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A Quick ( Hah! ) Saitek x52 Question


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#1 Ace Archer

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Posted 16 March 2012 - 03:53 PM

Hello there! Basically, i'm having some trouble with my saitek x52 joystick, and i finally decided to ask for help.
So recently, I tried to set it up on my new computer ( Win 7 ), and have encountered a lot of flaws and problems with it ( Mostly in general, but some with MW4 Mercs ). Basic ;
* Most recently, while trying to get a Mw4 profile working ( See Below ), it semi-froze my computer to where i couldn't do anything except access the start menu ( Luckily ). After attempting to shut it down, it sat for about ten minutes and i decided to ( Stupidly ) unplug the controller from the PC. This caused an instant Blue Screen ( not of death, computer recovered just fine ) and kind of scared the **** out of me, considering this is a new PC.
* As expected also, the x52 does not work with MW4 Mercs. I Know this is a widely known issue with it, but the profiles that I've grabbed off of various mektek threads haven't yielded much success yet.
* Finally, the least important of the problems. It ( on occasion ) makes my mouse drift into the upper left hand corner of my screen. It's the oddest thing I've ever seen.

Thanks for trying to help if you do! I would like to get my x52 sorted before MWO comes out, so i don't have to use my alternative, a ST90 ( First world problem, shut up) .


Thanks!

- Ace

#2 stabwest

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Posted 16 March 2012 - 04:34 PM

http://www.saitekfor...splay.php?f=116

Might have better luck on Saitek's support forums, but definitely keep us informed on how they work out for ya, would hate to buy hardware from a company that can't keep up with software updates for the latest OS.

It might also help if people stop buying hardware for a game that's still in developement, wait till the devs come out with info on supported hardware.

#3 Guido

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Posted 16 March 2012 - 05:33 PM

I had a similar problem three weeks back when I had purchased mine, but more dramatic. After plugging in the usb, it would freeze my comp. If I tried to access any programs, my computer would try to start the program and wouldn't move beyond the opening screen (i.e. Pandora1 would run the "connecting" screen forever), and so on. I first tried the forums, but there isn't a post about it, so I called Tech Support. They told me it was a hardware fault with the first stick, so I exchanged it for a replacement, and the issue persisted. I called Tech Support again, and after extensive troubleshooting, they still couldn't figure out the problem.

In any case, return the X52 and get your money back.

Edited by Guido, 16 March 2012 - 05:37 PM.


#4 Barbaric Soul

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Posted 17 March 2012 - 04:13 AM

I use the X52 for MW4 on my win7 ult computer. Using the drivers and software I DL'ed from the saitek website, not the one's on the disk, to program my stick, I have no problems or complaints using the X52

#5 Ace Archer

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Posted 17 March 2012 - 01:29 PM

I'll Definitely keep this updated. And the thing is, i didn't buy this joystick, I'm about the third one in my family to have/ use it, all attempts have been without success :/ So i don't really think i'll be able to get a new one ( I Believe the packaging is long gone ). I'll keep working, i might just call tech support, see if i can get some updates. Thanks though everyone ^^

- Ace

#6 CyBerkut

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Posted 17 March 2012 - 06:48 PM

General suggestions...

- Set the driver CD that came with the HOTAS off to the side. If at all possible, avoid using it.
- Refrain from relying upon Microsoft supplied drivers. They have hosed me over before. (IIRC, that was back on Win XP, though...)
- Use the latest drivers and SST software available from Saitek's web site. Make sure you do things in the order called for by Saitek.

If the latest version is not working... see if you can obtain the version just before that. If so, completely uninstall the current version of both the drivers and SST software. (*IF* you are *competent* with Registry Editing, use those skills to *really* eradicate all references to them.) Once uninstalled, do a complete hard reboot, then install the earlier version.

===============

As for the mouse drift... it is most likley mini-thumbstick related. A driver uninstall - reinstall might do the trick... but probably will not unless you can do the Registry Editing to remove all possible traces of the previous calibration data.

If that doesn't work, you could uninstall the mouse driver associated with the mini-thumbstick. That should stop the mini-stick from sending mouse inputs.

#7 hyena

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Posted 18 March 2012 - 06:53 AM

As an X52 Pro owner, I've found that I hate Saitek's software package, so I used a program called Autohotkey to write a script for my joystick for MW4:Vengence.

http://www.mektek.ne...80#entry1213680

I know it's not a nice easy package, but if gave me the ability to use all of the buttons on the joystick the way that I wanted to, ie. I hate the program button, and I turned one of the buttons on the rudder into a "Shift" button to duplicate the number of button inputs.

#8 Nav

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 04:04 AM

I use the X-52 Pro, which works fine with the mektek version of Mercs. I on the otherhand really like the Saitek Software package.

Also, ensure that you have the latest driver and profiling software from the website. This makes a big difference in programming the joystick to how you want it to play.

I can speak for the X-52 unfortunately. But are you using the Mektek free version of Mercs? Not sure if that makes a difference or not. :(

Hope you have some success.

#9 ZROwolf

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Posted 16 April 2012 - 07:55 AM

View Posthyena, on 18 March 2012 - 06:53 AM, said:

As an X52 Pro owner, I've found that I hate Saitek's software package, so I used a program called Autohotkey to write a script for my joystick for MW4:Vengence.

http://www.mektek.ne...80#entry1213680

I know it's not a nice easy package, but if gave me the ability to use all of the buttons on the joystick the way that I wanted to, ie. I hate the program button, and I turned one of the buttons on the rudder into a "Shift" button to duplicate the number of button inputs.

