECT...firmware setup.

Cheers,
phaetn

[Jim]

Hello:

Wow, I don't know exactly what to say from this point forward to resolve the issue. It seems like there is a USB ID problem for sure, but if it won't clear out and act like new then I don't know what to do. I have several XP machines here to try things on, but they all work and I don't know how to get them confused to this level. Sorry for not being of much help here. I am open to any suggestions from users on this one.