I just want to play UNIRACERS!

September 3, 2009 11:20 AM

Argh. I've installed the drivers, I've searched high and low online, nothing is helping, so I'm coming to ya'll: how can I get my Xbox 360 wireless controller (connected to my PC via the charge and play kit via a USB port) to work on my computer? Specifically, I want to play ROMs with it.

ZSNES and project 64 are the two emulators I'm trying to puzzle out right now. I've installed the 360 drivers (I'm running a 64 bit copy of Windows Vista Home Premium), it shows up in my Device Manager under 'Microsoft Common Controller for Windows Class' as 'Xbox 360 Wireless Controller via Play & Charge Kit' and says it's there and fine.
HOWEVER... under Control Panel - Game Controllers, there's nothing. I open it up, there's no controllers on the list. I click advanced, I go to choose my preferred device, again - nothing. Not on the list. When I plug the controller in, the computer makes a noise and the light on the charge part of the controller shows it's plugged in, but the controller doesn't turn on (not sure if it's supposed to actually) and it certainly doesn't seem to be working with my ROMs.

Help Mefi, help! Pretty please?

posted by Bageena to computers & internet (12 comments total)

You cannot use the play and charge kit to use the controller as a gamepad on your PC.
posted by Jairus at 11:26 AM on September 3

As far as I know, you can't do this wired using the play and charge kit on a wireless controller. I believe you need the wireless receiver, or a wired controller.

The play and charge cable is only for charging.
posted by utsutsu at 11:27 AM on September 3

You need one of these bad boys:

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows-Pc/dp/B000HZFCT2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252002394&sr=8-4

I don't know if they're not made anymore or what, but you're probably better off just getting a wired controller for windows for $30:

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Controller-Windows/dp/B000BT4CF4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252002394&sr=8-1
posted by Oktober at 11:27 AM on September 3

You need one of these bad boys:

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows-Pc/dp/B000HZFCT2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252002394&sr=8-4

I don't know if they're not made anymore or what, but you're probably better off just getting a wired controller for windows for $30:

Yeah, you need the Wireless Gaming Receiver thing. I have one myself. And I don't know what's up with those Marketplace prices on the receiver itself, because you can buy a new gamepad that comes with the receiver for less ($38 as of today).
posted by burnmp3s at 11:49 AM on September 3

Thanks!
posted by Bageena at 12:02 PM on September 3

You don't specifically need the "wired controller for windows", any wired 360 controller will work when you plug it in and either install the drivers manually or get them via windows update (I know that vista will at least get the drivers on its own)

The only difference between the 360 controller packaged for windows and the regular 360 (wired) controller is that it includes a software disc with drivers.

As others have said, the play and charge kit only charges controllers and will not transfer inputted commands to the computer.

The wireless dongle and controller that burnmp3s linked is a fine solution.
posted by TimeDoctor at 12:03 PM on September 3

Dont buy the wireless controller adapter.

It's hideous.

Every time i used it, I had to unplug all of the other usb devices, reboot the machine, plug the adapter in and then add every other device.

It was a pain. Buy a used wired controller (360). They work like a champ with no fuss.
posted by Lord_Pall at 12:59 PM on September 3

I've never had the USB issues Lord_Pall describes with the wireless adaptor.
posted by TimeDoctor at 1:28 PM on September 3

I've never had the USB issues Lord_Pall describes with the wireless adaptor.

Yeah, neither have I. I've used it on several different machines, too, although all of them running Windows XP rather than Vista.
posted by burnmp3s at 1:34 PM on September 3

for helping with the roms, download pinnacle.
posted by nadawi at 1:37 PM on September 3 [1 favorite has favorites]

Pinnacle works pretty well, but it's kind of bloated. It shouldn't be necessary for most software that natively supports analog gamepads. Lots of games (especially ones that were also released for the 360) are plug-and-play with the XB360 controller.

If you also have an XBox 360, just get a wired controller for use with your PC. Then you'll also have a second one for the 360. The cord is a good 10 feet long.

(The only real issue I've seen with the XB360 controller under Windows is the obscure one that vibration only works when using XInput [the new controller API], not DirectInput [the older API that most Windows apps use]. Great controller otherwise.)
posted by neckro23 at 2:31 PM on September 3

for whatever reason, a lot of the emulators we've downloaded don't recognize the 360 controller as a gamepad. once we load it through pinnacle, everything is wonderful. there's other games, like morrowind, that support the controller, but the buttons wouldn't map properly. again, load it through pinnacle and viola! no more headaches.
posted by nadawi at 3:49 PM on September 3