Xbox 360 on a PC

Ghuraba · 20 Aug 2009 at 19:46

Hi there

Do the normal Xbox 360 pads, original pads from release date, work on Windows XP or does it have to be a Xbox controller specifically made for both?

I have a wired Xbox controller and it does detect the pad and is listed in device manager but nothing shows up in the game controller section of the control panel and it does not show up in games like Bioshock or L4D on the PC.

Thanks

Michael

TheMagicPirate · 20 Aug 2009 at 19:55

I'm sure there is a specific driver you need. It'll be on the MS website

Streeteh · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:01

Been a while since i used windows xp but iirc if you run windows update it finds the driver for you. Or alternatively as mentioned above just search the Microsoft website.

aaron333 · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:09

I don't know whether your XP is 64 bit or not, so complete this and it will give you the driver for your O/S.
It's plug and play in Vista, IIRC I just had to install that driver to get the microphone to work.

Ghuraba · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:19

I have 32 bit but I did all that last night, nothing works.

Like I said the Xbox controller is listed in device manager but no controller is in Control Panel and no games work with it.

This is why I wondered if the Xbox controllers that work on the PC too are specifically designed to as opposed to ones just for the 360.

Kelt · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:28

Ghuraba said:
I have 32 bit but I did all that last night, nothing works.

Like I said the Xbox controller is listed in device manager but no controller is in Control Panel and no games work with it.

This is why I wondered if the Xbox controllers that work on the PC too are specifically designed to as opposed to ones just for the 360.

Should just work as others have said with the correct driver.

But sometimes, things don't work for god knows what reason. For example, I have a webcam that works on my second PC that has XP32 on, but refuses to work on my main PC, which also has XP32.

Probably will have to reinstall XP and see if that cures it. Might be the same kind of problem with your PC.

Kreeeee · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:35

My launch wired pad is plug-and-play with XP and Vista.

Ghuraba · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:44

Somebody said that the controller draws 50amp? Not sure of the right letters and his USB 2.0 was not giving the controller enough power. I have tried the pad in all the USB connectors and taken out all other USB connectors and it made no difference.

Blah, I only want to see how Bioshock feels on the Xbox controller as opposed to a mouse and keybaord. The game is terrible for some reason, all the sensitivity feels really bad with a mouse.

Kelt · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:46

Ghuraba said:
Somebody said that the controller draws 50amp? Not sure of the right letters and his USB 2.0 was not giving the controller enough power. I have tried the pad in all the USB connectors and taken out all other USB connectors and it made no difference.

Blah, I only want to see how Bioshock feels on the Xbox controller as opposed to a mouse and keybaord. The game is terrible for some reason, all the sensitivity feels really bad with a mouse.

A lot, LOT better, trust me!

For example, you get to feel the Big Daddies coming before you see them! Worth it just for that.

Raikiri · 20 Aug 2009 at 20:46

Kreeeee said:
My launch wired pad is plug-and-play with XP and Vista.

Same for my wireless crossfire thingy on both Vista and 7, needed drivers for XP though.

Sanchez · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:10

Do wireless pads work plug and play too? (with the cable obviously)

Streeteh · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:10

Sanchez said:
Do wireless pads work plug and play too? (with the cable obviously)

No, you have to buy a wireless reciever

Sanchez · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:37

Streeteh said:
No, you have to buy a wireless reciever

Of course. Microsoft don't miss a trick when it comes to getting even MORE money out of me.

cokecan · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:42

the cable is only there for charging the battery in the wireless controllers. Sure Microsoft support the controllers in Windows but their main purpose was to work on the 360. why should they make a controller that works and caters for everything?

As Kreeeee said, my launch wired controller works great on my PC on XP and Vista, the wired headset's also install and work on there when plugged into the controller

andrewdodd13 · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:45

cokecan72 said:
the cable is only there for charging the battery in the wireless controllers. Sure Microsoft support the controllers in Windows but their main purpose was to work on the 360. why should they make a controller that works and caters for everything?

As Kreeeee said, my launch wired controller works great on my PC on XP and Vista, the wired headset's also install and work on there when plugged into the controller

I was going to mention this. It's very useful as it's a different audio device so you can configure Vent / Teamspeak to use it while your music / game audio still plays out the speakers.

Sanchez · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:02

cokecan72 said:
the cable is only there for charging the battery in the wireless controllers. Sure Microsoft support the controllers in Windows but their main purpose was to work on the 360. why should they make a controller that works and caters for everything?

So when a wireless controller is connected to the 360 via the cable, it's only charging then and not using the cable to communicate with the 360?

Raikiri · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:09

Sanchez said:
Of course. Microsoft don't miss a trick when it comes to getting even MORE money out of me.

I paid about £12 for mine, worth it for the use of what I think is the best controller yet without the hassle of cables.

I've seen a pack with the wireless thing and controller for £28, considering the controllers are about £20 as it is it seems a good deal to me.

cokecan · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:12

Sanchez said:
So when a wireless controller is connected to the 360 via the cable, it's only charging then and not using the cable to communicate with the 360?

correct. its still connected wirelessly. if you unplug the cable the controller doesnt disconnect, it just stops charging. The cable just uses the 5v supply from the USB port. you could plug the cable into a USB to Mains adapter if you wanted and the controller would still work on the 360 while charging

BoozerDawg · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:15

Not sure how it works with L4D but i dont think they have it setup right away for the 360 pad.

For BioShock you need to go into the options and change it to Gamepad, as it doesnt "just work" when you start using it.

Sanchez · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:22

Raikiri said:
I paid about £12 for mine, worth it for the use of what I think is the best controller yet without the hassle of cables.

I've seen a pack with the wireless thing and controller for £28, considering the controllers are about £20 as it is it seems a good deal to me.

cokecan72 said:
correct. its still connected wirelessly. if you unplug the cable the controller doesnt disconnect, it just stops charging. The cable just uses the 5v supply from the USB port. you could plug the cable into a USB to Mains adapter if you wanted and the controller would still work on the 360 while charging

In all honesty I don't plan on using my 360 controller on my PC as I haven't used my PC for gaming in a while. I have however, plugged my wireless pad into my PC to charge on occasion and noticed that Windows detects it as a device. My personal opinion is it's seems silly to provide support for wired pads and not wireless ones when they can clearly be seen by Windows though the supplied cable.

Any my initial comment was eluding to the fact that MS charge as much and as often for their products as they can on 360. I should know as I own most of them.