360 Controller to PC?

Mageslayer · Post by **Mageslayer** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:44 pm

To be honest, when I bought my Xbox 360 (used) I didn't really take any time to look it over, I just popped in Oblivion and was completly absorbed. Now, months later, I've bought a battery pack for my controller to save money on double a's. This came with a usb connected cord to charge while playing. At first I thought I would have to disconnect my woreless network adapter to use this. After a closer look, however, I realized something you all have probably known for a long time now. The Xbox 360's controller ports are mere USB ports!

With this discovery, I've set out to use my Xbox 360 controller for certain games that allow for a joypad input. When I plug my current controller, (wireless controller with battery pack and charging cord, all made by Microsoft) into my computer (running Windows XP) the New Hardware Wizard pops up and promptly begins to suck at life. First it asks me if it can search for software on Windows Update. It searches and finds nothing. Then it asks for manual or automatic install. Since I have no software to install, I try automatic. Maybe Windows will acknowledge the controller as one of its evil M$ bretheren and quickly install it, right? WRONG. The wizard searches and searches but cannot install.

So that's what I've tried. Maybe that info can help you to help me. The questions I have are as follows:

1: Is there software I can find to allow the computer to recognize this device?
2. Even if there is, would it actually connect the controller to the computer or just the charger?
3: If I buy a wired controller for Xbox 360 will it be able to be used as a joypad for my computer?
4: Will I need software to install the wired controller to my computer?

Thanks for the help.

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:47 pm

I believe you just need drivers.

Try this:
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... lang=en</a>

Most of the third party 360 controllers I've seen have the "works on XP" sticker on them. (I'm not too sure about the wireless, but I'd assume it uses the same communications language as the wired controllers do.)

gamer2 · Post by **gamer2** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:48 pm

if you have XP it should recognize it automatically. I believe that Ben has a picture of him playing a 2600 emu with it on his lappy

Mageslayer · Post by **Mageslayer** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:52 pm

Nope.

Which leads me to believe I may need a wired controller. I had a feeling that the charger only connects the battery to a power source and that the signals are still sent wirelessly. But now that I know there is a way to do it with a wired controller, I won't feel so afraid to go buy one. Thanks. However if anyone has a solution that doesn't involve money spending feel free to voice it.

jones · Post by **jones** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:00 pm

Mageslayer wrote:Nope.

Which leads me to believe I may need a wired controller. I had a feeling that the charger only connects the battery to a power source and that the signals are still sent wirelessly. But now that I know there is a way to do it with a wired controller, I won't feel so afraid to go buy one. Thanks. However if anyone has a solution that doesn't involve money spending feel free to voice it.

I will try my wireless 360 controller out on my PC tonight and let you know what the results are. I know Ben uses his on the PC, but it's a wired controller which may prove to be a key difference.

Post by **benheck** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:13 pm

I use a wired Xbox 360 controller with my PC, it's awesome for playing "rohms" Like FROOOGER.

I don't know if the charge and play makes a USB connection, it might just use the +5 volts for charge.

My laptop, with XP Home, detected and used a 360 controller cold turkey, but my XP Pro PC I had to download a driver, which was a tad hard to find, from Microsoft.

In fact, now I feel like playing some rohms!

jones · Post by **jones** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:12 am

I tried the wireless controller with the charge and play adapter on my XP Pro machine last night and it was, to quote Jeff Spiccoli, "No dice!"

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:34 am

I believe there's a booklet that comes with the 360 that tells you how to use the controller with Windows XP/Vista...

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:37 am

my friend bought a wireless controller to play NFS carbon on his pc. he was shortly exchanging it for a wired one. (which now works just fine)

Mageslayer · Post by **Mageslayer** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:30 am

Thanks guys. Looks like I'm gonna get a wired controller sometime soon.

Unidentified Assilant · Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:42 am

I swear Microsoft released a wired controller for PC's exact to a 360 one.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:22 pm

Did a search on google, found a digg article, and that lead me here. So well it seems that it doesn't work right now, Microsoft is getting ready to release a driver for the wireless controller.

dankicksass · Post by **dankicksass** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:46 pm

The wireless 360 accessories need a special computer dongle to work with a PC. The charge and play kit only provides power to the 360 controller, no data is carried over USB. The wired controller is a cheaper solution for the PC, and should be used with the XBCD driver set for optimal game compatibility.