Connecting my PS3 Controller to my PC

[omega_peaches]

So, I am trying to connect my PS3 Controller to my PC, but My PC detects it, but the controller keeps blinking.
The controller is the standard one that comes with the PS3 Slim, and I am using the connector/charging cable that came with the system.
Any help please?

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

Possibly because your pc doesnt support it? Im no computer expert but im pretty sure that Sony controllers wouldnt work on a Microsoft pc, same reason why you cant hook it up to your 360 even though they both have USB ports

 

[Random Fella]

Possibly because your pc doesnt support it? Im no computer expert but im pretty sure that Sony controllers wouldnt work on a Microsoft pc, same reason why you cant hook it up to your 360 even though they both have USB ports

I'd say that too try an Xbox controller. (Same company or whatever)

 

[Reed Spacer]

It can be done, but you need to download a driver for it, and technically it's a hack, so you do this at your own risk.

Google "use ps3 controller on computer"

 

[Mr Pantomime]

you have to run a special program. Its rather complicated, but if you do it, you can use it with the wire and over Bluetooth. My friend did it. However, when he uses his wired Xbox 360 controller, it crashes

 

[Radeonx]

Possibly because your pc doesnt support it? Im no computer expert but im pretty sure that Sony controllers wouldnt work on a Microsoft pc, same reason why you cant hook it up to your 360 even though they both have USB ports

I'd say that too try an Xbox controller. (Same company or whatever)

You either need a wired controller or a special wireless receiver for that.
The receiver costs more than $30, I believe.

 

[omega_peaches]

As a side note, not sure if this helps: I have X-Padder, and it can see I have a PS3 Controller plugged in, it's only the controller that doesn't connect.

 

[omega_peaches]

Possibly because your pc doesnt support it? Im no computer expert but im pretty sure that Sony controllers wouldnt work on a Microsoft pc, same reason why you cant hook it up to your 360 even though they both have USB ports

I'd say that too try an Xbox controller. (Same company or whatever)

You either need a wired controller or a special wireless receiver for that.
The receiver costs more than $30, I believe.

Correct, although you can get a standard wired 360 controller used for roughly $20 in a lot of places.

As a side note, not sure if this helps: I have X-Padder, and it can see I have a PS3 Controller plugged in, it's only the controller that doesn't connect.

As an above poster mentioned, you'll need to install drivers for the PC to read the data sent by the controller properly. It may be frowned upon by Sony, but it's not illegal or anything, so happy to help:

http://www.gamefront.com/how-to-use-a-ps3-controller-on-a-pc/

Thanks for the help, but that doesn't work on my computer
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

[loc978]

...why?

-close enough [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS356&q=logitech+gamepad&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15091854931554372690&ei=xI0zTc-oCIeqsAP5ufDPBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA#], right?

 

[psivamp]

Possibly because your pc doesnt support it? Im no computer expert but im pretty sure that Sony controllers wouldnt work on a Microsoft pc, same reason why you cant hook it up to your 360 even though they both have USB ports

I'd say that too try an Xbox controller. (Same company or whatever)

You either need a wired controller or a special wireless receiver for that.
The receiver costs more than $30, I believe.

Correct, although you can get a standard wired 360 controller used for roughly $20 in a lot of places.

As a side note, not sure if this helps: I have X-Padder, and it can see I have a PS3 Controller plugged in, it's only the controller that doesn't connect.

As an above poster mentioned, you'll need to install drivers for the PC to read the data sent by the controller properly. It may be frowned upon by Sony, but it's not illegal or anything, so happy to help:

http://www.gamefront.com/how-to-use-a-ps3-controller-on-a-pc/

Borked up my stupid Bootcamp drivers...

Edit: Also, didn't work for me. But, the fact that it screwed up my trackpad was a deal-breaker anyhow.

Uninstall and reboot fixed whatever issue Bootcamp had with it, though.

 

[loc978]

...why?

-close enough [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS356&q=logitech+gamepad&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15091854931554372690&ei=xI0zTc-oCIeqsAP5ufDPBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA#], right?

Why not? If you already own a PS3, that's a free PC gamepad right there. Same if you have a wired 360 controller.

Eh, I guess. Though to properly use the PS3 controller you'd need to have a bluetooth adapter on your PC (not something I'd ever consider including in a system build).

 

[oplinger]

http://www.hardcoreware.net/how-to-playstation-3-controller-64-bit-windows-7-vista/

There ya go.

That's what I use. Works fine. It's even easier now than it used to be. But be warned don't plug in and unplug your controller with the software going. It is possible for it to cause a BSOD. Also, sometimes when you unplug your controller (if it doesn't blue screen, or if it wasn't plugged in when you turned it on) It won't recognize the controller, and you'll need to restart it.

 

[loc978]

...why?

-close enough [http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS356&q=logitech+gamepad&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15091854931554372690&ei=xI0zTc-oCIeqsAP5ufDPBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA#], right?

Why not? If you already own a PS3, that's a free PC gamepad right there. Same if you have a wired 360 controller.

Eh, I guess. Though to properly use the PS3 controller you'd need to have a bluetooth adapter on your PC (not something I'd ever consider including in a system build).

Only if you have no wired PS3 controllers. Same if you only have wireless 360 controllers. Personally I think the best option is picking up a used wired 360 controller, though...they're $20ish, plug and play, and they automap the buttons for just about any game that's also on the 360.

...if you can stand the button layout. Personally, I can't play XBox games worth a crap, that layout is just too odd for me.
...and I've never even seen a wired PS3 controller. A mini-USB charging cable, yes, but not an integrated wire.

In any case, I'm not telling anyone not to do this, I'm just sayin' PS3 controllers are rather expensive, and you can get the same layout in a USB controller for $20 or so.

 

[oplinger]

...if you can stand the button layout. Personally, I can't play XBox games worth a crap, that layout is just too odd for me.
...and I've never even seen a wired PS3 controller. A mini-USB charging cable, yes, but not an integrated wire.

In any case, I'm not telling anyone not to do this, I'm just sayin' PS3 controllers are rather expensive, and you can get the same layout in a USB controller for $20 or so.

It goes through the mini-USB charging wire. So it's like a wired PS3 contoller.

Also the PS3 controller has 2 more axes to use, which is really awesome for space sims actually. And realistic racing games. It's really nice

 

[loc978]

It goes through the mini-USB charging wire. So it's like a wired PS3 contoller.

huh. never knew they could send data through that port.

Also the PS3 controller has 2 more axes to use, which is really awesome for space sims actually. And realistic racing games. It's really nice

Eh, guess I'm just a die-hard... I could never play a flight or space sim with a thumbstick (though I do play racing games on PS3 all the time)...

...but I can't really talk budget here, I have a $120 joystick and a $110 steering wheel/pedal setup for my PC...