It seems like this one's been building steam for quite some time, but it's reached a point where "user error" just seems unlikely. Judging by the seemingly widespread outcry on a variety of forums and review sites, a substantial amount of
Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows customers have essentially ended up with an unexpected paperweight. Put simply, it seems that a number of customers have found this very device to suck the life out of their
USB ports, meaning that all other USB peripherals kick the bucket when this power-hungry gizmo gets plugged in. To make matters worse, these same users are also reporting that
Microsoft's tech support has been anything but helpful in solving the issue, and while you can always shell out even more dough for a powered
USB hub, where's the fun (or justice) in that? So, what's the deal here, folks? Has anyone else been pulling their hair (and subsequently, their other USB devices) out over this thing?
[Thanks, Jamie P.]
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posted August 24th 2007 1:25AM
Granted, MS does have a tenancy to put out products without taking consideration on what type of computer/mobo/processor and I think that's where they get into trouble (Vista a great example ).
DAMN ENGADGET, if this has been building for awhile, why you just reporting it now, I just went out to buy one...good thing I haven't opened it yet...geeeeeesh
How do you know it won't work for you. You could be going without it for no reason. Try it and if it don't work just return it.
This sounds like my G15 problem. If I use the G15 then other peripherals fail. For example, plug in any USB drive (flash, HDD, etc) and the computer crashes when I copy files to it. Move the G15 to a powered USB Hub and I have no problems copying. However, the G15 doesn't power on on the USB hub without disconnecting and reconnecting twice from the hub after the computer boots up... these devices really need to be standardized a little more.
Agreed my point exactly. Well put.
My standard 360 controller already uses th maximum 500mA as reported by device manager, so probably plugging this wireless receiver into an empty usb port(not unpowered hub) should work normally?
Could be all those complains stem from users plugging in too many devices into a single port, each usb port can only provide a maximum of 500mA
This thing killed all my USB ports and I thought it was my fault/a random occurrence. So now I have to send my wheel back, my console has been sent twice, and this was the cause of my USB ports frying. Cool. Microsoft. Oh well I still love your games.
hahahaha look at all the xbox 360 fanboys stepping up to defend their lady.
I don't have any problems with this on my PC. I've been using it for over 3 months with the wireless headset. I plug and unplug it all the time and it's always worked ok.
The 360 headset is not the best sounding headset, because people tell me my voice sounds like it's a bit muffled as compared to a plantronics headset. But it's still audible and it's wireless when I need it.
My xbox 360 experience has been like every consumer's should be. The only problem I have ever had with my 360 is the sensor on the light ring to tell if its standing or on its side doesn't work anymore BUT...I have never had a 360 fry, a disc scratched, AND my wireless receiver works perfectly on 2 different computers, one being a vista laptop. I'm just an average consumer...I've had no problems. So to me, and the whatever percent of people who haven't had problems with M$, they are doing a pretty good job. *Awaits flames from idiots*.
never had a 360 + never had a disc scratched is how it is supposed to read.
Microsoft seems to be having a lot of problems theses days aren't they? The of their products are really slipping.
I guess I'm just lucky because I have a 360, the wheel, and the wireless PC dongle and I've had no problems with any of it . . .
I've had mine sine this thing came out, and have put a couple hundred hours in on it without any issues. I wonder if people are running into issues with their motherboards not supplying enough power to USB, rather than this device being ths issue?
I had exactly this problem. I used it on Jade Empire: SPecial Edition and my keyboard deactivated. Only a rebote would reactivate it. Now I'm useing it on my macbook and it seems to be working flawlessly with SNES9x emulation software so maybe it was only my old gaming PC.
Maybe your laptop is a piece of shit. According to this, theres only a 17% loss: http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=TechCorner.Detail&id=37. And from other people i know, ive heard 7fps loss, 10fps loss, but quite frankly, never from 60 - 30 fps. I would assume your doing something wrong, or your laptop is indeed shit, because i trust the people i know more than you. Vista is fine.
For all those users having problems using the XBOX 360 controller (or any controller with dual analogs and many, many buttons) on newer games, use joy2key to map the buttons and the sticks. Devil May Cry 3 for PC doesn't really support this controller, and I had to use the right analog (!) to move Dante around. The program works wonders.
I've had my Wireless receiver since the day of release. I've had it plugged in ever since then. It's stayed on for up to 12 days. I see no problem with anything else plugged in or the device itself. Maybe some people's USB ports aren't getting enough power to support the device?