Hyena,

I've been using your profile for a while, and I really like it. However, some of the buttons do not seem to match what they show on your pdf. I'm not sure if this is due to differences in OS (I'm using Win7) or drivers. What OS are you using? And are you using the Saitek drivers or some generic driver?

#10 Daniel Burgoyne

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Posted 22 July 2012 - 05:05 PM

I'm using an X52 on 64-bit Windows 7. Main points are 1) don't use the software on the CD, download it from Saitek's website instead, and 2) Saitek's profiling thing is unsupported by many applications and needs to be supplemented with/replaced by AutoHotKey or something similar.

#11 Vach

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Posted 22 July 2012 - 07:49 PM

The problem with Windows driver update is that it might not be the latest.
AFAIK the thing with M$ is you need to pay $500 / driver update (for the company writing the driver).

#12 Nuke Dukem

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Posted 24 August 2012 - 09:49 PM

One thing i would try first...very hard fix to find...limit the names of the actions in the mfd to less than like 16 characters...might be as high as 25...im not sure. but it seems that when the name is longer than the mfd screen, it freezes it and the system up...just a fix i found very useful

#13 Jreyy Randor

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Posted 16 January 2013 - 07:30 PM

View PostZROwolf, on 16 April 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

Hyena,

I've been using your profile for a while, and I really like it. However, some of the buttons do not seem to match what they show on your pdf. I'm not sure if this is due to differences in OS (I'm using Win7) or drivers. What OS are you using? And are you using the Saitek drivers or some generic driver?



Jumping on this thread, the mektek downloads section is currently closed until further notice. Do one of you have a profile for autokey for mechwarrior?

#14 WinterDragon

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Posted 09 March 2013 - 08:47 AM

View Poststabwest, on 16 March 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

<extra parts removed>

It might also help if people stop buying hardware for a game that's still in developement, wait till the devs come out with info on supported hardware.


I have to start out with the "no offense intended comment" since I'm having some of the same problems the creator of the topic is, however, please see below as my .02

I've NEVER had a problem with my X52 until I started playing MWO. The stick still works great in every other game I use it with but have been unable to get any of the key's to map right, register, or even just work..

I'm going to try updating my drivers, again, and hope that fixes it but to assume that someone bought hardware thats still in development on a joystick that is almost 10yrs old boggles me.

#15 Kanya Pryde

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Posted 17 June 2013 - 11:23 AM

Hey guys, I'm on the verge of getting into Mechwarrior Online, but I can't bring myself to try it out without a joystick/throttle setup. I haven't seen my old one in years and well... it's time for a new one anyway.

For the life of me, I can't find a picture on the internet or description that answers this question:

Does the throttle control on the x52 have a button on the underside to use for movement or torso twists?

My old Saitek throttle had one, and I loved being able to play with that setup.

#16 CyBerkut

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Posted 17 June 2013 - 03:11 PM

View PostKanya Pryde, on 17 June 2013 - 11:23 AM, said:

Hey guys, I'm on the verge of getting into Mechwarrior Online, but I can't bring myself to try it out without a joystick/throttle setup. I haven't seen my old one in years and well... it's time for a new one anyway.

For the life of me, I can't find a picture on the internet or description that answers this question:

Does the throttle control on the x52 have a button on the underside to use for movement or torso twists?

My old Saitek throttle had one, and I loved being able to play with that setup.


The Saitek X-52 and X-52Pro throttles do NOT have the Rudder Rocker switch that the older Saitek X-36 and X-45 HOTAS throttles had. The X-52 and X-52Pro have twisty sticks for the rudder axis instead.

If you really just have to have a rudder rocker, you could look at the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS, as its throttle has one... but overall it is not as good of a HOTAS as the Saitek X-45, X-52 or X-52Pro.

You may still be able to find a Saitek X-45 HOTAS is you look hard enough.

Having said all of that... MWO sucks with a standard off the shelf joystick. [This ain't MW4...] Believe me, I wanted it to work well with my HOTAS and rudder pedals... But PGI just did not make the design decisions that made that feasible. Do a search for Loc Nar's postings to get an in depth explanation of where the problem lies.

So... what some of us have settled upon is a HOTAM (Hands On Throttle And Mouse), or a HOTAM and Rudder pedals. (HOTAMAR?) Some others skip the throttles and use a mini gaming Keyboard, such as the Nostromo N52, or the Logitech G13 for the left hand. Pick your poison, and see how it goes for you. I'm using a Saitek X-52Pro Throttle, a mouse, and Saitek Rudder pedals.

Loc Nar made a custom stick mod (with hall sensor assemblies that he made himself) that only operates on the Y and twist axis, and utilizes Thrustmaster TARGET software to obtain absolute axis inputs instead of relative. That is a few steps beyond what most are going to be able to put together.

Welcome to the game, and good luck!

Edited by CyBerkut, 17 June 2013 - 03:11 PM.


#17 Kanya Pryde

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Posted 18 June 2013 - 07:28 AM

Thanks for your input (pun intended) Cyberkut! I really appreciate hearing what issues and solutions others have found.





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