USB Gamepad detected as mouse (Speedlink 360 style)

[Mahendra Tallur]

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-input-evdev

Hi !

My USB gamepad is controlling both the mouse pointer AND the joystick (in rrootage for instance) at the same time.

To get it running at all I had to :

- install xserver-xorg-input-joystick
- copy acrux-usb-gamepad-8116.fdi to /etc/hal/fdi/policy (provided here : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Joystick_lshal_outputs_done )
- unplug and replug the joystick after the X server is loaded

Those three steps are apparently mandatory otherwise nothing works. (the stick LED doesn't remain lit otherwise)

Actually it raises several issues !
1. the need for the the aforementioned steps
2. the need to unplug / replug
3. the fact that evdev seems to lock the controller and assign it as if it were a mouse

Thanks a lot for reading this,
cheers !

Attached : lshal output, where the gamepad does seem to be detected properly.

Setup : Ubuntu 9.04, AMD64

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.1.1-1ubuntu4
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=fr_FR.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersion: Linux version 2.6.28-15-generic (buildd@yellow) (gcc version 4.3.3 (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5ubuntu4) ) #49-Ubuntu SMP Tue Aug 18 19:25:34 UTC 2009
SourcePackage: xserver-xorg-input-evdev
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-15-generic x86_64

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

I found a workaround. It consists in editing /etc/hal/fdi/policy/acrux-usb-gamepad-8116.fdi and adding the following line :

<merge key="input.x11_options.SendCoreEvents" type="string">false</merge>

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

PS : this controller has 2 analog sticks & 1 8-way pad. It turns out the second stick controls the... mouse wheel, even after the work around. Also, directions are inverted (with the second analog stick only) :)

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Well, I wish I could edit my comments. The "SendCoreEvents" "false" does affect the mouse pointer, but not the mouse wheel nor the mouse buttons.

For instance, joystick button number 3 acts as a right mouse button, analog stick n°2 acts as mouse wheel.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Hi mahen,

I believe you should be able to construct an fdi file which enables all these functions for you, although my own fdi-fu is not strong enough to give you foolproof guidance. However, I think you can use the existing .fdi's in /etc/hal/fdi/policy as examples. If you come up with an .fdi you're reasonably happy with please post it here and we'll look into including it for Ubuntu.

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Well, I'm a bit lost...

I only manage to get it recognized when using the entry
<merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">joystick</merge>
in the relevant .fdi file.
(one "OK but not perfect fdi file" can be found here : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Joystick_lshal_outputs_done?action=AttachFile&do=view&target=acrux-usb-gamepad-8116.fdi )

Which requires to install the package xserver-xorg-input-joystick beforehand.
HOWEVER, I thought this joystick driver was deprecated and one was supposed to use the "evdev" driver.

Nothing occurs when using "evdev" but when you use "joystick" the gamepad is recognized as both a joystick and a mice.
You can manually disable some mouse events ; for instance by adding the following line to the fdi file :
<merge key="input.x11_options.SendCoreEvents" type="string">false</merge>
Still... Some mouse buttons events still occur (right click for instance). And it seems, that the second stick axis are inverted (seen when using gunroar).
I tried to invert axis with line such as <merge key="input.x11_options.MapAxis1" type="string">mode=relative axis=+1x deadzone=5000</merge> but they only affect the... mouse behaviour :-)

So to summarize, I lack some insight :-) I wonder why...
1) it doesn't work automagically ?
2) why do I have to install & use the "joystick" driver instead of evdev ?
3) why is it recognized as both a mouse and stick ?
4) why are some axis inverted ? :-)

I guess most peripherals work out of the box. What can I do to improve the situation ? :-)

Thanks for reading this annoying blabbering. :-)

(tested under 32&64 bits Jaunty / Karmic)

[Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)]

I need the output of 'lshal' without xserver-xorg-input-joystick installed. It shouldn't use evdev.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

We're closing this bug since it is has been some time with no response from Mahendra. However, if the issue still exists please feel free to reopen with the requested information. Also, if you could, please test against the latest development version of Ubuntu, since this confirms the bug is one we may be able to pass upstream for help.

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Hi,

well, sorry for the lack of input !

