Who would have thought that owners of personal computers who have convenient data input devices at their fingertips: mouse and keyboard will be interested in a standard game controller for the Playstation 3 console from Sony. From this article, the reader will learn how to properly connect and configure the Dualshock 3 game joystick. The algorithms for connecting the controller to the computer will be described for different operating systems for the convenience of the user.
When there is no alternative
For fans of dynamic games, where reaction speed, feedback and positioning in space are needed, manufacturers of the gaming industry have not come up with anything sensible over the past five years. Otherwise, users would simply cease to be interested in how to connect Dualshock 3 to a PC. There are many independent opinions that can be found in the media: that Sony’s joystick is unique, and many competing companies still cannot make sensitive sensors and sensors with a vibration motor work at the same time.
In terms of ease of operation, the joystick also has few competitors in the market. After all, one of the requirements that users make to gaming equipment is the sensitivity of buttons to pressing. Do not forget about ease of use - a wireless device will always be in demand in the gaming market.
Hardware preparation
First of all, the user needs to think about providing a wireless connection. Since Dualshock 3 will be connected to the computer via Bluetooth, a game lover will have to purchase the appropriate module. Owning portable devices is much easier with this, because almost all laptops and tablets are equipped with a popular wireless interface.
When buying a Bluetooth adapter, preference should be given to a USB device that works according to the standard 2.1 and higher, otherwise the controller will not be able to connect. Experts in the field of IT technologies recommend that newcomers not to tempt fate and purchase a product from a well-known brand that comes complete with drivers and software (D-Link, Gemix, Logitech, MobileData).
Providing a computer with a software part
The second step of the user is to install the software that is necessary for the correct operation of the controller with the operating system. You need to install the Visual C ++ 2013 packages and the NetFrameWork 4 library set, without which it will be impossible to control the computer using the Dualshock 3 joystick. Windows 10 may give an error when installing the above packages. Do not be upset, just a perfect system is already equipped with the necessary software.
Without fail, the user must find on the Internet and install the program SCP Driver, which will help the computer find and recognize gaming equipment designed for another platform. Many owners in their reviews recommend installing this program in the “Program Files” folder. In this case, executable files will be run as administrator, and the user will not accidentally delete them.
Computer device discovery
Installing the Bluetooth wireless module will not be enough for the Dualshock 3 to connect to the PC. At the hardware level, the device is detected only when the controller is connected via the USB interface. It is necessary to use the micro-USB port on the joystick to charge the battery of the gaming gadget. If all the software is installed correctly, then the Windows operating system will freely detect the controller and give a message about its connection.
Owners of older platforms may need to manually install the SCP Driver (Vista, XP). To do this, run the installed early application and perform “Force Install” to detect the Dualshock 3 controller. Windows 8 and 10 perform this operation on their own and do not require user intervention. Further technical matter - the USB cable is disconnected from the PC and the joystick, transferring control to the wireless connection. The game starts and the device buttons are configured.
Alternative connection method
Without deviating from the algorithm for installing the necessary software in the form of libraries, as well as organizing wireless and wired connection of the game controller, the user can use an alternative way to configure the Dualshock 3 joystick. Connection to a PC can be arranged using the MotioninJoy application. Users in their reviews note that this program allows you to configure the controller buttons before starting the game application.
A more complex program requires an appropriate installation approach. Firstly, the owner of the game controller needs to understand USB connections to the computer, since the application requires you to specify the port number to which the joystick is connected. Knowledge in English is also needed, since the interface of the MotioninJoy control panel is not Russified.
The convenience of an alternative way
Let it seem from the side that specialized software complicates the setup, however, in essence, this method greatly simplifies the connection of Dualshock 3 to a personal computer. The fact is that all computer games have support for joysticks created for the PC. And, as you know, console controllers and manipulators for computers have many differences. Accordingly, it is not a fact that when the joystick is connected, the control buttons will work as they should.
With the MotioninJoy program, the task is simplified - the user can directly match the function keys of the controller with the similar actions of a regular joystick directly in the Windows operating environment. Many owners in their reviews note that it is better to spend time and set up once than to constantly manipulate buttons in different gaming applications.
Work with a popular platform
Many users are concerned about the question of how to connect Dualshock 3 to a PC, which is built on the basis of the Android operating system. It is logical to assume that among the owners of mobile devices there are also game lovers who are not enthusiastic about controlling their favorite game using the touchpad. As practice shows, there are solutions - there are many of them, and almost all of them are paid.
Before starting to install the software, professionals recommend worrying about checking the compatibility of the mobile device with the game controller. For the functionality of the Sixaxis Compatibility Checker application, which needs to be downloaded from the Google Play store, the owner of Dualshock 3 must have Root rights, otherwise it will not be possible to launch the application on a mobile device. After opening the installed application, you need to click the "Start" button, which will launch the verification tool. An error during scanning will mean that the controller cannot be connected to the mobile device.
Strong friendship
It’s not so easy to wirelessly connect two devices created for different platforms: Android and Dualshock 3. Connecting to a PC is even easier. First you have to download the Sixaxis Pair Tool application in the store, install it and run it. The application will not detect anything and will display a corresponding message. Without closing the running application, the user needs to create a wired connection between the Android device and the game controller (since there are many necessary adapters on the market).
Without disconnecting the cable and not closing the running application, the user must go back to the store and purchase the Sixaxis Controller application. Having launched the downloaded and installed program, you need to click the “Pair” button in its dialog box. Experts recommend that you first turn on the Bluetooth connection and allow the mobile device to detect itself.
A matter of technology
Then everything is simple and requires step-by-step actions from the user. Finding and creating a Dualshock 3 connection with a mobile device takes a few minutes from the owner. A successful result of the partnership between the two devices will be a message about joining with an identifier for Bluetooth. You need to copy it and paste it into the unclosed window of the Sixaxis Pairing Tool. Without fail, the user must confirm their actions by clicking the “Update” button.
Checking the wireless connection is quite simple: you need to disconnect the USB cable from two devices and press the motion control buttons on the Dualshock 3 game controller. You can observe the cursor movement on the screen of the mobile device. As in the case of the MotioninJoy program, the user is provided with the functionality to configure the control buttons directly in the operating system. It is not implemented as conveniently as in Windows, but without Sixaxis Controller, nobody will be able to play your favorite toy.
Problems and solutions
When connecting Dualshock 3 to a PC, many users are faced with problems detecting a game controller at the driver level. The operating system reports a new USB device, but cannot identify it. In most cases, the problem occurs when the interface is insufficiently powered, when the user connects the USB cable to the front panel of the personal computer. Professionals recommend giving preference to USB ports located on the back of the system motherboard.
The second problem that users may have with the definition of the Dualshock 3 device is locking the driver at the hardware level by the operating system itself. Verification of digital signatures on Windows 8 and higher platforms should be temporarily suspended by the user, otherwise it will be impossible to configure the controller on its own. Some craftsmen suggest disabling the antivirus during boot, but it is precisely such actions that lead to the failure of the operating system. Experts recommend downloading drivers and applications only from trusted sources.
Finally
As practice shows, many owners of game consoles still prefer computer gaming solutions. Gone are the days when Sony Playstation could surpass personal computers in quality and realism. However, for Windows platforms, developers did not bother to create a decent controller for easy control, so the ability to use Dualshock 3 here will be very useful.
Studying market trends, many experts in the field of IT technologies believe that it will take several more years for multimedia device manufacturers to understand that gaming controllers for personal computers are in demand, and their functionality, rather than affordable cost, is very important to users. In the meantime, game lovers can only hope that the Playstation Dualshock 3 controllers will not run out of supplies on the market.