Flight Control System/Pro Flight Control System  
 
	Problem:  My joystick won't act normally no matter which game I'm 
                  in or how many times I calibrate it. 
 
	Solution:  This is common when using a sound card game port or 
                   system game port on machines such as a 486, and even 
                   some of the faster 386's.  This also can happen if 
                   there are two active game cards.  The solution is to 
                   make sure there is only one active game card.  If there 
                   is only one card active, you will need a dedicated, 
                   dual port, speed adjustable game card, such as the 
                   ThrustMaster ACM. 
 
	Problem:  My joystick worked fine for a couple of months, but now 
                  I can't calibrate it no matter what I do. 
 
	Solution:  You are experiencing 'heat drift' problems with the 
                   potentiometers.  They will need to be replaced.  You 
                   can take the unit back to where you bought it or 
                   call (503) 968-3411 and ask for service. 
 
	Problem:  The HAT switch/buttons on my FCS/PFCS work 
                  intermittently, or don't work at all. 
 
	Solution:  This normally happens on faster machines, such as a 486, 
                   when the Flight Control System is plugged into a sound 
                   card's game port or the game port that came with the 
                   computer system.  The solution is to use a dedicated 
                   dual port, speed adjustable game card, such as the 
                   ThrustMaster ACM card. 
 
	Problem:  Something popped inside my FCS/PFCS, and now it is loose 
                  on one side. 
 
	Solution:  This is caused by a spring that has either broken or 
                   popped off inside the unit.  You can take the unit back 
                   to where you bought  it or call (503) 968-3411 and ask 
                   for service. 
 
	Problem:  The hat switch won't function in Falcon 3.0. 
 
	Solution:  For versions of Falcon earlier than 3.02, you will need 
                   a TSR program to run the cooley hat, such as The Pilot's 
                   Edge by Dwight Ennis or a shareware program called 
                   F3cooley.zip.  This is because the earlier versions of 
                   Falcon do not use the hat switch.  If you have 
                   Falcon 3.02 or later versions, the hat is supported in 
                   the game.  This shareware program is available on many 
                   bulletin board systems nationwide, or directly from 
                   ThrustMaster. 
 
	Problem:  When I installed the joystick, it made the game lock up 
                  and act "weird". 
 
	Solution:  A joystick is not capable of doing this.  The only thing 
                   a joystick does is change an analog signal that the game 
                   card reads.  The problem may lie in the hardware setup 
                   of the computer. 
 
Mark II 
 
	Problem:  When I download/calibrate my Mark II nothing happens.  
                  The line that says "put the switch into calibrate" 
                  doesn't change, even when I put the switch in calibrate. 
 
	Solution:  Try rocking the red switch back to analog, then forward 
                   to calibrate.  This will reset the Mark II for 
                   downloading. 
 
	Problem:  I have rocked the base switch back to analog and then 
                  forward to calibrate a number of times, and it still does 
                  not do anything. 
 
	Solution:  This is a keyboard BIOS problem.  Refer to the section 
                   on Keyboard Bios for a detailed solution. 
 
	Problem:  I used to be able to move the base switch into calibrate, 
                  and it would download.  Now nothing happens when the 
                  screen says "put the red switch into calibrate". 
 
	Solution:  This may be a bad three way switch.  
                   Call (503) 968-3411 and ask for service/repairs. 
 
	Problem:  In order to download, I need to rock the red switch back 
                  and forth a number of times (or hit the enter key on the 
                  keyboard a number of times) to get it to 100%. 
 
	Solution:  This is symptomatic of a keyboard bios/controller 
                   problem.  The Mark II has a difficult time communicating 
                   with a few keyboard bios controllers.  You will need to 
                   have a wire modification, and upgrade chip installed.  
                   Call (503) 968-3411 and ask for service/repairs.  
                   Note:  refer to keyboard bios section for more 
                   information. 
 
	Problem:  When I calibrate the unit, I get to the point where the 
                  program says to pull it back to cutoff (all the way 
                  back) and when I do press button one on the WCS, nothing 
                  happens.  To continue I press the enter key on the 
                  keyboard to exit. 
 
	Solution:  If you can get through the calibration routine and get 
                   stuck at that point, you may hit the enter key on the 
                   keyboard to finish the calibration program. 
 