Actually, if I don't install "xserver-xorg-input-joystick", it seems I cannot get the device detected. Which is probably due to the fact that the .fdi file I *have to* install specifies :

   <match key="input.product" string="ACRUX USB GAMEPAD 8116">
     <remove key="input.x11_driver" />
     <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">joystick</merge>

To summarize, there seems to be multiple issues :

- with no FDI file the device is not detected at all

- with a FDI file it needs also the joystick package

- with both of them, the joystick also needs to be unplugged / replugged each time, and is detected as both a gamepad AND a mouse, and behaves incorrectly in some cases (some inverted axis)

I guess I should give the latest Lucid alpha a try as well.

Cheers !

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Yeah thanks, give a shot at using Lucid and if it still doesn't work,
either reopen this bug or file a new one. Thanks again!

On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 08:11:32AM -0000, Mahendra Tallur wrote:
> Hi,
>
> well, sorry for the lack of input !
>
> Actually, if I don't install "xserver-xorg-input-joystick", it seems I
> cannot get the device detected. Which is probably due to the fact that
> the .fdi file I *have to* install specifies :
>
> <match key="input.product" string="ACRUX USB GAMEPAD 8116">
> <remove key="input.x11_driver" />
> <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">joystick</merge>
>
> To summarize, there seems to be multiple issues :
>
> - with no FDI file the device is not detected at all
>
> - with a FDI file it needs also the joystick package
>
> - with both of them, the joystick also needs to be unplugged / replugged
> each time, and is detected as both a gamepad AND a mouse, and behaves
> incorrectly in some cases (some inverted axis)
>
> I guess I should give the latest Lucid alpha a try as well.
>
> Cheers !
>
> --
> USB Gamepad detected as mouse (Speedlink 360 style)
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/418470
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu-X,
> which is subscribed to xserver-xorg-input-evdev in ubuntu.
>
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> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Thank you Bryce.

I haven't tried in Lucid yet, but it turns out the issue is upstream anyway (I just tried and got the very same results in an up to date ArchLinux distro : "works" but fdi required, unplug/replug required, inverted axis, both mouse & stick... Worked with "evdev" instead of "joystick" though).

I would be very grateful if you could point out who I should report this to (X.org, kernel developers... ?)

Thanks again !

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

FYI, there are 2 entries in lshal :

udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial'
  info.linux.driver = 'usb' (string)
  info.parent = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1d6b_1_0000_00_1a_0' (string)
  info.product = 'USB GAMEPAD 8116' (string)
  info.subsystem = 'usb_device' (string)
  info.udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial' (string)
  info.vendor = 'ACRUX' (string)
  linux.device_file = '/dev/bus/usb/003/004' (string)
  linux.hotplug_type = 2 (0x2) (int)
  linux.subsystem = 'usb' (string)
  linux.sysfs_path = '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb3/3-2' (string)
  usb_device.bus_number = 3 (0x3) (int)
  usb_device.can_wake_up = false (bool)
  usb_device.configuration_value = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb_device.device_class = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb_device.device_protocol = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb_device.device_revision_bcd = 258 (0x102) (int)
  usb_device.device_subclass = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb_device.is_self_powered = false (bool)
  usb_device.linux.device_number = 4 (0x4) (int)
  usb_device.linux.sysfs_path = '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb3/3-2' (string)
  usb_device.max_power = 350 (0x15e) (int)
  usb_device.num_configurations = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb_device.num_interfaces = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb_device.num_ports = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb_device.product = 'USB GAMEPAD 8116' (string)
  usb_device.product_id = 2050 (0x802) (int)
  usb_device.speed = 1.5 (1.5) (double)
  usb_device.vendor = 'ACRUX' (string)
  usb_device.vendor_id = 6708 (0x1a34) (int)
  usb_device.version = 1.1 (1.1) (double)

udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial_if0'
  info.linux.driver = 'usbhid' (string)
  info.parent = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial' (string)
  info.product = 'USB HID Interface' (string)
  info.subsystem = 'usb' (string)
  info.udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial_if0' (string)
  linux.hotplug_type = 2 (0x2) (int)
  linux.subsystem = 'usb' (string)
  linux.sysfs_path = '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb3/3-2/3-2:1.0' (string)
  usb.bus_number = 3 (0x3) (int)
  usb.can_wake_up = false (bool)
  usb.configuration_value = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb.device_class = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.device_protocol = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.device_revision_bcd = 258 (0x102) (int)
  usb.device_subclass = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.interface.class = 3 (0x3) (int)
  usb.interface.number = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.interface.protocol = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.interface.subclass = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.is_self_powered = false (bool)
  usb.linux.device_number = 4 (0x4) (int)
  usb.linux.sysfs_path = '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb3/3-2/3-2:1.0' (string)
  usb.max_power = 350 (0x15e) (int)
  usb.num_configurations = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb.num_interfaces = 1 (0x1) (int)
  usb.num_ports = 0 (0x0) (int)
  usb.product = 'USB HID Interface' (string)
  usb.product_id = 2050 (0x802) (int)
  usb.speed = 1.5 (1.5) (double)
  usb.vendor = 'ACRUX' (string)
  usb.vendor_id = 6708 (0x1a34) (int)
  usb.version = 1.1 (1.1) (double)

udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1a34_802_noserial...

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Under Ubuntu Lucid RC :

there's definitely progress. A custom .fdi file is not necessary anymore !

One just has to install the joystick input driver and it works, but still controls the mouse pointer as well. (plus some invered axis on the 2nd stick + the need to unplug/replug the first time)

Please tell me if I can help to some extent. Here's the current lshal output.

[Sebastián Perruolo (sebastianperruolo+ubuntu)]

I'm having this bug after I upgrade to Lucid. By bug I mean: my joystick is handling the mouse pointer. BTW: I don't have a mouse plugged.

PS: I believe this bug is duplicated.

[Sean Hayes (sean-hayes)]

I've got the same bug too. I'm using a USB converter for an N64 controller in Ubuntu Lucid 64 bit. Never had this problem in Karmic or before.

[Sean Hayes (sean-hayes)]

I created a joystick.fdi in /etc/hal/fdi/policy/:
"<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<deviceinfo version="0.2">
 <device>
   <match key="input.product" string="HID 6666:0667">
     <merge key="input.x11_options.SendCoreEvents" type="string">false</merge>
     <merge key="input.x11_options.StartKeysEnabled" type="string">false</merge>
     <merge key="input.x11_options.StartMouseEnabled" type="string">false</merge>
   </match>
 </device>
</deviceinfo>"
Then rebooted, but it didn't work. I've still got mouse and keyboard events being generated by my joystick.

Here's the lshal entry:
"$ lshal -u '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_6666_667_noserial_if0_logicaldev_input'
udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_6666_667_noserial_if0_logicaldev_input'
  info.capabilities = {'input', 'input.joystick'} (string list)
  info.category = 'input' (string)
  info.parent = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_6666_667_noserial_if0' (string)
  info.product = 'HID 6666:0667' (string)
  info.subsystem = 'input' (string)
  info.udi = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_6666_667_noserial_if0_logicaldev_input' (string)
  input.device = '/dev/input/event6' (string)
  input.originating_device = '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_6666_667_noserial_if0' (string)
  input.product = 'HID 6666:0667' (string)
  input.x11_options.SendCoreEvents = 'false' (string)
  input.x11_options.StartKeysEnabled = 'false' (string)
  input.x11_options.StartMouseEnabled = 'false' (string)
  linux.device_file = '/dev/input/event6' (string)
  linux.hotplug_type = 2 (0x2) (int)
  linux.subsystem = 'input' (string)
  linux.sysfs_path = '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:12.0/usb3/3-1/3-1:1.0/input/input6/event6' (string)

"

[Newk (newk)]

any news on how to fix this in Lucid? gamepad control is useless this way

[Newk (newk)]

...i have a Speedlink Strike². If i can help by running some diagnostics to fix this issue, please tell me what to do to provide usefull information.

[Sebastián Perruolo (sebastianperruolo+ubuntu)]

My gamepad is a "DragonRise Inc. Generic USB Joystick" (that is what lsusb said). I don't know what to do, I agree with Newk, my Gamepad is useless this way :(

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Well, your gamepad may not be useless in all cases (for instance, for fullscreen games that capture the mouse pointer and do not react to double-clicks).

Here happens with my both controllers : Speedlink 360 style and Thrustmaster Firestorm Dual Analog.

