SpacePilot doesn't work in 3DS Max v9 sp2

[bgcat57]

I have:
Release 3.3.6
Driver version 6.3.3
Firmware Version 3.12
3DxStudio Version 4.4

When I first installed the software (I choose complete) following the included instructions, it worked fine although I got a 'conflicting drive error' from acrobat.
I'm running 3DS Max 9 sp2 on a Windows Vista Ultimate system. I also have Max v8 also installed on the same machine as well as Adobe CS2 studio. The Space Pilot worked in 3DS Max v8 only.

I uninstalled the software (3DX) and reinstalled it with only the Photoshop CS2 plugin and the 3DS Max 9 plugin. It worked the first time I started 3DS Max9 but never again. I tried restarting and rebooting to no effect. The 3DX control panel on the desktop works and Google Earth works and the 3DX panel is even available in 3DS Max9 but the LCD panel reads "Any Application" rather than 3DS Max. Also the Button configuration in the 3DxStudio in 3DS Max is not functional, as the assign button is greyed out. I'm not running any other apps concurrently.

Additionnally, when I run Photoshop CS2, the spacePilot works fine but the LCD reads Photoshop CS3 even though I didn't install (unchecked) the CS3 plugin and only installed, as I mentioned previously, CS2 plugin with 3DS Max9 plugin.

I want to note that the Space Pilot continues to run with photoshop and google so there is no lack of USB connection. It simply doesn't work in 3DS Max .

Now what do I do?

[ngomes]

Hi bgcat57,

Are you running 32 or 64-bit (x64) builds of Windows Vista Ultimate and 3ds Max 9?

Also, it is possible that the application is running in a different "compatibility mode." Find the 3ds Max 9 executable, right-click and select select "Properties" then check the "Compatibility" tab and let us know what do you find there.

[bgcat57]

I'm running the 32-bit version of Vista. I shall check the compatability tab when I get home. Would the compatability issue account for the SpacePilot to work occasionally? Even if only 15% of the time.

[ngomes]

Would the compatability issue account for the SpacePilot to work occasionally? Even if only 15% of the time.

No, I believe it does not explain why it works "occasionally."

It might explain why it only worked the first time you ran the application (Windows may switch the compatibility mode after the application terminates).

[bgcat57]

The Compatibility mode tab for the 3dsmax.exe has no boxes checked except 'Run this program as an administrator'.

[ngomes]

The Compatibility mode tab for the 3dsmax.exe has no boxes checked except 'Run this program as an administrator'.

This is what we were looking for.

Find the "3dxsvr.exe" file (the driver executable) and mark it to the run as administrator as well. The executable is normally installed to %ProgramFiles%\3Dconnexion 3DxSoftware\3DxWare.

[bgcat57]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[ngomes]

Hi bgcat57,

Do you recall if you set the "Run as admin..." option for the 3ds Max 9 executable yourself?

[bgcat57]

I think I had but I'm not absolutely sure since it was a while ago that I originally installed it (whenever it fisrt shipped).

[ngomes]

I think I had

In that case, I would appreciate if you could try running 3ds Max 9 and the driver (3DxWare) without the setting the "Run as an admin" compatibility option.

[bgcat57]

I'll try it when I get home this eveing and get back to you.

[bgcat57]

It doesn't work. I had to switch both ('3dxsvr.exe' and '3dsmax.exe') back to "Run as admin..." for it to work.

[ngomes]

It doesn't work.

Thanks, bgcat57. I just wanted to confirm it.