TMSA Diagnostic Utility 
 
	Problem:  I am using the MARK II WCS, and when I try to calibrate 
                  my FCS/PFCS all I get is 830 under the HAT column. 
 
	Solution:  This is normal when entering TMSA if both the red switch 
                   and the black switch are in the digital position.  
                   Change the black switch to analog, then you will be able 
                   to adjust the hat value.If you have set the switches 
                   correctly on the WCS, this may be a sign of a bad hat 
                   switch on the FCS/PFCS.  You can take the unit back to 
                   where you bought it, or call (503) 968-3411 and ask for 
                   service. 
 
	Question:  How do I adjust the HAT value to 82? 
 
	Answer:  You need a manually, speed adjustable game card. 
 
	Problem:  I get no number underneath the HAT column. 
 
	Solution:  This is typical when there is more than one active game 
                   port on a system.  The other game port needs to be 
                   disabled. .  This also can happen on some game cards 
                   that come with a computer system.  This is because many 
                   of these game cards are designed to only read a single 
                   joystick.  The hat uses the y-axis on the second 
                   joystick.  This will cause the value to be missing under 
                   the hat column 
 
	Problem:  I have put my black switch on the Mark II WCS in analog 
                  and I still get a value of 830. 
 
	Solution:  Try rocking the switch again.  Make sure the red switch 
                   is in digital.  If it still does not change, it may be 
                   a bad switch.  Call (503) 968-3411 and ask for 
                   service/repairs. 
 
	Question:  How do I make sure the analog throttle is working 
                   correctly? 
 
	Answer:  When in TMSA, put the red switch in analog, the black 
                 switch in digital.  Underneath the HAT column you will see 
                 the value change, depending on where the throttle is.  
                 When the throttle is forward, you should see a value 
                 around 5 to 15.  All the way back the value should be 
                 approximately 70 to 100. 
 
	Question:  How can I check to see if my buttons on my FCS/PFCS are 
                   working in TMSA? 
 
	Answer:  Look above the right box.  You will see a row of zeros.  
                 When you press a button, the zero will be replaced by a 
                 one.  If your joystick is plugged into the Mark II, you 
                 will need to place the red switch into calibrate to see 
                 the button presses register. 
 
Game Cards 
 
	Question:  Why shouldn't I plug my ThrustMaster hardware into my 
                   sound card's game port or the game port that came with 
                   my computer system? 
 
	Answer:  On faster speed machines, the joystick routine in the 
                 software does not read the joystick signal properly.  
                 This is referred to as timing problems. 
 
	Question:  How can I tell if I have another game port on my system? 
 
	Answer:  Any 15-pin connector on the back of your computer is 
                 another game port. 
 
	Question:  How do I disable the other game ports on my system? 
 
	Answer:  Refer to the documentation that came with your computer 
                 system or your sound card to see how this is done. 
 
	Question:  What makes a speed adjustable game card better than a 
                   sound card game port, or one that came with the computer 
                   system? 
 
	Answer:  They are designed to vary the joystick signal so that the 
                 software can read the full joystick signal, and properly 
                 process the data. 
 
	Question:  Do I need a speed adjustable game card? 
 
	Answer:  Yes, if you are using a high speed computer such as a 486. 
 
	Question:  Why do I need a "dual-port" game card? 
 
	Answer:  Because software reads the ThrustMaster products as a TWO 
                 joystick input. 
 
	Question:  What is a 'timing problem'? 
 
	Answer:  This is caused when the joystick value that is sent to the 
                 CPU from a sound card game port and/or a game port that 
                 came with a computer system is too high for the software 
                 to read. 
 
	Question:  What causes the timing problem? 
 
	Answer:  This is caused by the fact that these cards cannot adjust 
                 the length of the joystick signal to the CPU speed. 
 
Keyboard Bios 
 
	Question:  What is a keyboard bios problem? 
 
	Answer:  Microcode problems within the keyboard bios chip which 
                 causes communication problems with the Mark II.  There are 
                 known microcode problems with a few of keyboard 
                 bios/controller chips on the market.  These include AMI 
                 versions D, B, 8, 0.  Acer and Phoenix are some other 
                 known problematic bios chips.  There are also 'clone' 
                 versions of the AMI bios that say F version or later, but 
                 do not work.  The reason is that they are 'clones' and 
                 are stamped with the AMI seal, but are not true AMI chips. 
 
	Question:  Are there some systems that the Mark II WCS will not 
                   work with? 
 
