Making a PC easy to access and usable with a XBOX control maybe?

willhub · 14 Mar 2018 at 12:06

So I'm turning my Xeon 3350 rig with a 7970 GPU into a "media" PC for the bedroom that is soley connected to the TV.

It's replacing an Amazon box that I'm going to flogg. Now my GF will be using it and she's not the best at turning a PC on and getting stuff to work so, anyway to simply fire it up, straight onto desktop no PW and into a full screen media app or tablet mode in Windows and using an XBOX 360 Controller for either of those options?

Thanks in advance

Steveocee · 14 Mar 2018 at 13:56

SteamOS might be worth a look at. I think it can do more than "just" stream from a Steam PC now, maybe even run some apps like Kodi or similar?

willhub · 14 Mar 2018 at 19:34

Not sure I want to go down the Linux route but it might be worth considering later on, for now something a bit quicker and easier if there is anything suitable that is.

Nikumba · 16 Mar 2018 at 15:08

This might work https://www.howtogeek.com/240188/ho...ows-desktop-with-an-xbox-or-steam-controller/

Bluecube · 16 Mar 2018 at 15:33

My SteamBox runs Windows with Steam set to load on startup into Big Picture mode. Big Picture works perfectly with an Xbox controller. I use Steam to play launch games (of course!) and also to launch the likes of Plex if required.

If you want to get a bit techy then you can have Steam launch immediately on boot up without starting the Windows GUI. Not required but it makes for a neater experience.

yashiro · 18 Mar 2018 at 12:02

https://github.com/AntiMicro/antimicro

This can be used to control your mouse and launch apps from buttons and such. I've been using it for years to browse with my joypad.

TallPaul1878 · 18 Mar 2018 at 15:00

I have a program called Controller Companion. I bought it from Steam but it works from start up.

You can use your analogue stick to move the mouse cursor and the face buttons to click. It deactivates itself when you launch a game that has controller support and you can choose certain programs to use it in etc.

willhub · 20 Mar 2018 at 12:47

I've got controller companion on looking at Steam, just forgot about it! In the end I realised the problem is within Big Picture mode, setting XBOX 360 Controller configuration, I unticked it, which warned me games wouldn't work with a controller, however launching the game normally not with Big Picture and it works perfectly fine now!

Begbie · 20 Mar 2018 at 12:51

Use something like PLEX, or KODI and get a standalone remote for the PC.

It'll boot straight into it, and you can use it with a remote like any DVR. If you want to play games, then use the steam big picture with a XBOX pad. Assuming your GF won't be playing games, you'll be able to do this yourself easily.

willhub · 20 Mar 2018 at 12:59

Had problems with Big Picture and Steam though with games not working such as The Crew, as I have to enable XBOX Controller support then it rekons The Crew doesn't support controller, however, it does work when I disable the support in Big Picture and it works fine.

Bluecube · 20 Mar 2018 at 14:42

If you ignore the error message and continue to load the game, does the controller work? I play quite a few games that state they don’t support a controller but actually do.

willhub · 20 Mar 2018 at 14:43

Bluecube said:
If you ignore the error message and continue to load the game, does the controller work? I play quite a few games that state they don’t support a controller but actually do.

Nope, have to disable controller support, very unusual.