"We're always looking for new and novel ways to enhance people's interactions with their PCs," said Steven Bathiche, research manager of the Applied Sciences Group at Microsoft.
The SideWinder X4 Keyboard excels where other keyboards fail, letting users execute key combinations and taking full advantage of their skill and speed. Because each key is scanned independently by the keyboard hardware, each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed at the same time. The advanced technology takes anti-ghosting to the next level by allowing gamers to press up to 26 keys at once. The Applied Sciences Group, an interdisciplinary research and development team that works across the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division doing applied research for Microsoft Hardware, Microsoft Surface and Xbox 360, developed the anti-ghosting technology with gamers in mind. The new keyboard also offers other advanced gaming features such as macro recording, mode and profile switching, and adjustable backlighting. Developed by the Applied Sciences Group, this new technology ensures gamers' most complex key combinations will be recognized by the computer to keep the game in action. Problems can arise when your hardware device is too old or not supported any longer.What gamers request most is better control in-game, and today Microsoft Hardware launches the SideWinder X4 Keyboard, a keyboard designed to give gamers more control over their gaming experience with the industry's most advanced anti-ghosting technology. This will help if you installed an incorrect or mismatched driver. Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver.
It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available. Also constantly check with our website to stay up to speed with latest releases. That being said, click the download button, and apply the present software on your product.
However, due to the large number of devices out there and the various ways for applying these packages, it would be best if you refer to the installation manual first, to be sure of a successful update. When it comes to installing the package, the steps should not be much of a hassle because each manufacturer tries to make them as easy as possible usually, you must make check for compatibility, get the package, run the available setup, and follow the instructions displayed on-screen. Doing so might cause the installation to crash, which could even render the device unusable. Please note that, even though other operating systems might also be compatible, we do not recommend you apply any software on platforms other than the specified ones.
If you install this package, your device will be properly recognized by compatible systems, and might even benefit from new features or various bug fixes. Close the wizard and perform a system reboot to allow changes to take effect. Read EULA (End User License Agreement) and agree to proceed with the installation process. Allow Windows to run the file (if necessary). Locate and double-click on the available setup file. Unzip the file and enter the newly-created directory. Save the downloadable package on an accessible location (such as your desktop). To install this package please do the following: Even though other OSes might be compatible as well, we do not recommend applying this release on platforms other than the ones specified. If it has been installed, updating (overwrite-installing) may fix problems, add new functions, or expand existing ones. This package contains the files needed for installing the Game Device Software.
You can use your SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick in games that do not have force feedback events and it will function as a regular joystick. Check your game's box or manual for this information. Force feedback functionality for the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is available only in games developed under Microsoft DirectInput API 5.0 or later. If you have an earlier version of the SideWinder Game Controller software, it is not necessary to remove it before installing SideWinder Game Controller software 3.02 unless you want to install a different language than you were using previously. If you have one of the following SideWinder devices, make sure you have version 3.02 of the SideWinder software: FreeStyle Pro, Game Pad, Force Feedback Pro, Precision Pro, Standard, and Force Feedback Wheel.