Using PS3 Controller in Windows (Wired)

This guide is to show you how to Use PS3 Controller in Windows – (Wired). Works for Windows 7, Vista and XP. Those using their SIXAXIS or Dualshock 3 controller can use this guide. There are FOUR methods to use from. I strongly suggest purchasing a bluetooth dongle because it’s much easier to set up the buttons! I”m not using wired anymore but I’ll test if I have free time.

Note:

- Method A is the first and original method (did not work for me)

- Method B is my preferred method.

- Method C is an improvement of Method A, utilizing PPJoy but not for Dualshock3.

- Method D is the latest and drivers created by a Japanese coder. This should be the BEST method, currently.

Index

1. Method A
2. Method B
3. Method C
4. Method D

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Method A

1. Download this archive

2. Install the filter driver (libusb-win32-filter-bin-0.1.10.1.exe or 0.1.12.1 is fine).

3. Vista users, run libusb driver at “XP SP2 Compatibility Mode” and “Run as Administrator”.

4. Unpack ps3sixaxis_en.exe

5. Plug the SIXAXIS/DS3 into your PC.

6. Run ps3sixaxis_en.exe once.

7. Push the PS button on the SIXAXIS once if it doesn’t see it straight away.

- I’ve realised that the libusb-win32 drivers had to be installed in Vista as Administrator and Compatibility Mode. So it should be where I went wrong the last time I’ve tried. It should work for Vista and XP now but I haven’t tried as I’m going wireless now.

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Method B

- Method A DID NOT work for me (although it should now) so I used another driver. Here’s the page for the driver:

• CodeProject: Wired PS3 Six Axis Controller Using USB HID as Input.

- Just download this: SixAxisDriver.exe. Works fine for my Dualshock 3. Just plug the controller in via USB and load drivers and Windows will recognize the controller.

- To configure the buttons, maybe try using this program called PPJoy. If to no avail, then try WinSIXAXIS mentioned below.

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Method C

- An alternative which I’ve found recently is WinSIXAXIS, it’s worth trying as it saves the trouble of manually installing the drivers and libusb-win32. It also uses PPJOY to map buttons. Download WinSIXAXIS  here. I’ve tested it and my notes are down below.

- Yes, this works for wired controller only, for wireless there’s a program called BtSix.

- You can get the latest BtSix here. I have tested with my Bluetooth 2.0 dongle and it works!

- Here’s the guide to Use PS3 Controller in Windows via Wireless Bluetooth!

- I have tested WinSIXAXIS and here’s my notes on it: ( I assume that everyone is using Vista and had ps3sixaxis_en.exe installed first before trying WinSIXAXIS)

- WinSIXAXIS has freezing issues and DOES NOT support Dualshock3 (constant vibration).
- Anyone who have success with WinSIXAXIS please do comment so to let people know if it works.

• To Fix Freezing Issue
• To fix this, you have to remove ps3sixaxis_en.exe completely (and libusb-win32 drivers first).
• Then next step is to ensure total removal of the drivers for the PS3 controller.
• Go to Device Manager and when you plug in your PS3 controller, you will see the “USB Human Interface Device” come up. This should be your PS3 controller.
• To confirm that it is, you have to counter-check by going to “Control Panel > Game Controllers” and see that your “PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller” is there.
• Disable the “USB Human Interface Device” in Device Manager, and in Game Controllers window, your controller should dissapear. Enable and it will reappear again.
• This is to confirm that it is your PS3 Controller you’re messing with. (Yes, stupid but safe than sorry)
• Okay, Confirmed. Now Right-Click and select “Uninstall“.
• We’re almost there. If you have PPJoy installed, please Uninstall PPJoy first.
• Now after clearing everything, we have to create our own .inf driver file
• Download the file here.
• Extract the file and go to “bin” folder, open “inf-wizard.exe“
• Plug in your PS3 controller to PC via usb cable, there will be a usb device added into the list in “inf-wizard.exe”
• Select it, and click Next.
• Change the Manufacturer name to “Sony“
• Change the Device name to “PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller“.
• Press Next, and save the “name.inf” file to the “bin” folder. (there should be a .cat and .inf file created)
• Please make sure that the .inf file is together with “libusb0.dll” and “libusb0.sys”
• Keeping the controller plugged in via usb cable, go to “Control Panel > Device Manager“, select the PS3 Controller from the list of “Human Interface Devices”. It should be “USB Human Interface Device“
• Right-click and choose “Update drivers” and choose “Have disk method“.
• Point to the “bin” folder and installation should proceed.
• Now we’re done installing the drivers for the PS3 Controller.
• Install WinSIXAXIS which comes along with PPJoy and LibUsb-Win32 drivers. Remember Vista users, install LibUsb drivers as Administrator and Compatibility Mode to XP SP2.
• Just cancel Libusb-win32 installation. Navigate to Program Files>WinSIXAXIS>Installer and Run Libusb-win32 drivers.
• AFTER ALL THAT, you can finally use the guide from the Author here.

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Method D

- Japanese coder, Tamamy, released Windows Drivers for the Dualshock 3 and supports SixAxis too. It has rumble support too.

- First you need to download the 4 driver files from here (translated version)

ds3drv_1.03 – Normal driver version

ds3drv_dx_1.03.1.14 – DX driver version

SDDriverSetting (english) – utility to tweak some settings including bluetooth

ForceFeedbackDriver – Rumble driver, install Normal or DX version first

TaskTraySwitch – you may need this when using rumble

- After that, plug in your PS3 controller with USB cable and go to Control Panel > Device Manager.

- Extract all the driver files you’ve downloaded.

- Under Human Interface Device, there will be “USB Human Interface Device” . Right-click and choose “update driver software” and select the “Have Disk” method and point to “dualshock3.inf” which you’ve extracted.

- For the ForceFeedback drivers, you have to right-click on the “DUALSHOCK3FF.inf” file and choose “Install”, then when you’re gaming there will be a tray icon to tweak the rumble settings. First menu asks to toggle on/off rumble. Second menu opens a window to tweak strength of rumble for the controller.

- This page might be of interest for you guys as it discusses this method: http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=179397

- Notes: I have tried and Windows recognizes all six-axis and buttons but can’t really play games unlike BtSix, bluetooth method. I think Xpadder will do the job fine but mapping the keys is pain in the arse.

Tagged as: 64-bit, dualshock 3, How To, PS3, ps3 controller, sixaxis, vista, windows 7, winsixaxis