X52 USB problem on Abit NF7 motherboards: solution

[theblackbird]

Hi

I have a Saitek X52 for about 4 months now. I've had this problem that the joystick only (not the throttle) wouldn't work at random times. So sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

At first I was thinking of a Saitek driver malfunction. So I did numerous uninstall / reïnstalls, but that didn't help.

My second thought was a USB driver problem. Again uninstalling / reïnstalling USB drivers. No use either.

Then - suddenly - it came to my attention that the joystick locked up just after the BIOS initializes, slowly assuring me that my nForce motherboard (ABit NF7 v2) was causing all the trouble.

I started fiddling with all possible USB BIOS settings. No use. I upgraded the BIOS to the latest version. No use either. But anyway, it was pretty clear that there was something wrong with the onboard USB ports.

So, I bought myself a PCI-card with 4 USB's (20$). Connected the X52 in one of the brand-new USB's... problem solved. The X52 keeps functioning great. I rebooted my computer about 10 times and the stick keeps working. If I did that before, 5 times out of 10 it would result in a locked up joystick.

I thought this might be useful to know for nForce owners, or other people experiencing similar problems! It's certainly a lot cheaper than buying a new motherboard.

Please note:
* Other devices such as webcams, mice, keyboards may function perfectly, while the X52 doesn't.

To other nForce owners: please reply to this post if you also experienced the locked up joystick issue. If this gets verified, Saitek may add this problem/solution to their FAQ, thus helping other users :) .

Edit:
* Most probably a general nForce problem. I changed the title and content accordingly.

[rwatson]

Had the same problem with an Abit nforce motherboaerd and followed the suggestion offered by Saitek applying to Intel chip motherboards and installed the pci USB add on card and the stiock and profiles load flawlessly now.

[shamandgg]

I experience probably the same thing on Abit AN7 mainboard.
Thanks for the clue! I'll check it with an USB expansion card when I get a chance.

EDIT: Abit AN7 is an nForce2 board

[BUFF]

* This may be a general nForce(1/2/...) problem and not only related to one Abit motherboard (see 2 posts below).

I think that you will find that it's a general nF2/3/4 issue (never had an original nF board so can't comment on that).

[marcocom]

THE BUG ONLY EXISTS WITH NFORCE3 and earlier.


SIMPLY RECONNECT THE PS2 PLUG BEHIND THE BASE OF THE STICK. IT WILL BRING THE STICK BACK. YOU ONLY NEED TO DO THIS ONCE AFTER OCCASIONAL REBOOT.

its simply guys.

why the **** didnt saitek at least respond and tell you that. they told me in a simple support email they sent me.

[theblackbird]

Sure, replugging the USB connector 'solves' the problem, but it's more like a workaround. I'd rather spend 20$ on a pci-usb card and don't have to reconnect the stick all the time.

B.

[BUFF]

THE BUG ONLY EXISTS WITH NFORCE3 and earlier.


No, nF4 has USB problems too.

why the **** didnt saitek at least respond and tell you that. they told me in a simple support email they sent me.
maybe they never asked?