Anyway, the problem seems to be that X is not aware of joysticks and just sees pointing devices. If this cannot work automagically as of yet, maybe there is a way to force a specific device not to be used as a pointing device ? (as a custom FDI is not required anymore for my device, I don't know how to specify it now -- and anyway, an easy GUI would be preferable ;-)

Doesn't sound like an easy issue to iron out...

[Newk (newk)]

my Speedlink Strike² is also identified as a "DragonRise Inc. Generic USB Joystick" inside games, But still controll the mouse there aswell.. the game Trackballs (Marble Madness clone) lets me disable mouse.. but in games (or for installations) that do not feature such an option and where i want to use them both (such as ProjectX - Forsaken) its really useless pointing device. Unless you could specificly enable this.
So the FDI route could not split the device handling?

[Newk (newk)]

ok.. did you people try another joystick? i did, i have an old QuickShot that connects to the soundcard gameport / midi interface and followed these instructions: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=330607
i used jstest-gtk instead of jscalibrate but i didnt get far calibrating it because it started moving the mouse again!
so it's a general joystick (js0) problem? weird!

[quequotion (quequotion)]

I'm having this issue.

I think this could be expanded to include all USB joysticks. Any usb joystick I plug in doubles as a mouse. This could be a great feature if it had an on/off switch....

[Newk (newk)]

okay.. i found a workaround:

uninstall the xserver-xorg-input-joystick package
restart your system

(found the workaround here http://swiss.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1477206)

hope it works for you guys
and hope we dont need that package otherwise then to control mouse with the joystick :p

i still think something is bugged though

now i can use the gamepad seperately again, jeehaw!

[Alexander Gabriel (einalex)]

apparently you need the package to have the joystick/gamepad working in wine.

[Alexander Gabriel (einalex)]

quickfix:
use the command xinput set-props <device-id> <option-id> 0
to set mouse events and keyboard events to false for the joystick/gamepad
the respective id can be found by running
xinput list
and
xinput list-props <device-id>

[Newk (newk)]

cool that this works alexander!

now how can we set this permanent?
since when i unplug and replug or do a system reset i have to set it again

[Newk (newk)]

maybe some lines to be added to /etc/X11/xorg.conf?

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

As of Maverick : no need to install a custom fdi anymore to get the gamepad recognized : I only needed to install xserver-xorg-input-joystick.

However, the digital stick still controls the mouse cursor.

[Newk (newk)]

so nothing changed since lucid.. it got recognized there aswell and it also automatically sets mouse events and keyboard events to true.... this should be a simple option.. because its a damn hassle to switch it off (or on if desired... like for people that have difficulties using a mouse).

i tried some tinkering in xorg.conf but it didnt change a thing for the joystick settings.
anyone?

[Newk (newk)]

ah i read it wrong i think.. so more controllers get recognized now.. but the mouse and keyboard is still controlled by them by default.. and needs several commandline actions to switch the function off.

so hereby requesting a means to set it other way around by default or a more userfriendly way to switch between

[Daniel Añez Scott (danielscott171)]

I'm having this bug as well, with a genius maxfire g-12u.
Running ubuntu maverick 64 bits, and the weird thing is that it worked normally yesterday, maybe it's bugged now because the joystick was already plugged when I turned on the computer, and yesterday I plugged when I wanted to play, with ubuntu already running.

[Gaurav Butola (gauravbutola)]

@Alexander what do you mean by by <option id> I only see id written there, when I run the command, here is the output http://paste.ubuntu.com/579719/

Thanks

[Newk (newk)]

like alexander pointed out,
here a bit more detail (and a fixed typo):

acces a terminal and type: xinput list
find the joypad's id number.. mine is for instance 11

then type: xinput list-props 11
now look up the lines that say
"generate mouse events"
"generate key events"
there is a number behind those two.. mine are 713 and 714
those are the options numbers or like alexander calls them option-id
they are both set to "1" (on)

you dont want that so to set them to "0" (off)
to that you need to xinput set-prop <device-id> <option number> 0
so i'n my case i had to type:
xinput set-prop 11 713 0
and
xinput set-prop 11 714 0

hope this helps if you couldn't figure it out before

i still have to do this on my ubuntu 10.04
wich sucks.. is there a way to set this permanent?