	Answer:  The Mark II is designed to work with the 100% IBM PC AT 
                 standard.  There are a number of computer manufacturers 
                 who design their computers with proprietary technology 
                 which does not conform to the true IBM standards.  This 
                 causes the Mark II to have trouble communicating with the 
                 computer system.  The Gateway 2000, and its' programmable 
                 keyboard are a good example of this. 
 
	Question:  If I have a keyboard bios problem, how do I fix it? 
 
	Answer:  Try using a different brand keyboard (try a friend's). 
 
	Question:  What if I don't have access to another keyboard, or a 
                   different keyboard does not work? 
 
	Answer:  There is a wire modification that can be done on the 
                 circuit board of the Mark II (NOTE: This is only for 
                 models that use the DOS prompt command download.exe to 
                 download).  Once the unit is open (screws taken out and 
                 circuit board visible), look for two connection points 
                 J43 and J42 on the side towards the cable connectors. 
                 The keyboard cable has two wires that connect here, a red 
                 one and a black one.  You will need to reverse and 
                 resolder these so that the RED is connected to J43, and 
                 the BLACK to J42.  Note:  Do NOT attempt if you are not 
                 comfortable with this kind of work. 
 
	Question:  What if I can't do this modification, or it does not 
                   work? 
 
	Answer:  You can replace the chip inside the Mark II.  This chip 
                 is NOT a fix, but rather an upgrade.  It incorporates new 
                 features such as a menu driven download interface, allows 
                 a continuous keypress, and extra programming features. 
                 Because of the known microcode bugs in some of the 
                 keyboard bios controllers, we have attempted to address a 
                 problem that does not exist within our product, and to 
                 help those who have this trouble.  We do not provide this 
                 upgrade chip free of charge. 
 
Miscellaneous 
 
	Question:  What are the analog and digital modes? 
 
	Answer:  Analog is the signal that is sent through the game card.  
                 Digital is when the signal is sent through the keyboard 
                 port.  (I.E., when using digital, the device will act 
                 just like a keyboard.) 
 
	Question:  Can I use TMSA without using ThrustMaster equipment? 
 
	Answer:  Yes.  It can be used to check equipment not manufactured 
                 by ThrustMaster. In general, the ACM adjustment procedure 
                 can be done with most adjustable game cards. If you're 
                 using a non-adjustable card or built-in game port, then 
                 you will not be able to set the range of values that TMSA 
                 will display, but the tests for general operation, 
                 symmetry, and minimum value can still be performed in 
                 essentially the manner described. 
 
	Question:  Why should I not select the ThrustMaster option within 
                   a game when using the Mark II WCS? 
 
	Answer:  Because the support for the WCS was written for the 
                 original Mark 1 WCS, and will not work with the 
                 Mark II WCS.  When using the Mark II, you can run a 
                 digital hat, thus eliminating the need for FCS game 
                 software support. 
 
Common Game Calibration Routines 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster FCS/PFCS in 
                   Spectrum Holobyte's Falcon 3.0, OFT, MiG-29 & Hornet? 
 
	Answer:  If using just the FCS/PFCS and you have the MiG-29 or 
                 Hornet add-on's, select "ThrustMaster" in the war-room.  
                 If you do not have MIG-29 or Hornet, you need a third 
                 party TSR such as the Pilot's Edge to allow the hat to 
                 function as views. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster WCS Mark II and 
                   FCS/PFCS in Spectrum Holobyte's Falcon 3.0, OFT, 
                   MiG-29 & Hornet? 
 
	Answer:  Prior to entering the game make sure your red switch is 
                 set to Analog and the black switch to Digital. This 
                 provides for much smoother throttle control.  Select 
                 "Joystick" in the system setup.  Once in a mission press 
                 ESC.  Then go to control.  Select joystick, then 
                 recalibrate.  Follow the directions for calibrating the 
                 joystick and throttle. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster WCS Mark II and 
                   Rudder Control System in MicroProse's F15 Strike 
                   Eagle III? 
 
	Answer: Select "Joystick" in the Hardware options menu or Options 
                menu within the game.  Have both your red and black switch 
                set to Digital.  To use the RCS or to run the game with 
                Analog throttle you'll need a software patch from 
                MicroProse to update the calibration routine.   
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster FCS/PFCS in 
                   MicroProse's F15 Strike Eagle III? 
 