I bought this thing when it had first came out. I also had the wired controller as well and when I would plug in the receiver that would stop working once I would sync the wireless as well as it would also take out my kensington wireless mouse an key board set. I found it funny it would not even work with microsofts own equipment.
I must ad as well I have already had a to exchange 2 360's due to failure. I am also running vista premium and this os is bug ridden as h3ll. certain files and codecs cause windows to crash when opened, windows updates stops working at times as well as rampant media player issues and the fact you need to practically turn data execution prevention off for almost anything you want to use is obscene.
At times you need to go into the command prompts to give yourself "ownership" of the file which you should own if you installed them. the list goes on on and on for microsoft.
I only stick with it to see dx10 graphics in there glory like in crysis or even bioshocks textures can be ran in dx10 mode and looks sweet. It is just a shame that microsoft cant get working products out the door the first run or hire competent staff to handle the situation. Take this for instance: I bought Halo 2 for vista and it just would not install. I called ms support and dont ask me why but I stayed on the phone for 9 hrs with the tech support for nothing only to get them to have a manager not call back in the "72hrs" they said they would. So yesterday almost 3 months later some tech support calls saying corporate advised him to call me to work on halo 2. Need I say more? I was so peed I just started yelling at the guy ....man it was bad.....
I've never personally experienced problems with mine.
One of the reviewers on NewEgg claimed he needed to unplug his Logitech G5 in order to boot. I can't remember where else but someone was saying Logitech/Microsoft brand keyboards/mice. I use a Logitech G11 keyboard and a G5 mouse. I've switched them out and tried my older wireless MS keyboard/mouse combo. Everything works fine and works as usual. I just tested four controllers and it works as expected.
Don't see what the problem is...
I just tried installing one of these today. My motherboard has a diagnostic program that warns when a device tries to draw more power than the USB spec allows. It also has a second warning that triggers when 1 or more devices exceed the total for power allotment for the USB ports on the system.
Well, I plugged in and got both warnings. Ok, I had an external drive and a few other things connected. I disconnected everything except my USB receiver for my keyboard and mouse. Still got both warnings on plugging this thing in.
So just for giggles I plugged in a PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard I had in the garage.
6 Fully powered USB ports and it still popped both warnings. Now I will admit it appeared to function while I had only the keyboard and mouse and the controller on the USB. However, it was and is still drawing way more power than it should as a USB device. Even as the only device on a 6 USB port controller than can supply full power on all ports it throws both the device load and USB system load warnings. It works, but would you expect things to perform well over the long term when pushed to hard? Would you drive your car always at redline on RPM (6000 or 7000 RPM) and expect it to perform well for long?
This thing is bad for PCs.
Had the same issue (flashing, only works in hub) after updating the drivers. Reverting back to delivered driver on CD (dated 09/19/2006) resolves the issue. Seems like this is no electrical problem but something with their drivers.
I've been using one of these on both my PC and laptop since launch and haven't had any trouble yet
Ok, i just purchased this product and when i put in the CD i was prompted to DL the driver version for vista. I went ahead and DL'd the driver and installed the program and then plugged in the device. My computer recognized it and installed it correctly. I then turned on my controller, and tried the sync the two by clicking both their buttons. The device lit up and acted as if it had synced ocrrectly to where as my controller ring light stopped spinning and just flashed...and flashed...and flashed... and won't sync it seems. I have tried all 3 of my controllers and none seem to work.. Am i doing something wrong? please help
great when it works, rubbish when it doesnt... and for me it doesnt. Well i gave up on this device when at the weekend (5/oct/07) i had a pop up saying new drivers available.... yay maybe its finally fixed... sadly i cant see what these drivers have done.
I have a nforce 4 based Asus A8N-SLI with an athlon 64, Z board, Razer death adder mouse, MS Sidewinder 2 as well as the xbox gaming reciever. To get the reciever to work i have to power down pc. unlug all periferals. boot pc, plug in the xbox reciever, train my pad, and then plug in all my other usb devices.
it then works superbly.... untill i power down my pc and then i have to go through the whole thing again. As i cant handily get to my usb ports, i just dont use the adapter.
such a shame, so much potential but just ruined by shoddy drivers.
oh yes, also i purchased with the promise of proper force feedback support with the wireless racing wheel. Not only is this not the case yet after over a year, but the pc also only sees it as a single axis accelerator/brake which is clearly not good enough (works as dual axis in the 360 well enough)