The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Using a PS3 controller to play games on Steam

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by eatthestates, Jan 25, 2011.

  1. eatthestates

    eatthestates Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hey guys,
    I was wondering if anyone has used a PS3 controller to play games on Steam either wired or wireless. I looked at this site How to Use a PS3 Controller on a PC | GameFront and it seems possible, but I am confused as to how it would work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    eatthestates, Jan 25, 2011
    #1
  2. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    949
    Messages:
    7,700
    Likes Received:
    2,819
    Trophy Points:
    331
    you can but you need like an unofficial driver to run them as a controller (dstool or something like that). most games default to the 360 controller as that controller is much easier as it downloads the driver and auto installs it: no mess or fuss like the PS3 drivers. the 360 is USB so it'll take a slot but you can plug your mouse back when done or use the pad.
     
    thegh0sts, Jan 25, 2011
    #2
  3. eatthestates

    eatthestates Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is there any guides with a detailed walk through? I tried the one on the link I posted but my controller is not recognized.
     
    eatthestates, Jan 25, 2011
    #3
  4. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    949
    Messages:
    7,700
    Likes Received:
    2,819
    Trophy Points:
    331
    thegh0sts, Jan 25, 2011
    #4
  5. NismoCOB

    NismoCOB Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I'm using motionjoy and its working flawlessly!
    Unfortunately, our bluetooth adapter is not compatible, so I'm always wired...
    You also have to use windows in "test mode", so it can install unsigned drivers.
    Quick steps:
    1.Put your windows in testmode, and get rid of the watermark
    2. download motionjoy drivers and install them
    3. plug in ps3 controller with the usb, and install drivers from motionjoy (browse to the correct driver)
    4. in motionjoy you can configure the controller and let it emulate the xbox360 controller.

    You can always buy a little bluetooth dongle that would be compatible with motionjoy if you really need wireless.
     
    NismoCOB, Jan 25, 2011
    #5
  6. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    949
    Messages:
    7,700
    Likes Received:
    2,819
    Trophy Points:
    331
    see, that's just too much effort just to get a PS3 controller to work on the PC.
     
    thegh0sts, Jan 25, 2011
    #6
  7. Ork

    Ork Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Like the above poster i use motionjoy and the latest version is signed so you don't need to go into test mode to install/use it.
    I purchased a mini usb bluetooth adaptar by belkin and it works flawlessly through bluetooth.
    The adapter i went for was £7.99 from pc world in the uk(im sure it could be brought for less but im inpatient).
    Also motionjoy has a 360 emulation mode option so the games that only work on 360 controller will work on ps3 controller.
     
    Ork, Jan 25, 2011
    #7
  8. NismoCOB

    NismoCOB Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    It's basically about what you like. The xbox controller is too clumsy in my opinion, and the wireless dongle is way too big..
    And I use my PS3 controller wirelessly on my main PC, thats why I go trough all the trouble for the m11x.

    You could always buy a cheap pc gamepad, but where the fun in that? :3
     
    NismoCOB, Jan 25, 2011
    #8
  9. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    949
    Messages:
    7,700
    Likes Received:
    2,819
    Trophy Points:
    331
    u can use a wired 360 controller....just get a cable tie to keep the cable length short :)
     
    thegh0sts, Jan 25, 2011
    #9
  10. Ork

    Ork Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Or you could just use a keyboard and mouse!
    Its nice to have options.
     
    Ork, Jan 25, 2011
    #10
  11. eatthestates

    eatthestates Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    So I don't know why but I can't browse to the correct driver. Once the motionjoy is running and the controller is on, all the LED lights just blink together.
     
    eatthestates, Jan 25, 2011
    #11
  12. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    949
    Messages:
    7,700
    Likes Received:
    2,819
    Trophy Points:
    331
    it is but some are just more of an inconvenience than others and it's like why go the hard way when there's a much easier way....just a thought.
     
    thegh0sts, Jan 25, 2011
    #12
  13. Ork

    Ork Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Have you restarted the pc since installing?
     
    Ork, Jan 25, 2011
    #13
  14. Ork

    Ork Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I didnt find it an inconvenience. I do also have a wired 360 controller which i use sometimes , i just wanted the wireless option without the huge microsoft dongle.
     
    Ork, Jan 25, 2011
    #14
  15. AbsolutVokz

    AbsolutVokz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    i bought my m11xr2 with the bluetooth option intended to pair it with bluetooth peripherals and here i'm reading i have to buy a bluetooth usb dongle to connect controller. what goods my 20$ internal bluetooth module upgrade now?
     
    AbsolutVokz, Jan 25, 2011
    #15
  16. euchrid_eucrow

    euchrid_eucrow Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    As far as i understood it, his signed drivers only worked for the 32bit version of windows. I thought you had to be in test mode to use them on 64bit.
     
    euchrid_eucrow, Jan 25, 2011
    #16
  17. Ork

    Ork Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Here's a link to the motionjoy downloads page.
    Playstation 3 controller(Dualshcok 3 or Sixaxis) driver for windows | MotioninJoy
    It says that the latest 64bit version is signed.
    I cant confirm this as my m11x is permaneantly in test mode(using nautis r1 video drivers)
     
    Ork, Jan 25, 2011
    #17
  18. euchrid_eucrow

    euchrid_eucrow Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Oops, guess i was wrong about that. Could have sworn i had read that somewhere on his page.

    Oh well, maybe i'll give it another shot now that i know 64bit is signed too.

    Thanks for the info.
     
    euchrid_eucrow, Jan 25, 2011
    #18
  19. NismoCOB

    NismoCOB Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The bluetooth works fine. I'm using my Razer mouse with it and connect my iPhone with tethering.

    Motionjoy doesen't support every bluetooth hardware, as far as I know they tinker around with it, and you wont be able to transfer files anymore.
    So it's basically motionjoys fault, not the m11x.
     
    NismoCOB, Jan 26, 2011
    #19