[Newk (newk)]

lol, also put typos.. but not in the commands, so they should work

[zzarko (zzarko-gmail)]

I also had a problem with gamepad automatically emulating a mouse. I tried using the method with numbers described above, but the numbers were changing after reboot. As a solution, here is the script I use to disable mouse emulation after logon (just put it in the System/Preferences/Startup Applications, or wherever this option is in Unity):

NAME="LuenKeung"
ids=$(xinput list | grep $NAME | grep -o -e "id=.." | xargs | sed "s/id=//g")
for id in $ids; do
    echo "Disabling Mouse/Key events for ID $id"
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Mouse Events" 0
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Key Events" 0
done

Just change the NAME to match your joystick/gamepad name from "xinput list". I'm also using QJoyPad to make my own mouse/keyboard emulation layout (the defualut one from joystick driver didn't suit me).

P.S. I guess that those more experienced with awk/sed could make the line "ids=..." shorter and/or faster

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

I'm pleased to announce this issue is *fixed* for me in Ubuntu Natty !

(xserver-xorg-input-joystick must NOT be installed, otherwise the joystick will control the mouse)

I have some issues with inverted axis though, but it's a distinct issue !

[zzarko (zzarko-gmail)]

If it's fixed by not using xserver-xorg-input-joystick, how do you use your gamepad? I had to install that in order to use mine.

[Mahendra Tallur (mahen)]

Well, it's not needed anymore (it was in former Ubuntu releases), apparently, it must be using the xserver-xorg-input-evdev driver...

[mark bower (mjbower)]

The code in posts 26 and 34 worked for me on 12.04LTS. However, is there a way to make a script or launcher that could be selected when needed off of the desktop to run: "xinput set-prop 11 713 0" & xinput set-prop 11 714 0 (example as my numbers differ)

mark bower

[mark bower (mjbower)]

O.K. The following code when executed "delinks" the mouse pointer from joystick movements. The sequence: 1)open a terminal, 2)enter the script file on the cmd line, 3)plug in the rc-controller(see the mouse move to left), 4)with some skill get the uncooperative mouse cursor to pass over the terminal screen and click on it to make it active, 5)hit return to execute the script. And voilla, the cursor returns to normal behavior.

Code:

#!/bin/bash
#file: script_rccontroller.sh
#use to disable mouse emulation from controller sticks(joysticks)
#get NAME for controller from xinput list

NAME='WAILLY PPM'

ids=$(xinput list | grep "$NAME" | grep -o -e "id=.." | xargs | sed "s/id=//g")
for id in $ids; do
    echo "Disabling Mouse/Key events for ID $id"
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Mouse Events" 0
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Key Events" 0
done

But even tho the code works, I get the two error msgs:
property Generate Mouse Events doesn't exist, you need to specify its type and format
property Generate Key Events doesn't exist, you need to specify its type and format

Can anyone suggest the syntax to eliminate these error msgs. And again, please refer to the link (item 36) in my 1st post to see what I am trying to adapt for my use.

[zzarko (zzarko-gmail)]

Mark, I had the same error messages, they are generated because there are two id's that match joystick's name. I don't know which one of the two is actually for controlling the joystick events, so I set properties for both. The errors are for second id.

If you are bothered with the messages, you could change xinput set lines to:
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Mouse Events" 0 2>/dev/null
    xinput set-prop $id "Generate Key Events" 0 2>/dev/null
(it maybe needs to be 1>/dev/null, I'm not sure)

And, to be free of mouse acrobatics, go to keyboard preferences/shortcuts/custom shortcuts and create keyboard shortcut for activating your script (for example, ctrl+alt+j should be free for use). This way, you'll never see any output, not even the error messages...

[jhansonxi (jhansonxi)]

Workaround for Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) and Linux Mint 13 (Maya):

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=10268510&postcount=14

With this method the change will last until the xserver-xorg-input-joystick package is updated.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Mahendra Tallur, this bug was reported a while ago and there hasn't been any activity in it recently. We were wondering if this is still an issue? If so, could you please test for this with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ .

If it remains an issue, could you please run the following command in the development release from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal), as it will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report:

apport-collect -p xserver-xorg-input-evdev REPLACE-WITH-BUG-NUMBER

Please note, given that the information from the prior release is already available, doing this on a release prior to the development one would not be helpful.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for xserver-xorg-input-evdev (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]