Whatever the hell you do, under NO circumstances use MotioninJoy – that stuff reeks of pure dodgy. Instead let us show you the safe way to use your PS3 controller on your x64 Windows PC. In my case, I was running Windows 7. First there’s a rant, so if you want the solution, just skip to TAMAMY DRIVERS.
.
.
.
Having decided to play Xenoblade Chronicles on PC hooked up to my HDTV instead of the Wii on my SDTV, I needed a controller. There are plenty of safe and easy options for those using the older x86 (32bit) versions of Windows, such as XP. My main rig is x86 XP, but the PC I borrowed for Xenoblade was Windows 7 and x64 (64 bit). Problem: most drivers designed for x86 will permanently disable all your USB ports if you try to put them on a x64 computer (I don't know why, apparently they just do). They will mess you up.
This blog post is to correct a misconception on the internet – an attempt at undoing a dangerous fallacy. Googling for info on the above will reveal countless websites all proclaiming the pleasures of a website/program called MotioninJoy, which allegedly allows use of the Sixaxis on x64 Windows.
DO NOT PUT THIS CRAP ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR COMPUTER.
They state quite clearly that because their drivers are unsigned you need to boot x64 versions of Windows while holding F8 and then from the menu choose to ignore mandatory signature enforcement. I did this. Then I downloaded it, did a virus scan and then ran it.
Anyway, after running it, suddenly ESET, NoScripts and a couple of other safety countermeasures were giving off RED WARNING LIGHTS and KLAXON SOUNDS – this little trollop was trying to access servers in Zhiang province, or god knows where in CHINA. All I know is suddenly I’ve got a wall of Chinese names and server numbers because apparently I’m trying to connect to something I shouldn’t be and a dozen dirty sources are trying to connect to my system. So I immediately cut the hard line on my rig and shut it all down.
Let me tell you how I roll: I do not allow random programs to connect to unknown servers in countries on the other side of the world known for their dodgyness to download crap I don’t recognise. For all I know they were uploading the digital mind of CHAIRMAN MAO onto to my rig, or viruses, Trojans, root kits, or worms.
One website claims you can install it offline, by downloading another pack of files, but this disables use of the joysticks. What the hell is the point of that? If I didn’t want analogue joysticks I’d use my Saturn pad. They force you to go online so they can potentially rodger you senseless. Seriously WTF is up with them trying to force you to connect to Chinese servers to download random things you can’t even see. Let me use an analogy. You wouldn’t expose your genitals to a hornet’s nest, would you? You might not get stung even if you did, but why take such an unnecessary risk? Do NOT trust MotioninJoy.
Regardless, it’s all redundant, because there IS an alternative, a solution that allows Sixaxis usage with analogue joysticks on a x64 system, and it doesn’t require destroying your PC, and it’s free and totally excellent.
TAMAMY DRIVERS – THE DRIVERS YOU CAN TRUST
Japanese coder Tamamy has made drivers that work on Windows XP, Vista and 7, on both x86 and x64. You have to manually install them after connecting your control pad, but they work well. Although being unsigned, same as MotioninJoy’s drivers, means you need to boot while F8 each time you start your computer (again, same as MotioninJoy).
Even so, you can plainly see the INF files that comprise it (unlike MotioninJoy), plus it doesn’t connect to the internet and you have full control over it (unlike MotioninJoy). This is the perfect solution in my view.
GET THEM HERE:
http://tamamyikesu.web.fc2.com/sd_devicedriver.html
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Please note, I used them without problem on Windows 7, but obviously use caution with this kind of stuff. Myself and HG101 can’t be held responsible for misuse.
On an ironic side note, the mods at DC-Emu, a forum I have long realised to be filled with denizens of wrong logic (the Katana Dev Kit and Smash Pack says hi fellas!), actually locked the thread on Tamamy’s drivers. While Googling for info on this I came across a DC-Emu thread on them, where everyone was chatting, happy as Larry, on how best to use them. Suddenly a mod comes along and locks the topic, saying: “Enough of this, enough of this, MotioninJoy is out now, everyone stop talking about this and move along and use that instead – no more talk of Tamamy, go and connect to Chinese servers and use MotioninJoy like the good proles that you are. Move along now.”
I actually pictured the mod with an Orwellian era moustache and truncheon, goading the slackjawed forumites into submission.
Frankly I think that’s a travesty. MotioninJoy is not only garbage, but it’s dangerous garbage. And they were openly advocating its usage, while trying to turn people away from a safer and more trustworthy source of drivers, where you have full control over their implementation, and you know precisely what you’re installing. They even locked the goddamn topic on it, effectively censoring any discussion of Tamamy’s drivers. Madness, pure madness!
Conclusion:
For Sixaxis use on a PC, use Tamamy’s drivers.
Ooh, great timing. I just thought about setting up my Sixaxis for my new x64-system. I think I will avoid MotionInJoy this time. It seemed to work last time on my old system, but it was pretty banged up anyhow, digital overmind chairman Mao or not.
ReplyDeleteyou are a good man, Sketcz.
ReplyDeleteI just installed MotioninJoy last week, because apparently some more recent software (Bastion, in particular) refuses to acklowedge regular Windows controllers in lieu of official Xbox 360 pads, and MotioninJoy is supposed to emulate them. I never got it working because apparently you need a BlueTooth adapter to get the PS3 pad working properly - should probably uninstall it after reading this anyway. I'm still running XP, though.
