What do I need to use my PS3 controller on my PC?

I don't want to spook you but be careful downloading USB drivers. The last time I did it, my motherboard did NOT react well and all my USB ports stopped functioning. I had to boot with last known good configuration.
 
In my case, the controller works fine. It's just that if you disconnect it without warning the computer may BSOD. Other than that, nothing really damaging happened to me.
 
[quote name='SuperPhillip']Thanks for that, but that seems unsafe. And I'm a pussy! D:[/QUOTE]

Not really unsafe. Whenever you want to use the controller, you just reboot and disable driver signatures.
 
You could just pick up one of these.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Cont...ef=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1271178248&sr=8-3-spell
Windows automatically installs the needed drivers when plugged in, and any game that supports a controller will recognize it as a 360 controller, enable it, and let you use it.
Alot of games will even change the on screen tutorial buttons to show the 360 buttons rather than the keyboard keys, they also allow customization of the buttons in the options.
I literally use my PC as a 360 (I dont own one) because just about every (exclusive) game that comes out for it, goes to PC as well. And best of all, it wont red ring.
 
[quote name='Bawb3']You could just pick up one of these.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Cont...ef=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1271178248&sr=8-3-spell
Windows automatically installs the needed drivers when plugged in, and any game that supports a controller will recognize it as a 360 controller, enable it, and let you use it.
Alot of games will even change the on screen tutorial buttons to show the 360 buttons rather than the keyboard keys, they also allow customization of the buttons in the options.
I literally use my PC as a 360 (I dont own one) because just about every (exclusive) game that comes out for it, goes to PC as well. And best of all, it wont red ring.[/QUOTE]
Or he could do what he wants which is to use a Ps3 controller with a PC. I'm guessing he wants a d-pad that actually works.


Now personally I use mine all the time for emulation on Win7 x64 with the joyinmotion drivers latest release. Works flawlessly as long as you disable driver signing every time you want to use it.
 
My brother uses a 360 wired controller to play his games.
I may have to use that since I'm not too much of a computer junkie!

Thank you for your help, everyone! I appreciate it.
 
[quote name='SuperPhillip']My brother uses a 360 wired controller to play his games.
I may have to use that since I'm not too much of a computer junkie!

Thank you for your help, everyone! I appreciate it.[/QUOTE]

Seriously, the link I posted bro. It takes like two minutes to setup.
 
Take it easy man, I was just giving him an alternate suggestion.
And I don't have any trouble with the D-pad, it's not really used for much other than spell/weapon selections in most games anyways.
 
I'm looking for a PC controller for Windows 7. Is it true some PC games only work with 360 controllers? Which of these would you pick if I'd be using d-pad as much as analog? I would use PS3 but I don't want to bother with that stuff and risk.
1
http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-P3600-...7?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272245828&sr=1-17
(this one might have issues working with GFW games or Win 7)
2
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Rumb..._4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272246882&sr=1-4
(someone writes: You can create macros, reassign buttons, attach mouse functionality, etc etc. The Xbox 360 pad has none of these features, unless you are willing to hunt the web for non-official 3rd party apps, and even then you won't get all of them.)
3
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Cont..._4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272247161&sr=1-4
(everyone says it works on PC)
 
Is it true some games only work with the 360 controller? Before I posted I was thinking of going with the 360 one more but the Logitech one is looking good too the more I look at it. I'd be using the d-pad for some old school stuff - that is the only thing negative about the 360 one.
 
[quote name='J7.']Is it true some games only work with the 360 controller? Before I posted I was thinking of going with the 360 one more but the Logitech one is looking good too the more I look at it. I'd be using the d-pad for some old school stuff - that is the only thing negative about the 360 one.[/QUOTE]

There is 3rd party fan made software for the Logitech Controllers that essentially emulates the 360 controller so the game thinks it's a 360 controller when it is not (Keep in mind it is 3rd party so it's not guaranteed to work). Trust me you want the Logitech one for old school gaming, it's way better than the 360.

Also for the topic creator, the Logitech controllers are essentially PS3 controllers and they are guaranteed to work.
 
