General Discussion 4

[jeriddian]

Hmmm......good idea. I'll look and see if there is an add on for that. I'll bet there is.

[Fireand'chutes77]

OK, I know a few people here are tech guys -

How do I install a new "codec" for WMP? I'm trying to play the mega-marathon promo, an .avi file, but all I'm coming up with is audio and a psychedelic background. Is there a place on WMP that I can click that automatically makes it able to play .avi files? Or do I have to download something? If so, where?

[jeriddian]

OK, I know a few people here are tech guys -

How do I install a new "codec" for WMP? I'm trying to play the mega-marathon promo, an .avi file, but all I'm coming up with is audio and a psychedelic background. Is there a place on WMP that I can click that automatically makes it able to play .avi files? Or do I have to download something? If so, where?

Shoot, 'chutes..... ( hey, I "homonymed"!"). I can't tell you. All I could recommend is going to the microsoft knowledge base and query them on that. Maybe WallaceB has a better answer. You might try a PM.

[san]

you need to install the divx codec

on the other hand i'd recommend using the vlc mediaplayer, then you don't have to bother about having the codec or not, because it plays almost everything.

[Fireand'chutes77]

you need to install the divx codec

on the other hand i'd recommend using the vlc mediaplayer, then you don't have to bother about having the codec or not, because it plays almost everything.

Thanks; I downloaded both and now all my videos work.

Another tech question -

Below is a photo of the serial port to my Microsoft Force Feedback Pro joystick. My dad didn't get a serial port on the new computer we got for Christmas. Does anyone know where I could find some sort of adapter cord with a serial plug at one end and a USB at the other?

[canuck31003]

where I could find some sort of adapter cord with a serial plug at one end and a USB at the other?

Electronic stores should have one eg. Radio Shack, Best Buy. Here's a link to one on amazon.com: serial port-USB adapter.

[Fireand'chutes77]

I'll bump this back to page 1 so people will know where it is.

where I could find some sort of adapter cord with a serial plug at one end and a USB at the other?

Electronic stores should have one eg. Radio Shack, Best Buy. Here's a link to one on amazon.com: serial port-USB adapter.

I can't find anything at the local stores. I've got a Microsoft Force Feedback Pro, and apparently none of the connections would transfer the force feedback effect. I'm thinking of just getting a Microsoft Force Feedback 2, which has a USB.


(BTW - like the new avatar? )

[Cloud23465]

That thing looks like its missing quite a few pins on the inside... Course it could be the way its made and i'm wrong. I had to get a cable like this for my laptop. My brothers got some computer read out thing that he can plug into is dragster and it takes all the stats but you need the Rs232
piece and drivers to get it to work on any current... up-to-date computer.

[jeriddian]

That thing looks like its missing quite a few pins on the inside... Course it could be the way its made and i'm wrong. I had to get a cable like this for my laptop. My brothers got some computer read out thing that he can plug into is dragster and it takes all the stats but you need the Rs232
piece and drivers to get it to work on any current... up-to-date computer.

The pins are supposed to be missing because it's a joystick, not a full blown serial port. It doesn't need all the pins to work properly. If your computer has a USB port, the adapter that 'chutes suggested should work, but it may not install automatically unless you're running XP. If you are running an older Windows software, you may need to install software to allow the computer to read the joystick off of it.

[Cloud23465]

That thing looks like its missing quite a few pins on the inside... Course it could be the way its made and i'm wrong. I had to get a cable like this for my laptop. My brothers got some computer read out thing that he can plug into is dragster and it takes all the stats but you need the Rs232
piece and drivers to get it to work on any current... up-to-date computer.

The pins are supposed to be missing because it's a joystick, not a full blown serial port. It doesn't need all the pins to work properly. If your computer has a USB port, the adapter that 'chutes suggested should work, but it may not install automatically unless you're running XP. If you are running an older Windows software, you may need to install software to allow the computer to read the joystick off of it.

Yeah, the one joystick I bought within the last year was Usb so I wasn't sure :P. But I have had pin accidentally break off serial ports before and after that it never worked right.