I have problem with the throttle on my MS Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick USB. The output value from the throttle is not changing smoothly when I move the throttle but changes erratically in steps. This is obvious both when I fly in FS9 and when I try to calibrate.What conclusion can be made? Must it be the hardware in the Joystick that is broken? Or could it be something else? My current configuration has worked before without this problem.I use Win XP Pro on Athon XP 1800+ with 256M RAM.

If your joystick is getting on a bit it is probably dirt on the throttle potentiometer.If you have a registered version of FSUIPC check if the values are smoothly changing, I doubt they will though.You say that your current configuration has worked before but give no indication for how long, and has the throttle suddenly become erratic or have you noticed it 'going off' for some time?Also have you changed anything else since it was working OK? Before going down the cleaning route eliminate other possible causes. if it is dirt then a quality spray contact cleaner may clean the dirt, but be careful.HTH

>If your joystick is getting on a bit it is probably dirt on>the throttle potentiometer.>>If you have a registered version of FSUIPC check if the values>are smoothly changing, I doubt they will though.>I have it and the values are NOT smoothly changing.>You say that your current configuration has worked before but>give no indication for how long, and has the throttle suddenly>become erratic or have you noticed it 'going off' for some>time?>It has worked for a year and the problem has arisen fairly recent.>Also have you changed anything else since it was working OK?>Before going down the cleaning route eliminate other possible>causes. >Not what I can remember.

My Logitech Wingman joystick does that same thing a lot (but also in rudder and X and Y axis). I fixed it at least 4 times now (my stick has been around since FS98 era LOL) by taking the joystick apart, rotating the potentiometer's around some (and blowing them with canned air) and putting the stick back together. Now I wouldn't try this unless you know what your doing, but I think this is the only way to get them to work like new again.As Vulcan said, I think there is some dust or dirt on the potentiometer. I have my joystick on the floor when im not using it, so it picks up quite a bit of dust, so this problem happens a lot to me. Something as small as dust can mess up the readings from the potentiometer so I think thats what it is.

That joystick has NO pots... It's optical as a mouse is.If it a USB ..... Just unplug it and then re-plug it back in after a minute or so. The aeilrons on mine get messed up sometimes....thats what I do and it fixes it every time.Joe W.

Thanks for jumping in and correcting us Joe, at least the guy need not take his stick apart now.

I will try that. But I find it a little strange. How can unplug and replug the device solve any problems? If it is attached correctly(the OS says there is nothing wrong about it) how can it malfunction?If I unplug and replug what is the difference?

I have now tried that but it didn't help. So what to do?Buy a new Joystick. Is there some good alternative with quality?MS Sidewinder Precision 2 does not seem to be a quality product.

Did you unplug it while the computer was running? Thats what you have to do. That forces a re-calibration. Make sure it's set as it would be at rest with the throttle all the way down and the stick centered. Also when the computer is booting and when FS9 is starting or another program that uses the stick is loading.... DO NOT TOUCH THE STICK UNTILL IT"S LOADED. Sometimes it picks up an off center setting as you move it.As a last resort uninstall it and re-install it. The MS Precision Pro is a fine joystick.Joe W.

>Did you unplug it while the computer was running? Thats whatYes>you have to do. That forces a re-calibration. Make sure it's>set as it would be at rest with the throttle all the way down>and the stick centered. Also when the computer is booting andDone so and after several tries the problem remains.>As a last resort uninstall it and re-install it. The MSAs a USB device it can't be installed or reinstalled in any other way the unplugging and replugging it.>Precision Pro is a fine joystick.I find it difficult to accept that. If I must buy a new stick Ican't think of buying exactly the same stick again.