	Answer:  Just select "ThrustMaster" from the Hardware options in 
                 the install menu or the Control menu in the game. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster WCS Mark II in 
                   Microsoft's Flight Simulator 5? 
 
	Answer:  Put the red switch to analog and your black switch to 
                 digital prior to entering the game.  For "Joystick One" 
                 select Aileron and Elevator.  For "Joystick Two", select 
                 "Throttle" only or "Throttle and Rudders" if you are using 
                 Rudder pedals. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster FCS/PFCS in 
                   Microsoft's Flight Simulator 5? 
 
	Answer:  Get into the game's preference's menu and select Aileron 
                 and Elevator for "Joystick One". 
 
	Question:  I'm trying to fly Aces of the Pacific/Aces over Europe 
                   with my FCS/PFCS and my hat won't work, what should I 
                   do? 
 
	Answer:  Select "ThrustMaster" for flight under the Preferences 
                 menu and calibrate the FCS/PFCS.  Note:  Aces of the 
                 Pacific Mission Builder 1946 has better FCS/PFCS support 
                 than the original release. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster WCS Mark II in 
                   Dynamix's Aces series? 
 
	Answer:  AOE came with an .adv file that you can use.  Copy that 
                 .adv file into the Mark II directory and download it.  
                 You can play either game in either Analog or Digital 
                 throttle.  If you decide to play in analog throttle select 
                 "Joystick" for flight and "Slider on Joystick 1" for the 
                 throttle in the Preferences menu.  If you decide to run in 
                 Digital throttle select "Keyboard" for throttle and 
                 "Joystick" for flight 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster WCS Mark II in 
                   Nova Logic's Comanche? 
 
	Answer:  Select "Normal Joystick" in the Control menu.   Have the 
                 red switch set to Digital and the hat mode set to Analog 
                 just for calibrating the FCS/PFCS.  Center the FCS/PFCS 
                 and squeeze the trigger.  Swirl the FCS/PFCS AND swirl 
                 the hat.  Squeeze the trigger a second time.  
                 After calibrating, place the hat mode switch to Digital. 
 
	Question:  How do I configure the ThrustMaster FCS/PFCS in 
                   Nova Logic's Comanche? 
 
	Answer:  Select "ThrustMaster" in the preferences menu. 
 
	Question:  I have Strike Commander and I'm using the FCS/PFCS and 
                   your RCS.  Why can't I get the hat or rudders to work? 
 
	Answer:  We couldn't either until the Tactical Operations add on 
                disk came out and we installed it. 
 
	Problem:  I'm using the Mark II WCS with the FCS/PFCS and I can't 
                  get the calibration sequence to recognize button 2 in 
                  Microprose's F117 Stealth Fighter. 
 
	Answer:  When in the calibration sequence, put the red switch on 
                 the Mark II into calibrate.  This will allow the game to 
                 recognize button 2.  After calibration, flip the red 
                 switch back to the original position it was in. 
 
Additional Notes 
 
	(  If your ThrustMaster hardware is working in one simulator and 
           not in another, then the problem you are having is in the 
           software, not the hardware.  When the hardware is broken, it 
           doesn't work in ANY simulator.  ) 
 
	(  As a general rule of thumb, do not select any option for 
           ThrustMaster when using the Mark II WCS and the FCS/PFCS.  ) 
 
	(  You cannot use both red and black Mark II WCS switches in 
           analog.  ) 
 
	(  If you have doubts about the FCS/PFCS performance, run the 
           TMSA.EXE file.  This comes with the Mark II and ACM card.  If 
           you don't have either of these, you can download this file from 
           our various BBSs'.  ) 
 
	(  After downloading an .adv file to your Mark II WCS, run KEYTEST 
           prior to entering your simulation.  This will show you what 
           each button outputs when pressed.  ) 
 
	(  Use the trigger any time a game calibration routine asks for a 
           button press.  ) 
 
Customer Support 
 
	If this manual does not answer your questions, you may call 
        ThrustMaster technical support at (503) 968-3400 from 8:00 am 
        to 5:00 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. 
 
	ThrustMaster also monitors these On-line services: 
	(  Compuserve		-  Go FS Forum, 72662,2334 
	(  America Online	-  ThrustMast   
	(  GEnie		-  Thrust.dude 
	(  Prodigy		-  GVRR37A 
 
 