ReplyDeleteHave actually been using MotioninJoy for quite a while now, without any problems. I don't know who/what/where it is connecting to, but I haven't had any issues or trojan/virus come through (then again, I don't really run anti-virus, because I keep an eye on the registry/processes/services and just kill it as it pops up). Also, the newest version of MotioninJoy IS now a signed driver; don't have to press anything while booting up my x64 W7 laptop.
ReplyDeleteNot saying it's perfectly safe, just saying that I had a different experience with it; will still prolly check out the Tamamy drivers, though the special load of W7 is still an annoyance in my opinion.
I am pretty sure its connecting to the adds and such that sell dongles that show up in the mojoy control panel.
ReplyDeleteRegardless it is hell to use when you use a blue tooth dongle for a keyboard. It keeps loading as a controller rather than a keyboard.
I wish it was as easy as any other controller! Bah!
Wow glad you have a solution...too late for me though.
ReplyDeleteGot desperate a few months back and installed MoitioninJoy. 20 minutes later I blasted it off my computer...not sure what it left behind though. I can't believe the kind of shit ppl recommend online. Like Foxit reader.
Then I bit the bullet and I bought a Hori 360 wired controller. It's fat, the sticks feel like ass, and the triggers blow...but other than that the d-pad and the buttons are nice.
After posting this I went googling for MotioninJoy and on their official forum one guy was saying it disabled all his USB ports on his Windows 7 rig - so take of that what you will.
ReplyDeleteIn fact you should always Google stuff before using it, adding random words like DANGER, and VIRUS and NUDE after the main keyword. Well, not nude, but you get my drift.
As for Windows XP, I love it. It has maximum compatibility for the majority of stuff I like.
If I were a millionaire I would walk into an indie PC store, open a briefcase of money, rub some of it in the owner's face and say: look, just hook with me up with the best of everything that works with XP and then just put XP on it.
Do modern processors and graphics cards even work with XP, or do you have to get Vista and Windows 7? I am determined to hold out.
And holding F8 is indeed annoying!
At my case I only need to use motioninJoy to install my sixaxis, but after this, I don't to open this software anymore, I don't even need a internet connection and my sixaxis works just fine.
ReplyDeletequestion: do those Tamamy drivers emulate x360 pads using ps3 controllers? some pc games tend to only recognize x360 pads and motionjoy does this great even if the damn program is horrible, annoying and gives me a blue screen once in a while.
ReplyDeleteWhat i didn't know if they had released a version with signed drivers, it's annoying to have to press f8 every damn time i start my computer.
@Sketcz
ReplyDeleteYou won't be able to use Direct X 10 and 11. But other than that. You'll be fine with top of the line hardware and XP.
Thanks a lot for this. I had used MotionInJoy before, it sucks so much. It's hard to install and when you "succeed", your bluetooth driver stops working.
ReplyDeleteWell, gonna try out Tamamy now then. I've been using MotionInJoy until now, but it would be great to be able to use PS3 controllers while not being connected to the internet.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you can probably remove the need for pressing F8 each time you boot by using Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider (quite a mouthful, isn't it?). It worked for MotionInJoy, will probably work for Tamamy.
been using Motionjoy for years now without a single problem. The application goes online for ads and to download the updated menu/page layouts (it's all in HTML I believe).
ReplyDeleteMy PC is as virus free as ever and I love that motionjoy allows me to emulate a 360 controller for games that have native support for it.
Also been able to get it working wirelessly with a supported BT dongle. Whoever said you need a BT dongle to use it period is wrong, you can use USB to your hearts content without BT.
Sorry to see such a useful and harmless piece of software getting bashed....
-deathsled
The problem with MotionINjoy is that it tries to take over your entire computer. If you had built in Bluetooth, then MotionInjoy takes complete control over it rendering some bluetooth products you may want to buy in the future inoperable. If for some reason you wanted to buy an official xbox 360 controller for your pc, like I did down the line, your game would freeze during gameplay because the drivers would clash. There was even a point that after installing a device that the motioninjoy wanted control of that it caused a chain reaction on my computer and disabled my keyboard, wifi, firewall and antivirus. Yes, motioninjoy works great when it does. But if you end up getting a device that wants to have a driver war with it, then look out -- you are in for a lot of headaches.
ReplyDeleteThis rant is fine and all but it doesn't say what to do AFTER you've installed the Tamamy drivers. I can get the thing installed, but getting any game to recognize I have a controller is a whole nother ball game.
ReplyDeleteMotioninjoy has signed drivers now.
ReplyDeleteThat isn't the point that it has signed drivers. The point is its a piece of shit software that hijacks the way your computer does drivers. If I plug in 2 dongles, I would like to use one for the DS3 and one for everything else. Can I do that. NOPE. MiJ is like HEY LOOK ANOTHER ONE LETS GIVE IT OUR DRIVERS, HE OBVIOUSLY IS OVERKILL.
ReplyDeleteReally all you have to do is google "motionjoy virus" or trojan, or malware.Theres absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteI was letting motionjoy through my firewall around april of last year and neither avast av, pctools threatfire, pctools firewall or malwarebytes have give me any reason to believe it may be malware.
On XP once i install both the default drivers and the motionjoy drivers i can switch back and forth by just updating the drivers via device manager.If you have two dongles you might be able to update one to run the default motionjoy driver and leave the other to run the default driver.