[quote name='J7.']Is it true some games only work with the 360 controller? Before I posted I was thinking of going with the 360 one more but the Logitech one is looking good too the more I look at it. I'd be using the d-pad for some old school stuff - that is the only thing negative about the 360 one.[/QUOTE]

Not really. If the game has KB and mouse support than any gamepad can work with it.

You may need to dl and install a small third party program to configure them the way you want but when it comes to the PC you have a ton of choices.

Joy2key - Is the program of choice for me it has never failed me and I been using it for years for all PC games.
 
So I checked out the Hori pad and it looks nice but it has durability issues.

Don't want to run 3rd party software. For my situation I'd rather not have any controller than mess with my computer. I heard that when you emulate controller in place of keyboard you don't get analog and you may have issues with dual button inputting.

I'm going to look at the reviews of the Logitech one next. I do have a Gravis digital pad with a stuck in button, so I might just take that apart and see if I can fix it for the 2d gaming. I'm hoping you can download the drivers for the 360 one so I could save them for future OS's in case they decide to abandon it and make you buy the next version with Win 8 or 9. For $6 more I guess you can buy the PC 360 one and it comes with a cd with the drivers.
 
So i decided on the 360 pad after seeing the Logitech one has analog durability issues & I'll use it on 360. I'll mostly use it for playing old school snes, n64, ps1 games, probably those that don't demand intense 2-d control. I heard Joy2key mentioned somewhere else too. Also heard Pinnacle but it costs money.
 
[quote name='J7.']So i decided on the 360 pad after seeing the Logitech one has analog durability issues & I'll use it on 360. I'll mostly use it for playing old school snes, n64, ps1 games, probably those that don't demand intense 2-d control. I heard Joy2key mentioned somewhere else too. Also heard Pinnacle but it costs money.[/QUOTE]

Just a warning some emulators will have trouble reading the left and right trigger as actual buttons and you might not be able to map them.
 
So the controller may not work with tons of games since PS1 and after, that sucks. You'd think there's a pad that will work with everything and not end up breaking, but apparently not.
 
[quote name='J7.']So the controller may not work with tons of games since PS1 and after, that sucks. You'd think there's a pad that will work with everything and not end up breaking, but apparently not.[/QUOTE]

They're are plenty that still work for a long time. I have a old controller from Red Baron (15+ years ago) that still work.

Depends on who makes them and how they are maintained.

The bitch is finding drivers for the OLDER ones but Saitek makes great affordable gamepads at low prices that last.

This is one of my oldest and it's one of my favorites - http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-P220-Digital-Game-Pad/dp/B000075B5U

Joy2Key is the best way to go to play all of games you mention and more and it's free. No need to spend money on anything else when it comes to software of this nature.
 
I need to find REALLY cheap gamepads with 10+ buttons on them... or break down and by a chip programmer and learn to write usb interface code. I take old gamepads and remove the circuit boards, then wire arcade buttons to them. Made a pretty nice and really sturdy joystick out of a $10 walmart fire safe. Got the parts to make another out of a old ammo box :)
 
[quote name='Megazell']They're are plenty that still work for a long time. I have a old controller from Red Baron (15+ years ago) that still work.

Depends on who makes them and how they are maintained.

The bitch is finding drivers for the OLDER ones but Saitek makes great affordable gamepads at low prices that last.

This is one of my oldest and it's one of my favorites - http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-P220-Digital-Game-Pad/dp/B000075B5U

Joy2Key is the best way to go to play all of games you mention and more and it's free. No need to spend money on anything else when it comes to software of this nature.[/QUOTE]

It seems the problems often for new controllers are the analog and the old ones is the buttons. That controller looks okay and from what I've read is the best you can get on PC as far as working for old school and durability. Every other controller you can buy new I've read about has had issues with some users often very early. My Gravis's button got stuck after only a few days of use.

Problem is I'd have to buy that Saitek used and for my personal situation i wanted analog too and prefer not to mess with settings or 3rd party programs. So I ordered the 360 wired one, figure I will use it on 360 a lot too. I think for your use what you have is the best thing to use, but my situation is just different.
 
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